STEM OPT Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs

Postdoctoral Research Fellow roles at universities and research institutions are among the strongest fits for STEM OPT students. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension covers the full arc of a standard postdoc appointment, and most academic employers are already enrolled in E-Verify. Your STEM degree field must align with the CIP code on your I-20.

Find STEM OPT Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs205+
Work Type93% On-site
Median Salary$94K
Top LocationBoston, MA
Most JobsIndiana University

Showing 5 of 205+ Postdoctoral Research Fellow jobs

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
We won't show you this job again
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
New 20h ago
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Data Science
$72,000/yr - $76,385/yr
Hybrid
Doctorate
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Tufts Medical Center
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
We won't show you this job again
Tufts Medical Center
Added 4d ago
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Tufts Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
$26/hr - $33/hr
On-Site
Doctorate
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
University of Notre Dame
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
We won't show you this job again
University of Notre Dame
Added 1w ago
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
Research & Academia
On-Site
Doctorate

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Beth Israel Lahey Health
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
We won't show you this job again
Beth Israel Lahey Health
Added 1w ago
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Beth Israel Lahey Health
Burlington, Massachusetts
Laboratory Research
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Teaching & Instruction
Clinical Trials
$56,160/yr - $90,001/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Mayo Clinic
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
We won't show you this job again
Mayo Clinic
Added 1w ago
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Clinical Trials
Data Science
$71,992/yr - $84,220/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)

See all 205+ Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Postdoctoral Research Fellow roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

See all 205+ STEM OPT Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs.

Get Access To All Jobs

Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Verify your CIP code before applying

Your STEM OPT extension depends on the Classification of Instructional Programs code tied to your degree, not just your major title. Cross-check your I-20's CIP code against USCIS's list of STEM-designated programs before targeting postdoc openings in a specific field.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers

Universities and national labs almost always participate in E-Verify, but private research institutes sometimes don't. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by institution name to confirm enrollment before your DSO submits your STEM OPT extension application.

Build your I-983 training plan around research deliverables

Your I-983 must name specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree field. For postdocs, map each objective to a defined research milestone, such as a published paper or lab method, so your training plan survives a SEVIS audit.

Target labs with recurring postdoc pipelines

PIs who have supervised postdocs before understand the E-Verify and I-983 requirements and won't be surprised by them. Search DOL LCA disclosure data by job title and institution to find labs with a consistent pattern of sponsoring postdoctoral roles on work authorization.

Search Migrate Mate to find E-Verify enrolled research employers

Postdoc openings at non-E-Verify employers disqualify you for STEM OPT before an offer is even made. Migrate Mate filters postdoctoral positions to show only employers enrolled in E-Verify, so you don't waste applications on institutions that can't authorize your extension.

Start your extension application 90 days before OPT ends

USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be filed before your initial OPT EAD expires. A timely filing triggers a 180-day cap-gap that keeps you authorized while USCIS adjudicates, but the clock starts only if you file on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Postdoctoral Research Fellow role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Yes, if your degree field matches the CIP code on your I-20 and the postdoc involves work directly related to that field. Most postdoc appointments at universities and research institutions satisfy the STEM OPT requirement because the research directly applies knowledge from your STEM degree. Your DSO confirms eligibility when recommending the extension in SEVIS.

Does my postdoctoral employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?

Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT employers. Without it, your employer can't legally employ you on the extension regardless of the role's research content. Most universities and federal research labs are already enrolled, but confirm enrollment through the E-Verify employer search before accepting any offer, not after.

What goes into the I-983 training plan for a postdoc position?

The I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree field, the supervision structure, and how the employer will evaluate your progress. For postdocs, frame each objective around a concrete research deliverable, such as completing a set of experiments or co-authoring a publication, and have your PI sign off before your DSO submits the recommendation.

What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my postdoc appointment ends early?

You have a 60-day grace period after your employment ends to find a new qualifying employer, change status, or depart the U.S. If you start a new postdoc, your new employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify and a new or amended I-983 is required. Your DSO must be notified within five business days of any material change in your training plan.

How do I find Postdoctoral Research Fellow openings at E-Verify enrolled employers?

Migrate Mate filters postdoc listings to show only employers enrolled in E-Verify, which is the threshold requirement for STEM OPT eligibility. You can also cross-reference DOL LCA disclosure data to see which research institutions have a track record of hiring on work authorization for postdoctoral job titles before you invest time in an application.