STEM OPT Microbiology Jobs
Microbiology roles in research, biotech, and public health qualify for STEM OPT work authorization, giving you up to 36 months of post-graduation employment eligibility. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree must fall under an eligible STEM CIP code to qualify for the 24-month extension.
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Position Summary - R& D Scientist
Responsible for experimental set-up, execution and data analysis. Handles reagents preparation, including human blood and sterile body fluids. Prepares buffers, solutions, and samples for testing. Ensures that the project results are effectively documented and compliant with the company quality assurance and design control procedures. Provides protocols and procedures for the project team. Writes reports. Provides technical assistance. Performs other duties as assigned.
Position Duties
- Responsible for experimental set-up, execution and data analysis.
- Handles reagents preparation, including human blood and sterile body fluids.
- Prepares buffers, solutions, and samples for testing.
- Ensures that the project results are effectively documented and compliant with the company quality assurance and design control procedures.
- Provides protocols and procedures for the project team.
- Writes reports.
- Provides technical assistance.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Education, Training and Experience: Bachelor's degree required in a related scientific field, Microbiology or Biology preferred.
Preferred Education, Training and Experience:
- Fields of Knowledge: Microbiology preferred, Biology, Clinical Microbiology, or Medical Technology
- Experience with antibiotic susceptibility testing and interpretation of manual and reference methods preferred.
- Practical experience in assay or test product laboratory setup, aseptic technique, and basic microbiology technique.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Continuously upholds and reflects the core ethical principles and values that bioMérieux promotes.
- Ability to cooperate with others at all levels including leadership.
- Practice time management to allocate tasks, balance priorities, and meet deadlines efficiently.
- Effective written communication skills.
- Maintains a very high team cohesion team performance and problem-solving.
- Clear determination to demonstrate self-awareness and respect for others.
- Demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement and high-quality work.
- Demonstrates professional awareness and self-protection practices.
- Demonstrates self-control, analytical thinking, flexibility, information seeking.
- Demonstrates novel and critical thinking.
Working Conditions (Summary)
Ability to remain in stationary position, either sitting or standing, for prolonged periods — Yes
Ability to move about to accomplish tasks or move from one worksite to another — Yes
Ability to move objects up to 50 pounds in all directions — Yes
Travel percentage: 10% total
Position in lab-based and field/lab work practices for working with laboratory biohazards and chemical hazards. Minimum PPE required is lab coat, safety glasses, gloves and closed toe shoes.
The estimated salary range for this role in the state of North Carolina is between $68,000 and $95,500. This role is eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and individual performance per bioMerieux’s bonus program. This range may differ from ranges offered for similar positions elsewhere in the country given differences in cost of living. Actual compensation within this range is determined based on the successful candidate’s experience and will be presented in writing at the time of the offer.
In addition, bioMérieux offers a competitive Total Rewards package that may include:
- A choice of medical (including prescription), dental, and vision plans providing nationwide coverage and telemedicine options
- Company-Provided Life and Accidental Death Insurance
- Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan including a generous non-discretionary employer contribution and employer match.
- Adoption Assistance
- Wellness Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Commuter Benefits
- Various voluntary benefit offerings
- Discount programs
- Parental leaves
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Microbiology
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Microbiology degrees typically fall under CIP 26.05, but exact codes vary by institution and program name.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting
Ask your hiring contact or HR team to confirm E-Verify company ID during the offer stage, not after signing. Employers can verify their own enrollment through the E-Verify employer search portal before you commit.
Target labs with active federal contracts
Federal contractors and subcontractors are legally required to use E-Verify, making them reliable options for STEM OPT eligibility. Pharmaceutical companies, public health agencies, and university research labs operating under federal grants often meet this requirement automatically.
Draft your I-983 training plan early
Your Form I-983 must outline specific learning objectives tied to your microbiology degree, not just your job duties. Work with your supervisor to map techniques like PCR, cell culture, or genomic sequencing directly to competencies from your academic program.
Search Migrate Mate for E-Verify confirmed roles
Filter Migrate Mate by STEM OPT eligibility to find microbiology positions at employers already enrolled in E-Verify. This removes the guesswork of vetting sponsorship readiness before you spend time on an application.
File your extension request 90 days before OPT ends
Your DSO must recommend the STEM OPT extension in SEVIS at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. Missing this window means a gap in work authorization, so align your job search timeline to that deadline, not your start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a microbiology degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, provided your degree is listed under an eligible CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Microbiology degrees most commonly fall under CIP 26.05, but programs labeled biological sciences, molecular biology, or medical microbiology may use adjacent codes. Confirm the exact CIP code with your DSO before applying for the extension, since the determination is made based on your specific degree as recorded in SEVIS.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my microbiology employer?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify for the specific work site where you'll be employed, not just at the corporate level. This matters for microbiology roles because contract research organizations, hospital laboratories, and government-affiliated research centers sometimes operate across multiple entities with separate E-Verify registrations. Ask HR to confirm the E-Verify company ID for your physical work location before your start date.
How should I complete the I-983 training plan for a lab-based microbiology role?
The I-983 requires you and your employer to document how the practical training directly relates to your STEM degree. For microbiology positions, tie specific lab techniques and research responsibilities, such as microbial culturing, immunoassay development, or bioinformatics analysis, to learning goals from your academic program. USCIS expects the training plan to demonstrate a genuine connection between your coursework and your job duties, not just a job description restatement.
What happens to my work authorization if my H-1B is selected in the lottery during STEM OPT?
If your H-1B visa petition is filed before your STEM OPT EAD expires and your status is properly maintained, the cap-gap provision extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year, or until your H-1B petition is adjudicated if it's denied or withdrawn. This lets you continue in your microbiology role without interruption. Confirm the cap-gap timeline with your DSO and keep your employer's HR team informed so they don't inadvertently terminate employment during the extension period.
How do I find microbiology employers who are already set up for STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters microbiology job listings by STEM OPT eligibility, surfacing positions at employers enrolled in E-Verify. Targeting employers who have previously hired OPT students in life sciences or research roles reduces the onboarding friction around I-983 compliance and E-Verify verification, since those teams already understand the documentation requirements.