OPT Medical Director Oncology Jobs
Medical Director Oncology roles are among the most specialized physician leadership positions available to F-1 OPT students with an MD or DO degree. Most employers require active medical licensure and board certification in oncology. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies, gives you time to establish yourself before pursuing H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Raising CRO standards for innovation and delivery to help bring life-changing treatments to patients faster. Fortrea is seeking a dedicated US remote based Medical Director or Senior Medical Director with deep expertise in Oncology along with background in innovative therapies, including cell and gene therapy. The incumbent will provide medical leadership and oversight across all phases of development, including early-phase innovation and late-phase global programs. Responsible for supporting the development activities of proposed and ongoing projects in their area of expertise, as well as medical monitoring to assigned clinical studies.
We are particularly interested in candidates who have led or supported oncology clinical programs and who are comfortable serving as the study physician, providing medical monitoring oversight (e.g., safety review, contribution to protocol development, including study design, endpoints and eligibility criteria) and working collaboratively with other project team members. In addition to strong scientific leadership, the role is expected to be highly client-facing with an increased business development component - requiring regular engagement at executive level, and the confidence and polish to represent Fortrea with senior client leaders, external partners, and other key stakeholders.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- SME Cross-functional, scientific & technical contributions and interactions with Clients Medical teams, Project teams, Key Opinion Leader and at Principal Investigator/Site levels.
- Partner with clients and internal teams to support business development - shaping clinical/medical strategy for proposals, bid defenses, and client discussions.
- Provide oversight of medical monitoring activities to ensure timelines and quality of medical deliverables and assigns physician resources as required.
- According to the scope of work, may serve as Global Lead, Regional or Program Project Physician across multiple indications.
- Provide subject matter and drug development expertise and is a key contributor to the medical strategy and execution of the study/program for the client.
- Provides input, review and revision of protocols, case report forms, training materials, project specific tools, analysis plans design, clinical trial reports and new drug applications.
- Prepares materials for and actively participates in investigator meetings and assists at site initiation visits.
- Provides medical/scientific expertise to project team.
- And any other duties as required or assigned.
YOU NEED TO BRING
- MD Degree, with board certification in oncology or hemato-oncology
- 3+ years of substantial knowledge of drug development and extensive clinical research experience within the pharmaceutical/CRO industry (or as a clinical trial investigator) in Oncology, hematologic malignancies and/or related therapeutic areas.
- Industry experience inclusive of clinical trials medical monitoring experience or other relevant clinical development/trial experience at a CRO, pharmaceutical company, regulatory agency preferred.
- Have current knowledge of drug development and relevant clinical research experience within the pharmaceutical/industry in oncology.
- Experience supporting oncology clinical studies or programmes.
- Experience engaging with Sponsors, investigators, and project teams as a medical monitor or investigator.
- Strong communication skills and ability to operate effectively in a global environment.
- Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience in lieu of educational requirements.
Work Environment
Work is primarily performed in a remote (home office) environment with routine use of standard office equipment (e.g., computer, phone, printer, and other electronic devices); however, occasional presence at a Fortrea office may be required. May require driving to site locations and travel, both domestic and international.
Physical Requirements
Frequently stationary for 6-8 hours per day.
Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
Occasional crouching, stooping, with frequent bending and twisting of upper body and neck.
Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
Light to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.
Regular and consistent attendance.
Varied hours may be required.
Pay Range: USD $240,000-$340,000
Benefits: All job offers will be based on a candidate’s skills and prior relevant experience, applicable degrees/certifications, as well as internal equity and market data. Regular, full-time or part-time employees working 20 or more hours per week are eligible for comprehensive benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD/LTD, 401(K), Paid time off (PTO) or Flexible time off (FTO), Company bonus where applicable.
Application Deadline: May 15, 2026
Learn more about our EEO & Accommodations request here.
INTRODUCTION
Raising CRO standards for innovation and delivery to help bring life-changing treatments to patients faster. Fortrea is seeking a dedicated US remote based Medical Director or Senior Medical Director with deep expertise in Oncology along with background in innovative therapies, including cell and gene therapy. The incumbent will provide medical leadership and oversight across all phases of development, including early-phase innovation and late-phase global programs. Responsible for supporting the development activities of proposed and ongoing projects in their area of expertise, as well as medical monitoring to assigned clinical studies.
We are particularly interested in candidates who have led or supported oncology clinical programs and who are comfortable serving as the study physician, providing medical monitoring oversight (e.g., safety review, contribution to protocol development, including study design, endpoints and eligibility criteria) and working collaboratively with other project team members. In addition to strong scientific leadership, the role is expected to be highly client-facing with an increased business development component - requiring regular engagement at executive level, and the confidence and polish to represent Fortrea with senior client leaders, external partners, and other key stakeholders.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- SME Cross-functional, scientific & technical contributions and interactions with Clients Medical teams, Project teams, Key Opinion Leader and at Principal Investigator/Site levels.
- Partner with clients and internal teams to support business development - shaping clinical/medical strategy for proposals, bid defenses, and client discussions.
- Provide oversight of medical monitoring activities to ensure timelines and quality of medical deliverables and assigns physician resources as required.
- According to the scope of work, may serve as Global Lead, Regional or Program Project Physician across multiple indications.
- Provide subject matter and drug development expertise and is a key contributor to the medical strategy and execution of the study/program for the client.
- Provides input, review and revision of protocols, case report forms, training materials, project specific tools, analysis plans design, clinical trial reports and new drug applications.
- Prepares materials for and actively participates in investigator meetings and assists at site initiation visits.
- Provides medical/scientific expertise to project team.
- And any other duties as required or assigned.
YOU NEED TO BRING
- MD Degree, with board certification in oncology or hemato-oncology
- 3+ years of substantial knowledge of drug development and extensive clinical research experience within the pharmaceutical/CRO industry (or as a clinical trial investigator) in Oncology, hematologic malignancies and/or related therapeutic areas.
- Industry experience inclusive of clinical trials medical monitoring experience or other relevant clinical development/trial experience at a CRO, pharmaceutical company, regulatory agency preferred.
- Have current knowledge of drug development and relevant clinical research experience within the pharmaceutical/industry in oncology.
- Experience supporting oncology clinical studies or programmes.
- Experience engaging with Sponsors, investigators, and project teams as a medical monitor or investigator.
- Strong communication skills and ability to operate effectively in a global environment.
- Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience in lieu of educational requirements.
Work Environment
Work is primarily performed in a remote (home office) environment with routine use of standard office equipment (e.g., computer, phone, printer, and other electronic devices); however, occasional presence at a Fortrea office may be required. May require driving to site locations and travel, both domestic and international.
Physical Requirements
Frequently stationary for 6-8 hours per day.
Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
Occasional crouching, stooping, with frequent bending and twisting of upper body and neck.
Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
Light to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.
Regular and consistent attendance.
Varied hours may be required.
Pay Range: USD $240,000-$340,000
Benefits: All job offers will be based on a candidate’s skills and prior relevant experience, applicable degrees/certifications, as well as internal equity and market data. Regular, full-time or part-time employees working 20 or more hours per week are eligible for comprehensive benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD/LTD, 401(K), Paid time off (PTO) or Flexible time off (FTO), Company bonus where applicable.
Application Deadline: May 15, 2026
Learn more about our EEO & Accommodations request here.
See all OPT Medical Director Oncology Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Medical Director Oncology Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Medical Director Oncology
Target academic medical centers first
Academic hospitals and NCI-designated cancer centers hire physician leaders regularly and have established immigration counsel on staff. They're more familiar with H-1B visa sponsorship for physician roles than private oncology practices or smaller health systems.
Confirm your OPT is authorized for clinical leadership
Medical Director roles blend clinical practice and administrative leadership. Make sure your OPT authorization covers the specific activities in the job description, including patient care components, before accepting an offer to avoid any work authorization complications.
Get board certification in place before applying
Employers treating Medical Director Oncology roles as specialty occupations for H-1B purposes need to demonstrate licensure and board certification. Having ABIM or equivalent certification completed before your OPT period ends removes a significant barrier to sponsorship.
Ask about sponsorship during the second interview round
Raising visa sponsorship too early can remove you from consideration. Wait until an employer shows serious interest, typically after a second interview, then ask directly whether the organization has sponsored H-1B physicians in oncology leadership roles before.
Understand the H-1B cap-exempt advantage in healthcare
Hospitals affiliated with universities or nonprofit research institutions are often cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round without the lottery. This significantly improves your odds compared to for-profit healthcare employers subject to the annual cap.
Document your clinical and leadership experience carefully
Strong H-1B petitions for Medical Director roles require detailed evidence of specialty occupation status. Keep records of your oncology-specific responsibilities, committee leadership, clinical protocols developed, and any published research throughout your OPT employment period.
Medical Director Oncology OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can an F-1 OPT student work as a Medical Director in Oncology?
Yes, if your OPT is authorized for your field of study and the role aligns with your degree. Medical Director Oncology positions typically require an MD or DO with oncology training, so your OPT must cover physician practice. Confirm the role's clinical and administrative components match your authorized employment category before starting.
Does a Medical Director Oncology role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code. If your medical degree is classified under a STEM-designated field by the Department of Homeland Security, you may qualify for a 24-month extension beyond standard 12-month OPT. Most MD and DO programs are not STEM-designated, so check your I-20 and confirm with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
Where can I find Medical Director Oncology jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job searches. You can browse Medical Director Oncology listings filtered by sponsorship willingness, which saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering visa limitations late in the hiring process. Targeting employers with a documented history of sponsoring physician roles is the most efficient approach.
How does transitioning from OPT to H-1B work for oncology physician leaders?
Your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT expires. For cap-subject employers, this means filing in April for an October 1 start, which requires your OPT to cover the gap period. Cap-exempt employers, including many academic medical centers and nonprofit hospitals, can file any time, giving you more flexibility during your OPT window.
Do Medical Director Oncology roles typically come with H-1B sponsorship?
Academic medical centers, NCI-designated cancer centers, and large nonprofit health systems sponsor H-1B visas for physician leadership roles with reasonable frequency. Smaller private oncology practices are less likely to have sponsorship infrastructure in place. Asking targeted questions about prior sponsorship experience during interviews gives you a clearer picture than relying on job posting language alone.