STEM OPT Laboratory Manager Jobs

Laboratory Manager roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree falls under an approved CIP code in life sciences, chemistry, or engineering. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and the 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months total to build supervisory lab experience while pursuing long-term sponsorship.

Find STEM OPT Laboratory Manager Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs120+
Work Type98% On-site
Top LocationAtlanta, GA
Most JobsLam Research

Showing 5 of 120+ Laboratory Manager jobs

UL Solutions
Laboratory Support Technician
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UL Solutions
New 6h 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+

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Saicon
Laboratory Technician
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Saicon
New 10h ago
Laboratory Technician
Saicon
Austin, Texas
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Associate's

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The University of Michigan
Research Laboratory Specialist Associate
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The University of Michigan
New 12h 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+

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AbbVie
Laboratory Technician III
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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+

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Sanofi
Laboratory Coordinator II
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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+

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Laboratory Manager

Verify your CIP code covers laboratory management

Check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before applying. Biology, chemistry, and biomedical engineering codes routinely qualify, but interdisciplinary or applied science degrees sometimes need a closer look from your DSO.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers

Ask HR directly whether the employer is actively enrolled in E-Verify, not just registered. Labs inside universities, hospital systems, and contract research organizations sometimes operate under a parent entity's enrollment, which affects your I-983 filing address.

Frame your I-983 training plan around supervisory competencies

Laboratory Manager roles involve overseeing staff, managing compliance protocols, and budgeting, so your I-983 must connect those duties to your STEM degree's learning objectives. Vague training goals are a common reason DSOs push back on approval.

Use O*NET to match job duties to your degree field

Pull the Laboratory Manager occupation profile from O*NET and map its listed knowledge areas to your degree's coursework. That alignment strengthens both your I-983 narrative and any future specialty occupation argument when your employer transitions you to H-1B visa sponsorship.

Target employers with active H-1B filing history for lab roles

Identify which research institutions, biotech firms, and pharmaceutical companies have filed LCAs for laboratory or scientific management positions through Migrate Mate, so you're applying where long-term sponsorship is already part of the hiring pattern.

Time your STEM OPT application to cover the cap-gap window

If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT end date, the cap-gap rule automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. File your STEM OPT extension with USCIS well before your initial OPT expires so there's no gap in lab authorization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Laboratory Manager role qualify for STEM OPT?

Yes, if your underlying degree carries an approved STEM CIP code and the job duties connect directly to that field. Laboratory Manager positions in life sciences, chemistry, engineering, and related disciplines typically qualify. Your DSO reviews the I-983 training plan to confirm the role meets the practical training standard before approving the extension.

What E-Verify requirement applies to my Laboratory Manager employer?

Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify as a condition of employing you on STEM OPT. Enrollment alone isn't enough if the specific worksite or subsidiary isn't covered. Before signing an offer, ask HR to confirm the legal entity listed on your I-983 is the enrolled E-Verify participant, not just a related organization.

What goes into an I-983 training plan for a Laboratory Manager position?

The I-983 must describe how your day-to-day duties, such as supervising lab staff, maintaining regulatory compliance, managing equipment procurement, and overseeing experimental protocols, relate to your STEM degree. Generic job descriptions copied from the posting aren't sufficient. Your supervisor signs the plan, and your DSO reviews it against ICE's practical training criteria before approving.

How does the cap-gap rule protect my work authorization as a Laboratory Manager?

If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT expires, the cap-gap provision extends your work authorization automatically through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue managing the lab without interruption during adjudication. USCIS issues a cap-gap notice you can present to your employer as authorization documentation.

Where can I find Laboratory Manager jobs at employers who sponsor STEM OPT workers?

Migrate Mate filters Laboratory Manager listings to show only employers enrolled in E-Verify and with documented LCA filing history for STEM roles, so you're not spending time on positions where sponsorship is unlikely. You can search by degree field and location to identify research institutions, biotech companies, and healthcare systems that have already built STEM OPT hiring processes.