OPT System Support Specialist Jobs
System Support Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students in computer science, information technology, or related fields. Most positions qualify as STEM-designated roles, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12-month authorization period ends.
Find OPT System Support Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 59+ System Support Specialist jobs
See all 59+ System Support Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new System Support Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsDepartment:
RI Research Systems Operations
Position Title:
Research System Support Administrator - Research Administration
Job Family Group:
Professional Staff
Job Description Summary:
This individual will provide end user support for systems managed and supported by the University of Kansas Research Administration. This position will be responsible for creating and maintaining records, and support data quality, in e-Regulatory management systems for clinical studies; assist in training research staff in data entry and routine data management; conduct regular data quality checks; and generate routine data reports for projects approved by the Director as needed.
Job Description:
Key Roles and Responsibilities
80% Operational Support:
- Provide training for various levels of end users based upon vendor provided training materials.
- Works with system owners to develop needed reports for end users.
- Provides advanced reporting to customers using research systems.
- Troubleshoot and resolve software/application issues when they arise. Contact the vendor on all issues that require vendor intervention.
- Participate in internal quality assurance efforts and system performance monitoring.
- Responsible for creating and maintaining folders and records for individual clinical studies and other research projects.
- Create and modify overall menus/drop-down choices and templates to support functionality.
- Assists in the development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and development of system user manuals related to the clinical information management systems.
20% Application Support:
- Update and maintain systems to remain compliant with federal and other regulatory guidelines.
- Manage software/application user roles and permissions. Create accounts and expire or remove termed accounts.
- Monitor software/application logs.
- Keep up with new features and modify the software/application configuration as needed.
- Work with the vendor to schedule updates.
- Work with the vendor to coordinate downtime, when the software/application is unavailable to end-users, as necessary.
- Work closely with Research Technical Support staff to provide reference information.
- Archive data, when necessary, understand the software/application data recovery process and support data security management.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Required Qualifications:
Work Experience
4 years’ experience in an academic or health-related research environment. Education may substitute for experience on a year for year basis.
Preferred Qualifications:
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in healthcare or a related field.
Work Experience
- Working knowledgeable of ICH/GCP guidelines in regard to clinical trials.
- Experience with Clinical Trial Management Systems.
Skills
- Organizational Skills
Required Documents:
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter
Comprehensive Benefits Package:
Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available.
Employee Type:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
Rate Type:
Salary
Compensation Statement:
The pay range listed for this position is determined by our compensation program using market data and salary benchmarking. A combination of factors is considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, education, experience and training, qualifications relative to the requirements of the position, and funding. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, a reasonable estimate for the starting pay range will be the minimum to midpoint of the posted range, taking into account the combination of factors listed above.
Pay Range:
$60,800.00 - $91,200.00
Minimum
$60,800.00
Midpoint
$76,000.00
Maximum
$91,200.00
Department:
RI Research Systems Operations
Position Title:
Research System Support Administrator - Research Administration
Job Family Group:
Professional Staff
Job Description Summary:
This individual will provide end user support for systems managed and supported by the University of Kansas Research Administration. This position will be responsible for creating and maintaining records, and support data quality, in e-Regulatory management systems for clinical studies; assist in training research staff in data entry and routine data management; conduct regular data quality checks; and generate routine data reports for projects approved by the Director as needed.
Job Description:
Key Roles and Responsibilities
80% Operational Support:
- Provide training for various levels of end users based upon vendor provided training materials.
- Works with system owners to develop needed reports for end users.
- Provides advanced reporting to customers using research systems.
- Troubleshoot and resolve software/application issues when they arise. Contact the vendor on all issues that require vendor intervention.
- Participate in internal quality assurance efforts and system performance monitoring.
- Responsible for creating and maintaining folders and records for individual clinical studies and other research projects.
- Create and modify overall menus/drop-down choices and templates to support functionality.
- Assists in the development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and development of system user manuals related to the clinical information management systems.
20% Application Support:
- Update and maintain systems to remain compliant with federal and other regulatory guidelines.
- Manage software/application user roles and permissions. Create accounts and expire or remove termed accounts.
- Monitor software/application logs.
- Keep up with new features and modify the software/application configuration as needed.
- Work with the vendor to schedule updates.
- Work with the vendor to coordinate downtime, when the software/application is unavailable to end-users, as necessary.
- Work closely with Research Technical Support staff to provide reference information.
- Archive data, when necessary, understand the software/application data recovery process and support data security management.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Required Qualifications:
Work Experience
4 years’ experience in an academic or health-related research environment. Education may substitute for experience on a year for year basis.
Preferred Qualifications:
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in healthcare or a related field.
Work Experience
- Working knowledgeable of ICH/GCP guidelines in regard to clinical trials.
- Experience with Clinical Trial Management Systems.
Skills
- Organizational Skills
Required Documents:
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter
Comprehensive Benefits Package:
Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available.
Employee Type:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
Rate Type:
Salary
Compensation Statement:
The pay range listed for this position is determined by our compensation program using market data and salary benchmarking. A combination of factors is considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, education, experience and training, qualifications relative to the requirements of the position, and funding. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, a reasonable estimate for the starting pay range will be the minimum to midpoint of the posted range, taking into account the combination of factors listed above.
Pay Range:
$60,800.00 - $91,200.00
Minimum
$60,800.00
Midpoint
$76,000.00
Maximum
$91,200.00
See all 59+ OPT System Support Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT System Support Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a System Support Specialist
Target STEM-designated employers first
System Support Specialist roles often fall under STEM OPT-eligible SOC codes. Prioritize companies registered with E-Verify, since STEM OPT extension requires an E-Verify employer and a formal training plan on Form I-983.
Confirm your role qualifies as STEM OPT
Not every support title automatically qualifies. Verify your job's SOC code maps to an approved STEM OPT field. Roles focused on network administration, systems analysis, or IT infrastructure typically qualify, but confirm with your DSO before accepting.
Apply at least 90 days before OPT start
USCIS processing takes time and your EAD must arrive before you begin working. Submit your OPT application early so authorization gaps don't delay your start date with an employer who needs immediate coverage.
Highlight helpdesk and ticketing system experience
Employers hiring on OPT want minimal ramp-up time. Specific experience with platforms like ServiceNow or Jira, plus any certifications like CompTIA A+ or Network+, signals you can contribute from day one without extensive training.
Frame your visa status proactively in interviews
Explain your OPT timeline clearly: initial 12 months, potential 24-month STEM extension, and H-1B visa eligibility afterward. Employers unfamiliar with OPT often assume short-term commitment, so walk them through the full multi-year window upfront.
Focus on mid-size technology and healthcare companies
Large enterprises and well-funded mid-size firms in healthcare IT, managed services, and SaaS regularly hire System Support Specialists and have HR infrastructure to handle OPT paperwork without treating it as an unusual burden.
System Support Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a System Support Specialist on F-1 OPT?
Yes, provided your degree is in a qualifying field such as computer science, information technology, or a related discipline, and your System Support Specialist role uses that field of study. Your DSO must authorize OPT and USCIS must approve your EAD before you start. Working without an approved EAD is an immigration violation.
Does a System Support Specialist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most System Support Specialist positions qualify if the role falls under an approved STEM SOC code, your degree is STEM-designated, and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. You must also have a formal training plan on Form I-983 signed by your employer. Confirm the specific SOC code with your DSO before relying on the extension.
Where can I find System Support Specialist jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students, so every role listed is filtered for sponsorship and OPT friendliness. Searching there saves you from applying to positions that quietly screen out candidates requiring work authorization, which is a common problem on general job boards.
How many hours can I work as a System Support Specialist during OPT?
During post-completion OPT you must work at least 20 hours per week to maintain valid status. Full-time positions of 40 hours per week are the norm for System Support Specialist roles and are well within the allowed range. Working fewer than 20 hours, or going unemployed for more than 90 cumulative days, puts your status at risk.
Do System Support Specialist employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Sponsorship varies by employer size and budget. Mid-size and enterprise technology companies, managed service providers, and healthcare IT firms that hire for support roles often have established immigration processes and will sponsor H-1B petitions for strong performers. Asking about long-term sponsorship intentions during the offer stage is reasonable and expected.