STEM OPT Quality Control Microbiologist Jobs
Quality Control Microbiologist roles in pharmaceutical, biotech, and food manufacturing qualify for STEM OPT's 24-month extension when your degree is in microbiology, biology, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign your I-983 training plan before your extension begins.
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Get Access To All JobsJOB DETAILS:
- Position Title: QC Tech II
- Length of Contract: 1 Year
- Location/Site: 381 Plantation Street Worcester MA (ABC)
- 100% on site Sun-Wed and Wed-Sat, offsetting the two assignments. The first 6-12 weeks would be Monday-Friday because of training. 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Primary function would be to:
- Performs sample retain discard per GMP procedures.
- Performs routine Environmental Monitoring testing within a GMP environment.
- Performs Environmental Monitoring (EM) during a fill operation.
- Supports other lab associated functions.
- Perform test methods as written to support product/material release.
- Effectively perform a multitude of laboratory techniques with minimal error for which they will be trained on.
- Understand, implement, and maintain GMP with respect to laboratory records, procedures, and systems in accordance with procedural requirements.
- Accept responsibility to complete assigned tasks as committed.
- Support investigation writers and approvers to gather data.
- Trends data to support trend reports.
- Should be willing to work on weekends and holidays.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- QC Micro experience - Hands-on experience with lab testing and EM.
- Hands-on Aseptic Technique experience preferable.
- Hands-on working experience in Biosafety hoods preferable.
- Attention to detail while running assays/tasks in the lab and while performing EM is required.
- Should have good organizational skills, ability to prioritize workload and extremely thorough with excellent attention to detail.
- Should perform tasks with supervision guidance, taking responsibility for complying with GMP requirements.
- MUST be flexible working weekends and holidays.
- Strong interpersonal/communication skills.
- Maintaining good working relationships within and outside the department.
- Adjusting quickly to new situations.
- Reprioritizing to meet schedule demands in continually changing work environment.
- Knowledge with the LIMS system, specifically entering results is preferred.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of applicable regulations and standards affecting Pharmaceutical Products (e.g. USP, EP, JP pharmacopoeias, ICH guidelines, cGMP) is preferred.
- GMP and/or Clean-Room experience.
- Clean-Room Gowning Experience with cGMP documentation and record maintenance is required.
- Years of experience/education and/or certifications required: BS in Biology or other life science required.
TOP SKILLS:
- QC Micro experience - Hands-on experience with lab testing and EM.
- Attention to detail while running assays/tasks in the lab and while performing EM is required.
- Should have good organizational skills, ability to prioritize workload and extremely thorough with excellent attention to detail.
- Should perform tasks with supervision guidance, taking responsibility for complying with GMP requirements.
- MUST be flexible working weekends and holidays.
- Strong interpersonal/communication skills.
- Maintaining good working relationships within and outside the department.
- Adjusting quickly to new situations.
- Reprioritizing to meet schedule demands in continually changing work environment.
- Must be comfortable standing for most of their shift.
- Shuttling between Abbvie buildings is required.
- Also, must be flexible to work (some) weekends and holidays (pre-scheduled).
EEO:
Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of – Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans.
Thank You.
JOB DETAILS:
- Position Title: QC Tech II
- Length of Contract: 1 Year
- Location/Site: 381 Plantation Street Worcester MA (ABC)
- 100% on site Sun-Wed and Wed-Sat, offsetting the two assignments. The first 6-12 weeks would be Monday-Friday because of training. 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Primary function would be to:
- Performs sample retain discard per GMP procedures.
- Performs routine Environmental Monitoring testing within a GMP environment.
- Performs Environmental Monitoring (EM) during a fill operation.
- Supports other lab associated functions.
- Perform test methods as written to support product/material release.
- Effectively perform a multitude of laboratory techniques with minimal error for which they will be trained on.
- Understand, implement, and maintain GMP with respect to laboratory records, procedures, and systems in accordance with procedural requirements.
- Accept responsibility to complete assigned tasks as committed.
- Support investigation writers and approvers to gather data.
- Trends data to support trend reports.
- Should be willing to work on weekends and holidays.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- QC Micro experience - Hands-on experience with lab testing and EM.
- Hands-on Aseptic Technique experience preferable.
- Hands-on working experience in Biosafety hoods preferable.
- Attention to detail while running assays/tasks in the lab and while performing EM is required.
- Should have good organizational skills, ability to prioritize workload and extremely thorough with excellent attention to detail.
- Should perform tasks with supervision guidance, taking responsibility for complying with GMP requirements.
- MUST be flexible working weekends and holidays.
- Strong interpersonal/communication skills.
- Maintaining good working relationships within and outside the department.
- Adjusting quickly to new situations.
- Reprioritizing to meet schedule demands in continually changing work environment.
- Knowledge with the LIMS system, specifically entering results is preferred.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of applicable regulations and standards affecting Pharmaceutical Products (e.g. USP, EP, JP pharmacopoeias, ICH guidelines, cGMP) is preferred.
- GMP and/or Clean-Room experience.
- Clean-Room Gowning Experience with cGMP documentation and record maintenance is required.
- Years of experience/education and/or certifications required: BS in Biology or other life science required.
TOP SKILLS:
- QC Micro experience - Hands-on experience with lab testing and EM.
- Attention to detail while running assays/tasks in the lab and while performing EM is required.
- Should have good organizational skills, ability to prioritize workload and extremely thorough with excellent attention to detail.
- Should perform tasks with supervision guidance, taking responsibility for complying with GMP requirements.
- MUST be flexible working weekends and holidays.
- Strong interpersonal/communication skills.
- Maintaining good working relationships within and outside the department.
- Adjusting quickly to new situations.
- Reprioritizing to meet schedule demands in continually changing work environment.
- Must be comfortable standing for most of their shift.
- Shuttling between Abbvie buildings is required.
- Also, must be flexible to work (some) weekends and holidays (pre-scheduled).
EEO:
Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of – Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans.
Thank You.
See all STEM OPT Quality Control Microbiologist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Quality Control Microbiologist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code determines STEM OPT eligibility. Microbiology (26.0503), biology (26.0101), and biochemistry (26.0202) all qualify. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before targeting roles to avoid authorization gaps.
Check E-Verify status before accepting offers
STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension is approved. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name to confirm enrollment. Pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers typically enroll, but contract labs and smaller testing firms often don't.
Tailor your I-983 to QC microbiology duties
Your training plan must list specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just job duties. Map tasks like sterility testing, environmental monitoring, and method validation directly to the scientific skills your degree program covered.
Target employers with active LCA filings for your role
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified DOL Labor Condition Application history for microbiologist and life sciences roles, so you focus your applications on companies already familiar with work authorization requirements for STEM graduates.
Research prevailing wages before negotiating
Your offer must meet or exceed the DOL prevailing wage for your role and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up wage levels for your specific occupation code before negotiating salary, so you can identify whether an offer is compliant.
Time your extension application around GMP facility timelines
STEM OPT extension applications must be filed with USCIS at least 90 days before your initial OPT end date. GMP-regulated employers in pharma and food processing often require lengthy onboarding and background checks, so account for that lead time in your start date negotiations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a microbiology or biology degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as a Quality Control Microbiologist?
Yes, if your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM OPT designated degree program list. Microbiology (26.0503), biochemistry (26.0202), and biology (26.0101) all qualify. Your DSO can confirm your exact CIP code. The job title itself doesn't determine eligibility, your degree field does, so verify the code before you apply for the extension.
Is E-Verify enrollment required for my QC Microbiologist employer, and how do I check?
Yes. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before USCIS can approve your STEM OPT extension. You can search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name to confirm enrollment status. Large pharmaceutical manufacturers and contract research organizations typically comply, but smaller clinical labs and independent testing facilities may not be enrolled.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Quality Control Microbiologist role?
Your I-983 must describe specific learning objectives that connect your daily QC duties to the STEM knowledge from your degree. For this role, relevant objectives include applying microbiological testing methods, interpreting out-of-specification results, and developing competency in Good Manufacturing Practice protocols. Generic job descriptions won't satisfy USCIS, each objective should name a concrete skill tied to your academic training.
Can I stay authorized if my STEM OPT extension is pending when my initial OPT expires?
Yes, if you filed your extension application before your initial OPT EAD expired. USCIS provides a 180-day cap-gap period that maintains your work authorization while the extension is pending. You must remain employed with the same E-Verify-enrolled employer during this period. Switching employers while in cap-gap status is not permitted and could interrupt your authorization.
Where can I find Quality Control Microbiologist jobs from employers who understand STEM OPT requirements?
Migrate Mate lists Quality Control Microbiologist positions from employers with verified DOL LCA filing history, so you can identify companies already experienced with work authorization for STEM graduates. Filtering by E-Verify enrollment status and STEM-relevant occupation codes before applying saves time and reduces the risk of accepting an offer from an employer who can't support your extension.