STEM OPT Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs
Postdoctoral Researcher roles sit squarely within STEM OPT eligibility, giving graduates with qualifying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics degrees up to 24 additional months of work authorization beyond their initial OPT period. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, which most universities and research institutions already are.
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INTRODUCTION
HPE Labs - Postdoctoral Research Associate: Optical Switching Hardware Simulation for HPC
This role has been designed as ‘Onsite’ with an expectation that you will primarily work from an HPE office.
Who We Are:
Hewlett Packard Enterprise is the global edge-to-cloud company advancing the way people live and work. We help companies connect, protect, analyze, and act on their data and applications wherever they live, from edge to cloud, so they can turn insights into outcomes at the speed required to thrive in today’s complex world. Our culture thrives on finding new and better ways to accelerate what’s next. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good. If you are looking to stretch and grow your career our culture will embrace you. Open up opportunities with HPE.
Job Description:
We are currently seeking a highly qualified, self-motivated postdoctoral associate to accelerate an ongoing research project on photonics hardware for High Performance Computing networking and interconnects. As a postdoc at HPE Labs, you will architect and develop simulators and simulation tools for photonics hardware, such as Optical Circuit Switches and interconnects, architect and develop High Performance Computing workloads and applications to exercise, evaluate, and optimize the simulators and tools developed in the context of this project.
HPE Labs is an international research organization with its headquarters and largest facility located in Milpitas, California. As the central research organization for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), HPE Labs' purpose is to deliver breakthrough technologies and technology advancements that provide a competitive advantage for the company, by investing in fundamental science and technology in areas of interest to HPE and getting the resulting technologies ready for adoption into new and existing markets.
Our research team is diverse, with a broad range of skillsets and expertise that enables the exploration and development of new ideas not possible in more traditional monolithic research organizations.
We are seeking highly qualified candidates to join one of our research teams as a postdoctoral associate, with the possibility of longer-term co-innovation and collaboration. We are particularly interested in individuals with a background in computer systems, computer architecture, with a good understanding of the current state of the art, major trends and opportunities, and a demonstrated track record in making things real in innovative ways. The ideal candidate combines this interest with a broad, entrepreneurial interest in creating the next generation of HPE’s products and technologies.
We expect all our researchers (including interns and postdocs) to provide thought leadership and technical influence both internally and externally to HPE, as well as take innovative ideas and make them real, contributing along the full range from initial novel ideas to design, development, implementation, evaluation, and technology transfer. The ideal candidate can thrive in an applied research environment, balancing significant technical and scientific contributions with the ability to bring such contributions to practice through innovative solutions that address the needs of our customers and partners. We expect the successful candidate to collaborate with HPE Labs research teams as well as with external partners, and to work in alignment with HPE's broader innovation community. Excellent software systems building skills are a significant plus.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A PhD degree in computer science, electrical engineering, math, physics, statistics, mechanical engineering, or related fields
- Experience with hardware simulation
- Track record of world-class innovative contributions and ideas
- Experience with innovative solution development, such as developing proofs-of-concept, first-of-a-kind solutions, and technology transfer
- Ability to develop a rapid understanding of select problems and opportunities
- Deep understanding of the relevant environment, ecosystem, trends, and literature
- Excellent research and development skills
- Ability to innovate, make research contributions, and bring ideas to reality in compelling ways
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; mastery in English
- Strong track record to work independently and in teams
- Strong systems programming and software engineering skills
- Demonstrated ability to generate, frame, and carry out leadership research as shown by, for example, papers published in top-tier conferences or journals
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with:
- Software version control with git and GitHub
- Developing C++ applications
- Developing applications for Sandia’s Structural Simulation Toolkit (SST)
- Photonics hardware simulation
- Distributed programming with MPI or SHMEM
- Virtualization with Docker
ACCESSIBILITY
HPE is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. If you believe you require accommodation during any stage of the application or interview process, please submit your request by completing our secure form linked here.
Note: This option is reserved for applicants needing assistance/reasonable accommodation related to a disability.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
Health & Wellbeing
We strive to provide our team members and their loved ones with a comprehensive suite of benefits that supports their physical, financial and emotional wellbeing.
Personal & Professional Development
We also invest in your career because the better you are, the better we all are. We have specific programs catered to helping you reach any career goals you have — whether you want to become a knowledge expert in your field or apply your skills to another division.
Unconditional Inclusion
We are unconditionally inclusive in the way we work and celebrate individual uniqueness. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good.
LOCATION
- United States of America: Annual Salary USD 99,320 - 149,760 in California
The listed salary range reflects base salary. Variable incentives may also be offered.
Information about employee benefits offered in the US can be found at https://myhperewards.com/main/new-hire-enrollment.html
HPE is an Equal Employment Opportunity/ Veterans/Disabled/LGBT employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or any other protected category, and all decisions we make are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. Our goal is to be one global team that is representative of our customers, in an inclusive environment where we can continue to innovate and grow together.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise is EEO Protected Veteran/ Individual with Disabilities.
HPE will comply with all applicable laws related to employer use of arrest and conviction records, including laws requiring employers to consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories.
RECRUITMENT FRAUD ALERT
We have become aware of an increase in fraudulent recruitment activities in which individuals impersonate our company or authorized recruitment agencies to offer fake employment opportunities. These scams may occur through false websites, emails, social media, or chat-based applications and often aim to obtain personal information or money. Please note that Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), its direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliated companies, and its authorized recruitment agencies/vendors will never charge a candidate a registration fee, hiring fee, or any other fee in connection with its recruitment and hiring process. We also never request personal information such as back account details, Social Security numbers, or national IDs via social media or chat applications.
All legitimate job opportunities will come through official company channels, and candidates are responsible for verifying the credentials of any third party claiming to represent the company. Any reliance on fraudulent communication is at the individual’s own risk, and HPE disclaims legal liability for any resulting damages. If you suspect recruitment fraud, do not share personal information or make any payments and report the incident to your local authorities immediately.
See all 446+ STEM OPT Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Postdoctoral Researcher
Verify your CIP code before applying
Your STEM OPT extension depends on your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appearing on USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List. Check your I-20 and confirm your DSO has the correct CIP code before submitting your extension application.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Universities and national labs almost universally maintain E-Verify enrollment, but private research institutes sometimes don't. Ask HR for the employer's E-Verify Company ID or look up the organization directly in the E-Verify database before signing an offer.
Target labs with existing I-983 infrastructure
Postdoc positions require a completed I-983 Training Plan connecting your research duties to your STEM degree. Principal investigators who have sponsored STEM OPT students before already know this process, which cuts your onboarding timeline significantly.
Use Migrate Mate to filter postdoc employers
Many postdoc listings don't specify E-Verify status or prior STEM OPT experience. Migrate Mate filters employers by verified E-Verify enrollment so you can focus your applications on institutions already equipped to hire you.
File your extension 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS allows STEM OPT extension applications starting 90 days before your current EAD end date. Filing early triggers cap-gap protection if your status bridges into an H-1B visa cycle, keeping your work authorization continuous without a gap.
Negotiate your offer letter before the I-983 is drafted
The I-983 must accurately reflect your actual duties, supervision structure, and how the work relates to your degree field. Nail down your title, department, and primary research responsibilities in the offer letter first so the training plan matches without revision requests from your DSO.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Postdoctoral Researcher role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, postdoctoral research positions qualify if your underlying degree appears on USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List and the work is directly related to that field. Most postdoc roles in biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and engineering satisfy this requirement. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying for the extension.
Are universities and research institutions enrolled in E-Verify?
Most universities and federally funded research institutions are enrolled in E-Verify, but enrollment isn't universal for every campus unit or affiliated research center. Always ask HR for confirmation of the employer's E-Verify Company ID before you accept an offer. Private institutes and nonprofits vary. Migrate Mate shows verified E-Verify enrollment status so you can screen employers before applying.
What goes into the I-983 Training Plan for a postdoc position?
The I-983 requires your employer to describe how your postdoctoral research duties connect to your STEM degree field, identify your supervising faculty member or PI, and outline learning objectives and evaluation timelines. Your DSO must sign off on the plan before your extension is approved. Any significant change in your research scope or supervisor requires a revised I-983 within five days.
Can I stay in status while transitioning between postdoc positions on STEM OPT?
You have a 10-day grace period between OPT-authorized positions, but you must maintain authorization continuously. If you're leaving one postdoc and starting another, coordinate the end date of the first position and start date of the second carefully. Report employer changes to your DSO immediately, as STEM OPT requires timely updates to SEVIS whenever your employment changes.
How does cap-gap protection work if my postdoc employer files an H-1B petition for me?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue your postdoctoral research uninterrupted during this period. Your DSO issues an updated I-20 confirming cap-gap status, which serves as your employment authorization evidence.