STEM OPT Chemist Jobs
Chemist roles in pharmaceutical development, materials science, and environmental testing qualify for STEM OPT because chemistry is a designated STEM field. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you up to 36 months of work authorization, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and you complete a formal I-983 training plan.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Viatris is a global healthcare company uniquely positioned to bridge the traditional divide between generics and brands, combining the best of both to more holistically address healthcare needs globally. With a mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, we provide access at scale, currently supplying high-quality medicines to approximately 1 billion patients around the world annually and touching all of life's moments, from birth to the end of life, acute conditions to chronic diseases.
We have been included on a number of award lists that demonstrate the impact we are making.
Every day, we rise to the challenge to make a difference and here’s how the Senior Chemist, Technical Services (1st Shift) role will make an impact:
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key responsibilities for this role include:
- Performs and documents the analysis of samples following approved test methods
- Calculate, check, and/or review data
- Support method development, validation and transfer though drafting and execution of associated protocols and reports
- Perform / oversee instrument calibrations and maintenance
- Perform troubleshooting of analytical methods, instrumentation and equipment
- Provide training in analytical procedures and techniques
- Completes analytical projects with limited supervision
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The minimum qualifications for this role are:
- Bachelor’s degree, 4 years of relevant experience, experience working in a GXP laboratory and proficiency over a range of analytical techniques. A combination of experience and/or education will be taken into consideration
- Must possess knowledge of various laboratory instrumentation such as dissolution baths, HPLC’s, GC’s, FTIR, UV-Vis Spectrophotometers, etc. Knowledge of scientific software, basic word processing, and spreadsheets
COMPENSATION
Exact compensation may vary based on items such as skills, experience and location. The salary range for this position is: $55,000 - $105,000.
At Viatris, we offer competitive salaries, benefits and an inclusive environment where you can use your experiences, perspectives and skills to help make an impact on the lives of others.
Viatris is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
INTRODUCTION
Viatris is a global healthcare company uniquely positioned to bridge the traditional divide between generics and brands, combining the best of both to more holistically address healthcare needs globally. With a mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, we provide access at scale, currently supplying high-quality medicines to approximately 1 billion patients around the world annually and touching all of life's moments, from birth to the end of life, acute conditions to chronic diseases.
We have been included on a number of award lists that demonstrate the impact we are making.
Every day, we rise to the challenge to make a difference and here’s how the Senior Chemist, Technical Services (1st Shift) role will make an impact:
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key responsibilities for this role include:
- Performs and documents the analysis of samples following approved test methods
- Calculate, check, and/or review data
- Support method development, validation and transfer though drafting and execution of associated protocols and reports
- Perform / oversee instrument calibrations and maintenance
- Perform troubleshooting of analytical methods, instrumentation and equipment
- Provide training in analytical procedures and techniques
- Completes analytical projects with limited supervision
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The minimum qualifications for this role are:
- Bachelor’s degree, 4 years of relevant experience, experience working in a GXP laboratory and proficiency over a range of analytical techniques. A combination of experience and/or education will be taken into consideration
- Must possess knowledge of various laboratory instrumentation such as dissolution baths, HPLC’s, GC’s, FTIR, UV-Vis Spectrophotometers, etc. Knowledge of scientific software, basic word processing, and spreadsheets
COMPENSATION
Exact compensation may vary based on items such as skills, experience and location. The salary range for this position is: $55,000 - $105,000.
At Viatris, we offer competitive salaries, benefits and an inclusive environment where you can use your experiences, perspectives and skills to help make an impact on the lives of others.
Viatris is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
See all 120+ STEM OPT Chemist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Chemist
Verify your CIP code matches chemistry
STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code. Confirm with your DSO that your chemistry degree carries a qualifying CIP code, such as 40.0501 for Chemistry, General, before applying to roles.
Target E-Verify enrolled labs and manufacturers
Your STEM OPT employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before you start work. Check a prospective employer's enrollment status directly through the E-Verify website before accepting any offer to avoid a compliance gap.
Build a research-focused I-983 training plan
Chemist roles require an I-983 that maps your lab techniques, analytical instrumentation, or synthesis skills to concrete learning goals. Generic training plans get rejected; tie each objective to a specific method you'll use on the job.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
STEM OPT doesn't require prevailing wage compliance, but knowing the DOL wage level for your SOC code 19-2031 strengthens your negotiating position and prepares you for the LCA step if your employer later files an H-1B visa petition.
Find E-Verify employers on Migrate Mate
Filter Migrate Mate's job board by chemistry roles to surface employers who already hire STEM OPT students. Each listing shows E-Verify enrollment status, so you can focus your applications on compliant employers without separate manual checks.
Submit your STEM OPT application 90 days early
USCIS recommends filing the I-765 extension at least 90 days before your initial OPT end date. A late filing leaves a gap in your work authorization, which can disrupt active chemistry projects or lab contracts mid-assignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a chemistry degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree program carries a designated STEM CIP code. Most chemistry degrees, including biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and chemical engineering, appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Confirm the specific CIP code on your transcript with your DSO before filing, because the degree title alone doesn't guarantee eligibility.
What does an I-983 training plan look like for a chemist?
Your I-983 must describe the specific skills and knowledge you'll develop, connected to your chemistry background. For a bench chemist, that means naming analytical methods such as HPLC or mass spectrometry, the instruments you'll operate, safety protocols, and measurable learning outcomes. Both you and your supervisor sign it, and your DSO approves it before USCIS processes your extension.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify to hire me on STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT employers, not a recommendation. If your employer is not enrolled before your start date, your STEM OPT authorization is invalid even if USCIS has already approved your I-765. Verify enrollment status through E-Verify before signing an offer letter.
What happens to my work authorization if my H-1B is selected in the lottery before my STEM OPT ends?
Cap-gap protection extends your F-1 status and work authorization automatically if your H-1B petition is timely filed and your OPT or STEM OPT is still valid on April 1. You can continue working in your chemist role through September 30, the H-1B start date, without any interruption or separate filing.
How do I find chemist jobs where the employer already hires STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters chemistry job listings by employers enrolled in E-Verify and with a history of hiring STEM OPT candidates. Searching by role and degree field on Migrate Mate lets you avoid spending time on employers who don't sponsor or aren't E-Verify compliant, which is a common point of failure for STEM OPT job seekers in chemistry.