OPT Statistical Analyst Jobs
Statistical Analyst roles qualify for OPT work authorization when the position requires a degree in statistics, mathematics, data science, or a related quantitative field. Most roles also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in finance, healthcare, and tech are among the most active sponsors.
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Get Access To All JobsPosting Number RTF00079PO26
USC Market Title Data and Statistical Analyst
Business Title (Internal Title) Data and Statistical Analyst
Campus Columbia
Work County Richland
College/Division College of Arts and Sciences
Department CAS Psychology
Anticipated Hiring Range $58,000
Location of Vacancy Columbia, SC
Part/Full Time Full Time
Hours per Week 37.5
Work Schedule
* Standard schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with one hour for lunch.
* Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Type of Staff Position Staff Research Grant (SRGP)
Basis 12 months
Job Search Category Other Professional
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below
The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
South Carolina Retirement Yes
State Insurance Programs Yes
Annual Leave Yes
Sick Leave Yes
Advertised Job Summary
To ensure the ESD Lab remains on track with the five-year NIH grant timeline, a dedicated Data and Statistical Analyst is required to manage the critical transition from raw data to high-impact results. This role is essential for bypassing the technical backlogs that often delay papers and reports. Working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) and Research Associates, the analyst will provide the specialized computational support needed to execute machine learning (ML) aims, handling large, complex datasets that exceed the capacity of general staff. By integrating daily data cleaning with advanced modeling, this position directly helps the team meet grant milestones and ensures the lab stays in constant compliance with modern NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) standards.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 2 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Preferred Qualifications
* Technical Expertise: Proficiency in R or Python for longitudinal modeling (e.g., Latent Growth Curve Modeling or Mixed-Effects models) to track developmental changes over 36 months.
* Machine Learning: Experience applying ML to heterogeneous datasets (e.g., combining behavioral scores, clinical observations, and environmental variables) to predict diagnostic outcomes.
* Domain Knowledge: Familiarity with standard autism assessments (e.g., ADOS-2, M-CHAT, Mullen Scales) and the unique challenges of “noisy” behavioral data in infants and toddlers.
* NIH Compliance: Expertise in formatting and uploading data to the National Database for Autism Research (NDA), which has specific, rigorous requirements for every six-month data submission cycle.
* Data Cleaning: Specialized skills in handling missing data and attrition, which are common in 3-year longitudinal studies with families and young children.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
* Advanced Programming: Expert-level proficiency in R (Tidyverse, lme4) or Python (Pandas, Scikit-learn) for reproducible data pipelines.
* Trajectory Modeling: Ability to perform growth curve analysis, mixed-effects modeling, and latent class growth analysis to track development over 36 months.
* Machine Learning Implementation: Skill in building and validating models (e.g., Random Forests, XGBoost, Clustering) to identify early risk factors for autism.
* Data Harmonization: Expertise in cleaning and merging multi-source data (e.g. behavioral scores, environmental exposures, and medical records).
* Data Visualization: Ability to create clear, publication-ready visuals that “translate” complex ML findings for the PI and research team.
Job Duties
Machine Learning Pipeline Development & Execution
Essential Function: Build, test, and deploy supervised and unsupervised ML models (e.g., Random Forests, XGBoost, or Clustering) using R or Python to identify early autism risk markers. Perform feature engineering, cross-validation, and sensitivity analyses on high-dimensional infant datasets to meet specific RO1 grant aims.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 30
Analytical Strategy & Manuscript Dissemination
Essential Function: Collaborate with the PI and Research Associates to translate research questions into formal statistical plans. Execute longitudinal analyses (e.g., mixed-effects modeling, latent growth curves), generate publication-quality data visualizations, and draft technical methodology and results sections for peer-reviewed journals.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 25
Programming Novel Data Collection & Integration Tools
Essential Function: Design and program custom digital tools and APIs (e.g., Datayu JavaScript, RedCap hooks, MatLab pulls, or mobile-syncing scripts) to automate the capture of behavioral and environmental data. Ensure new data collection streams are scalable, validated for accuracy, and integrated directly into the lab’s primary longitudinal database.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 20
Automated Data Cleaning & Trajectory Harmonization
Essential Function: Author reproducible scripts to clean, merge, and de-identify multi-source data across three years of infant development. Implement complex data-wrangling procedures to handle non-random attrition, perform multiple imputations for missing values, and harmonize phenotypic scores from diverse clinical assessments.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 15
Technical Leadership & Peer Consultation
Essential Function: Serve as the technical lead for the data team, providing expert troubleshooting for code errors and model convergence issues. Advise the PI and Research Associates on the computational feasibility of new hypotheses and maintain version control (Git) to ensure research reproducibility across the lab.
Essential Function
Percentage of Time 5
Data Infrastructure & HIPAA Security Management
Essential Function: Manage the secure storage, backup, and access permissions for the longitudinal autism dataset in compliance with HIPAA and institutional ethics standards. Document all data transformations and maintain the “master” data dictionary to ensure the long-term integrity of the 0–3 year old cohort information.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 5
Position Attributes
Hazardous weather category Non-Essential
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date 05/16/2026
Position End Date 05/15/2029
Job Open Date 04/21/2026
Job Close Date 06/05/2026
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by June 5, 2026.
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Posting Number RTF00079PO26
USC Market Title Data and Statistical Analyst
Business Title (Internal Title) Data and Statistical Analyst
Campus Columbia
Work County Richland
College/Division College of Arts and Sciences
Department CAS Psychology
Anticipated Hiring Range $58,000
Location of Vacancy Columbia, SC
Part/Full Time Full Time
Hours per Week 37.5
Work Schedule
* Standard schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with one hour for lunch.
* Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Type of Staff Position Staff Research Grant (SRGP)
Basis 12 months
Job Search Category Other Professional
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below
The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
South Carolina Retirement Yes
State Insurance Programs Yes
Annual Leave Yes
Sick Leave Yes
Advertised Job Summary
To ensure the ESD Lab remains on track with the five-year NIH grant timeline, a dedicated Data and Statistical Analyst is required to manage the critical transition from raw data to high-impact results. This role is essential for bypassing the technical backlogs that often delay papers and reports. Working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) and Research Associates, the analyst will provide the specialized computational support needed to execute machine learning (ML) aims, handling large, complex datasets that exceed the capacity of general staff. By integrating daily data cleaning with advanced modeling, this position directly helps the team meet grant milestones and ensures the lab stays in constant compliance with modern NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) standards.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 2 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Preferred Qualifications
* Technical Expertise: Proficiency in R or Python for longitudinal modeling (e.g., Latent Growth Curve Modeling or Mixed-Effects models) to track developmental changes over 36 months.
* Machine Learning: Experience applying ML to heterogeneous datasets (e.g., combining behavioral scores, clinical observations, and environmental variables) to predict diagnostic outcomes.
* Domain Knowledge: Familiarity with standard autism assessments (e.g., ADOS-2, M-CHAT, Mullen Scales) and the unique challenges of “noisy” behavioral data in infants and toddlers.
* NIH Compliance: Expertise in formatting and uploading data to the National Database for Autism Research (NDA), which has specific, rigorous requirements for every six-month data submission cycle.
* Data Cleaning: Specialized skills in handling missing data and attrition, which are common in 3-year longitudinal studies with families and young children.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
* Advanced Programming: Expert-level proficiency in R (Tidyverse, lme4) or Python (Pandas, Scikit-learn) for reproducible data pipelines.
* Trajectory Modeling: Ability to perform growth curve analysis, mixed-effects modeling, and latent class growth analysis to track development over 36 months.
* Machine Learning Implementation: Skill in building and validating models (e.g., Random Forests, XGBoost, Clustering) to identify early risk factors for autism.
* Data Harmonization: Expertise in cleaning and merging multi-source data (e.g. behavioral scores, environmental exposures, and medical records).
* Data Visualization: Ability to create clear, publication-ready visuals that “translate” complex ML findings for the PI and research team.
Job Duties
Machine Learning Pipeline Development & Execution
Essential Function: Build, test, and deploy supervised and unsupervised ML models (e.g., Random Forests, XGBoost, or Clustering) using R or Python to identify early autism risk markers. Perform feature engineering, cross-validation, and sensitivity analyses on high-dimensional infant datasets to meet specific RO1 grant aims.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 30
Analytical Strategy & Manuscript Dissemination
Essential Function: Collaborate with the PI and Research Associates to translate research questions into formal statistical plans. Execute longitudinal analyses (e.g., mixed-effects modeling, latent growth curves), generate publication-quality data visualizations, and draft technical methodology and results sections for peer-reviewed journals.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 25
Programming Novel Data Collection & Integration Tools
Essential Function: Design and program custom digital tools and APIs (e.g., Datayu JavaScript, RedCap hooks, MatLab pulls, or mobile-syncing scripts) to automate the capture of behavioral and environmental data. Ensure new data collection streams are scalable, validated for accuracy, and integrated directly into the lab’s primary longitudinal database.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 20
Automated Data Cleaning & Trajectory Harmonization
Essential Function: Author reproducible scripts to clean, merge, and de-identify multi-source data across three years of infant development. Implement complex data-wrangling procedures to handle non-random attrition, perform multiple imputations for missing values, and harmonize phenotypic scores from diverse clinical assessments.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 15
Technical Leadership & Peer Consultation
Essential Function: Serve as the technical lead for the data team, providing expert troubleshooting for code errors and model convergence issues. Advise the PI and Research Associates on the computational feasibility of new hypotheses and maintain version control (Git) to ensure research reproducibility across the lab.
Essential Function
Percentage of Time 5
Data Infrastructure & HIPAA Security Management
Essential Function: Manage the secure storage, backup, and access permissions for the longitudinal autism dataset in compliance with HIPAA and institutional ethics standards. Document all data transformations and maintain the “master” data dictionary to ensure the long-term integrity of the 0–3 year old cohort information.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 5
Position Attributes
Hazardous weather category Non-Essential
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date 05/16/2026
Position End Date 05/15/2029
Job Open Date 04/21/2026
Job Close Date 06/05/2026
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by June 5, 2026.
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
See all 41+ OPT Statistical Analyst Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Statistical Analyst Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Statistical Analyst
Lead with your quantitative degree match
Statistical Analyst is a designated STEM occupation. Explicitly connect your statistics, mathematics, or data science degree to the role in your resume summary. Employers need to confirm the degree-to-job alignment for OPT authorization purposes.
Target STEM OPT-eligible employers early
Not every employer is registered with E-Verify, which is required for the 24-month STEM extension. Ask during the screening call whether the company is E-Verify enrolled. This saves time and protects your extension eligibility before you invest in the process.
Quantify your statistical methods on your resume
Hiring managers look for specific tools and techniques: regression modeling, A/B testing, survival analysis, or Bayesian methods. Listing these with measurable outcomes makes your application stronger and confirms the role is genuinely quantitative, which supports OPT classification.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Tell recruiters your OPT start date and expiration early in the process. Statistical Analyst roles often involve multi-round interviews spanning weeks. Starting this conversation early helps employers plan for your authorization window without last-minute surprises on either side.
Highlight software proficiency that signals specialization
Proficiency in R, SAS, SPSS, or Python statistical libraries signals you can contribute immediately. Employers who sponsor OPT students expect a shorter ramp-up period, so demonstrating tool fluency reduces perceived hiring risk and strengthens your candidacy considerably.
Pursue industries with high OPT sponsorship rates
Pharmaceuticals, financial services, and technology consistently file high volumes of OPT and STEM extension paperwork for statistical roles. Focusing your search on these industries improves your odds of finding employers already familiar and comfortable with the sponsorship process.
Statistical Analyst OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Statistical Analyst role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, Statistical Analyst positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree is in statistics, mathematics, data science, applied mathematics, or a closely related STEM field. Your degree must appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. You apply for the extension through your DSO before your standard OPT expires.
What degree fields support OPT authorization for Statistical Analyst jobs?
Degrees in statistics, biostatistics, mathematics, applied mathematics, data science, and econometrics are the strongest matches. Degrees in computer science, engineering, or physics can also qualify if your coursework was heavily quantitative. The key requirement is that your degree field has a direct and logical connection to the analytical duties of the specific Statistical Analyst role you are accepting.
How do I find Statistical Analyst employers who are comfortable sponsoring OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended platform for F-1 OPT students searching for Statistical Analyst roles, as it surfaces employers who actively work with international candidates and OPT authorization. When applying elsewhere, prioritize larger employers in pharmaceuticals, financial services, and healthcare analytics, since those industries file OPT and H-1B visa paperwork routinely and have established HR processes for managing authorization timelines.
Can I work as a Statistical Analyst on a part-time basis during OPT?
Yes, but with restrictions. During standard OPT, you must work at least 20 hours per week to maintain valid status. During the STEM OPT extension, the same 20-hour minimum applies and your employer must provide structured training through a Form I-983 training plan. Working fewer than 20 hours, or having gaps longer than 90 days on standard OPT or 150 days on the STEM extension, can jeopardize your authorization.
What happens to my OPT status if my Statistical Analyst position is eliminated?
You have a cumulative unemployment allowance of 90 days during standard OPT and an additional 60 days during the STEM extension. If your position is eliminated, notify your DSO immediately and begin your job search within that window. Roles in data-heavy industries like healthcare IT, insurance analytics, and financial modeling tend to have steady demand for statistical skills, which can shorten your search timeline.