STEM OPT Clinical Research Scientist Jobs
Clinical Research Scientist roles in biotech, pharma, and academic medical centers are strong fits for STEM OPT. Your STEM degree in biological sciences, chemistry, or a related field qualifies you for the 24-month extension, and employers in this space routinely use E-Verify, making the authorization process straightforward.
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Researcher 2
Department:
Arts and Sciences | Sociology
The Researcher 2 collaborates with the Departments of Sociology and Psychology to coordinate and manage the day-to-day operations of two survey research projects. This role supports all phases of the research lifecycle, including study design, IRB documentation, implementation, fieldwork management, and data preparation.
Key Responsibilities
Project Coordination & Study Implementation
- Coordinate and manage daily activities for multiple survey research projects.
- Assist with preparation and submission of IRB documentation.
- Collaborate with study teams on research design, methodology, and implementation.
- Participate in the development of study communications and outreach strategies.
Survey Programming & Data Collection
- Convert, program, and debug complex electronic questionnaires using specialized survey software.
- Manage field operations, including oversight of survey administration processes.
- Create and maintain dialing campaigns within call center software; serve as a subject matter resource for staff.
Field Staff Training & Supervision
- Develop training materials and conduct training sessions for field and telephone interviewers.
- Supervise field and office-based research interviewers, ensuring performance standards are met.
- Conduct interviewer quality assurance activities to maintain data integrity.
Respondent Engagement
- Initiate and manage communications with survey respondents (e.g., emails, text messages) to encourage participation.
- Support implementation of engagement strategies to improve response rates.
Data Management & Reporting
- Assist with variable creation, data cleaning, and reporting using statistical software packages.
- Track interviewer hours and monitor fielding budgets to ensure project efficiency.
Qualifications
- Experience with survey research methods and data collection.
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R) and survey programming tools.
- Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
- Experience supervising staff and managing field operations preferred.
Minimum Education Required
Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, Psychology or related field with 3 years of relevant research experience required; Master's Degree in Sociology, Psychology or a related field and/or six years of survey research equivalent experience.
Additional Education Desired
Considerable experience (six or more years) in a social science discipline and in conducting research. Six or more years of experience with programmed survey conversion and testing. Expertise in SAS or equivalent programming language (preferably SPSS or STATA). Ability to produce metrics and create variables. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
This is a part-time, limited term, 2 year position with a 55% FTE.
The range of offers for this position will be based on internal equity, the unit’s budget and the individual’s qualifications.
Additional Information:
Location:
Remote Location
Position Type:
Term (Fixed Term)
Scheduled Hours:
22
Shift:
Varying Shifts
Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.
Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
Job Title:
Researcher 2
Department:
Arts and Sciences | Sociology
The Researcher 2 collaborates with the Departments of Sociology and Psychology to coordinate and manage the day-to-day operations of two survey research projects. This role supports all phases of the research lifecycle, including study design, IRB documentation, implementation, fieldwork management, and data preparation.
Key Responsibilities
Project Coordination & Study Implementation
- Coordinate and manage daily activities for multiple survey research projects.
- Assist with preparation and submission of IRB documentation.
- Collaborate with study teams on research design, methodology, and implementation.
- Participate in the development of study communications and outreach strategies.
Survey Programming & Data Collection
- Convert, program, and debug complex electronic questionnaires using specialized survey software.
- Manage field operations, including oversight of survey administration processes.
- Create and maintain dialing campaigns within call center software; serve as a subject matter resource for staff.
Field Staff Training & Supervision
- Develop training materials and conduct training sessions for field and telephone interviewers.
- Supervise field and office-based research interviewers, ensuring performance standards are met.
- Conduct interviewer quality assurance activities to maintain data integrity.
Respondent Engagement
- Initiate and manage communications with survey respondents (e.g., emails, text messages) to encourage participation.
- Support implementation of engagement strategies to improve response rates.
Data Management & Reporting
- Assist with variable creation, data cleaning, and reporting using statistical software packages.
- Track interviewer hours and monitor fielding budgets to ensure project efficiency.
Qualifications
- Experience with survey research methods and data collection.
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R) and survey programming tools.
- Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
- Experience supervising staff and managing field operations preferred.
Minimum Education Required
Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, Psychology or related field with 3 years of relevant research experience required; Master's Degree in Sociology, Psychology or a related field and/or six years of survey research equivalent experience.
Additional Education Desired
Considerable experience (six or more years) in a social science discipline and in conducting research. Six or more years of experience with programmed survey conversion and testing. Expertise in SAS or equivalent programming language (preferably SPSS or STATA). Ability to produce metrics and create variables. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
This is a part-time, limited term, 2 year position with a 55% FTE.
The range of offers for this position will be based on internal equity, the unit’s budget and the individual’s qualifications.
Additional Information:
Location:
Remote Location
Position Type:
Term (Fixed Term)
Scheduled Hours:
22
Shift:
Varying Shifts
Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.
Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
See all 528+ STEM OPT Clinical Research Scientist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Clinical Research Scientist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code falls within a STEM-designated field recognized by ICE. Life sciences, biochemistry, and biomedical engineering codes are typically covered, but applied health programs sometimes are not. Confirm with your DSO before your OPT end date.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment during outreach
Ask your recruiter directly whether the hiring entity, not just the parent company, is enrolled in E-Verify. Contract research organizations often use separate legal entities for different sites, and E-Verify enrollment must match the specific employer of record listed on your I-983.
Build an I-983 training plan around protocol milestones
Clinical Research Scientist roles map cleanly to STEM OPT training goals when you tie your I-983 learning objectives to specific trial phases, GCP compliance tasks, and data integrity responsibilities. Generic training plans draw more scrutiny from your DSO and USCIS during any review.
Target sponsors through DOL LCA disclosure data
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for research scientist roles. This surfaces companies with a documented history of supporting STEM OPT and later H-1B visa transitions, which matters when you're evaluating long-term authorization continuity.
Check prevailing wage tiers before negotiating offers
Run the OFLC Wage Search using SOC code 19-1042 to see Level I through Level IV wage bands for the metro area where the role is located. Offers below the Level I threshold signal an employer unlikely to clear DOL requirements for any future PERM or H-1B filing.
Time your cap-gap window around trial timelines
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires, cap-gap protection extends your authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year. Clinical trial roles with fixed protocol schedules benefit from aligning your petition filing with enrollment milestones to avoid gaps mid-study.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my STEM degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as a Clinical Research Scientist?
It depends on your specific CIP code, not your job title. Degrees in biological sciences, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, and chemistry are commonly STEM-designated and qualify. Degrees in public health, health administration, or clinical programs without a hard science core often do not. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO against the current ICE STEM Designated Degree Program List before assuming you're eligible.
Does every employer hiring Clinical Research Scientists use E-Verify?
Not automatically. Pharmaceutical companies and academic medical centers frequently maintain E-Verify enrollment, but smaller contract research organizations and startups sometimes do not. You must confirm that the specific legal entity employing you, not just a parent company or staffing firm, is enrolled in E-Verify before your STEM OPT extension is approved. Your DSO can't authorize the extension without that confirmation.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Clinical Research Scientist role?
Your I-983 should connect your degree-level training to concrete on-the-job learning outcomes: protocol design, GCP compliance, adverse event documentation, statistical analysis, or regulatory submission support. Vague objectives like 'gain research experience' are routinely flagged. Map each goal to a skill area from your STEM degree and a specific deliverable in the role. USCIS expects a clear relationship between your coursework and your training activities.
How does cap-gap work if my Clinical Research Scientist employer files an H-1B petition?
If your employer submits a timely H-1B cap-subject petition before your OPT EAD expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. If USCIS selects and approves the petition, your H-1B status begins October 1. If the petition is not selected, your authorization ends September 30 and you must stop working. Cap-gap doesn't apply if the petition is filed after your EAD expires.
Where can I find Clinical Research Scientist jobs with E-Verify employers?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers with STEM OPT authorization history, so you're not manually screening hundreds of postings for E-Verify status. Clinical Research Scientist roles in pharma, biotech, and CRO environments appear alongside employer filing records, which helps you prioritize companies already experienced with the STEM OPT process and more likely to support long-term sponsorship.