STEM OPT Laboratory Technician Jobs
Laboratory Technician roles in clinical, environmental, and research settings qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need an approved I-983 training plan before your extension start date.
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MaineHealth Institute for Research
Professional - Nonclinical
Req #: 96671
Accepting Departmental Applicants Only
Summary
The Biobank and Research Laboratory Associate is a position which supports biobanking and research testing and services within the MaineHealth Institute for Research. This position is responsible for patient informed consent; the collection, processing, storage, tracking, distribution, and testing of biospecimens; and instrument validation; while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and institutional policies. The associate collaborates with investigators, external clients, clinical staff, and laboratory personnel to support research activities and maintain the integrity of biological specimens and associated data.
This position is a fully-onsite role, rotating between our Portland and Scarborough, ME campuses.
Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
Education: Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, Biology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or a related field required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
License/Certifications: N/A
Experience: One year of relevant experience preferred.
Additional Skills/Requirements Required:
- Knowledge of laboratory operations, biospecimen handling, quality assurance, and applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, OSHA, GCP/GLP, CAP/CLIA as applicable).
- Proficiency in computer applications; electronic databases; and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.), along with a willingness to learn new technologies and develop skills necessary to support evolving research and operational needs.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, work independently and collaboratively, and communicate effectively with researchers, clients, clinicians, and laboratory staff.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when interacting with patients and handling sensitive biological specimens and data.
Additional Information
MaineHealth is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where care team members can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve across Maine and New Hampshire. We offer competitive benefits including paid parental leave, flexible work options, student loan assistance, professional development opportunities, and well-being resources—so you can grow your career while feeling supported both personally and professionally.
We recognize the value each team member brings to our organization. Any offer of employment will depend on qualifications such as skills, relevant experience, education, certifications, and other job-related factors. The base range is an estimate and does not reflect the full value of our total compensation package.
The pay range for this position is $25.24 to $34.16 per hour.
Compensation for part-time positions is determined on a prorated basis consistent with the scheduled hours and applicable full-time equivalent (FTE).
In addition to base pay, MaineHealth offers comprehensive benefits, recognition programs, career growth opportunities, and, where applicable, shift differentials or other incentives.
If you have questions about this role, please contact sharon.nightingale@mainehealth.org
Hiring Scam Alert
MaineHealth will never request financial information during the interview or pre-hiring process. All legitimate communications will come from an email address ending in @mainehealth.org. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately to mhcareers@mainehealth.org.
Notice Regarding Maine Employer Surveillance Statute: Pursuant to Maine's Employer Surveillance Statute, prospective care team members are notified that MaineHealth may monitor, collect, record, review, or retain information related to the use of its systems, networks, applications, files, data, communications platforms (including notified recordings), smart badges, building access, company vehicle GPS data, business calls, and workplace security cameras.
Information collected may be used for legitimate business purposes, including security, safety, compliance, investigations, training, quality assurance, and operational management.
Description
MaineHealth Institute for Research
Professional - Nonclinical
Req #: 96671
Accepting Departmental Applicants Only
Summary
The Biobank and Research Laboratory Associate is a position which supports biobanking and research testing and services within the MaineHealth Institute for Research. This position is responsible for patient informed consent; the collection, processing, storage, tracking, distribution, and testing of biospecimens; and instrument validation; while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and institutional policies. The associate collaborates with investigators, external clients, clinical staff, and laboratory personnel to support research activities and maintain the integrity of biological specimens and associated data.
This position is a fully-onsite role, rotating between our Portland and Scarborough, ME campuses.
Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
Education: Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, Biology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or a related field required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
License/Certifications: N/A
Experience: One year of relevant experience preferred.
Additional Skills/Requirements Required:
- Knowledge of laboratory operations, biospecimen handling, quality assurance, and applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, OSHA, GCP/GLP, CAP/CLIA as applicable).
- Proficiency in computer applications; electronic databases; and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.), along with a willingness to learn new technologies and develop skills necessary to support evolving research and operational needs.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, work independently and collaboratively, and communicate effectively with researchers, clients, clinicians, and laboratory staff.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when interacting with patients and handling sensitive biological specimens and data.
Additional Information
MaineHealth is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where care team members can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve across Maine and New Hampshire. We offer competitive benefits including paid parental leave, flexible work options, student loan assistance, professional development opportunities, and well-being resources—so you can grow your career while feeling supported both personally and professionally.
We recognize the value each team member brings to our organization. Any offer of employment will depend on qualifications such as skills, relevant experience, education, certifications, and other job-related factors. The base range is an estimate and does not reflect the full value of our total compensation package.
The pay range for this position is $25.24 to $34.16 per hour.
Compensation for part-time positions is determined on a prorated basis consistent with the scheduled hours and applicable full-time equivalent (FTE).
In addition to base pay, MaineHealth offers comprehensive benefits, recognition programs, career growth opportunities, and, where applicable, shift differentials or other incentives.
If you have questions about this role, please contact sharon.nightingale@mainehealth.org
Hiring Scam Alert
MaineHealth will never request financial information during the interview or pre-hiring process. All legitimate communications will come from an email address ending in @mainehealth.org. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately to mhcareers@mainehealth.org.
Notice Regarding Maine Employer Surveillance Statute: Pursuant to Maine's Employer Surveillance Statute, prospective care team members are notified that MaineHealth may monitor, collect, record, review, or retain information related to the use of its systems, networks, applications, files, data, communications platforms (including notified recordings), smart badges, building access, company vehicle GPS data, business calls, and workplace security cameras.
Information collected may be used for legitimate business purposes, including security, safety, compliance, investigations, training, quality assurance, and operational management.
See all 127+ STEM OPT Laboratory Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Laboratory Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Laboratory Technician
Confirm your CIP code covers lab work
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to an eligible STEM field. Biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and clinical laboratory science codes qualify. Your DSO can verify this before you apply for the extension.
Verify E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask your hiring manager or HR contact to confirm E-Verify participation during the offer stage, not after. Employers can look up their own company ID in the E-Verify system, and you can request written confirmation before signing.
Target labs inside E-Verify-registered institutions
Hospital systems, accredited reference labs, and federally funded research centers are typically required to maintain E-Verify enrollment. Targeting these settings narrows your search to employers who already meet the STEM OPT employer requirement.
Build your I-983 training plan around specific lab competencies
Your training plan must list concrete learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just your job duties. Include techniques like PCR, ELISA, or mass spectrometry analysis that directly connect to your academic coursework and demonstrate degree-to-role alignment.
Search Migrate Mate for labs with active STEM OPT history
Filter by Laboratory Technician roles on Migrate Mate to find employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and a track record of hiring OPT students. This cuts out the guesswork of cold-applying to labs that have never sponsored STEM OPT workers.
Request offer letters that specify your exact start date
Your STEM OPT application to USCIS requires a firm employment start date on the I-765. If your offer letter uses vague language like 'contingent on clearance,' ask HR to issue an updated letter with a confirmed date before your DSO recommends the extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Laboratory Technician role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your underlying degree is in an eligible STEM field such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or clinical laboratory science and the role directly applies that training. The job title alone doesn't determine eligibility. USCIS evaluates whether the position is commensurate with your degree, so your I-983 training plan must draw a clear line between your coursework and your lab duties.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask HR directly and request written confirmation of the company's E-Verify employer ID. Employers enrolled in E-Verify can provide this from their E-Verify account. Without confirmed enrollment, your DSO cannot recommend the STEM OPT extension and USCIS will not approve your I-765. Verify this before you sign an offer, not after. You can find STEM OPT-ready employers with E-Verify enrollment on Migrate Mate.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a lab technician position?
Your I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just a job description. For laboratory technician roles, include techniques you'll develop, such as sample preparation, instrument calibration, or data analysis methods, and explain how each connects to your academic training. Both you and your supervisor sign the plan, and your DSO reviews it before submitting your extension application to USCIS.
Can I work as a laboratory technician during the cap-gap period?
Yes, if your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your OPT EAD expires and USCIS receives it by the cap filing deadline, cap-gap extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. You can continue in your laboratory technician role during this period without interruption, provided your employer maintains E-Verify enrollment and your status remains otherwise valid.
What STEM degree fields support a Laboratory Technician STEM OPT extension?
Degrees in biological sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, clinical laboratory science, environmental science, and related STEM fields typically support a laboratory technician extension. The relevant CIP codes are published by the Department of Homeland Security. Your DSO has access to the full eligible CIP code list and can confirm whether your specific degree program qualifies before you begin the extension application process.