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 JobsLocation
ST. LOUIS, MO 63110
Scheduled Hours
40
Position Summary
The Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences 2-year WashU EnVision postbaccalaureate program will introduce recent college graduates to intensive vision science research, while building transferrable skills required for future graduate training and careers in science. It is expected that the participant will perform research and analysis, as well as technical aspects of studies and experiments, including documentation and preparation of materials.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
For more information about program requirements and benefits please visit: https://sites.wustl.edu/visionscience/postbac-program/
- Works under the supervision of senior personnel on research project/s providing independent complex research support.
- Presents results of research activities to peers and supervisors in written and/or verbal presentation or form.
- Through active research and analysis, gains proficiency in essential aspects of research, which may include some or all of the following: conducting experiments, assays, collection of data, preparation of solutions, tissue culture, animal care and maintenance, and setup and maintenance of equipment.
- Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
- Attends meetings, educational workshops and seminars to prepare for advanced study.
- Performs data entry and maintains data files on research.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
- Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. Physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.
Physical Effort
- Sitting at desk or table.
- Repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movement.
Equipment
- Office and lab equipment.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree
Certifications /Professional Licenses:
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
Work Experience:
No specific work experience is required for this position.
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Certifications /Professional Licenses:
No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Skills:
Analytical Thinking, Detailed Reports, Detail-Oriented, Interpersonal Communication, Oral Communications, Written Communication
Grade
R07-H
Salary Range
$17.10 - $29.09 / Hourly
The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Personal
- Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
- Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
- Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
- WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
Wellness
- Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
Family
- We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
- WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
EEO Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.
Location
ST. LOUIS, MO 63110
Scheduled Hours
40
Position Summary
The Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences 2-year WashU EnVision postbaccalaureate program will introduce recent college graduates to intensive vision science research, while building transferrable skills required for future graduate training and careers in science. It is expected that the participant will perform research and analysis, as well as technical aspects of studies and experiments, including documentation and preparation of materials.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
For more information about program requirements and benefits please visit: https://sites.wustl.edu/visionscience/postbac-program/
- Works under the supervision of senior personnel on research project/s providing independent complex research support.
- Presents results of research activities to peers and supervisors in written and/or verbal presentation or form.
- Through active research and analysis, gains proficiency in essential aspects of research, which may include some or all of the following: conducting experiments, assays, collection of data, preparation of solutions, tissue culture, animal care and maintenance, and setup and maintenance of equipment.
- Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
- Attends meetings, educational workshops and seminars to prepare for advanced study.
- Performs data entry and maintains data files on research.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
- Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. Physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.
Physical Effort
- Sitting at desk or table.
- Repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movement.
Equipment
- Office and lab equipment.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree
Certifications /Professional Licenses:
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
Work Experience:
No specific work experience is required for this position.
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Certifications /Professional Licenses:
No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Skills:
Analytical Thinking, Detailed Reports, Detail-Oriented, Interpersonal Communication, Oral Communications, Written Communication
Grade
R07-H
Salary Range
$17.10 - $29.09 / Hourly
The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Personal
- Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
- Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
- Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
- WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
Wellness
- Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
Family
- We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
- WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
EEO Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.
See all 879+ OPT Research Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Research Director Jobs.
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.