OPT Medical Writer Jobs
Medical Writer roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in life sciences, pharmacy, or public health. Most positions qualify as STEM OPT-eligible, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in pharma, CROs, and biotech regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this role.
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Get Access To All JobsOVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY
Fox News Media
FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer digital streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the newly announced platform FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for 20 consecutive years, while FBN currently ranks among the top business channels on cable. Owned by FOX Corporation, FOX News Media reaches 200 million people each month.
JOB DESCRIPTION
We are looking for a talented Editorial Writer to join the #1 national cable morning show franchise, FOX & Friends, and FOX & Friends First. You use creative, compelling copy, are detail-oriented and thorough, and can handle the pressure of being the last set of eyes on stories before air. The Editorial Writer is also strong in a control room atmosphere and can communicate quickly and effectively with several people at once.
You will be offered the following shift:
Monday - Friday from 11 PM - 7 AM, ET most days for Fox & Friends First
A SNAPSHOT OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Copyedit all headlines & reporter hits under tight deadline pressure
- Check graphics and videos to ensure they match writer scripts
- Communicate critical story information with producers and managers
- Be a leader for the writing team, helping them grow and develop
- Pitch story ideas
- Think outside the box to tell a story
- Understand the importance of utilizing and writing to video
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Major market experience
- Flexibility to work both weekend and weekday overnight hours
- Solid news judgment
- Thorough knowledge of current events, US politics, geopolitics, foreign policy, and history
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field of study is preferred, or equivalent experience
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.
Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure requirements, the pay rate/range for this role, with final offer amount dependent on education, skills, experience, and location is $83,000.00-91,000.00 annually. This role is also eligible for various benefits, including medical/dental/vision, insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and other benefits in accordance with applicable plan documents. Benefits for Union represented employees will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY
Fox News Media
FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer digital streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the newly announced platform FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for 20 consecutive years, while FBN currently ranks among the top business channels on cable. Owned by FOX Corporation, FOX News Media reaches 200 million people each month.
JOB DESCRIPTION
We are looking for a talented Editorial Writer to join the #1 national cable morning show franchise, FOX & Friends, and FOX & Friends First. You use creative, compelling copy, are detail-oriented and thorough, and can handle the pressure of being the last set of eyes on stories before air. The Editorial Writer is also strong in a control room atmosphere and can communicate quickly and effectively with several people at once.
You will be offered the following shift:
Monday - Friday from 11 PM - 7 AM, ET most days for Fox & Friends First
A SNAPSHOT OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Copyedit all headlines & reporter hits under tight deadline pressure
- Check graphics and videos to ensure they match writer scripts
- Communicate critical story information with producers and managers
- Be a leader for the writing team, helping them grow and develop
- Pitch story ideas
- Think outside the box to tell a story
- Understand the importance of utilizing and writing to video
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Major market experience
- Flexibility to work both weekend and weekday overnight hours
- Solid news judgment
- Thorough knowledge of current events, US politics, geopolitics, foreign policy, and history
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field of study is preferred, or equivalent experience
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.
Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure requirements, the pay rate/range for this role, with final offer amount dependent on education, skills, experience, and location is $83,000.00-91,000.00 annually. This role is also eligible for various benefits, including medical/dental/vision, insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and other benefits in accordance with applicable plan documents. Benefits for Union represented employees will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
See all 114+ OPT Medical Writer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Medical Writer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Medical Writer
Target CROs and pharma companies with established visa programs
Contract research organizations like ICON, Covance, and Parexel hire Medical Writers at scale and have structured immigration support. Large pharma companies follow similar patterns. These employers sponsor H-1B visas far more consistently than smaller agencies or startups.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Medical Writing roles typically fall under STEM OPT when your degree is in biology, pharmacy, public health, or a related field. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer. A STEM extension gives you 24 extra months of work authorization.
Emphasize therapeutic area knowledge in your application
Employers value Medical Writers who understand oncology, cardiology, or neurology beyond general writing skills. Highlighting specific therapeutic expertise signals you can contribute immediately, which strengthens the business case an employer needs to justify visa sponsorship.
Get certified to stand out in a competitive candidate pool
The AMWA Essential Skills Certificate or similar credentials demonstrate professional commitment beyond your degree. For OPT students competing against candidates with longer work authorization, certifications help employers view sponsorship as a worthwhile investment in your long-term development.
Raise OPT and sponsorship timing early in conversations
Disclose your OPT status before the offer stage to avoid last-minute complications. Ask directly whether the company has sponsored H-1B visas for Medical Writers before. Employers who have done it once are far more likely to do it again without hesitation.
Build a portfolio of writing samples before you apply
Hiring managers for Medical Writer roles screen candidates on writing quality first. Prepare two or three clean samples covering different document types, such as clinical summaries, regulatory narratives, or patient-facing content. Strong samples reduce friction and accelerate hiring decisions.
Medical Writer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Medical Writer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Medical Writer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree falls under an approved STEM CIP code. Degrees in biological sciences, pharmacy, public health, and biomedical fields commonly qualify. Your DSO can confirm your specific CIP code. If you qualify, you get up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization, which covers two full H-1B lottery cycles.
How do I find Medical Writer jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Browse Medical Writer listings on Migrate Mate, which filters for employers actively open to sponsoring F-1 OPT and H-1B candidates. Focus on contract research organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and medical communications agencies. These employer types have established immigration pipelines and are accustomed to supporting foreign national hires through OPT and into long-term sponsorship.
What types of employers hire Medical Writers on OPT?
The strongest employers for OPT Medical Writers are contract research organizations, large pharmaceutical companies, medical communications agencies, and regulatory consulting firms. Academic medical centers and biotech startups also hire, though their immigration infrastructure varies. CROs and pharma companies are the most reliable for H-1B sponsorship because they hire Medical Writers in volume and have legal teams experienced in immigration filings.
When should I tell an employer I'm on OPT during the interview process?
Disclose your OPT status before the offer stage, ideally after a first-round interview confirms mutual interest. Waiting until an offer is extended can create delays or cause an employer to withdraw. Framing it clearly helps: explain your current authorization period, whether you qualify for STEM OPT extension, and when you would need H-1B sponsorship. Employers who have sponsored before handle this conversation routinely.
Is Medical Writing considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Medical Writing generally qualifies as a specialty occupation because the role normally requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field such as life sciences, pharmacy, or a related discipline. USCIS evaluates this on a case-by-case basis, so the job description and degree alignment matter. Roles tied to regulatory submissions, clinical documentation, or scientific publications have the strongest specialty occupation arguments.