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 JobsAPPLICATION 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.
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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 700+ OPT Research Intern Jobs
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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.