STEM OPT Clinical Research Jobs
Clinical Research roles in biostatistics, pharmacovigilance, data management, and regulatory affairs qualify for STEM OPT because they map to STEM CIP codes in biological sciences, computer science, and statistics. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your 24-month extension gives you three full years of post-graduation authorization to build a research career in the U.S.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Napierala Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to innovative translational and basic science research focused on developing therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders. Research areas include gene regulation, repeat instability, mitochondrial fitness and function, neuronal development and activity, and biomarker discovery. The laboratory utilizes a wide range of experimental approaches, including induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models, mouse models, genome editing, next-generation sequencing, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. The successful candidate will participate in NIH-funded projects supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), including investigations into the impact of somatic repeat expansion on neurodegenerative phenotypes, the molecular mechanisms underlying somatic instability of repetitive DNA sequences, and the role of repeat tract interruptions in cellular and tissue-level disease processes.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing novel research methods
- Conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments
- Planning and managing research projects
- Interpreting data
- Preparing presentations and peer-reviewed publications
- Contributing to grant applications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must hold a recent PhD and/or MD degree. Experience in mammalian cell culture or working with mouse models of neurological disorders, along with proficiency in basic molecular biology techniques leading to publication in peer-reviewed journals is desired. The selected candidate will join a dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced research environment, working closely with Dr. Napierala and other members of the laboratory while also contributing independently to ongoing and new research projects.
LOCATION
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
INTRODUCTION
The Napierala Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to innovative translational and basic science research focused on developing therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders. Research areas include gene regulation, repeat instability, mitochondrial fitness and function, neuronal development and activity, and biomarker discovery. The laboratory utilizes a wide range of experimental approaches, including induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models, mouse models, genome editing, next-generation sequencing, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. The successful candidate will participate in NIH-funded projects supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), including investigations into the impact of somatic repeat expansion on neurodegenerative phenotypes, the molecular mechanisms underlying somatic instability of repetitive DNA sequences, and the role of repeat tract interruptions in cellular and tissue-level disease processes.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing novel research methods
- Conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments
- Planning and managing research projects
- Interpreting data
- Preparing presentations and peer-reviewed publications
- Contributing to grant applications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must hold a recent PhD and/or MD degree. Experience in mammalian cell culture or working with mouse models of neurological disorders, along with proficiency in basic molecular biology techniques leading to publication in peer-reviewed journals is desired. The selected candidate will join a dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced research environment, working closely with Dr. Napierala and other members of the laboratory while also contributing independently to ongoing and new research projects.
LOCATION
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
See all 812+ STEM OPT Clinical Research Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Clinical Research
Verify your CIP code matches clinical research
Check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Degrees in biological sciences, biostatistics, public health sciences, and computer science commonly support clinical research roles. Your DSO confirms the match before you apply.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Every employer hiring you on STEM OPT must be enrolled in E-Verify. Ask recruiters directly or search the E-Verify employer search tool during your job hunt, not after you receive an offer. Sites, CROs, and sponsors each count as separate employers and must enroll independently.
Target clinical research organizations and sponsors actively filing LCAs
Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and academic medical centers regularly file Labor Condition Applications for clinical roles. Use the OFLC Wage Search to identify which organizations have recent LCA activity for research coordinator, biostatistician, and regulatory affairs titles in your target location.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers already sponsoring STEM OPT roles
Filter your clinical research job search on Migrate Mate to surface employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and active LCA filing history. This removes the guesswork of cold-applying to organizations that have never sponsored international students in research roles.
Build your I-983 training plan around concrete research deliverables
USCIS requires your I-983 to describe how the job provides practical training in your STEM field. For clinical research, list specific competencies: protocol design, data integrity monitoring, adverse event reporting, or statistical analysis. Vague descriptions of 'general research duties' draw DSO scrutiny and delay approval.
Time your H-1B cap-gap transition around clinical trial cycles
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition before your OPT expires, cap-gap extends your authorization through September 30. Clinical trials often run on multi-year timelines, so coordinate your transition with your study team to avoid gaps during critical data collection or closeout phases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which STEM degrees qualify for the OPT extension in clinical research roles?
Degrees on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List that commonly support clinical research positions include biological sciences, biostatistics, public health sciences, computer science, and health informatics. Your specific CIP code must appear on the list, and your DSO verifies the match before authorizing the extension. Check your transcript for the exact program name and confirm with your international student office.
Does every site or organization involved in my clinical trial need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Your direct employer of record must be enrolled in E-Verify. If you are hired by a contract research organization and assigned to a sponsor site, it is the CRO's E-Verify enrollment that matters, not the sponsor's. If you move to a new employer, including a different CRO or a hospital system, that organization must independently be enrolled in E-Verify before your STEM OPT authorization applies to that position.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a clinical research role?
Your I-983 must connect your daily job duties to your STEM field of study. For clinical research, that means documenting specific skills like protocol adherence, adverse event coding, biostatistical analysis, regulatory submission preparation, or clinical data management. Generic language about supporting a research team is not sufficient. Your employer's supervisor signs the form and takes responsibility for the training relationship, so both parties should review it carefully before submission.
How does cap-gap protection work if my employer files an H-1B petition during my clinical research position?
If your employer files a timely H-1B cap-subject petition before your OPT EAD expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. If USCIS selects and approves your petition, your status changes to H-1B on October 1. During the cap-gap period you can continue working in your clinical research role without interruption. USCIS publishes cap-gap guidance that explains which receipt notices serve as proof of continued authorization.
Where can I find clinical research employers that sponsor STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters clinical research jobs by employers with active E-Verify enrollment and LCA filing history, so you can identify organizations that have already hired international students in research roles. You can also cross-reference employer names against the OFLC Wage Search to see which companies have filed Labor Condition Applications for clinical coordinator, biostatistician, or regulatory affairs positions in your target city.