OPT Research And Development Jobs
Research and Development jobs are among the strongest fits for F-1 OPT students, particularly those in STEM fields who qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Many R&D roles at universities, research institutes, and private companies directly align with the degree-field match requirement USCIS requires for OPT authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
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CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Mechanical Engineering has positions available for undergraduate research assistants on an interdisciplinary team of engineers working to decarbonize district heat and power systems through renewable fuels and energy efficiency improvements.
Job Duties:
- Student responsibilities will include laboratory research, presentation at meetings with individual research groups, presentation at meetings with the project group, and attendance at seminars, tours, and activities that align with the program’s research.
- Students will also take part in a longitudinal study of how research experiences impact student energy literacy and domain-specific engineering identity.
- As part of this study, students will be expected to take surveys and speak with program assessors to discuss their research experiences.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Preference given to third year undergraduate students having taken ME300
Interested applicants should include their resume/CV and cover letter to be considered.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Mechanical Engineering has positions available for undergraduate research assistants on an interdisciplinary team of engineers working to decarbonize district heat and power systems through renewable fuels and energy efficiency improvements.
Job Duties:
- Student responsibilities will include laboratory research, presentation at meetings with individual research groups, presentation at meetings with the project group, and attendance at seminars, tours, and activities that align with the program’s research.
- Students will also take part in a longitudinal study of how research experiences impact student energy literacy and domain-specific engineering identity.
- As part of this study, students will be expected to take surveys and speak with program assessors to discuss their research experiences.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Preference given to third year undergraduate students having taken ME300
Interested applicants should include their resume/CV and cover letter to be considered.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
See all 701+ OPT Research And Development Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Research And Development Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Research And Development
Confirm your degree field aligns with the role
USCIS requires your OPT job to be directly related to your degree. For R&D roles, your field of study, such as bioengineering, chemistry, or computer science, should match the research focus of the position you're applying for.
Target employers with active research programs
Large technology companies, pharmaceutical firms, national laboratories, and research universities regularly hire OPT students for R&D. These organizations have dedicated HR teams experienced with work authorization and are more likely to support STEM OPT extensions.
Emphasize your technical research output early
Hiring managers in R&D want to see publications, patents, thesis work, or lab projects. Lead with specific research contributions in your resume and cover letter to differentiate yourself before work authorization questions arise.
Understand how STEM OPT training plans work
If your degree qualifies, you can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your employer must agree to a formal training plan on Form I-983, so confirm this willingness early in the interview process before accepting an offer.
Apply before your OPT start date approaches
USCIS processing for OPT EAD cards can take two to three months. Begin your R&D job search at least three to four months before graduation so you have an authorized start date that aligns with employer onboarding timelines.
Use Migrate Mate to find R&D roles that sponsor OPT
Not every R&D employer is familiar with OPT requirements. Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers open to sponsoring international students, saving you time and reducing the risk of pursuing roles that won't work out.
Research And Development OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do R&D jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most R&D roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in an eligible STEM field such as biology, chemistry, engineering, computer science, or a related discipline. The job must be directly related to your degree. Your employer must also be E-Verify enrolled and willing to sign a Form I-983 training plan.
Can I work at a university or national laboratory on OPT?
Yes. Universities, federal research agencies, and national laboratories such as those operated by the Department of Energy are common OPT employers for R&D roles. Some positions at federally funded labs involve security clearance requirements, which can complicate or delay hiring for international students, so it is worth confirming eligibility before applying.
How do I find R&D employers who are open to hiring OPT students?
The most efficient approach is to search Migrate Mate, which curates job listings from employers experienced with F-1 OPT and STEM OPT sponsorship. You can filter specifically for R&D roles without having to manually screen each employer for work authorization willingness, which significantly reduces wasted applications.
Does part-time R&D work count toward my OPT authorization?
Yes, but with restrictions. During the standard OPT period, you may work part-time, defined as fewer than 20 hours per week. During the STEM OPT extension, you must work at least 20 hours per week to remain in valid status. Unpaid research positions at qualifying organizations can also count toward your OPT employment requirement.
What happens to my OPT if my R&D employer ends my contract early?
If your employment ends before your OPT authorization expires, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new qualifying R&D position, transfer to a different visa status, or depart the United States. During this period, you cannot work. Reporting the employment change to your designated school official promptly is required to maintain compliance.