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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We invite you to consider an opportunity with Denali to help achieve our goal of delivering meaningful therapeutics to patients.
This role helps define the direction of computational biology efforts across Discovery and continues to adapt this strategy as needs evolve. This is a highly cross-functional role, collaborating with scientists to enable project advancement from early target validation through IND-enabling studies. This position develops tailored analytical approaches for a variety of data types and manages external partners as needed to achieve our goals. Through a combination of hands-on analysis and strategic oversight, this role has the opportunity to directly contribute to the advancement of Denali’s early-stage portfolio.
Key Accountabilities / Core Job Responsibilities
- Serves as the subject matter expert for the analysis of high-dimensional data, including bulk and single-cell/nucleus transcriptomics data
- Effectively collaborates with scientists across Discovery to design, analyze, and interpret in vitro and in vivo experiments to support projects across the portfolio
- Performs rigorous, reproducible analysis across transcriptomic, genomic, and other high-dimensional datasets, adapting methods to fit the specific scientific question as needed
- Develops and extends internal computational tools and workflows, as well as overseeing external analysis efforts as needed
- Operates as a highly-independent contributor, defining analytical approaches, building solutions where none exist, and validating results with minimal oversight
- Able to build and adapt analysis workflows using AI-assisted approaches while critically evaluating outputs for accuracy and scientific rigor
- Applies best practices to code- and data-management, including workflow orchestration and version control; identifies opportunities for improvement where appropriate
- Effectively communicates results to cross-functional teams and contributes to regulatory filings, patents, and publications
Qualifications/Skills
- PhD in a relevant field such as Computational Biology, Epidemiology, Neuroscience, Statistics, or similar with 3+ years relevant work experience in industry
- Proven track record of analyzing single-cell/single-nucleus RNA-seq data, as evidenced by relevant publications, a deep understanding of relevant statistical methods, and experience using common software tools for analysis (e.g. Cell Ranger, CellBender, Seurat, scanpy, etc)
- Additional experience with other high-dimensional data types (e.g., proteomics, mass spectrometry, human genetics) is a plus
- Extensive experience in R or Python for analysis of high-dimensional biological data
- Knowledge of version control (e.g., Git) and methods to generate analysis reports (e.g., R Markdown, Quarto). Experience building dashboards (e.g., with Shiny) is a plus
- Track record of impactful research, including publications in peer-reviewed journals
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent oral and written communication skills
Salary Range: $147,000.00 to $191,000.00. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Denali offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits. This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.
Denali is committed to its core company value of unity by creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.
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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.