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
We are seeking a highly motivated Biologist I/II to join the Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT) department at Company based in Worcester, MA. As part of the PDS&T Biologics organization, MSAT leads the process technology transfer, optimization, validation, implementation, and continuous process improvement for late-stage and commercial manufacturing of therapeutic proteins. We also provide technical support for manufacturing, GMP compliance, and regulatory filing. Our mission is to support manufacturing and drive and implement improvement of processes and technologies for commercial products to deliver quality, compliance, financial and innovation goals for the benefit of our customers.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Providing technical support to late clinical stage and commercial biologics manufacturing processes
- Supporting lab scale studies relevant to late clinical stage and commercial biologics manufacturing processes
- Support the writing and data review of official documentation relevant to late clinical stage and commercial biologics manufacturing processes
- Data monitoring and trending for continuous process verification
- Applying GMP and GLP principles to all aspects of work and documentation
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
- BS/MS degree in a scientific or engineering discipline with 0-2 years related industry experience
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of applicable regulatory authority, compendia and ICH guidelines
- Ability to understand and independently apply GMPs and/or GLPs to everyday work with regard to documentation and instrument use
- Ability to utilize Microsoft Excel and Word to perform tasks
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Time management and project management skills
- Problem solving and troubleshooting abilities
- Ability to work in a collaborative work environment with a team
- Strong organization skills with high attention to detail
- Aseptic handling experience desirable
- Coding experience or advanced excel capabilities desirable
EEO: Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of – Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a highly motivated Biologist I/II to join the Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT) department at Company based in Worcester, MA. As part of the PDS&T Biologics organization, MSAT leads the process technology transfer, optimization, validation, implementation, and continuous process improvement for late-stage and commercial manufacturing of therapeutic proteins. We also provide technical support for manufacturing, GMP compliance, and regulatory filing. Our mission is to support manufacturing and drive and implement improvement of processes and technologies for commercial products to deliver quality, compliance, financial and innovation goals for the benefit of our customers.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Providing technical support to late clinical stage and commercial biologics manufacturing processes
- Supporting lab scale studies relevant to late clinical stage and commercial biologics manufacturing processes
- Support the writing and data review of official documentation relevant to late clinical stage and commercial biologics manufacturing processes
- Data monitoring and trending for continuous process verification
- Applying GMP and GLP principles to all aspects of work and documentation
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
- BS/MS degree in a scientific or engineering discipline with 0-2 years related industry experience
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of applicable regulatory authority, compendia and ICH guidelines
- Ability to understand and independently apply GMPs and/or GLPs to everyday work with regard to documentation and instrument use
- Ability to utilize Microsoft Excel and Word to perform tasks
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Time management and project management skills
- Problem solving and troubleshooting abilities
- Ability to work in a collaborative work environment with a team
- Strong organization skills with high attention to detail
- Aseptic handling experience desirable
- Coding experience or advanced excel capabilities desirable
EEO: Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of – Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans
See all 43+ STEM OPT Biologist Jobs
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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.