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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Overview

Open Jobs191+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type98% On-site
Median Salary$46K
Top LocationNorth Sioux City, SD
Most JobsSGS

Showing 5 of 191+ Chemist jobs

SGS
Chemist
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SGS
Added 4d ago
Chemist
SGS
Seabrook, Texas
Laboratory Research
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Chemistry & Materials Science
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Cardinal Health
Chemist
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Cardinal Health
Added 1w ago
Chemist
Cardinal Health
Omaha, Nebraska
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Laboratory Research
$26/hr - $38/hr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Collabera
Chemist
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Collabera
Added 1w ago
Chemist
Collabera
Schaumburg, Illinois
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Not listed
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Albaugh LLC
Chemist
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Albaugh LLC
Added 3w ago
Chemist
Albaugh LLC
Saint Joseph, Missouri
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Quality Control
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
Bachelor's

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Sgs North America, Inc.
Chemist
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Sgs North America, Inc.
Added 1mo ago
Chemist
Sgs North America, Inc.
Northglenn, Colorado
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
$52,000/yr - $60,320/yr
On-Site
Associate's

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Tips 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 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.

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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.

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