OPT Research Director Jobs
Research Director roles are highly compatible with OPT authorization, including the 24-month STEM extension available to graduates in fields like social sciences, life sciences, and engineering. Most positions require a master's or doctoral degree, which works in your favor when demonstrating the specialty occupation standard employers need to support future H-1B visa sponsorship.
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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 1,093+ OPT Research Director Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Research Director
Lead with your research credentials upfront
Research Director roles are credential-heavy. Highlight your graduate degree, published work, and funded projects in your first contact with employers. Hiring committees evaluate academic pedigree early, so front-loading your qualifications removes friction before OPT even comes up.
Target institutions with established OPT hiring pipelines
Universities, research hospitals, think tanks, and federal contractors hire OPT students regularly and have HR teams familiar with the process. These employers are far less likely to withdraw an offer due to authorization questions than companies encountering OPT for the first time.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility before applying
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field, confirm your eligibility for the 24-month extension before interviews. Being able to tell an employer you have up to three years of work authorization significantly improves your chances of advancing past initial screening conversations.
Position H-1B sponsorship as a low-friction next step
Research Director candidates often hold doctoral degrees in specialty fields, which makes H-1B visa eligibility straightforward. Frame future sponsorship as a simple continuation of your employment, not an unknown risk. Employers are more receptive when you can explain the process with confidence.
Document your research impact with measurable outcomes
Grants secured, studies published, teams managed, and programs built all signal leadership capacity. Quantifying your research impact reduces employer hesitation about sponsoring someone in a senior role. Numbers and outcomes outperform job descriptions when you're asking an employer to invest in your visa.
Engage your university's international office proactively
Your DSO can provide employer support letters, answer HR questions directly, and help prevent misunderstandings about OPT conditions. Connecting your prospective employer with your international office early removes the most common reason research institutions delay or cancel OPT job offers.
Research Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Research Director on OPT?
Yes, Research Director roles are fully eligible for OPT work authorization as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. Because this is a senior leadership role, your degree should align with the research domain you'll be directing. A public health graduate directing epidemiological research, for example, satisfies the relatedness requirement without issue.
Does a Research Director role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you graduated from a STEM-designated program, such as data science, biomedical engineering, or computer science, and your Research Director role applies that training, you're eligible for the 24-month STEM extension. The extension is tied to your CIP code, so verify your program's designation with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
What types of employers hire Research Directors on OPT?
Universities, research hospitals, government-affiliated research centers, think tanks, and large corporations with dedicated R&D divisions are the most common. These organizations hire OPT students with enough regularity that their HR and legal teams understand the authorization requirements. You can browse Research Director roles open to OPT candidates on Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for visa-friendly employers.
Will employers see a Research Director as too senior a role to sponsor?
Not typically. Research Director positions usually require advanced degrees in a specific discipline, which makes them strong candidates for H-1B classification as specialty occupations. Employers in academia and research are accustomed to sponsoring senior scientists and program leaders. The key is demonstrating that your qualifications match the scope of the role, which makes the sponsorship case straightforward for their legal team.
What should I do if my OPT expires before my employer completes H-1B sponsorship?
If you're on STEM OPT and your employer files an H-1B before October 1 of the cap year, you may be eligible for a 60-day cap-gap extension that bridges your authorization through the H-1B start date. Plan your OPT end date carefully relative to the H-1B lottery timeline. Your DSO can confirm whether cap-gap applies to your situation and issue an updated I-20 if needed.