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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Microbiology Analysts of all experience levels are encouraged to apply. The Agawam site is the microbiology center of excellence for the Cambrex organization. The Microbiology Analyst I will support the Microbiology team. Duties include general microbiological aseptic techniques and general lab work, including pour plating, membrane filtration, dilutions, and basic staining. Additionally, this role will be responsible for general lab maintenance and dish washing. Effective client interaction is expected.
Responsibilities:
- Communicates and interacts appropriately and effectively with clients
- Perform testing per written instruction on a variety of internal and client sample types
- Identifies technical or system problems and bring them to the appropriate personnel for resolution
- Perform routine clean up and required maintenance of the lab
- Prepare and maintain a supply of disinfectant solutions
- Ensure the lab is fully supplied with routine materials needed for testing
- Perform routine monitoring of laboratory
- Maintain supply of stock cultures
- Perform general microscopy
- Perform a variety of microbiological testing as assigned (i.e. pour-plating, membrane filtration, dilutions, basic staining, growth promotion testing, plate enumeration, morphological assessment)
- Meets standards for basic aseptic techniques
- Accurately perform laboratory writeups and data entry activities
- Properly document all activities and check all paperwork to ensure accuracy prior to submission for review
- Perform basic preventive maintenance activities on equipment
- Perform a variety of microbiological laboratory support activities as assigned
- Continue to learn microbiology techniques, procedures, and equipment use
- Assist with the preparation of microbiological media and maintenance of bacterial cultures
- Follow and adhere to all applicable written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and technical guidance documents
- Assist laboratory personnel as needed
- Actively and effectively participate in lab meetings
- Maintains an orderly and safe working environment
- Adheres to cGMP rules and regulations
- Must be able to work the necessary hours to meet objectives
- Other duties as assigned by management
QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS:
Knowledge
- Good lab techniques
- Good understanding of GMP requirements
- Good understanding of company SOPS and requirements
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to perform routine technical level applications
- Ability to perform basic troubleshooting with computer systems
- Ability to meet proper gowning requirements for aseptic conditions
- Ability to maintain positive attendance record
- Good mathematical skills
- Good attention to detail
- Ability to perform assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner
- Ability to follow procedures and record data per documentation requirements
- Good verbal & written communication skills
- Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and follow standard operating procedures
- Goal oriented, with basic time management and organizational skills
- Working knowledge of MS Office Products
- Positive attitude and the ability to work in a team environment
- Normal color vision (with correction) sufficient to perform routine laboratory procedures
- Effective team player
QUALIFICATIONS
- Related BA/BS degree with 0 – 2+ years laboratory experience or equivalent
Cambrex is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Overview:
Microbiology Analysts of all experience levels are encouraged to apply. The Agawam site is the microbiology center of excellence for the Cambrex organization. The Microbiology Analyst I will support the Microbiology team. Duties include general microbiological aseptic techniques and general lab work, including pour plating, membrane filtration, dilutions, and basic staining. Additionally, this role will be responsible for general lab maintenance and dish washing. Effective client interaction is expected.
Responsibilities:
- Communicates and interacts appropriately and effectively with clients
- Perform testing per written instruction on a variety of internal and client sample types
- Identifies technical or system problems and bring them to the appropriate personnel for resolution
- Perform routine clean up and required maintenance of the lab
- Prepare and maintain a supply of disinfectant solutions
- Ensure the lab is fully supplied with routine materials needed for testing
- Perform routine monitoring of laboratory
- Maintain supply of stock cultures
- Perform general microscopy
- Perform a variety of microbiological testing as assigned (i.e. pour-plating, membrane filtration, dilutions, basic staining, growth promotion testing, plate enumeration, morphological assessment)
- Meets standards for basic aseptic techniques
- Accurately perform laboratory writeups and data entry activities
- Properly document all activities and check all paperwork to ensure accuracy prior to submission for review
- Perform basic preventive maintenance activities on equipment
- Perform a variety of microbiological laboratory support activities as assigned
- Continue to learn microbiology techniques, procedures, and equipment use
- Assist with the preparation of microbiological media and maintenance of bacterial cultures
- Follow and adhere to all applicable written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and technical guidance documents
- Assist laboratory personnel as needed
- Actively and effectively participate in lab meetings
- Maintains an orderly and safe working environment
- Adheres to cGMP rules and regulations
- Must be able to work the necessary hours to meet objectives
- Other duties as assigned by management
QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS:
Knowledge
- Good lab techniques
- Good understanding of GMP requirements
- Good understanding of company SOPS and requirements
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to perform routine technical level applications
- Ability to perform basic troubleshooting with computer systems
- Ability to meet proper gowning requirements for aseptic conditions
- Ability to maintain positive attendance record
- Good mathematical skills
- Good attention to detail
- Ability to perform assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner
- Ability to follow procedures and record data per documentation requirements
- Good verbal & written communication skills
- Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and follow standard operating procedures
- Goal oriented, with basic time management and organizational skills
- Working knowledge of MS Office Products
- Positive attitude and the ability to work in a team environment
- Normal color vision (with correction) sufficient to perform routine laboratory procedures
- Effective team player
QUALIFICATIONS
- Related BA/BS degree with 0 – 2+ years laboratory experience or equivalent
Cambrex is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
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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.