STEM OPT Laboratory Jobs

Laboratory roles in research, clinical testing, and quality control are strong fits for STEM OPT students with degrees in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related fields. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies as long as your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your position directly relates to your degree.

Find STEM OPT Laboratory Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs119+
Work Type97% On-site
Top LocationAtlanta, GA
Most JobsLam Research

Showing 5 of 119+ Laboratory jobs

UL Solutions
Laboratory Support Technician
We won't show you this job again
UL Solutions
New 5h ago
Laboratory Support Technician
UL Solutions
Brea, California
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Engineering (Non-Software)
$65k - $86k/yr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Saicon
Laboratory Technician
We won't show you this job again
Saicon
New 9h ago
Laboratory Technician
Saicon
Austin, Texas
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Associate's

Have you applied for this role?

The University of Michigan
Research Laboratory Specialist Associate
We won't show you this job again
The University of Michigan
New 10h ago
Research Laboratory Specialist Associate
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

AbbVie
Laboratory Technician III
We won't show you this job again
AbbVie
Added 1d ago
Laboratory Technician III
AbbVie
Waco, Texas
Laboratory Research
Quality Control
Healthcare Administration
$23 - $43/hr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Sanofi
Laboratory Coordinator II
We won't show you this job again
Sanofi
Added 1d ago
Laboratory Coordinator II
Sanofi
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Laboratory Research
Project & Program Management
Procurement & Supply Chain
Compliance & Legal
Procurement & Purchasing
Compliance & Risk
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See all 119+ Laboratory Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Laboratory roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

See all 119+ STEM OPT Laboratory Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Laboratory Jobs.

Get Access To All Jobs

Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Laboratory

Verify your CIP code matches laboratory roles

Your STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code. Check that your program's CIP code maps to a recognized STEM field before applying, since life sciences and chemistry codes are not always automatically included.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers

Not every laboratory employer, including small contract research organizations and hospital labs, is enrolled in E-Verify. Ask the hiring manager or HR directly, or search the E-Verify employer database to confirm enrollment before signing an offer letter.

Build your I-983 training plan around lab competencies

Your I-983 must connect your laboratory duties to your STEM degree's learning objectives. Frame bench skills, instrument operation, and data analysis methods as measurable training goals tied to specific coursework from your program.

Target employers with active STEM OPT hiring history

Use Migrate Mate to filter laboratory job listings by employers who have previously hired STEM OPT students, so you're spending your applications on companies already familiar with E-Verify requirements and the I-983 process.

Use O*NET to align your job title with degree requirements

Laboratory job titles vary widely across industries. Pull the O*NET occupation profile for your target role to confirm it lists a bachelor's-level STEM degree as a typical entry requirement, which strengthens your DSO's authorization decision.

Time your OPT extension application around lab start dates

USCIS recommends filing your STEM OPT extension application 90 days before your initial OPT expires. For laboratory roles with defined project cycles or contract start dates, missing this window can delay your authorization past a committed start date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do laboratory jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Laboratory roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension if your position directly relates to your STEM degree and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Degrees in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, and materials science commonly map to laboratory occupations. Your DSO will confirm eligibility based on your degree's CIP code and the job description you provide.

What goes into the I-983 training plan for a laboratory position?

Your I-983 training plan must describe how your laboratory duties, such as sample preparation, instrument calibration, data analysis, or quality assurance, connect to the knowledge and skills from your STEM degree program. Both you and your employer supervisor must sign the form, and your DSO must authorize it before your extension begins. USCIS can request to review it at any time.

Does my laboratory employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify before I start?

Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT employers, and it must be in place before your extension is authorized. Small or independent laboratories, including private clinical labs and contract research organizations, are not always enrolled. Confirm this directly with HR before your DSO submits the extension paperwork to avoid authorization gaps.

How do I find laboratory employers who are familiar with STEM OPT?

Migrate Mate lists laboratory job opportunities filtered by employers with STEM OPT hiring experience, so you can focus on companies that already understand E-Verify requirements and the I-983 process. This matters for laboratory roles because smaller employers in the sector often encounter the training plan requirement for the first time and may need additional lead time.

What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if I switch laboratory employers mid-extension?

You can change employers during your STEM OPT extension, but your new employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify. You and the new employer must complete a new I-983 training plan, and your DSO must update your SEVIS record before you begin work. There is no grace period between employers during an active STEM OPT extension, so coordinate the transition carefully with your DSO.