STEM OPT Biology Jobs
Biology graduates with a STEM degree can work in the U.S. for up to 36 months on OPT, including the 24-month STEM extension. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. Roles in research, biotech, pharmaceuticals, and environmental science commonly qualify under STEM OPT CIP codes covering biological and biomedical sciences.
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Get Access To All JobsJoin the forefront of groundbreaking research at City of Hope, where we are changing lives and making a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. Our dedicated and compassionate faculty and staff are united by a shared mission: to contribute to innovative approaches that predict, prevent, and cure disease while helping shape the future of medicine through cutting-edge research.
The Dr. Jeff Perry laboratory in the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join a multidisciplinary drug discovery program focused on a metabolic enzyme that plays a central role in cholesterol homeostasis and bile acid synthesis, with direct implications for metabolic disease and cardiometabolic risk.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead efforts in recombinant protein expression and purification, and structure determination using X-ray crystallography to enable structure-guided ligand design.
- Collaborate at the interface of structural biology, chemical biology, and translational therapeutics, contributing to the development of first-in-class modulators targeting a clinically relevant metabolic pathway.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. in life sciences, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline is required.
- Prior experience in protein biochemistry and X-ray crystallography is essential.
- Experience in quantitative biophysical characterization of small-molecule binding studies such as SPR, ITC, and DSF and/or an interest in mechanism-driven drug discovery and fragment-based approaches is highly desirable.
- Proven track record of successful research projects and publications.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Effective communication and collaboration abilities.
COMPENSATION
City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.
EEO STATEMENT
City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.
To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE.
Join the forefront of groundbreaking research at City of Hope, where we are changing lives and making a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. Our dedicated and compassionate faculty and staff are united by a shared mission: to contribute to innovative approaches that predict, prevent, and cure disease while helping shape the future of medicine through cutting-edge research.
The Dr. Jeff Perry laboratory in the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join a multidisciplinary drug discovery program focused on a metabolic enzyme that plays a central role in cholesterol homeostasis and bile acid synthesis, with direct implications for metabolic disease and cardiometabolic risk.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead efforts in recombinant protein expression and purification, and structure determination using X-ray crystallography to enable structure-guided ligand design.
- Collaborate at the interface of structural biology, chemical biology, and translational therapeutics, contributing to the development of first-in-class modulators targeting a clinically relevant metabolic pathway.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. in life sciences, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline is required.
- Prior experience in protein biochemistry and X-ray crystallography is essential.
- Experience in quantitative biophysical characterization of small-molecule binding studies such as SPR, ITC, and DSF and/or an interest in mechanism-driven drug discovery and fragment-based approaches is highly desirable.
- Proven track record of successful research projects and publications.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Effective communication and collaboration abilities.
COMPENSATION
City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.
EEO STATEMENT
City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.
To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE.
See all 31+ STEM OPT Biology Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Biology Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Biology
Verify your CIP code maps to Biology
Not every biology-adjacent degree automatically qualifies for the STEM extension. Cross-check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before applying. Codes under 26.xx (Biological and Biomedical Sciences) typically qualify, but interdisciplinary programs sometimes don't.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before you can start STEM OPT. Ask recruiters directly or check the E-Verify employer search tool. Contract research organizations and smaller biotech labs frequently aren't enrolled, so verify this early, not after you've signed.
Target employers with active biology LCA filings
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by DOL Labor Condition Application filing history in biological sciences roles. This surfaces companies already familiar with work authorization requirements, which matters when your STEM OPT window is finite and onboarding delays are costly.
File your I-983 training plan before day one
Your I-983 must be signed by your employer and DSO before you start work, not after. The training plan needs to describe how your biology role directly uses your degree. Vague descriptions like 'lab support' are common rejection reasons, so be specific about techniques and research objectives.
Use O*NET to match your role to STEM criteria
Hiring managers at pharma and biotech companies sometimes list biology roles under broader titles like 'scientist' or 'analyst' that may or may not map cleanly to STEM OPT-qualifying SOC codes. Pull the O*NET occupation profile for your specific job title to confirm it falls within a qualifying category before accepting.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
STEM OPT employers must pay you the prevailing wage for your role and location. Run your job title and work location through the OFLC Wage Search before salary conversations. Biology roles in pharmaceutical hubs like New Jersey or the Bay Area carry significantly higher prevailing wages than academic markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which biology degrees qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Degrees with CIP codes under the 26.xx Biological and Biomedical Sciences category generally qualify, including biology, microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology, and ecology. Neuroscience and bioinformatics often qualify under adjacent STEM codes. Your DSO can confirm your specific CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Interdisciplinary degrees sometimes require additional documentation to establish STEM eligibility.
Does my biology employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT. Your employer must be enrolled before your extension begins, and they must sign your I-983 training plan. Many contract research organizations, university-affiliated labs, and early-stage biotech startups aren't enrolled. Confirm enrollment status directly with HR before advancing in the hiring process, since getting enrolled after an offer is accepted introduces delays.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a biology role?
Your I-983 must connect your specific job duties to the learning objectives of your STEM degree. For biology roles, that means naming the techniques, methodologies, and research areas you'll apply, such as molecular assays, data analysis, or experimental design. Generic descriptions tied only to a job title are a common reason DSOs push back on training plan drafts. Your supervisor and DSO both sign off before the extension is approved.
Can my STEM OPT status bridge me through H-1B cap-gap if I'm in a biology role?
Yes. If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your OPT expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. Your biology role and employer don't change the cap-gap mechanics, but your employer must file before your OPT end date. USCIS governs cap-gap rules and your DSO can issue an updated I-20 once the petition is filed.
How do I find biology employers who are already set up for STEM OPT hiring?
Migrate Mate filters biology and life sciences roles by employers with DOL LCA filing history, which is a reliable indicator that a company has sponsored work authorization before and understands the E-Verify and training plan requirements. Searching this way saves time compared to applying broadly and discovering eligibility gaps after an offer. Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and government contractors are the most consistent STEM OPT employers in biology.