STEM OPT Lab Assistant Jobs
Lab Assistant roles in research, clinical, and industrial settings qualify for STEM OPT when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code. The 24-month STEM OPT extension brings your total work authorization to 36 months, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before you can file.
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Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY DESCRIPTION
The essential function of the position within the organization is to manage assigned computer lab for students' use. The position is responsible for providing basic computer instruction for students, maintaining a safe and orderly computer lab, and providing technical assistance as needed to teachers. The position works under general supervision according to some procedures; decides how and when to complete tasks.
Essential Job Functions:
- Operates the computer lab for students' use; provides user support and assistance.
- Administers computerized testing as required.
- Ensures the proper use and maintenance of computer equipment; orders lab supplies as needed; maintains inventory of equipment and supplies.
- Monitors computer performance; requests maintenance and repair work as necessary.
- Coordinates special classes, programs and/or projects as assigned.
- Performs various routine clerical duties, which may include but are not limited to typing forms, records, reports and correspondence; entering and retrieving computer data; copying and filing documents; sending and receiving faxes and e-mails; answering the telephone.
- Responds to inquiries and requests for assistance from school personnel, parents, and the general public. Attends training and meetings as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills.
- Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from accredited college or university with an Associate's degree, or two (2) years of college (minimum of 48 semester hours) from an accredited college or university, or a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment Test. One (1) year of experience working with children in an educational setting preferred.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
The essential function of the position within the organization is to manage assigned computer lab for students' use. The position is responsible for providing basic computer instruction for students, maintaining a safe and orderly computer lab, and providing technical assistance as needed to teachers. The position works under general supervision according to some procedures; decides how and when to complete tasks.
Essential Job Functions:
- Operates the computer lab for students' use; provides user support and assistance.
- Administers computerized testing as required.
- Ensures the proper use and maintenance of computer equipment; orders lab supplies as needed; maintains inventory of equipment and supplies.
- Monitors computer performance; requests maintenance and repair work as necessary.
- Coordinates special classes, programs and/or projects as assigned.
- Performs various routine clerical duties, which may include but are not limited to typing forms, records, reports and correspondence; entering and retrieving computer data; copying and filing documents; sending and receiving faxes and e-mails; answering the telephone.
- Responds to inquiries and requests for assistance from school personnel, parents, and the general public. Attends training and meetings as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills.
- Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from accredited college or university with an Associate's degree, or two (2) years of college (minimum of 48 semester hours) from an accredited college or university, or a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment Test. One (1) year of experience working with children in an educational setting preferred.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Lab Assistant
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List before targeting Lab Assistant roles. Degrees in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and clinical laboratory science commonly qualify, but your DSO confirms the match on your I-20.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment during interviews
Ask hiring managers directly whether the lab is enrolled in E-Verify before accepting an offer. Labs at universities, hospitals, and contract research organizations sometimes operate under separate legal entities, so check the specific hiring entity, not just the parent institution.
Document lab duties to satisfy the I-983 training plan
Your I-983 must show a direct connection between your daily lab tasks and your STEM degree. List specific techniques you'll use, such as PCR, cell culture, or spectroscopy, and map each to a learning objective your DSO and employer supervisor both sign off on.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark offers
STEM OPT training plans require that your compensation meets USCIS standards for similarly situated workers. Pull the prevailing wage for Lab Assistant roles in your metro area using OFLC Wage Search before evaluating any offer, so you can flag underpayment early.
Target employers through Migrate Mate's E-Verify filter
Search Lab Assistant openings on Migrate Mate, which filters for E-Verify-enrolled employers, so you're only reviewing roles where STEM OPT is structurally possible. This saves time you'd otherwise spend vetting each lab's compliance status manually.
Start the STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT expires
File your STEM OPT extension application with USCIS no earlier than 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. Your DSO must update your SEVIS record first, so build in at least two weeks for that step before you submit anything.
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Find Lab Assistant JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Lab Assistant role qualify for STEM OPT?
A Lab Assistant position qualifies for STEM OPT when your degree's CIP code is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List and the role directly uses that STEM knowledge. Degrees in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, and clinical laboratory science routinely support Lab Assistant I-983 training plans. Your DSO confirms eligibility by cross-referencing your I-20 CIP code against the official SEVP list before approving the extension request.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my Lab Assistant employer?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before you can work under STEM OPT, and enrollment must cover the specific site where you'll work. A hospital system or university may be enrolled at the parent level, but if your lab operates as a subsidiary or separate cost center, confirm that entity specifically appears in E-Verify. You can verify enrollment status through the E-Verify employer search tool before accepting any offer.
What does an I-983 training plan need to include for a Lab Assistant?
Your I-983 must describe how your Lab Assistant duties connect to your STEM degree's field of study and include measurable learning objectives. For lab roles, this means listing specific techniques or instruments you'll use, such as ELISA, HPLC, or microscopy, and explaining how each builds on your academic training. Both your employer supervisor and your DSO sign the form, and you must update it whenever your duties, supervisor, or employer changes.
How do cap-gap rules protect me if my H-1B is selected while I'm working as a Lab Assistant?
If your H-1B petition is filed before your STEM OPT EAD expires and your registration is selected, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working in your Lab Assistant role during this period without interruption. USCIS issues a cap-gap extension automatically when your employer files the I-129, so no separate filing is required on your part.
Where can I find Lab Assistant jobs that accept STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Lab Assistant openings filtered for E-Verify-enrolled employers, which is the first compliance requirement for STEM OPT eligibility. Filtering by E-Verify status upfront removes roles where authorization issues would surface later in the hiring process. You can also cross-reference the O*NET profile for Lab Assistant to understand how your degree field maps to the occupation before applying.
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