STEM OPT Biochemist Jobs

Biochemist roles in pharmaceuticals, biotech, and research institutions are strong fits for F-1 students with STEM degrees in biochemistry, molecular biology, or related fields. Your STEM OPT extension adds 24 months of work authorization, giving you up to 36 months total, as long as your employer is enrolled in E-Verify.

See All Biochemist Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs12+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type100% On-site
Median Salary$49K
Top LocationChantilly, VA
Most JobsGranules Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Showing 5 of 12+ Biochemist jobs

Revvity
Biochemist I/II
We won't show you this job again
Revvity
Added 1d ago
Biochemist I/II
Revvity
San Diego, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Manufacturing Operations
$22/hr - $26/hr
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
Associate's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Siemens Healthineers
Biochemist 1
We won't show you this job again
Siemens Healthineers
Added 6d ago
Biochemist 1
Siemens Healthineers
Tarrytown, New York
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
$83,270/yr - $114,499/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Kennedy University Hospital, Inc.
Post-Doctoral Fellow - Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
We won't show you this job again
Kennedy University Hospital, Inc.
Added 1w ago
Post-Doctoral Fellow - Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kennedy University Hospital, Inc.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Not listed
On-Site
Doctorate

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Artech, LLC
Quality Control Analyst II - Biochemistry/Virology
We won't show you this job again
Artech, LLC
Added 2w ago
Quality Control Analyst II - Biochemistry/Virology
Artech, LLC
Holly Springs, North Carolina
Quality Control
Allied Health
Biotech & Life Sciences
Not listed
On-Site
Bachelor's

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
University of Virginia
Research Associate in Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics
We won't show you this job again
University of Virginia
Added 1mo ago
Research Associate in Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)

See all Biochemist jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Biochemist roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

See all Biochemist jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Biochemist roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Biochemist

Verify your CIP code before applying

Your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code determines STEM OPT eligibility. Biochemistry typically falls under CIP 26.0202. Confirm your program's code with your DSO before you apply, so there are no surprises at the I-983 stage.

Target E-Verify enrolled biotech employers

Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify for your STEM OPT extension to be valid. Search the E-Verify employer search tool to confirm enrollment before accepting an offer, not after you've already signed.

Use Migrate Mate to find STEM OPT biochemist roles

Many biochemist postings don't explicitly state E-Verify enrollment. Migrate Mate filters for employers who meet STEM OPT requirements, so you're applying to roles where the authorization pathway is already confirmed.

Build a training plan tied to biochemist duties

Your I-983 must map specific learning objectives to your actual job duties. For biochemist roles, connect tasks like assay development or data analysis to the STEM knowledge your degree covers. Generic plans get rejected by DSOs.

Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer

Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the prevailing wage for your role and location. Run the OFLC Wage Search using your SOC code for biochemists before you negotiate, so you know the DOL floor going in.

Time your H-1B registration around your OPT end date

If your STEM OPT extension overlaps with an H-1B cap-gap period, USCIS automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. File your I-765 renewal at least 90 days before your EAD expires to avoid gaps.

Biochemist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.

Find Biochemist Jobs

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my biochemistry degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension?

It depends on your program's CIP code, not just the degree title. Biochemistry programs coded under CIP 26.02 are on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by DHS. If your degree is in a related field like molecular biology or chemical biology, check the exact code with your DSO. USCIS does not approve extensions for programs not on the official list.

What does the I-983 training plan require for a biochemist position?

Your I-983 must describe specific goals, learning objectives, and how the biochemist role relates to your STEM degree. For lab or research positions, you'll need to connect job duties, such as protein characterization or cell culture work, to coursework or skills from your program. Your employer must sign it, and your DSO must approve it before your STEM OPT extension begins.

How do I confirm a biochemist employer is enrolled in E-Verify?

E-Verify maintains a public employer search tool where you can look up any company by name to confirm active enrollment. Do this before accepting an offer. An employer who isn't enrolled cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT, and enrollment can't be retroactively applied after your start date.

How do I find biochemist employers who accept STEM OPT students?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for STEM OPT job seekers and surfaces biochemist roles at employers already enrolled in E-Verify. Most job postings don't advertise E-Verify status or OPT compatibility, which makes filtering through standard searches unreliable. Migrate Mate removes that guesswork by surfacing roles where the core STEM OPT requirements are already met.

What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my H-1B is selected in the lottery?

If your STEM OPT is still valid when your H-1B petition is filed and selected, cap-gap rules under USCIS automatically extend your work authorization through September 30 of that year. Your employer must remain E-Verify enrolled throughout the cap-gap period. If your OPT expires before your H-1B start date and you're not in cap-gap, you must stop working.

See which Biochemist employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.

Search Biochemist Jobs