Postdoctoral Associate Jobs for OPT Students
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 JobsGeneral information
Location
Cambridge, MA
Ref #
43928
Job Family
Research
Date published
03/25/2026
Time Type
Full time
Pay Range
$70,000.00/yr - $92,666.67/yr
Description & Requirements
The Sabeti Lab at the Broad Institute seeks a Postdoctoral Associate to contribute to the development of novel approaches for pathogen diagnostics and genomic sequencing. The fellow will focus on experimental methods that enable new strategies for sample preparation and molecular analysis from blood-derived materials.
Working within the diagnostics and viral genomics research programs, the fellow will support translational efforts that connect laboratory innovation with public health applications. The position emphasizes laboratory-based method development while contributing to the broader goal of enabling scalable diagnostic and sequencing approaches for use in diverse settings, including low- and middle-income countries.
Key Responsibilities
-
Diagnostic and Sequencing Method Development
-
Design and conduct experimental studies to develop and refine laboratory methods for preparing blood-derived samples for molecular diagnostics and sequencing.
- Evaluate performance characteristics of novel sample preparation approaches and optimize protocols for reliability, sensitivity, and scalability.
- Collaborate with laboratory teams to integrate new sample processing strategies into existing diagnostic and genomic workflows.
-
Contribute to the development of experimental protocols and documentation that support reproducibility and future translation of the work.
-
Translational Research and Collaboration
-
Work closely with scientists across the Diagnostics and Viral Genomics teams to support research aimed at improving pathogen detection and genomic surveillance methods.
- Analyze experimental results and communicate findings through internal reports, presentations, and scientific publications.
- Contribute to the broader strategy of translating emerging diagnostic and sequencing technologies toward public health applications, including potential deployment in low- and middle-income country settings.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- PhD in molecular biology, bioengineering, genomics, microbiology, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience with experimental laboratory research involving molecular assays or sequencing workflows.
- Experience with sample preparation techniques for molecular diagnostics or sequencing applications is preferred.
Required Skills & Competencies
- Experimental Design: Ability to design and execute laboratory experiments and troubleshoot protocols in a research environment.
- Molecular Methods: Familiarity with molecular biology techniques relevant to pathogen detection and genomic analysis.
- Scientific Communication: Ability to clearly present experimental results and contribute to manuscripts and reports.
- Collaboration: Comfortable working within interdisciplinary teams spanning diagnostics, genomics, and translational research.
- Analytical Thinking: Ability to evaluate experimental outcomes and refine approaches based on data.
- Organization and Documentation: Maintains clear records of experimental procedures and results to ensure reproducibility.
The expected base pay range for this position as listed above is based on a 40 hour per week schedule. Broad provides pay ranges representing its reasonable and good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary based on factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, education, qualifications, and other factors permissible by law.
At Broad, your base pay is just one part of a comprehensive total rewards package. From day one, this role offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and health savings accounts; at least 13 paid holidays; winter closure; paid time off; parental and family care leave; and an employee assistance program, among other Broad benefits.
The Broad Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
Should you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact recruiting@broadinstitute.org for assistance.
General information
Location
Cambridge, MA
Ref #
43928
Job Family
Research
Date published
03/25/2026
Time Type
Full time
Pay Range
$70,000.00/yr - $92,666.67/yr
Description & Requirements
The Sabeti Lab at the Broad Institute seeks a Postdoctoral Associate to contribute to the development of novel approaches for pathogen diagnostics and genomic sequencing. The fellow will focus on experimental methods that enable new strategies for sample preparation and molecular analysis from blood-derived materials.
Working within the diagnostics and viral genomics research programs, the fellow will support translational efforts that connect laboratory innovation with public health applications. The position emphasizes laboratory-based method development while contributing to the broader goal of enabling scalable diagnostic and sequencing approaches for use in diverse settings, including low- and middle-income countries.
Key Responsibilities
-
Diagnostic and Sequencing Method Development
-
Design and conduct experimental studies to develop and refine laboratory methods for preparing blood-derived samples for molecular diagnostics and sequencing.
- Evaluate performance characteristics of novel sample preparation approaches and optimize protocols for reliability, sensitivity, and scalability.
- Collaborate with laboratory teams to integrate new sample processing strategies into existing diagnostic and genomic workflows.
-
Contribute to the development of experimental protocols and documentation that support reproducibility and future translation of the work.
-
Translational Research and Collaboration
-
Work closely with scientists across the Diagnostics and Viral Genomics teams to support research aimed at improving pathogen detection and genomic surveillance methods.
- Analyze experimental results and communicate findings through internal reports, presentations, and scientific publications.
- Contribute to the broader strategy of translating emerging diagnostic and sequencing technologies toward public health applications, including potential deployment in low- and middle-income country settings.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- PhD in molecular biology, bioengineering, genomics, microbiology, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience with experimental laboratory research involving molecular assays or sequencing workflows.
- Experience with sample preparation techniques for molecular diagnostics or sequencing applications is preferred.
Required Skills & Competencies
- Experimental Design: Ability to design and execute laboratory experiments and troubleshoot protocols in a research environment.
- Molecular Methods: Familiarity with molecular biology techniques relevant to pathogen detection and genomic analysis.
- Scientific Communication: Ability to clearly present experimental results and contribute to manuscripts and reports.
- Collaboration: Comfortable working within interdisciplinary teams spanning diagnostics, genomics, and translational research.
- Analytical Thinking: Ability to evaluate experimental outcomes and refine approaches based on data.
- Organization and Documentation: Maintains clear records of experimental procedures and results to ensure reproducibility.
The expected base pay range for this position as listed above is based on a 40 hour per week schedule. Broad provides pay ranges representing its reasonable and good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary based on factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, education, qualifications, and other factors permissible by law.
At Broad, your base pay is just one part of a comprehensive total rewards package. From day one, this role offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and health savings accounts; at least 13 paid holidays; winter closure; paid time off; parental and family care leave; and an employee assistance program, among other Broad benefits.
The Broad Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
Should you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact recruiting@broadinstitute.org for assistance.
How to Get Visa 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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