STEM OPT Biologist Jobs
Biologist roles in research, biotech, and environmental science qualify for STEM OPT when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code. The 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you up to 36 months of F-1 work authorization, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and signs your I-983 training plan.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Latch builds rigorous scientific benchmarks (benchmarks.bio) for AI agents across biology. We work with frontier labs and pharma to measure whether agents can handle real biological workflows: the messy, multi-layer reasoning that matters in the field. We’re seeking an AI Biologist - Genetic Medicines to join our team working at the frontier of what artificial intelligence can achieve in gene therapy, gene editing, and RNA therapeutics development.
ABOUT THE ROLE
You will contribute to our technical approach for evaluating agent performance at reasoning across the genetic medicines pipeline – gene therapy, gene editing, and RNA therapeutics from target validation and drug discovery to clinical development. You will work as part of a team of software engineers and scientists building datasets and AI agent tasks across the end-to-end genetic medicines pipeline, including:
- Designing realistic program case studies spanning target validation, drug design and screening, chemistry optimization, candidate nomination, and IND-enabling studies across genetic medicine modalities
- Evaluating PK/PD, immunogenicity, and GLP toxicology findings across modalities and development stages
- Reconstructing program go/no-go decisions from multi-source data
- Reviewing and stress-testing agent outputs for scientific soundness, catching reasoning that is textbook-correct but not defensible in a program review
- Calibrating AI agent confidence on preclinical data with incomplete or conflicting signals, rather than forcing a binary call
REQUIREMENTS
- Advanced degree (MS/PhD/PharmD) in molecular biology, genetics, gene therapy, or a related biomedical field, or equivalent industry experience
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in gene therapy, gene editing, or RNA therapeutics (ASO/siRNA/mRNA) discovery or development
- Direct experience with drug design, drug screening, delivery optimization, or IND-enabling study design in at least one genetic medicine modality
- Experience interpreting on-/off-target editing data, biodistribution, immunogenicity, and GLP toxicology to inform dose selection and risk assessment
- Familiarity with IND-enabling regulatory requirements and the nonclinical data package expected by FDA/EMA is a plus
- Experience evaluating potency, specificity, and developability trade-offs across vector, construct, or oligonucleotide candidates
- Strong scientific writing skills, able to produce clear, evidence-supported rationale for a drug development decision
- Proficiency in AI agent use, with the judgment to identify where model reasoning is technically correct but pharmacologically or practically unsound
- Comfort operating in uncertainty, and proactively flagging gaps in data or instructions
- Works with high agency and initiative
CULTURE @ LATCH
We practice radical transparency: you’ll know how the company is doing, what’s working, and what isn’t. It’s always us against the problem, never each other. We’re opinionated but respectful of each other’s time, and we think through possible solutions before bringing a problem to anyone. We use AI constantly, so we reward original expert judgment, not AI output passed off as your own. You’ll start on the bench that fits your expertise and can move across teams as you build a track record.
Outside of work: company outings most months, team off-sites, and a community that does cycling, soccer, figure skating, boxing, running, martial arts, music, books, and game nights.
COMPENSATION & LOGISTICS
Pay: $140K–$180K OTE (on-target earnings), with no ceiling.
- Your pay is your OTE times your weekly quota attainment. Hit quota, earn your OTE; double it, earn double. Example: $150K OTE at double quota = $300K.
- Your first 4 weeks (ramp) are paid at full OTE while we train you.
- You’re paid full OTE whenever quota can’t fairly apply: when a new project is starting, the platform goes down, or we pull you onto a special project.
In the US: full-time W-2
- Guaranteed base set by your state, paid every paycheck no matter what
- Health, dental, vision: 100% covered for you, 50% for dependents
- 401(k) (no match)
- PTO: 12 days to start, more as you’re promoted
Outside the US: contractor
- Paid on performance, with a monthly advance of 60% of OTE that’s never clawed back. US benefits don’t apply.
Growth: two tracks, based on output, not tenure.
- Individual contributor: six levels, so up to five promotions, with OTE rising at each one.
- Management: after your first promotion, you can move into managing a pod if that’s what you want.
LOCATION
fully remote is fine; onsite is preferred, at our Mission Bay waterfront office in SF with catered lunch and dinner and unlimited snacks.
WORK AUTHORIZATION
we sponsor H-1B (new and transfers), O-1, and TN, and support STEM OPT.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
- Apply. If your profile matches, we’ll send you a take-home project.
- Take-home project (HackerRank). We review it as soon as it arrives.
- Technical interview with a Member of Technical Staff (pod lead), scheduled right after your project review.
- Culture interview with our C-suite.
- Offer.
- Background check, once you accept.
COMPENSATION RANGE
$140K - $180K
INTRODUCTION
Latch builds rigorous scientific benchmarks (benchmarks.bio) for AI agents across biology. We work with frontier labs and pharma to measure whether agents can handle real biological workflows: the messy, multi-layer reasoning that matters in the field. We’re seeking an AI Biologist - Genetic Medicines to join our team working at the frontier of what artificial intelligence can achieve in gene therapy, gene editing, and RNA therapeutics development.
ABOUT THE ROLE
You will contribute to our technical approach for evaluating agent performance at reasoning across the genetic medicines pipeline – gene therapy, gene editing, and RNA therapeutics from target validation and drug discovery to clinical development. You will work as part of a team of software engineers and scientists building datasets and AI agent tasks across the end-to-end genetic medicines pipeline, including:
- Designing realistic program case studies spanning target validation, drug design and screening, chemistry optimization, candidate nomination, and IND-enabling studies across genetic medicine modalities
- Evaluating PK/PD, immunogenicity, and GLP toxicology findings across modalities and development stages
- Reconstructing program go/no-go decisions from multi-source data
- Reviewing and stress-testing agent outputs for scientific soundness, catching reasoning that is textbook-correct but not defensible in a program review
- Calibrating AI agent confidence on preclinical data with incomplete or conflicting signals, rather than forcing a binary call
REQUIREMENTS
- Advanced degree (MS/PhD/PharmD) in molecular biology, genetics, gene therapy, or a related biomedical field, or equivalent industry experience
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in gene therapy, gene editing, or RNA therapeutics (ASO/siRNA/mRNA) discovery or development
- Direct experience with drug design, drug screening, delivery optimization, or IND-enabling study design in at least one genetic medicine modality
- Experience interpreting on-/off-target editing data, biodistribution, immunogenicity, and GLP toxicology to inform dose selection and risk assessment
- Familiarity with IND-enabling regulatory requirements and the nonclinical data package expected by FDA/EMA is a plus
- Experience evaluating potency, specificity, and developability trade-offs across vector, construct, or oligonucleotide candidates
- Strong scientific writing skills, able to produce clear, evidence-supported rationale for a drug development decision
- Proficiency in AI agent use, with the judgment to identify where model reasoning is technically correct but pharmacologically or practically unsound
- Comfort operating in uncertainty, and proactively flagging gaps in data or instructions
- Works with high agency and initiative
CULTURE @ LATCH
We practice radical transparency: you’ll know how the company is doing, what’s working, and what isn’t. It’s always us against the problem, never each other. We’re opinionated but respectful of each other’s time, and we think through possible solutions before bringing a problem to anyone. We use AI constantly, so we reward original expert judgment, not AI output passed off as your own. You’ll start on the bench that fits your expertise and can move across teams as you build a track record.
Outside of work: company outings most months, team off-sites, and a community that does cycling, soccer, figure skating, boxing, running, martial arts, music, books, and game nights.
COMPENSATION & LOGISTICS
Pay: $140K–$180K OTE (on-target earnings), with no ceiling.
- Your pay is your OTE times your weekly quota attainment. Hit quota, earn your OTE; double it, earn double. Example: $150K OTE at double quota = $300K.
- Your first 4 weeks (ramp) are paid at full OTE while we train you.
- You’re paid full OTE whenever quota can’t fairly apply: when a new project is starting, the platform goes down, or we pull you onto a special project.
In the US: full-time W-2
- Guaranteed base set by your state, paid every paycheck no matter what
- Health, dental, vision: 100% covered for you, 50% for dependents
- 401(k) (no match)
- PTO: 12 days to start, more as you’re promoted
Outside the US: contractor
- Paid on performance, with a monthly advance of 60% of OTE that’s never clawed back. US benefits don’t apply.
Growth: two tracks, based on output, not tenure.
- Individual contributor: six levels, so up to five promotions, with OTE rising at each one.
- Management: after your first promotion, you can move into managing a pod if that’s what you want.
LOCATION
fully remote is fine; onsite is preferred, at our Mission Bay waterfront office in SF with catered lunch and dinner and unlimited snacks.
WORK AUTHORIZATION
we sponsor H-1B (new and transfers), O-1, and TN, and support STEM OPT.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
- Apply. If your profile matches, we’ll send you a take-home project.
- Take-home project (HackerRank). We review it as soon as it arrives.
- Technical interview with a Member of Technical Staff (pod lead), scheduled right after your project review.
- Culture interview with our C-suite.
- Offer.
- Background check, once you accept.
COMPENSATION RANGE
$140K - $180K
See all 43+ STEM OPT Biologist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Biologist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Biologist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Not every biology degree automatically qualifies for STEM OPT. Check your diploma or transcript CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Codes like 26.0101 (Biology) and 26.0202 (Biochemistry) are eligible, but interdisciplinary programs sometimes fall outside the list.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
An employer's interest doesn't matter if they're not enrolled in E-Verify. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name before you invest time in interviews. Many smaller biotech startups and environmental consulting firms aren't enrolled, even when they're hiring actively.
Target labs and employers with active LCA filings
Use Migrate Mate to filter Biologist openings by employers with verified STEM OPT compatibility. Employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for biological science roles have already cleared the administrative groundwork your extension depends on.
Structure your I-983 training goals around the role
Your I-983 must show a direct connection between your STEM degree and your Biologist responsibilities. Work with your DSO and hiring manager to map specific lab skills, research methods, or data analysis techniques from your coursework to the actual job duties before your start date.
Ask about OPT cap-gap coverage during federal hiring timelines
Federal agencies like the NIH, CDC, and EPA hire Biologists but run on slower hiring cycles. If your initial OPT expires during a federal offer process, cap-gap protection under a timely H-1B visa petition can bridge that gap. Clarify with USCIS guidance whether your situation qualifies before declining other offers.
Use the OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
STEM OPT regulations require employers to pay you the same wage as similarly situated U.S. workers. Pull prevailing wage data for your specific Biologist SOC code and geographic area from the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating. An offer below prevailing wage can jeopardize your extension filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a biology degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most biology degrees qualify, but eligibility depends on your specific CIP code, not just the degree title. Programs classified under biological and biomedical sciences codes on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List are eligible. Degrees in general biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and ecology typically qualify. Check your transcript CIP code and confirm with your DSO before applying for the extension through USCIS.
Does my Biologist employer have to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes, E-Verify enrollment is a firm legal requirement for any employer sponsoring a STEM OPT extension, with no exceptions. Before you accept an offer, search the E-Verify employer search tool to confirm the specific company location is enrolled, not just the parent organization. If the employer isn't enrolled at the time of your I-983 submission, your DSO cannot authorize the extension.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Biologist role?
Your I-983 must identify concrete learning objectives that connect your STEM degree to your day-to-day Biologist responsibilities. For lab-based roles, this means listing specific techniques, instruments, or research methods you'll develop. For field or environmental roles, it includes data collection protocols, species identification skills, or regulatory compliance work. Your employer's supervisor and your DSO both sign the form, so align the language with your actual job duties.
How does cap-gap work if my OPT expires before an H-1B is approved?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. Your EAD becomes invalid, but your F-1 status and employment authorization continue. USCIS publishes cap-gap guidance each spring, and your DSO can note the extension in your SEVIS record.
Where can I find Biologist jobs from employers who support STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 STEM OPT students and filters Biologist openings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and a history of supporting OPT workers. Searching there saves you from applying to roles where the employer can't legally authorize your extension, which is a common and avoidable setback for F-1 candidates in research and life science fields.