OPT Meat Wrapper Jobs
Meat Wrapper jobs involve packaging and labeling meat products in grocery stores, supermarkets, and food processing facilities. For F-1 OPT students, these roles qualify under food science, hospitality, or culinary arts authorization. Most positions are full-time, helping you meet OPT employment requirements while building hands-on industry experience.
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Research Assistant Professor of Food & Meat Science
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Animal Science
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
College Station, Texas
Job Type
Faculty
About
Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University
- Texas A&M Forest Service
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.
Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!
Position Information
Texas A&M AgriLife Research seeks an outstanding, innovative, and dynamic research faculty member in the Department of Animal Science at the rank of Research Assistant Professor. This appointment will be 12 months, non-tenured, 100% Research. The applicant will collaborate with scientists across the department, the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, and Texas A&M University. The candidate will build a highly impactful, externally funded, nationally recognized, and self-sustaining research program addressing key production and processing challenges in Texas’s food and meat science industry.
The successful candidate will develop and maintain a nationally recognized, externally funded research program focused on meat microbiology, food safety, and microbial ecology within animal and food systems. This work will integrate applied and fundamental approaches, including microbial ecology, data analytics, and systems-level modeling to address critical challenges facing the meat and food industries.
Specific responsibilities will include:
- Establish a robust, externally funded research program addressing meat safety, microbiome ecology, pathogen control, and/or product shelf-life. This includes research aligning agricultural production with human nutritional needs, environmental conditions, and economic prosperity for farmers and ranchers.
- Utilize advanced analytical, microbiological, and data science approaches to generate impactful, translational outcomes for the livestock and meat industries which contribute to human health.
- Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international scientific meetings.
- Recruit, mentor, and train M.S. and Ph.D. students in animal science-related research.
- Serve on graduate committees and contribute to the development of future scientists and industry professionals.
- Collaboration with industry partners, producers, processors, and regulatory agencies to address food safety challenges and improve product quality as well as human nutritional needs.
- Participate in outreach and engagement activities as appropriate to translate research findings into practical applications for stakeholders.
- Secure extramural funding from federal agencies, industry groups, and other sources to sustain and grow the research program.
- Build strategic partnerships that enhance research capacity, collaboration, and stakeholder impact.
- Participate in departmental, college, and agency service activities.
- Contribute to professional societies and scientific communities relevant to animal science, food safety, and microbiology.
Administrative Relationships:
- Reports directly to the Head of the Department of Animal Science, with guidance from the Director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture.
- Directs the work of support staff, other technical personnel, and graduate students as needed.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in an area of Animal or Food Science, emphasizing meat science or a closely related field.
- Experience with Food and Meat Science and management practices and related activities.
- Strong quantitative skills related to Food and Meat Science research, including expertise in issues related to pathogen persistence, spoilage, and shelf-life in meat production and processing environments.
- Record of peer-reviewed publications of original research.
- Experience working with federal agencies or in other multi-agency collaborative settings.
- Grant writing experience and evidence of the ability to attract external funding.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Excellence in verbal and written communication, including relevant publication records.
- Team-building skills, collaboration capacity, and project management abilities.
- Ability to multi-task and establish effective working relationships.
- Knowledge and understanding of the mission and role of the Land Grant University System.
What You Need to Know
Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.
Location and Facilities
This position will be administratively located within the Texas A&M AgriLife Research program in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, and will be affiliated with the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture.
The Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University is a nationally recognized program with a strong emphasis on research, innovation, and industry engagement in animal agriculture, meat science, and food systems. The department includes a diverse faculty with expertise spanning meat science, food safety, nutrition, physiology, genetics, and production systems.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, IHA, is the world’s first research institute seeking to optimize health for current and future generations through innovative research connecting agriculture, food systems, and nutrition. The IHA integrates expertise in precision nutrition, responsive agriculture, and social and behavioral research to provide evidence-based solutions for a healthier world. The successful candidate will have opportunities to engage in collaborative, multidisciplinary research initiatives aligned with IHA’s mission.
The candidate will have access to modern research facilities and resources within the Department of Animal Science, the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, and across the Texas A&M University campus, including laboratories, pilot processing facilities, and shared core facilities that support microbiology, molecular biology, and data analytics. Opportunities for collaboration exist with AgriLife Research centers across the state, federal agencies, and industry partners. These resources and collaborations provide a strong foundation for developing a nationally recognized and impactful research program.
Additional information about Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science, and the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture is available at:
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research: https://agriliferesearch.tamu.edu/
- Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science: https://animalscience.tamu.edu/
- Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture: https://iha.tamu.edu/
Why Work at Texas A& M AgriLife?
When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.
Applicant Instructions
Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.
Required Documents
- Cover letter (two-page limit)
- Curriculum vitae, including a list of three references and their contact information within the CV
- Vision statements of research and service (two-page limit).
The anticipated start date is August 1, 2026.
For questions, email inquiries to Dr. Tryon Wickersham, Search Committee Chair, Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, via Ms. Amy Carwile, e-mail: (amy.carwile@ag.tamu.edu).
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
Job Title
Research Assistant Professor of Food & Meat Science
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Animal Science
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
College Station, Texas
Job Type
Faculty
About
Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University
- Texas A&M Forest Service
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.
Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!
Position Information
Texas A&M AgriLife Research seeks an outstanding, innovative, and dynamic research faculty member in the Department of Animal Science at the rank of Research Assistant Professor. This appointment will be 12 months, non-tenured, 100% Research. The applicant will collaborate with scientists across the department, the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, and Texas A&M University. The candidate will build a highly impactful, externally funded, nationally recognized, and self-sustaining research program addressing key production and processing challenges in Texas’s food and meat science industry.
The successful candidate will develop and maintain a nationally recognized, externally funded research program focused on meat microbiology, food safety, and microbial ecology within animal and food systems. This work will integrate applied and fundamental approaches, including microbial ecology, data analytics, and systems-level modeling to address critical challenges facing the meat and food industries.
Specific responsibilities will include:
- Establish a robust, externally funded research program addressing meat safety, microbiome ecology, pathogen control, and/or product shelf-life. This includes research aligning agricultural production with human nutritional needs, environmental conditions, and economic prosperity for farmers and ranchers.
- Utilize advanced analytical, microbiological, and data science approaches to generate impactful, translational outcomes for the livestock and meat industries which contribute to human health.
- Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international scientific meetings.
- Recruit, mentor, and train M.S. and Ph.D. students in animal science-related research.
- Serve on graduate committees and contribute to the development of future scientists and industry professionals.
- Collaboration with industry partners, producers, processors, and regulatory agencies to address food safety challenges and improve product quality as well as human nutritional needs.
- Participate in outreach and engagement activities as appropriate to translate research findings into practical applications for stakeholders.
- Secure extramural funding from federal agencies, industry groups, and other sources to sustain and grow the research program.
- Build strategic partnerships that enhance research capacity, collaboration, and stakeholder impact.
- Participate in departmental, college, and agency service activities.
- Contribute to professional societies and scientific communities relevant to animal science, food safety, and microbiology.
Administrative Relationships:
- Reports directly to the Head of the Department of Animal Science, with guidance from the Director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture.
- Directs the work of support staff, other technical personnel, and graduate students as needed.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in an area of Animal or Food Science, emphasizing meat science or a closely related field.
- Experience with Food and Meat Science and management practices and related activities.
- Strong quantitative skills related to Food and Meat Science research, including expertise in issues related to pathogen persistence, spoilage, and shelf-life in meat production and processing environments.
- Record of peer-reviewed publications of original research.
- Experience working with federal agencies or in other multi-agency collaborative settings.
- Grant writing experience and evidence of the ability to attract external funding.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Excellence in verbal and written communication, including relevant publication records.
- Team-building skills, collaboration capacity, and project management abilities.
- Ability to multi-task and establish effective working relationships.
- Knowledge and understanding of the mission and role of the Land Grant University System.
What You Need to Know
Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.
Location and Facilities
This position will be administratively located within the Texas A&M AgriLife Research program in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, and will be affiliated with the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture.
The Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University is a nationally recognized program with a strong emphasis on research, innovation, and industry engagement in animal agriculture, meat science, and food systems. The department includes a diverse faculty with expertise spanning meat science, food safety, nutrition, physiology, genetics, and production systems.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, IHA, is the world’s first research institute seeking to optimize health for current and future generations through innovative research connecting agriculture, food systems, and nutrition. The IHA integrates expertise in precision nutrition, responsive agriculture, and social and behavioral research to provide evidence-based solutions for a healthier world. The successful candidate will have opportunities to engage in collaborative, multidisciplinary research initiatives aligned with IHA’s mission.
The candidate will have access to modern research facilities and resources within the Department of Animal Science, the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, and across the Texas A&M University campus, including laboratories, pilot processing facilities, and shared core facilities that support microbiology, molecular biology, and data analytics. Opportunities for collaboration exist with AgriLife Research centers across the state, federal agencies, and industry partners. These resources and collaborations provide a strong foundation for developing a nationally recognized and impactful research program.
Additional information about Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science, and the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture is available at:
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research: https://agriliferesearch.tamu.edu/
- Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science: https://animalscience.tamu.edu/
- Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture: https://iha.tamu.edu/
Why Work at Texas A& M AgriLife?
When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.
Applicant Instructions
Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.
Required Documents
- Cover letter (two-page limit)
- Curriculum vitae, including a list of three references and their contact information within the CV
- Vision statements of research and service (two-page limit).
The anticipated start date is August 1, 2026.
For questions, email inquiries to Dr. Tryon Wickersham, Search Committee Chair, Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, via Ms. Amy Carwile, e-mail: (amy.carwile@ag.tamu.edu).
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
See all OPT Meat Wrapper Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Meat Wrapper Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Meat Wrapper
Confirm your OPT aligns with the role
Meat Wrapper positions qualify for OPT if your degree is in food science, culinary arts, hospitality management, or a related field. Verify your DSO confirms the connection before applying to avoid authorization issues later.
Target employers with prior OPT experience
Large grocery chains and food processing companies are more familiar with OPT work authorization than small independent butchers. Prioritize employers who have hired international students before, as the onboarding process will be smoother.
Track your employment start date carefully
OPT requires you to begin working within 90 days of your program end date. Confirm your Meat Wrapper position start date is documented in writing so your DSO can record it accurately in SEVIS without gaps.
Clarify full-time hours before accepting an offer
OPT requires working at least 20 hours per week. Meat Wrapper roles are often shift-based, so confirm your weekly schedule meets this minimum before accepting. Full-time positions reduce the risk of OPT compliance issues.
Document the employer connection to your field
If asked by your DSO to justify the connection, prepare a brief written explanation linking your coursework to the role. Food safety training, food handling certifications, or supply chain coursework all strengthen the connection on paper.
Prepare for employer questions about your work authorization
Many hiring managers at grocery or food processing facilities are unfamiliar with OPT. Bring a concise one-page summary explaining your EAD card, authorized employment period, and that no employer sponsorship is required for OPT.
Meat Wrapper OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Meat Wrapper on F-1 OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in a field directly related to the role, such as food science, culinary arts, or hospitality management. Your DSO must record the position in SEVIS, and the job must meet the 20-hour-per-week minimum. The connection between your coursework and the Meat Wrapper role needs to be documented and approved by your school before you start.
Do Meat Wrapper employers need to sponsor my visa for OPT?
No. During OPT, your work authorization comes from USCIS through your EAD card, not from the employer. You simply present your EAD and I-20 during onboarding. The employer does not file any petition or pay any government fees on your behalf, which makes OPT significantly easier to explain to hiring managers unfamiliar with international students.
Where can I find Meat Wrapper jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended platform for F-1 OPT students searching for jobs in food production and grocery roles. It filters opportunities by OPT eligibility and employer sponsorship history, which saves time compared to manually researching each posting. Browse Migrate Mate to find Meat Wrapper positions at employers already familiar with hiring international students on work authorization.
What happens to my OPT if my Meat Wrapper job ends?
You enter a 90-day unemployment period, which counts cumulatively across your entire OPT period. If you exceed 90 days of total unemployment, your OPT is terminated. Report any job loss to your DSO immediately so they can update your SEVIS record. Finding a new qualifying position quickly is critical to maintaining valid F-1 status throughout your authorized period.
Does a Meat Wrapper role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Generally no. STEM OPT extension requires a STEM-designated degree and a role directly related to that STEM field. Meat Wrapper positions are typically classified under food production or retail, not STEM occupations. Students with food science or agricultural science degrees may have a stronger argument, but it depends on how USCIS and your DSO assess the connection. Consult your DSO before assuming eligibility.