STEM OPT Lab Associate Jobs
Lab Associate roles in research, quality control, and clinical settings qualify for STEM OPT when your degree is in a CIP-eligible field like biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. The 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you up to 36 months total, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and you file an I-983 training plan.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!
Overview
This position will be supporting Dr. Selmaan Chettih studying black-capped chickadees. The Lab Associate will join a team focused on understanding the neural mechanisms of memory, using food-caching birds as a model system. The Lab Associate is based in New Haven, CT with intermittent fieldwork to be conducted at sites within 2 Hour radius. Daily tasks include care, feeding and maintenance of birds housed in lab, and assistance with behavioral and neurobiological experiments in the lab. They will also support general lab operations including lab supply ordering, onboarding and training of lab members. Field work in the fall and winter consists of maintenance of field sites and mist-netting to band and collect chickadees.
Cover Letter is required, please make sure to include.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Demonstrated experience capturing and handling wild birds (netting/ mist-netting).
- Valid driver's license and ability to drive self to sites and transport animals in vehicle.
- Strong organizational and communication skills with attention to detail, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and prioritizing tasks effectively.
- Ability to work well as part of a team, provide instruction and guidance, and contribute to the overall objectives of the research projects.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Advanced Education: Bachelor's Degree or higher in a related scientific discipline.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with regulatory compliance, biosafety protocols, and ethical guidelines for human and animal research.
- Technical Competence: Ability to use and maintain specialized laboratory equipment and software, with expertise in handling and analyzing large data sets, and experience with environmental or clinical data analysis tools.
- Demonstrated ability to perform independent research, analyze and interpret experimental data.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Recommends the design and implementation of procedures and protocols under the direction of a higher-level authority.
- Investigates, analyzes, and reaches preliminary scientific conclusions related to research planning.
- Ensures data results are compiled, analyzed, and presented properly.
- Analyzes, develops and interprets scientific results. Maintains clear documentation of results. Prepares scientific reports and papers for research proposals and published reports.
- Performs independent research and laboratory techniques and participates in experimental research planning.
- Interacts with internal contacts including the PI, research assistants, graduate students, Radiation Safety and Biological Safety officers, and Animal Care personnel to discuss and evaluate research results and to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the laboratory.
- Interacts with external contacts such as researchers at other institutions, staff at biotechnology and reagents companies to consult on research methods and to keep abreast of product information and developments.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Master’s Degree in a scientific discipline and one year experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Job Posting Date
04/27/2026
Job Category
Professional
Bargaining Unit
NON
Compensation Grade
Clinical & Research
Compensation Grade Profile
Research Associate 1 MS (22)
Salary Range
$61,500.00 - $91,875.00
Time Type
Full time
Duration Type
Staff
Work Model
On-site
Background Check Requirements
All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.
Health Requirements
Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.
Posting Disclaimer
Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).
Note
Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.
INTRODUCTION
Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!
Overview
This position will be supporting Dr. Selmaan Chettih studying black-capped chickadees. The Lab Associate will join a team focused on understanding the neural mechanisms of memory, using food-caching birds as a model system. The Lab Associate is based in New Haven, CT with intermittent fieldwork to be conducted at sites within 2 Hour radius. Daily tasks include care, feeding and maintenance of birds housed in lab, and assistance with behavioral and neurobiological experiments in the lab. They will also support general lab operations including lab supply ordering, onboarding and training of lab members. Field work in the fall and winter consists of maintenance of field sites and mist-netting to band and collect chickadees.
Cover Letter is required, please make sure to include.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Demonstrated experience capturing and handling wild birds (netting/ mist-netting).
- Valid driver's license and ability to drive self to sites and transport animals in vehicle.
- Strong organizational and communication skills with attention to detail, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and prioritizing tasks effectively.
- Ability to work well as part of a team, provide instruction and guidance, and contribute to the overall objectives of the research projects.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Advanced Education: Bachelor's Degree or higher in a related scientific discipline.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with regulatory compliance, biosafety protocols, and ethical guidelines for human and animal research.
- Technical Competence: Ability to use and maintain specialized laboratory equipment and software, with expertise in handling and analyzing large data sets, and experience with environmental or clinical data analysis tools.
- Demonstrated ability to perform independent research, analyze and interpret experimental data.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Recommends the design and implementation of procedures and protocols under the direction of a higher-level authority.
- Investigates, analyzes, and reaches preliminary scientific conclusions related to research planning.
- Ensures data results are compiled, analyzed, and presented properly.
- Analyzes, develops and interprets scientific results. Maintains clear documentation of results. Prepares scientific reports and papers for research proposals and published reports.
- Performs independent research and laboratory techniques and participates in experimental research planning.
- Interacts with internal contacts including the PI, research assistants, graduate students, Radiation Safety and Biological Safety officers, and Animal Care personnel to discuss and evaluate research results and to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the laboratory.
- Interacts with external contacts such as researchers at other institutions, staff at biotechnology and reagents companies to consult on research methods and to keep abreast of product information and developments.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Master’s Degree in a scientific discipline and one year experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Job Posting Date
04/27/2026
Job Category
Professional
Bargaining Unit
NON
Compensation Grade
Clinical & Research
Compensation Grade Profile
Research Associate 1 MS (22)
Salary Range
$61,500.00 - $91,875.00
Time Type
Full time
Duration Type
Staff
Work Model
On-site
Background Check Requirements
All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.
Health Requirements
Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.
Posting Disclaimer
Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).
Note
Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.
See all 111+ Lab Associate jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Lab Associate
Verify your CIP code before applying
Pull your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code from your I-20 and cross-check it against USCIS's STEM designated degree program list. Lab Associate roles in analytical chemistry or microbiology need a matching CIP code, not just a STEM-sounding title.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask the hiring manager to provide their E-Verify company ID or search the E-Verify employer search tool directly. A lab employer who can't confirm enrollment cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT, regardless of how far along you are in the process.
Target labs that already file LCAs
Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and university-affiliated labs routinely sponsor international workers. Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers with active STEM OPT hiring history so you're not educating a recruiter on E-Verify from scratch.
Build your I-983 training plan around lab competencies
Your I-983 must connect your STEM degree to specific lab skills you'll develop, such as PCR techniques, HPLC operation, or GMP compliance. Draft the learning objectives before your offer letter is finalized so your DSO can authorize the extension without delays.
File your STEM OPT extension at the 90-day window
USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be filed at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. Missing this window ends your work authorization, so track the deadline from the day your first EAD arrives.
Match your lab role to an approved STEM SOC code
Not every lab title maps automatically to a STEM-eligible SOC code. Check O*NET to confirm your Lab Associate position falls under a code included in the STEM designated degree list, and ask your DSO to document that match in your I-983.
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Find Lab Associate JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Lab Associate role qualify for STEM OPT?
Lab Associate positions qualify for STEM OPT when the role connects to a STEM-eligible degree field and maps to an approved Standard Occupational Classification code. Positions in biological research, analytical chemistry, and clinical laboratory science typically qualify. Check O*NET to confirm your specific SOC code appears on the USCIS STEM designated degree program list before relying on the extension.
Which STEM degrees support a Lab Associate STEM OPT extension?
Degrees in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, environmental science, and related life and physical sciences carry CIP codes that appear on the USCIS STEM designated degree list. Your I-20 must list a qualifying CIP code, not just a general science degree title. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific program qualifies before you apply for the extension.
What is the I-983 training plan for a Lab Associate role?
The I-983 is a formal training agreement between you and your employer that documents how your Lab Associate work relates to your STEM degree. For lab roles, this means listing specific technical skills you'll develop, such as sample preparation, instrument operation, or data analysis. Your employer signs the form, your DSO reviews it, and USCIS expects it to reflect real on-the-job learning tied to your academic background.
Does my lab employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a mandatory requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student. Without active E-Verify enrollment, your employer cannot legally employ you under the STEM OPT extension, and USCIS will not approve your application. Verify enrollment before your interview stage using the E-Verify employer search tool so you don't lose time on an ineligible offer.
How do I find Lab Associate jobs where employers understand STEM OPT?
Search Migrate Mate to find Lab Associate openings filtered for employers with experience hiring STEM OPT students. Many smaller labs and startups aren't enrolled in E-Verify or haven't navigated the I-983 process before, which creates delays at the offer stage. Targeting employers already familiar with STEM OPT requirements reduces the risk of losing a role after an offer is made.
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