STEM OPT Graduate Jobs
Graduate roles in research, engineering, and analytics are among the most accessible entry points for F-1 students on STEM OPT. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies as long as your degree falls under an eligible CIP code and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, giving you up to 36 months total to build U.S. work experience.
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Get Access To All JobsAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The College of Health and Human Development, Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management is seeking applicants for part-time job of Graduate Level Research Assistants/Support.
Job duties to include:
- Research assistant for Data analysis and manuscript preparation
- Focusing on using mobility data in PA state parks
- Applying Artificial Intelligence in qualitative analysis for tourism research
Requirements, qualifications, and/or competencies:
- High School Diploma/GED
- Bachelors Degree, Master's Degree (in progress), PhD (in progress)
Schedule:
- Weekly schedule variable due to research needs. Between 20-40 hours.
Compensation:
The starting rate for this job is $30/hour.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The College of Health and Human Development, Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management is seeking applicants for part-time job of Graduate Level Research Assistants/Support.
Job duties to include:
- Research assistant for Data analysis and manuscript preparation
- Focusing on using mobility data in PA state parks
- Applying Artificial Intelligence in qualitative analysis for tourism research
Requirements, qualifications, and/or competencies:
- High School Diploma/GED
- Bachelors Degree, Master's Degree (in progress), PhD (in progress)
Schedule:
- Weekly schedule variable due to research needs. Between 20-40 hours.
Compensation:
The starting rate for this job is $30/hour.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
See all 166+ STEM OPT Graduate Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Graduate
Confirm your CIP code before applying
Your STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree's CIP code appearing on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. Pull your transcript and cross-check the code with your DSO before targeting Graduate roles, not after receiving an offer.
Verify E-Verify enrollment before every application
Any employer who hires you on STEM OPT must be enrolled in E-Verify. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name before you apply, so you're not chasing an offer from a non-enrolled employer who can't legally onboard you.
Use O*NET to match your degree to Graduate job duties
Graduate roles vary widely in how they're classified. Pull the O*NET occupation profile for your target job title to confirm the degree field requirement aligns with your major, which strengthens both your I-983 training plan and your pitch to hiring managers.
Build your I-983 training plan around measurable outcomes
Don't wait until you have an offer to draft your I-983. Outline learning objectives tied to Graduate-level tasks like data analysis, research methods, or systems testing. Employers unfamiliar with STEM OPT respond better to a ready-made framework than a blank form.
Target employers through Migrate Mate's E-Verify filter
Searching broadly wastes time on employers who can't sponsor STEM OPT. Migrate Mate filters Graduate job listings to show only E-Verify-enrolled employers, so every application you send goes to a company that's already cleared the baseline requirement.
Flag cap-gap status when your OPT end date overlaps October 1
If your initial OPT expires between April and September and your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf, cap-gap extends your work authorization through September 30. Tell HR and your DSO immediately so your I-20 and EAD records stay current with USCIS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Graduate employers need to be enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT?
Yes, without exception. Any employer who hires you under the 24-month STEM OPT extension must be enrolled in E-Verify at the time you start work. This applies to full-time, part-time, and contract Graduate roles alike. You can confirm enrollment through the E-Verify employer search before you accept an offer. Working for a non-enrolled employer during STEM OPT violates your status.
Which STEM degrees qualify for the 24-month OPT extension in Graduate roles?
Eligibility is determined by your degree's CIP code, not your job title. Your degree must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. Common qualifying fields for Graduate roles include computer science, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, data science, and biology. Your DSO can confirm your CIP code from your transcript. Degrees in non-STEM fields do not qualify, even if the Graduate role itself is technical.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Graduate position?
The I-983 is a formal training agreement between you and your employer that outlines how the Graduate role provides practical training in your degree field. It must include learning objectives tied to specific job duties, supervision details, performance evaluation criteria, and confirmation that your compensation meets prevailing wage standards. Both you and an authorized employer representative sign it. Your DSO submits the updated I-20 to SEVP after approval.
How do I find Graduate jobs where the employer already understands STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lists Graduate roles filtered to E-Verify-enrolled employers, which removes the first and most common barrier. Beyond eligibility, look for employers who have previously hired F-1 students or who list STEM OPT explicitly in their job postings, since those hiring managers are already familiar with the I-983 process and won't treat your work authorization as a liability.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my employer loses E-Verify enrollment after I start?
If your employer's E-Verify participation is terminated after your STEM OPT begins, you're required to find a new E-Verify-enrolled employer within a reasonable period to maintain valid status. Your DSO and USCIS must be notified of employer changes through an updated I-983 and I-20. Continuing to work for a non-enrolled employer after termination puts your F-1 status at risk, so monitor your employer's enrollment status throughout your authorization period.