OPT Research Scientist Jobs
Research Scientist roles are among the strongest fits for F-1 OPT students, particularly those completing graduate degrees in biology, chemistry, data science, or engineering. Most positions align directly with STEM OPT extension eligibility, giving you up to three years of authorized work experience in a research-focused environment.
Find OPT Research Scientist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 827+ Research Scientist jobs
See all 827+ Research Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Scientist roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are looking for a Research Scientist to advance security, safety, and privacy across three complementary research areas: (1) security of AI models and systems; (2) AI-enabled design and verification of secure computer systems; and (3) AI for cybersecurity. The first area includes making AI models, agents, data pipelines, runtimes, and accelerated computing platforms secure, safe, private, and resilient to attack, misuse, data leakage, and other failures. AI-enabled design and verification includes using AI, together with systems and formal techniques, to design, analyze, implement, and verify secure hardware and software systems. AI for cybersecurity includes applying AI to vulnerability discovery, secure systems development, threat detection, incident analysis, and automated defense.
Across these three areas, we aim to build secure, safe, and private systems from first principles by co-designing hardware, software, AI models, algorithms, and operational controls. Our goal is to provide strong, measurable, and where possible verifiable protection while preserving performance, energy efficiency, and usability. We welcome researchers with depth in one area and interest in contributing across the broader agenda.
NVIDIA is a leader in accelerated computing and AI systems. This role offers the opportunity to shape the security and safety foundations of emerging AI platforms, develop new approaches for AI-enabled secure system design and verification, and advance AI-powered cybersecurity in collaboration with research, product, and engineering teams.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Advance the security, safety, and privacy of AI models and systems across the full lifecycle, including data collection, training, model and agent behavior, inference, deployment, and platform operations.
- Develop AI-enabled methods to design, analyze, implement, and verify computer systems, including hardware architectures, system software, runtimes, compilers, and applications; rigorously evaluate security, safety, privacy, performance, and efficiency tradeoffs.
- Advance AI for cybersecurity by developing techniques for vulnerability discovery, secure code generation and review, threat detection, incident analysis, security validation, and automated defense.
- Collaborate across hardware, software, research, and product teams; publish original research; and help translate research advances into practical systems and developer capabilities.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, with a strong research background in security, AI/ML, computer architecture, operating systems, formal methods, programming languages and compilers, software systems, or other related areas.
- A record of research excellence demonstrated through publications, open-source systems, patents, technology transfer, or substantial research collaborations.
- Deep expertise in at least one of the three research areas—security of AI models and systems, AI-enabled design and verification of secure computer systems, or AI for cybersecurity—with the ability to connect that depth to challenges across the hardware/software stack.
- Strong experimental research and prototyping skills, including the ability to build systems, define threat models, design meaningful evaluations, and analyze security and performance tradeoffs.
- Strong programming skills in C, C++, Python, and/or relevant systems and machine-learning frameworks, along with clear written and verbal communication skills.
We are looking for creative, collaborative, and self-directed researchers who want to secure AI models and systems, use AI to help design and verify secure computer systems, and expand what AI can do for cybersecurity. Candidates do not need to be experts in all three areas, but should be excited to work across disciplines and help turn new ideas into high-impact research and technology.
COMPENSATION
Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and other objective job-related factors. The expected base salary range for this position is 168,000 USD – 264,500 USD. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
Applications for this job will be accepted at least until November 10, 2026. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.
NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.
INTRODUCTION
We are looking for a Research Scientist to advance security, safety, and privacy across three complementary research areas: (1) security of AI models and systems; (2) AI-enabled design and verification of secure computer systems; and (3) AI for cybersecurity. The first area includes making AI models, agents, data pipelines, runtimes, and accelerated computing platforms secure, safe, private, and resilient to attack, misuse, data leakage, and other failures. AI-enabled design and verification includes using AI, together with systems and formal techniques, to design, analyze, implement, and verify secure hardware and software systems. AI for cybersecurity includes applying AI to vulnerability discovery, secure systems development, threat detection, incident analysis, and automated defense.
Across these three areas, we aim to build secure, safe, and private systems from first principles by co-designing hardware, software, AI models, algorithms, and operational controls. Our goal is to provide strong, measurable, and where possible verifiable protection while preserving performance, energy efficiency, and usability. We welcome researchers with depth in one area and interest in contributing across the broader agenda.
NVIDIA is a leader in accelerated computing and AI systems. This role offers the opportunity to shape the security and safety foundations of emerging AI platforms, develop new approaches for AI-enabled secure system design and verification, and advance AI-powered cybersecurity in collaboration with research, product, and engineering teams.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Advance the security, safety, and privacy of AI models and systems across the full lifecycle, including data collection, training, model and agent behavior, inference, deployment, and platform operations.
- Develop AI-enabled methods to design, analyze, implement, and verify computer systems, including hardware architectures, system software, runtimes, compilers, and applications; rigorously evaluate security, safety, privacy, performance, and efficiency tradeoffs.
- Advance AI for cybersecurity by developing techniques for vulnerability discovery, secure code generation and review, threat detection, incident analysis, security validation, and automated defense.
- Collaborate across hardware, software, research, and product teams; publish original research; and help translate research advances into practical systems and developer capabilities.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, with a strong research background in security, AI/ML, computer architecture, operating systems, formal methods, programming languages and compilers, software systems, or other related areas.
- A record of research excellence demonstrated through publications, open-source systems, patents, technology transfer, or substantial research collaborations.
- Deep expertise in at least one of the three research areas—security of AI models and systems, AI-enabled design and verification of secure computer systems, or AI for cybersecurity—with the ability to connect that depth to challenges across the hardware/software stack.
- Strong experimental research and prototyping skills, including the ability to build systems, define threat models, design meaningful evaluations, and analyze security and performance tradeoffs.
- Strong programming skills in C, C++, Python, and/or relevant systems and machine-learning frameworks, along with clear written and verbal communication skills.
We are looking for creative, collaborative, and self-directed researchers who want to secure AI models and systems, use AI to help design and verify secure computer systems, and expand what AI can do for cybersecurity. Candidates do not need to be experts in all three areas, but should be excited to work across disciplines and help turn new ideas into high-impact research and technology.
COMPENSATION
Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and other objective job-related factors. The expected base salary range for this position is 168,000 USD – 264,500 USD. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
Applications for this job will be accepted at least until November 10, 2026. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.
NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.
See all 827+ OPT Research Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Research Scientist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Research Scientist
Target STEM-designated employers first
Research Scientist roles almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, but your employer must be E-Verify enrolled. Confirm this before applying to avoid wasting time on positions that cannot support your authorization.
Lead with your research output, not just your degree
Employers hiring Research Scientists want publications, conference presentations, patents, or thesis work. List these prominently on your resume. Concrete research output signals readiness for independent work and strengthens your sponsorship case significantly.
Apply before your OPT start date arrives
Research Scientist hiring often involves multiple interview rounds and internal approvals. Starting your search three to four months before your OPT authorization begins gives employers enough runway to move through their process without timeline pressure on either side.
Clarify your authorization status upfront in cover letters
State that you hold F-1 OPT status and are eligible for a 24-month STEM extension if applicable. Addressing this early removes uncertainty for hiring managers and positions you as a well-prepared, low-friction candidate from the first touchpoint.
Prioritize research-intensive industries with H-1B track records
Biotech, pharmaceuticals, semiconductor firms, and national laboratories regularly sponsor H-1B visas for Research Scientists. Targeting these sectors improves your long-term visa prospects well beyond OPT, which matters when evaluating offers strategically.
Use your university network to access unadvertised research roles
Many Research Scientist positions at startups and industry labs are filled through faculty referrals and institutional connections before public posting. Reaching out directly to professors with industry ties often surfaces opportunities that never appear on job boards.
Research Scientist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Research Scientist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Research Scientist positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree is in an eligible STEM field such as biology, chemistry, computer science, or engineering, and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. The role must also be directly related to your degree program. Confirm both conditions with your DSO before accepting an offer.
How do I find Research Scientist jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters Research Scientist listings specifically for employers open to F-1 OPT candidates, saving you from applying to roles where sponsorship is a non-starter. Searching a general job board gives you no visibility into which employers will actually work with your status, so using a visa-aware platform is a meaningful time saver.
Can I work as a Research Scientist on OPT while my employer files for H-1B?
Yes. You can continue working in your Research Scientist role throughout your OPT period while your employer prepares and files an H-1B petition. If you have the STEM extension and your employer files before your OPT expires, the cap-gap provision may keep you authorized through October 1 of the fiscal year your H-1B takes effect.
What degree fields support a Research Scientist OPT authorization?
Research Scientist roles most commonly align with degrees in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, neuroscience, materials science, computer science, data science, and various engineering disciplines. Your OPT must be tied to a degree that directly relates to the job duties. If your research area does not match your listed degree field, your DSO can help assess whether the connection is defensible.
Does a Research Scientist role at a national laboratory or university count for OPT?
Yes, national laboratories such as Argonne, Oak Ridge, or Lawrence Berkeley, as well as university research departments, are legitimate OPT employers as long as the position provides direct practical training related to your degree. However, for the STEM OPT extension specifically, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. Some academic institutions qualify, but confirm enrollment with HR before relying on the extension.