OPT Research And Development Engineer Jobs
Research and Development Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students, especially those with degrees in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or biomedical engineering. STEM OPT extension eligibility gives you up to 36 months of work authorization, making you a practical long-term hire for R&D-focused employers running multi-year projects.
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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 575+ OPT Research And Development Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Research And Development Engineer
Lead with your research output, not just your degree
Hiring managers in R&D prioritize demonstrated output. List patents filed, publications authored, prototypes built, or test results you contributed to. Quantify wherever possible. A thesis project with measurable outcomes carries more weight than a GPA alone.
Target employers with active R&D budgets
Companies with dedicated research divisions, federal contracts, or NIH and NSF grant funding are far more likely to sponsor OPT and H-1B visa workers. Look for employers in aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, biotech, and advanced materials where specialized engineering talent is scarce.
Emphasize your STEM OPT extension eligibility upfront
Many R&D teams plan projects on two to three year timelines. Letting hiring managers know you qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension reframes you as a viable long-term contributor, not a short-term hire they need to replace in 12 months.
Align your application materials to the specific engineering domain
R&D roles are highly specialized. A resume written for a mechanical R&D position should highlight CAD tools, FEA software, and materials testing. Tailor every application to the technical stack and methodology the employer uses, not a generic engineering template.
Prepare to discuss your CPT or lab work during screening calls
R&D interviewers frequently probe the depth of hands-on experience. Be ready to walk through a specific project from hypothesis to result. Describe the methodology, the obstacles, and what the outcome demonstrated. Vague answers about coursework will not advance your application.
Use Migrate Mate to find R&D roles at OPT-friendly employers
Not every employer understands or welcomes OPT work authorization. Migrate Mate surfaces R&D engineering roles at companies with documented sponsorship track records, saving you time spent applying to positions where visa status will be an immediate disqualifier.
Research And Development Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Research and Development Engineer on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Research and Development Engineer roles qualify for F-1 OPT as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. Engineering degrees in mechanical, electrical, chemical, biomedical, or materials science typically satisfy this requirement. Your DSO can confirm the connection between your degree and the specific role before you accept an offer.
Do Research and Development Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do. R&D engineering positions at companies enrolled in E-Verify typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization. The role must be in a STEM-designated field, which covers the vast majority of engineering disciplines. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO to be certain.
How do I find Research and Development Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B?
The most efficient approach is to focus on employers with a history of sponsoring work visas rather than applying broadly. Migrate Mate is built specifically for this, surfacing R&D engineering roles at companies with established OPT and H-1B sponsorship track records. This significantly reduces time spent on applications that will be rejected on immigration status grounds alone.
What should I do if an R&D employer says they don't sponsor visas?
Clarify what they mean before walking away. Some employers conflate OPT work authorization with H-1B sponsorship. OPT is your own work authorization from USCIS and does not require the employer to file any petition on your behalf. If the concern is future H-1B sponsorship, that is a separate conversation you can address after demonstrating value in the role.
Does working in R&D affect my OPT reporting requirements?
Yes. You are required to report your employer, job title, and start date to your DSO within 10 days of beginning employment. If your R&D role is contract-based or involves multiple project sites, report each change. Gaps in employment longer than 90 days on post-completion OPT can jeopardize your status, so maintain continuous qualifying employment throughout your OPT period.