OPT Research Coordinator Jobs
Research Coordinator roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students, particularly those with degrees in life sciences, public health, social sciences, or psychology. Most positions qualify under STEM OPT extension eligibility when the degree field aligns. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to establish yourself in a lab or study team.
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Get Access To All JobsCurrent Employees:
If you are a current Staff, Faculty or Temporary employee at the University of Miami, please click here to log in to Workday to use the internal application process. To learn how to apply for a faculty or staff position, please review this tip sheet.
The Clinical Translational Research Site is currently seeking a full-time Clinical Research Coordinator 1 to work in Miami.
The Clinical Research Coordinator 1 serves as an entry level clinical research professional that has a basic foundation in clinical research through assigned responsibilities in data management or implementing clinical research protocols. This role exhibits increased learned skills and flexibility in performing duties and assumes responsibility for simple clinical research protocols and timelines.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Performs chart review/pre-screening activities for study participant eligibility and coordination of simple clinical research protocols. Maintains enrollment procedures according to the protocol.
- Coordinates routine activities of clinical studies including data collection and maintenance, planning study timelines, schedules appointments and study visits, meeting scheduling, and project evaluation.
- Performs moderate to complex research tests/experiments and adapts procedures for quality improvement under supervision.
- Understands and follows technical instructions for operating clinical research equipment, problem solves when operational failures occur.
- Assists in observing and informing the PI/supervisor of adverse events, including those reported by study participants.
- Addresses adverse events per protocol, advocating for study participants and quality standards throughout the lifespan of the study.
- Identifies, reports, and helps problem solve protocol deviations and unanticipated occurrences.
- Follows the appropriate fundamental requirements of all international, national, and local regulatory bodies.
- Knows the contents and maintenance of study-specific clinical research regulatory binders.
- Maintains requisite skills and mandatory training in safety, equality, responsible conduct of research, continuing education, and research competencies.
- Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.
CORE QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
Experience:
Minimum 1 year of relevant experience
Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:
- Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
- Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
- Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
- Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.
- Commitment to the University’s core values.
- Ability to work independently and/or in a collaborative environment.
This is a core job profile description and is not reflective of all duties that may be assigned to a specific position in each individual department. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and primary responsibilities of this core job profile. Specific duties and tasks may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job.
The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.
UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.
The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.
Job Status:
Full time
Employee Type:
Staff
Current Employees:
If you are a current Staff, Faculty or Temporary employee at the University of Miami, please click here to log in to Workday to use the internal application process. To learn how to apply for a faculty or staff position, please review this tip sheet.
The Clinical Translational Research Site is currently seeking a full-time Clinical Research Coordinator 1 to work in Miami.
The Clinical Research Coordinator 1 serves as an entry level clinical research professional that has a basic foundation in clinical research through assigned responsibilities in data management or implementing clinical research protocols. This role exhibits increased learned skills and flexibility in performing duties and assumes responsibility for simple clinical research protocols and timelines.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Performs chart review/pre-screening activities for study participant eligibility and coordination of simple clinical research protocols. Maintains enrollment procedures according to the protocol.
- Coordinates routine activities of clinical studies including data collection and maintenance, planning study timelines, schedules appointments and study visits, meeting scheduling, and project evaluation.
- Performs moderate to complex research tests/experiments and adapts procedures for quality improvement under supervision.
- Understands and follows technical instructions for operating clinical research equipment, problem solves when operational failures occur.
- Assists in observing and informing the PI/supervisor of adverse events, including those reported by study participants.
- Addresses adverse events per protocol, advocating for study participants and quality standards throughout the lifespan of the study.
- Identifies, reports, and helps problem solve protocol deviations and unanticipated occurrences.
- Follows the appropriate fundamental requirements of all international, national, and local regulatory bodies.
- Knows the contents and maintenance of study-specific clinical research regulatory binders.
- Maintains requisite skills and mandatory training in safety, equality, responsible conduct of research, continuing education, and research competencies.
- Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.
CORE QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
Experience:
Minimum 1 year of relevant experience
Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:
- Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
- Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
- Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
- Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.
- Commitment to the University’s core values.
- Ability to work independently and/or in a collaborative environment.
This is a core job profile description and is not reflective of all duties that may be assigned to a specific position in each individual department. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and primary responsibilities of this core job profile. Specific duties and tasks may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job.
The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.
UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.
The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.
Job Status:
Full time
Employee Type:
Staff
See all 1,724+ OPT Research Coordinator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Research Coordinator Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Research Coordinator
Target universities and academic medical centers first
Universities and hospital-affiliated research institutions hire Research Coordinators regularly and have established processes for OPT work authorization. Their HR teams understand F-1 status better than most private employers, which reduces friction during onboarding.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
If your degree is in biology, public health, psychology, or a related field, you likely qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying, so you can communicate this to employers confidently during interviews.
Lead with your research methods skills, not your visa status
Employers prioritize candidates who can manage IRB protocols, coordinate participant recruitment, and maintain data integrity. Demonstrating technical competency in REDCap, SPSS, or clinical trial software positions you as a strong hire before visa conversations begin.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Research Coordinator roles often have multi-week onboarding requirements tied to IRB training and protocol certifications. Starting your job search 60 to 90 days before your OPT authorization begins gives employers enough runway to complete hiring paperwork.
Get your EAD card details ready before you apply
Many research institutions require work authorization documentation before extending an offer. Have your EAD card number, expiration date, and I-20 readily available. Some federal grant-funded positions also require confirming your authorization category upfront.
Look for NIH, NSF, or federally funded study teams
Grant-funded research programs often have dedicated HR support familiar with international hiring. Principal investigators at federally funded labs are more likely to have sponsored international staff before, making them less hesitant about OPT timelines and future H-1B visa pathways.
Research Coordinator OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Research Coordinator on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Research Coordinator roles qualify for F-1 OPT as long as the position is directly related to your degree field. A public health graduate coordinating clinical studies or a psychology graduate managing behavioral research trials both meet the practical training requirement. Your DSO can confirm the connection between your specific role and your degree.
Do Research Coordinator jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many do, depending on your degree. If you hold a degree in biology, neuroscience, public health, epidemiology, or another STEM-designated field, and your Research Coordinator role involves scientific or technical work, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Check whether your degree's CIP code appears on the official STEM OPT designated degree program list maintained by DHS.
How do I find Research Coordinator jobs that are open to OPT students?
Browse Research Coordinator listings on Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for employers open to OPT and visa sponsorship. University job portals and academic medical center career pages are also worth checking directly, as these institutions hire Research Coordinators frequently and are generally familiar with F-1 work authorization requirements.
Will Research Coordinator employers sponsor an H-1B visa after OPT ends?
It depends on the employer. Universities and large hospital systems with established international hiring programs are more likely to support H-1B sponsorship than small private research firms. Research Coordinator positions typically qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B if the role requires a degree in a specific scientific or health-related field, which strengthens the sponsorship case.
What should I do if my OPT expires before a new position starts?
If you're between jobs, you have a 60-day unemployment grace period from your last day of employment, not from your OPT start date. You cannot work during this window, but you can continue your job search. If your OPT end date is approaching, talk to your DSO immediately about STEM extension filing timelines or other status options before the authorization lapses.