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 JobsThe Luna lab is jointly affiliated with the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The dual ambitions of the lab are to make biomedical data and information accessible, as well as, to advance cancer research that helps people live longer, healthier lives. We seek outstanding, highly motivated, and skilled candidates to join our team with the goal of advancing novel cancer therapeutic strategies.
About the position
This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute collaboratively to cutting-edge research in the field of cancer therapeutics and precision medicine that spans both basic and translational science objectives. The successful candidates will develop novel bioinformatic machine learning methodologies to:
- Explore cancer-specific genomic, epigenetic, and metabolic alterations, molecular systems pharmacology, and network biology.
- Understand molecular mechanisms of drug response and drug resistance to achieve precision medicine.
These strategies will aim to understand the fundamental rules for how cells respond to external perturbation. In addition, selected applicants will have the opportunity to contribute to the translational clinical program of the NCI, aiming to support clinical decision-making by exploring cancer heterogeneity using both pre-clinical models (e.g., cell lines, patient-derived xenografts, organoids) and patient datasets, as well as, identifying biomarkers and molecular determinants of response to cancer therapy.
We are offering full-time postdoctoral fellow positions, available immediately and renewable on a yearly basis. Initial appointments will be for 1 year, with possible extensions up to 5 years. The NIH offers a competitive stipend, a stipend supplement for comprehensive health insurance, and is dedicated to the continued education and career development of all its research staff. These positions are subject to background checks.
Related Articles
- Causal Interactions: Molecular Data Meets Pathways
- Understanding Drug Resistance through Network Data
- CellMiner Cross-Database for Pharmacogenomics
- scPerturb: Harmonized Single-Cell Perturbation Data
Additional Links
Augustin Luna - CCR staff profile, NLM profile, Google Scholar
Summary of NIH as a Training Environment (Salary, Reputation, Cost of Living, Social Climate)
About the NLM
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) pioneers new ways to make biomedical data and information more accessible; and builds tools for better data management and personal health. NLM’s cutting-edge research and training programs (with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, computational biology, and biomedical informatics and health data standards) help catalyze basic biomedical science, data-driven discovery, and health care delivery.
About the NCI/CCR/DTB
The National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research (NCI-CCR) is the largest division of the NCI; it encompasses various branches such as the NCI Developmental Therapeutics Branch. The NCI CCR has a mandate to confront the special challenges presented by rare cancers as well as cancers that may be predominant in medically underserved populations. One way in which the NCI CCR addresses this mandate is by conducting clinical trials that recruit patients with rare cancers thereby generating unique data to advance research in these cancers. While rare cancers affect low numbers of patients, as a group, they account for about a quarter of all cancers, as well as a quarter of all cancer deaths each year.
What you'll need to apply
To apply, please send the following:
- Cover letter (1 page max) describing your: 1) research experiences, 2) training goals, and 3) preferred starting date. Mention projects or articles of the Luna group of interest and explain your potential role.
- Updated CV including bibliography
- It is suggested that links to a code repository URL(s) be included in your application with code attributable to the applicant
- Contact information (name, institute, email, phone) for 3 references to Augustin Luna, Ph.D., via email. Write "Postdoctoral Application" in the subject heading.
If we are interested, you will be contacted by Dr. Luna.
Contact name
Augustin Luna
Contact email
augustin@nih.gov
Qualifications
Essential qualifications
- PhD in a field relevant to biomedicine, including: Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, Physics, or Computer Science, or a degree related to Biology with substantial experience in computational and statistical work. Individuals in the final stages of PhD submission will be considered as well as PhD graduates within 5 years of graduation
- Prior and demonstrated experience in cancer research
- Strong knowledge and experience in coding (R/Python or similar languages)
- Prior and demonstrated experience analyzing -omics data (e.g., RNAseq, copy number, mutation, methylation, proteomics)
- Technical expertise in machine learning and/or mathematical modeling
- An interest in applying computational methods to biological problems
- A demonstrated ability to generate and pursue independent research ideas
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal as evidenced by publications, preprints, and/or conference presentations
- Dedication to reproducible research and open science
Desirable qualifications
- Foundational knowledge in Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, and/or similar fields
- Foundational knowledge in Mathematics, Statistics, and/or Data Science
- Familiarity with software development practices
- Experience with machine learning frameworks (Pytorch or similar)
- Experience with using network-based analyses (graph theory) and software/resources (graph and/or pathway databases) is desirable
- Experience with single-cell data analysis is desirable
- Experience working in collaborative interdisciplinary environments
The Luna lab is jointly affiliated with the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The dual ambitions of the lab are to make biomedical data and information accessible, as well as, to advance cancer research that helps people live longer, healthier lives. We seek outstanding, highly motivated, and skilled candidates to join our team with the goal of advancing novel cancer therapeutic strategies.
About the position
This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute collaboratively to cutting-edge research in the field of cancer therapeutics and precision medicine that spans both basic and translational science objectives. The successful candidates will develop novel bioinformatic machine learning methodologies to:
- Explore cancer-specific genomic, epigenetic, and metabolic alterations, molecular systems pharmacology, and network biology.
- Understand molecular mechanisms of drug response and drug resistance to achieve precision medicine.
These strategies will aim to understand the fundamental rules for how cells respond to external perturbation. In addition, selected applicants will have the opportunity to contribute to the translational clinical program of the NCI, aiming to support clinical decision-making by exploring cancer heterogeneity using both pre-clinical models (e.g., cell lines, patient-derived xenografts, organoids) and patient datasets, as well as, identifying biomarkers and molecular determinants of response to cancer therapy.
We are offering full-time postdoctoral fellow positions, available immediately and renewable on a yearly basis. Initial appointments will be for 1 year, with possible extensions up to 5 years. The NIH offers a competitive stipend, a stipend supplement for comprehensive health insurance, and is dedicated to the continued education and career development of all its research staff. These positions are subject to background checks.
Related Articles
- Causal Interactions: Molecular Data Meets Pathways
- Understanding Drug Resistance through Network Data
- CellMiner Cross-Database for Pharmacogenomics
- scPerturb: Harmonized Single-Cell Perturbation Data
Additional Links
Augustin Luna - CCR staff profile, NLM profile, Google Scholar
Summary of NIH as a Training Environment (Salary, Reputation, Cost of Living, Social Climate)
About the NLM
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) pioneers new ways to make biomedical data and information more accessible; and builds tools for better data management and personal health. NLM’s cutting-edge research and training programs (with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, computational biology, and biomedical informatics and health data standards) help catalyze basic biomedical science, data-driven discovery, and health care delivery.
About the NCI/CCR/DTB
The National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research (NCI-CCR) is the largest division of the NCI; it encompasses various branches such as the NCI Developmental Therapeutics Branch. The NCI CCR has a mandate to confront the special challenges presented by rare cancers as well as cancers that may be predominant in medically underserved populations. One way in which the NCI CCR addresses this mandate is by conducting clinical trials that recruit patients with rare cancers thereby generating unique data to advance research in these cancers. While rare cancers affect low numbers of patients, as a group, they account for about a quarter of all cancers, as well as a quarter of all cancer deaths each year.
What you'll need to apply
To apply, please send the following:
- Cover letter (1 page max) describing your: 1) research experiences, 2) training goals, and 3) preferred starting date. Mention projects or articles of the Luna group of interest and explain your potential role.
- Updated CV including bibliography
- It is suggested that links to a code repository URL(s) be included in your application with code attributable to the applicant
- Contact information (name, institute, email, phone) for 3 references to Augustin Luna, Ph.D., via email. Write "Postdoctoral Application" in the subject heading.
If we are interested, you will be contacted by Dr. Luna.
Contact name
Augustin Luna
Contact email
augustin@nih.gov
Qualifications
Essential qualifications
- PhD in a field relevant to biomedicine, including: Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, Physics, or Computer Science, or a degree related to Biology with substantial experience in computational and statistical work. Individuals in the final stages of PhD submission will be considered as well as PhD graduates within 5 years of graduation
- Prior and demonstrated experience in cancer research
- Strong knowledge and experience in coding (R/Python or similar languages)
- Prior and demonstrated experience analyzing -omics data (e.g., RNAseq, copy number, mutation, methylation, proteomics)
- Technical expertise in machine learning and/or mathematical modeling
- An interest in applying computational methods to biological problems
- A demonstrated ability to generate and pursue independent research ideas
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal as evidenced by publications, preprints, and/or conference presentations
- Dedication to reproducible research and open science
Desirable qualifications
- Foundational knowledge in Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, and/or similar fields
- Foundational knowledge in Mathematics, Statistics, and/or Data Science
- Familiarity with software development practices
- Experience with machine learning frameworks (Pytorch or similar)
- Experience with using network-based analyses (graph theory) and software/resources (graph and/or pathway databases) is desirable
- Experience with single-cell data analysis is desirable
- Experience working in collaborative interdisciplinary environments
See all 37+ 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.