OPT Research Intern Jobs
Research Intern roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions available, with STEM OPT extensions applying broadly across science, engineering, and social research fields. Most positions run 10 to 40 hours per week, and many universities actively hire their own F-1 students, making on-campus placement straightforward during your OPT period.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation:
Medical Center Office Building (901 7th Ave)
Department:
Pediatric Research Training Program
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Standard Weekly Hours:
4
Summary
Collaborates closely with Principal Investigators (PIs), Research Program Coordinators, and Clinical Research Associates (CRA) or Clinical Research Coordinators (CRC). This professional works as part of the Research Administration Office team, but may be assigned full time to a specific department. Serves as an active member of the Research Administration Office (RAO) team. Maintains high quality data management.
Schedule:
- PRN, minimum 4hrs a week
Education & Experience:
- Current or recent student in Bachelor or Master's program in the health-related area; prefer research and/or statistics course completion
About us:
Cook Children's Health Care System offers a unique approach to caring for children because we are one of the country's leading integrated pediatric health care delivery organizations. Patients benefit from the integrated system because it allows Cook Children's to use all of its resources to treat a patient and allows for easy communication between the various companies by physicians with a focus on caring for children and adolescents.
Cook Children’s is an equal opportunity employer. As such, Cook Children’s offers equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal laws. These opportunities include terms, conditions and privileges of employment, including but not limited to hiring, job placement, training, compensation, discipline, advancement and termination.
Location:
Medical Center Office Building (901 7th Ave)
Department:
Pediatric Research Training Program
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Standard Weekly Hours:
4
Summary
Collaborates closely with Principal Investigators (PIs), Research Program Coordinators, and Clinical Research Associates (CRA) or Clinical Research Coordinators (CRC). This professional works as part of the Research Administration Office team, but may be assigned full time to a specific department. Serves as an active member of the Research Administration Office (RAO) team. Maintains high quality data management.
Schedule:
- PRN, minimum 4hrs a week
Education & Experience:
- Current or recent student in Bachelor or Master's program in the health-related area; prefer research and/or statistics course completion
About us:
Cook Children's Health Care System offers a unique approach to caring for children because we are one of the country's leading integrated pediatric health care delivery organizations. Patients benefit from the integrated system because it allows Cook Children's to use all of its resources to treat a patient and allows for easy communication between the various companies by physicians with a focus on caring for children and adolescents.
Cook Children’s is an equal opportunity employer. As such, Cook Children’s offers equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal laws. These opportunities include terms, conditions and privileges of employment, including but not limited to hiring, job placement, training, compensation, discipline, advancement and termination.
See all 485+ OPT Research Intern Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Research Intern Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Research Intern
Confirm STEM OPT eligibility before applying
Research intern roles in biology, chemistry, computer science, and engineering typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify your degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List before targeting roles in those fields.
Target university and national lab employers first
Academic institutions and federal research labs like NIH and national universities frequently hire OPT students and have established processes for work authorization. These employers rarely treat OPT as a barrier compared to private-sector hiring managers.
Clarify your OPT authorization window upfront
Research internships often run 3 to 12 months. If your OPT card covers the full duration, state that clearly in your first message to the recruiter. Removing ambiguity early keeps your application moving forward.
Align your research focus to your degree field
OPT requires work directly related to your degree. A chemistry graduate working in a biology lab is generally fine. A computer science graduate doing unrelated administrative research is not. Confirm the connection is defensible before accepting an offer.
Ask about CPT history when discussing timelines
If you used 12 or more months of full-time CPT, you are ineligible for OPT. Some research internships recruit students mid-program. Being upfront about your CPT history avoids complications after an offer is extended.
Get the job offer in writing before requesting a DSO update
Your Designated School Official needs a written offer letter to update your SEVIS record for post-completion OPT. Secure the written offer, confirm the start date, and then initiate the DSO process with enough lead time before your program end date.
Research Intern OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a research intern on OPT without H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. OPT is your own work authorization, not employer sponsorship. You can work as a research intern for any employer willing to hire you without them filing any visa petition. Many research institutions, nonprofits, and universities hire OPT students specifically because the process is straightforward for them.
Does a research intern role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree field and the nature of the research. If your degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List and the internship involves work directly tied to that field, such as laboratory research, data analysis, or computational modeling, the role generally qualifies. Your DSO and the employer must confirm the connection meets USCIS standards.
How do I find research intern roles that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by sponsorship and work authorization status. Searching there lets you focus on employers already familiar with OPT rather than spending time on applications where authorization is an immediate disqualifier.
Can I work part-time as a research intern on OPT?
Yes, but with an important limit. During post-completion OPT, you must work at least 20 hours per week to remain in valid status. Part-time research roles that meet or exceed that threshold are fully acceptable. Roles under 20 hours per week do not satisfy the OPT employment requirement and can put your status at risk.
What happens if my research internship ends before my OPT expires?
You have a cumulative 90-day unemployment allowance during standard OPT, which extends to 150 days if you have an approved STEM OPT extension. If your internship ends early, that unemployment clock starts. You can take on a second research role or a different qualifying job during that window without violating your status.