OPT Operations Jobs
Operations roles are a strong fit for OPT students because employers in this field hire across industries, from tech and logistics to healthcare and manufacturing. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to prove value and prompt an H-1B visa sponsorship conversation, especially in process-heavy environments where institutional knowledge matters.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Ref:
JR-5639
Location:
450 Brookline Ave, BOSTON, MA 02215
Category:
Research Laboratory
Employment Type:
Full time
Work Location:
Onsite: occasional remote
Salary/Pay Rate:
$52,400.00 - $57,200.00 per year
Overview
The positions in this job family will assist scientists in performing scientific research, development and/or clinical tasks of varying complexity. In general, they will assist in the set up, operation and maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment, monitoring experiments, making observations and calculating and recording results. Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
Responsibilities:
- Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain and troubleshoot equipment
- Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas and may be responsible for ordering of supplies. Collaborates with Purchasing and may be responsible for negotiating with vendors
- Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses, including the collection of information and samples from organic substances, such as blood, drugs, and animals
- Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings, including grant preparation and presentations, and look for opportunities to co-author publications. May be expected to participate in formal and information presentations of results to staff
- Participate in grant application process and manuscript preparation as required
- Maintains detailed notebook of all work-related activities
- Monitors laboratory work to ensure compliance with Environmental Health and Safety information as well as the standard operation procedures specific to each laboratory
- Expected to provide intellectual and interactive commitment to position by keeping up with appropriate literature and research publications
- May be responsible for the development, modification and improvement of standard operating procedures
- Uses computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology applications to perform work duties
- May be responsible for designing and executing advanced experiments and setting strategy
- May be responsible for the examination of animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems
- May be responsible for monitoring laboratory budgets
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Knowledge of information and techniques related to either biology, chemistry, or medicine is preferred
- Must have excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and be able to work with a wide variety of faculty and staff
- Ability to analyze information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems
- Must have attention to detail and be thorough in completing work tasks
- Ability to work within a team environment
MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
The position requires a bachelor’s degree, preferably in biology or chemistry, and 1-4 years of related experience. Candidates should develop technical expertise, institutional policies to address various issues, and analyze situations or data of moderate scope. The role involves exercising judgment within established procedures and building productive internal and external working relationships.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No supervisory responsibilities. Normally receives general instructions on routine work, detailed instructions on new projects or assignments.
PATIENT CONTACT:
None
At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
EEO Poster
Pay Transparency Statement
The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.
For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
$52,400.00 - $57,200.00
Job Ref:
JR-5639
Location:
450 Brookline Ave, BOSTON, MA 02215
Category:
Research Laboratory
Employment Type:
Full time
Work Location:
Onsite: occasional remote
Salary/Pay Rate:
$52,400.00 - $57,200.00 per year
Overview
The positions in this job family will assist scientists in performing scientific research, development and/or clinical tasks of varying complexity. In general, they will assist in the set up, operation and maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment, monitoring experiments, making observations and calculating and recording results. Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
Responsibilities:
- Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain and troubleshoot equipment
- Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas and may be responsible for ordering of supplies. Collaborates with Purchasing and may be responsible for negotiating with vendors
- Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses, including the collection of information and samples from organic substances, such as blood, drugs, and animals
- Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings, including grant preparation and presentations, and look for opportunities to co-author publications. May be expected to participate in formal and information presentations of results to staff
- Participate in grant application process and manuscript preparation as required
- Maintains detailed notebook of all work-related activities
- Monitors laboratory work to ensure compliance with Environmental Health and Safety information as well as the standard operation procedures specific to each laboratory
- Expected to provide intellectual and interactive commitment to position by keeping up with appropriate literature and research publications
- May be responsible for the development, modification and improvement of standard operating procedures
- Uses computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology applications to perform work duties
- May be responsible for designing and executing advanced experiments and setting strategy
- May be responsible for the examination of animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems
- May be responsible for monitoring laboratory budgets
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Knowledge of information and techniques related to either biology, chemistry, or medicine is preferred
- Must have excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and be able to work with a wide variety of faculty and staff
- Ability to analyze information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems
- Must have attention to detail and be thorough in completing work tasks
- Ability to work within a team environment
MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
The position requires a bachelor’s degree, preferably in biology or chemistry, and 1-4 years of related experience. Candidates should develop technical expertise, institutional policies to address various issues, and analyze situations or data of moderate scope. The role involves exercising judgment within established procedures and building productive internal and external working relationships.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No supervisory responsibilities. Normally receives general instructions on routine work, detailed instructions on new projects or assignments.
PATIENT CONTACT:
None
At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
EEO Poster
Pay Transparency Statement
The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.
For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
$52,400.00 - $57,200.00
See all 4,565+ OPT Operations Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Operations Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Operations
Target companies with STEM-adjacent operations roles
Operations roles at tech, biotech, and advanced manufacturing companies often fall under STEM-designated SOC codes, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm the role's SOC code with your employer before accepting an offer.
Verify your employer is enrolled in E-Verify
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be registered with E-Verify. Ask HR early in the hiring process. Most large operations teams at established companies already are, but smaller firms and startups sometimes are not.
Quantify process improvements in your application materials
Operations hiring managers respond to measurable impact. Lead with specific outcomes you drove, such as reduced cycle times, cost savings, or efficiency gains. Numbers make your contribution concrete and demonstrate the analytical thinking operations roles require.
Bring up OPT before the offer stage
Raising your work authorization status after receiving an offer creates friction. Mentioning OPT during the second or third interview round, framed as a straightforward onboarding detail, gives employers time to consult HR without feeling surprised at the finish line.
Focus on operations-heavy industries with proven H-1B track records
Supply chain, logistics technology, and consulting firms have well-established immigration pipelines. These employers have sponsored operations professionals through H-1B visa before and are far less likely to be deterred by the process compared to smaller or newer companies.
Align your I-983 training plan with actual job responsibilities
For STEM OPT, your training plan must reflect real work you will do. A vague or generic I-983 can trigger DSO scrutiny. Work with your employer's HR team to document specific learning objectives tied to your operations role.
Operations OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do operations jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Some do, but not all. Operations roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension only if the position's SOC code falls under a STEM-designated field and your degree is from a STEM program. Roles like operations analyst, supply chain analyst, and data operations specialist often qualify. General operations coordinator roles may not. Confirm with your DSO before accepting an offer.
How do I find operations employers who sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers, so you can browse operations roles without sorting through companies that won't work with international students. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations deep into the hiring process.
Can I start an operations job before my OPT EAD card arrives?
No. You cannot begin working until you have your physical EAD card in hand, even if USCIS has approved your application. Apply for OPT as early as 90 days before your program end date to build in buffer time. Operations roles with structured onboarding timelines are particularly sensitive to delays, so plan accordingly.
What happens to my OPT if I'm laid off from an operations job?
You have a cumulative 90-day unemployment limit during standard OPT, and STEM OPT allows up to 150 days total. If you're laid off, report the change to your DSO immediately and begin your job search right away. Operations is a broad field with roles across many industries, which works in your favor when pivoting quickly.
Do I need my operations job to be full-time to maintain OPT status?
USCIS requires OPT employment to be at least 20 hours per week and directly related to your degree field. Full-time is preferable and makes H-1B sponsorship conversations easier, but part-time operations work that meets the 20-hour threshold and relates to your studies is technically compliant. Document the connection between your role and your degree clearly with your DSO.