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 JobsHow to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that relate to this position.
Job Summary
The Department of Environmental Health Sciences in the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan has a position opening for a Research Laboratory Specialist Associate. The Colacino Lab is seeking a full-time Research Laboratory Specialist Associate to pursue research on the neurotoxicity of environmental toxicants with an emphasis on learning and memory deficits, and neurodegenerative outcomes. The Colacino Lab investigates the neurotoxicity and potential mechanisms of environmental toxicants, such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic. The role will require the performance of behavioral testing that characterizes learning and memory on mice prior to, during, and following exposure to metals via drinking water. The role will also entail some management of mouse colonies, exposure experiments, maintenance of equipment and supplies, and data analysis. This is a two-year term appointment, expected to continue based on funding availability. This position will be onsite/in-person.
Responsibilities
- Perform routine mouse behavioral assessments related to learning and memory.
- Manage behavioral phenotyping equipment and supplies.
- Maintain mouse colonies used in experiments and assist in administering exposures.
- Generate and manage behavioral data.
- Train graduate students, postdocs, undergraduates, and other personnel as necessary, on behavioral phenotyping, equipment operation, and experimental design.
Required Qualifications
- A bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
- 1-3 years of experience working in a research laboratory is required.
- Organizational skills, including experimental design, data collection and management, and thorough record keeping are required.
Desired Qualifications
- A master's degree in toxicology or a related field is preferred.
- Experience with animal (rodent) experiments is preferred.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. The Research Laboratory Specialist Associate is an onsite/in-person position. Learn more about the work modes.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Opening ID
285195
Working Title
Research Lab Specialist Associate
Job Title
Research Lab Specialist Assoc
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
School Pub Health
Department
Environmental Health Sciences
Posting Begin/End Date
11/03/2026 - 11/17/2026
Salary
$45,088.00 - $55,697.00
Career Interest
Research
How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that relate to this position.
Job Summary
The Department of Environmental Health Sciences in the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan has a position opening for a Research Laboratory Specialist Associate. The Colacino Lab is seeking a full-time Research Laboratory Specialist Associate to pursue research on the neurotoxicity of environmental toxicants with an emphasis on learning and memory deficits, and neurodegenerative outcomes. The Colacino Lab investigates the neurotoxicity and potential mechanisms of environmental toxicants, such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic. The role will require the performance of behavioral testing that characterizes learning and memory on mice prior to, during, and following exposure to metals via drinking water. The role will also entail some management of mouse colonies, exposure experiments, maintenance of equipment and supplies, and data analysis. This is a two-year term appointment, expected to continue based on funding availability. This position will be onsite/in-person.
Responsibilities
- Perform routine mouse behavioral assessments related to learning and memory.
- Manage behavioral phenotyping equipment and supplies.
- Maintain mouse colonies used in experiments and assist in administering exposures.
- Generate and manage behavioral data.
- Train graduate students, postdocs, undergraduates, and other personnel as necessary, on behavioral phenotyping, equipment operation, and experimental design.
Required Qualifications
- A bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
- 1-3 years of experience working in a research laboratory is required.
- Organizational skills, including experimental design, data collection and management, and thorough record keeping are required.
Desired Qualifications
- A master's degree in toxicology or a related field is preferred.
- Experience with animal (rodent) experiments is preferred.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. The Research Laboratory Specialist Associate is an onsite/in-person position. Learn more about the work modes.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Opening ID
285195
Working Title
Research Lab Specialist Associate
Job Title
Research Lab Specialist Assoc
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
School Pub Health
Department
Environmental Health Sciences
Posting Begin/End Date
11/03/2026 - 11/17/2026
Salary
$45,088.00 - $55,697.00
Career Interest
Research
See all 171+ STEM OPT 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.
Frequently 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.