OPT Postdoctoral Associate Jobs
Postdoctoral Associate positions are among the most OPT-friendly roles in academia and research. Universities and research institutions routinely sponsor F-1 students, and the structured nature of postdoc appointments aligns well with OPT timelines. STEM OPT extension eligibility is nearly universal for this role, giving you up to three years of authorized work.
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Get Access To All JobsPOSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
To investigate how chronic metabolic stress drives mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic reprogramming in adipocytes.
A postdoctoral training position is available in the laboratory of Philipp Scherer, Ph.D. in the Touchstone Diabetes Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The successful candidate will investigate how chronic metabolic stress drives mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic reprogramming in adipocytes. Several exciting projects are available that combine mechanistic studies of adipocyte biology with state-of-the-art genetic, molecular, metabolic, and imaging approaches to define how mitochondrial adaptations contribute to adipose tissue dysfunction and systemic metabolic disease.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must hold a recent Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree. Experience in Physiology or Immunology with a proven track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested individuals should send a CV, statement of interests, and a list of three references to:
Faculty name, degree(s) held or contact person: Philipp Scherer, Ph.D.
Faculty or contact person email: Karen.kazandjian@utsouthwestern.edu
Faculty lab website: Scherer Lab | Touchstone Diabetes Center.org (touchstonelabs.org)
Faculty profile link: Philipp Scherer, Ph.D. – Faculty Profile – UT Southwestern
Information on our postdoctoral training program, benefits, and a virtual tour can be found at http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/postdocs.
EEO STATEMENT
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
To investigate how chronic metabolic stress drives mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic reprogramming in adipocytes.
A postdoctoral training position is available in the laboratory of Philipp Scherer, Ph.D. in the Touchstone Diabetes Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The successful candidate will investigate how chronic metabolic stress drives mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic reprogramming in adipocytes. Several exciting projects are available that combine mechanistic studies of adipocyte biology with state-of-the-art genetic, molecular, metabolic, and imaging approaches to define how mitochondrial adaptations contribute to adipose tissue dysfunction and systemic metabolic disease.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must hold a recent Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree. Experience in Physiology or Immunology with a proven track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested individuals should send a CV, statement of interests, and a list of three references to:
Faculty name, degree(s) held or contact person: Philipp Scherer, Ph.D.
Faculty or contact person email: Karen.kazandjian@utsouthwestern.edu
Faculty lab website: Scherer Lab | Touchstone Diabetes Center.org (touchstonelabs.org)
Faculty profile link: Philipp Scherer, Ph.D. – Faculty Profile – UT Southwestern
Information on our postdoctoral training program, benefits, and a virtual tour can be found at http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/postdocs.
EEO STATEMENT
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
See all 814+ OPT Postdoctoral Associate Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Postdoctoral Associate
Target university research departments directly
Most postdoctoral openings are posted on university HR portals and departmental websites before appearing anywhere else. Identify faculty whose research aligns with your dissertation work and reach out directly. A cold email with your CV and a specific project pitch gets more responses than a generic application.
Confirm your position qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Postdoctoral Associates almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, but your degree field must be on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. Confirm this with your DSO before accepting an offer so you know your full authorized work window before committing.
Apply before your OPT start date
Postdoc hiring cycles move slowly. Faculty advisors often identify candidates months before a position opens formally. Begin outreach during your final dissertation year so an offer aligns with your OPT start date rather than forcing a gap or rushed timeline after graduation.
Address OPT duration proactively with principal investigators
Principal investigators and hiring committees unfamiliar with OPT often worry about authorization gaps. Explain your timeline clearly: standard OPT gives 12 months, and STEM OPT extension adds 24 more. That covers a full two-to-three year postdoc appointment without interruption for most candidates.
Use your dissertation committee as a referral network
Academic hiring is heavily relationship-driven. Ask your advisor and committee members to introduce you to colleagues at institutions you are targeting. A personal recommendation from a known researcher carries far more weight than an unsolicited application from an unknown international candidate.
Check whether the employer qualifies as an E-Verify participant
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Most universities and government research labs meet this requirement, but smaller private research institutes may not. Verify E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer to protect your extension eligibility.
Postdoctoral Associate OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Postdoctoral Associate on OPT?
Yes. Postdoctoral Associate roles are directly related to the graduate-level research that earns F-1 students OPT eligibility in the first place. Universities and research institutions are experienced OPT employers and routinely hire international postdocs. The position must be directly related to your degree field, which it almost always is for PhD graduates pursuing postdoctoral research in the same discipline.
Does a Postdoctoral Associate position qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
In most cases, yes. Postdoctoral research is inherently STEM-aligned, and the role typically satisfies both the degree field requirement and the employer E-Verify requirement needed for the 24-month extension. Combined with your initial 12 months of OPT, that gives you up to 36 months of work authorization, which covers a standard two-to-three year postdoc appointment. Confirm your specific degree CIP code with your DSO before filing.
How do I find Postdoctoral Associate jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists Postdoctoral Associate positions from employers experienced with international work authorization. University research departments and federal labs post regularly. Filtering by role type on Migrate Mate surfaces positions where OPT is an accepted authorization, saving you from applying to roles where international candidates are screened out early in the process.
What happens to my OPT if my postdoc appointment ends before I find another position?
OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment during the standard 12-month period, and up to 150 days total if you are on the STEM OPT extension. If your postdoc ends and you are still job searching, those days count against your unemployment limit. Notify your DSO immediately when employment ends so your record stays accurate and you do not inadvertently fall out of status.
Do I need my employer to file any immigration paperwork to start a Postdoctoral Associate role on OPT?
No employer filing is required to start working on initial OPT. Your EAD card authorizes you to work, and your employer simply needs to verify it through Form I-9. For the STEM OPT extension, your employer must complete a formal training plan on Form I-983 and be enrolled in E-Verify. That extension application is filed by you through your DSO, not by the employer independently.