STEM OPT Laboratory Assistant Jobs
Laboratory Assistant roles in research labs, clinical facilities, and industrial settings qualify for STEM OPT when your degree aligns with a STEM-designated CIP code. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and the 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months total to build hands-on lab experience while maintaining F-1 status.
See All Laboratory Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 341+ Laboratory Assistant jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 341+ Laboratory Assistant jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Laboratory Assistant roles.
Get Access To All JobsJob no: 493365
Work type: Full-time (hourly)
Location: Chester
Categories: Staff
Widener University is currently seeking a Biology Laboratory Assistant in the College of Arts and Science, Department of Biology. This role provides support to the current laboratory preparation staff. This position is hands-on and supports an active laboratory environment.
Reporting to the Associate Dean of Science, the Biology Laboratory Assistant role involves both independent and supervised tasks, with all necessary training provided. The work environment is fast-paced and can be noisy, with frequent interruptions. Instructions are often delivered verbally, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and meet time-sensitive deadlines is essential.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential Duties:
Laboratory Preparation & Support
- Prepare all microbiology media, reagents, buffers, and related materials according to established protocols.
- Set up and break down microbiology laboratory sessions for nursing and upper-division courses.
- Organize and maintain student workstations, fume hoods, and shared lab spaces to ensure readiness for instruction.
- Dispense reagents, label cultures and materials, and ensure proper availability of supplies for each lab session.
- Autoclave, wash, and restock glassware and consumables to support ongoing laboratory operations.
Culture & Specimen Management
- Maintain, dispense, and preserve microbiology stock cultures on a weekly schedule.
- Handle live and prepared biological specimens safely and accurately.
- Monitor culture viability and ensure proper storage conditions for all biological materials.
Course Coordination & Faculty Support
- Collaborate closely with faculty teaching microbiology-related courses to ensure smooth planning and execution of laboratory activities.
- Develop, update, and maintain detailed laboratory preparation lists for multiple courses each semester.
- Schedule preparation tasks proactively based on course syllabi and instructional needs.
Safety, Compliance & Waste Management
- Collect, handle, and dispose of biohazardous waste in accordance with EPA, OSHA, and University Health and Chemical Safety guidelines.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and compliant laboratory environment through routine inspections and adherence to safety protocols.
Equipment Maintenance & Inspection
- Inspect, clean, and maintain microbiology laboratory equipment, including microscopes and other technical instruments.
- Report equipment issues promptly and assist with routine troubleshooting or coordination of repairs.
Secondary Responsibilities:
- Assist other lab staff as needed to run anatomy, physiology, cell and molecular, and ecology lab courses.
- Supervision of undergraduate work-study students. Organization of their duties and work schedules.
- Work with other staff to maintain prep lab in efficient and orderly condition. Help develop and maintain easily accessible electronic filing system for lab prep lists/schedules, methods, cultures and reagents.
- Receive supplies, stocks, and biological/chemical reagents and store appropriately.
- Help provide animal care (primarily rats and mice) and greenhouse/plant care.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned or directed to support departmental needs and align with the mission, values and goals of the Biology department and Widener University.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (education/training and experience required)
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related field.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite especially Word and Excel.
- Demonstrate strong quantitative, organizational, time-management, and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive mindset and a willingness to take initiative.
- Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Take ownership of tasks and is accountable for outcomes.
- Show patience, professionalism, and courtesy in all interactions.
Preferred:
- Prior laboratory experience (1-2 years post-baccalaureate). An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.
- Background in Microbiology.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods during laboratory procedures or equipment monitoring.
- Frequent walking throughout laboratory spaces and adjacent facilities.
- Climbing stairs as part of routine movement between lab areas.
- Lifting, carrying, or moving materials and equipment up to 35 lbs.
- Perform tasks that require reaching overhead and bending, stooping, or working below waist level.
- Occasional duties may be required outside regular hours based on laboratory needs, experiments in progress, or time-sensitive tasks.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
U.S. work authorization is required.
Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington.
EOE M/F/V/D
Advertised: 13 Apr 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
Job no: 493365
Work type: Full-time (hourly)
Location: Chester
Categories: Staff
Widener University is currently seeking a Biology Laboratory Assistant in the College of Arts and Science, Department of Biology. This role provides support to the current laboratory preparation staff. This position is hands-on and supports an active laboratory environment.
Reporting to the Associate Dean of Science, the Biology Laboratory Assistant role involves both independent and supervised tasks, with all necessary training provided. The work environment is fast-paced and can be noisy, with frequent interruptions. Instructions are often delivered verbally, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and meet time-sensitive deadlines is essential.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential Duties:
Laboratory Preparation & Support
- Prepare all microbiology media, reagents, buffers, and related materials according to established protocols.
- Set up and break down microbiology laboratory sessions for nursing and upper-division courses.
- Organize and maintain student workstations, fume hoods, and shared lab spaces to ensure readiness for instruction.
- Dispense reagents, label cultures and materials, and ensure proper availability of supplies for each lab session.
- Autoclave, wash, and restock glassware and consumables to support ongoing laboratory operations.
Culture & Specimen Management
- Maintain, dispense, and preserve microbiology stock cultures on a weekly schedule.
- Handle live and prepared biological specimens safely and accurately.
- Monitor culture viability and ensure proper storage conditions for all biological materials.
Course Coordination & Faculty Support
- Collaborate closely with faculty teaching microbiology-related courses to ensure smooth planning and execution of laboratory activities.
- Develop, update, and maintain detailed laboratory preparation lists for multiple courses each semester.
- Schedule preparation tasks proactively based on course syllabi and instructional needs.
Safety, Compliance & Waste Management
- Collect, handle, and dispose of biohazardous waste in accordance with EPA, OSHA, and University Health and Chemical Safety guidelines.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and compliant laboratory environment through routine inspections and adherence to safety protocols.
Equipment Maintenance & Inspection
- Inspect, clean, and maintain microbiology laboratory equipment, including microscopes and other technical instruments.
- Report equipment issues promptly and assist with routine troubleshooting or coordination of repairs.
Secondary Responsibilities:
- Assist other lab staff as needed to run anatomy, physiology, cell and molecular, and ecology lab courses.
- Supervision of undergraduate work-study students. Organization of their duties and work schedules.
- Work with other staff to maintain prep lab in efficient and orderly condition. Help develop and maintain easily accessible electronic filing system for lab prep lists/schedules, methods, cultures and reagents.
- Receive supplies, stocks, and biological/chemical reagents and store appropriately.
- Help provide animal care (primarily rats and mice) and greenhouse/plant care.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned or directed to support departmental needs and align with the mission, values and goals of the Biology department and Widener University.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (education/training and experience required)
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related field.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite especially Word and Excel.
- Demonstrate strong quantitative, organizational, time-management, and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive mindset and a willingness to take initiative.
- Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Take ownership of tasks and is accountable for outcomes.
- Show patience, professionalism, and courtesy in all interactions.
Preferred:
- Prior laboratory experience (1-2 years post-baccalaureate). An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.
- Background in Microbiology.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods during laboratory procedures or equipment monitoring.
- Frequent walking throughout laboratory spaces and adjacent facilities.
- Climbing stairs as part of routine movement between lab areas.
- Lifting, carrying, or moving materials and equipment up to 35 lbs.
- Perform tasks that require reaching overhead and bending, stooping, or working below waist level.
- Occasional duties may be required outside regular hours based on laboratory needs, experiments in progress, or time-sensitive tasks.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
U.S. work authorization is required.
Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington.
EOE M/F/V/D
Advertised: 13 Apr 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
See all 341+ Laboratory Assistant jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Laboratory Assistant roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Laboratory Assistant
Verify your degree's CIP code eligibility
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the DHS STEM OPT designated degree program list. Biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and clinical laboratory science degrees typically qualify, but interdisciplinary or applied science programs sometimes carry non-STEM CIP codes that disqualify the extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before applying
Search the E-Verify employer search tool on the E-Verify website to confirm a lab's enrollment status before you invest time in the application process. Many smaller private research labs and clinical reference laboratories are not enrolled, which legally bars them from hiring STEM OPT students.
Match your I-983 training plan to lab duties
Your I-983 must list specific laboratory competencies your role develops, such as specimen handling, assay techniques, or instrument calibration, not vague descriptions. Employers who haven't hired STEM OPT students before often need your DSO's template to draft a compliant training plan tied to your degree's learning outcomes.
Target labs with established STEM OPT hiring
Use Migrate Mate to filter Laboratory Assistant openings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and prior STEM OPT hiring history. University-affiliated research labs, contract research organizations, and hospital systems with dedicated HR departments are the most likely to already have compliant onboarding workflows.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days early
USCIS recommends filing your STEM OPT extension application at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. If your application is pending and your initial OPT end date passes, the automatic 180-day cap-gap extension keeps you authorized while USCIS adjudicates, but only if you filed on time.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
Before accepting a Laboratory Assistant offer, run the position's SOC code through the OFLC Wage Search to see the prevailing wage for your metro area. Your STEM OPT training plan must document that your compensation and hours meet DOL requirements for bona fide employment, not just volunteer or stipend arrangements.
Laboratory Assistant jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Laboratory Assistant JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does my STEM degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as a Laboratory Assistant?
Your degree qualifies if its CIP code appears on the DHS STEM OPT designated degree program list. Biology, chemistry, biochemistry, medical laboratory science, and environmental science degrees commonly qualify. The job title itself doesn't determine eligibility; the match between your degree's CIP code and the DHS list does. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying.
Does a Laboratory Assistant employer have to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a federal requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student, with no exceptions. Before accepting a Laboratory Assistant offer, verify the employer's enrollment status using the E-Verify employer search tool. Smaller private labs, independent clinical facilities, and some nonprofit research organizations are frequently not enrolled, which makes them ineligible to sponsor your extension.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Laboratory Assistant role?
Your I-983 must describe specific laboratory skills and knowledge your position develops that relate directly to your STEM degree. Examples include proficiency with analytical instruments, sample preparation techniques, quality control protocols, or data analysis methods tied to your field of study. Generic job descriptions won't satisfy the requirement. Your employer signs the form and your DSO reviews it before submission to USCIS.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my Laboratory Assistant contract ends before my EAD expires?
You have a 150-day unemployment allowance across your entire post-completion OPT and STEM OPT period combined, with no more than 90 of those days occurring during the STEM OPT extension itself. If you exceed the unemployment limit, your F-1 status falls out of compliance. Start searching for a new E-Verify-enrolled employer immediately. Migrate Mate filters for eligible Laboratory Assistant openings by employers already enrolled in E-Verify.
Can I work as a Laboratory Assistant at a hospital or clinical lab on STEM OPT?
Yes, if the facility is enrolled in E-Verify and your role qualifies as bona fide employment with compensation meeting DOL standards. Hospital systems and large clinical reference laboratories are often already E-Verify enrolled. Your I-983 training plan must connect the clinical lab duties to your STEM degree field, such as linking specimen analysis work to a biology or medical science background.
See which Laboratory Assistant employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Laboratory Assistant Jobs