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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INTRODUCTION
The Lemuel Shattuck Hospital (LSH), operated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking a dynamic and experienced Microbiologist II. In this vital leadership and technical role, you will oversee and support daily laboratory operations, the performance of Microbiologist I staff and the weekend Laboratory Technician I, and ensure the delivery of accurate, high-quality laboratory services. The Microbiologist II performs a wide range of hematology, chemistry, bacteriology, specimen processing, and phlebotomy procedures for young adult, adult, and geriatric patients with chronic medical and/or mental health conditions, as well as hospital employees. This position also carries responsibility for assigned laboratory departments, including quality control monitoring, corrective action tracking, equipment maintenance, policy and procedure management, safety compliance, and effective use of the Laboratory Information System (LIS). Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary healthcare environment, the Microbiologist II serves as a key resource for laboratory staff and assumes supervisory responsibility during the absence or unavailability of the Laboratory Supervisor. Participation in an every-fourth-weekend schedule and rotating holiday coverage is required.
Please note: 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday, Saturday Sunday off, with weekend and holiday rotation.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Oversee laboratory operations and supervise Microbiologist I staff in the absence of laboratory supervisors.
- Identify training needs, provide staff training, and support onboarding of new laboratory personnel.
- Perform clinical laboratory testing across Blood Bank, Hematology, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Coagulation, Microbiology, and Serology.
- Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation, including analyzers, microscopes, incubators, and related equipment.
- Rotate through all laboratory disciplines as required to support operational needs.
- Perform phlebotomy and assist with bone marrow slide preparation when needed.
- Provide guidance on specimen collection, handling, transport, and referral testing procedures.
- Accurately record, interpret, and communicate laboratory results to medical and nursing staff.
- Perform and oversee quality control, calibration, preventive maintenance, proficiency testing, and troubleshooting activities.
- Prepare reagents, controls, calibrators, and other materials required for laboratory testing.
- Review quality control data and ensure corrective actions are implemented when necessary.
- Assist with the development, validation, and implementation of new testing methodologies and laboratory systems.
- Support staff competency assessments and ongoing performance evaluations.
- Maintain laboratory inventory and ensure adequate supplies are available.
- Collect, analyze, and report laboratory statistics, quality assurance indicators, and performance metrics.
- Manage assigned laboratory sections, including policy and procedure maintenance, quality documentation, maintenance records, and corrective action tracking.
- Maintain a safe work environment by following established safety protocols, infection prevention practices, and regulatory requirements.
- Ensure compliance with all laboratory policies, procedures, accreditation standards, and regulatory guidelines.
- Foster positive working relationships and contribute to a collaborative team environment.
- Participate in weekend, holiday, and off-shift coverage as required to meet operational needs.
- Attend professional development activities to remain current with advances in laboratory science and best practices.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrates knowledge of the principles and theories of microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology.
- Applies knowledge of microbiological, immunological, and molecular biology techniques, including microbial culture, biochemical testing, serology, sequencing, and nucleic acid-based detection assays.
- Maintains understanding of quality assurance practices in a diagnostic laboratory setting, including equipment maintenance, proficiency testing, method validation, staff competency assessment, and adherence to standard operating procedures.
- Performs laboratory calculations, measurements, and unit conversions with accuracy.
- Upholds knowledge of professional ethics, laboratory safety, and applicable rules of conduct.
- Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, and prepares clear, concise technical reports.
- Works independently and collaboratively by following work instructions and established procedures.
- Ensures compliance with laboratory certification, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.
- Utilizes computer applications for research, database management, data analysis, and document preparation.
- Coordinates microbiological specimen handling, storage, retention, and the packaging and shipment of infectious substances.
- Provides clear oral and written instructions and delivers effective presentations.
- Interprets technical manuals, scientific literature, and other professional reference materials to support laboratory operations.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Thorough knowledge of laboratory techniques, procedures and policies at Tewksbury Hospital.
- Sensitivity to and knowledge of the specific needs of young adults, adults and geriatric adults with chronic medical and/or mental illness.
- Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of supervision.
ABOUT THE LEMUEL SHATTUCK HOSPITAL:
Lemuel Shattuck Hospital is a fully Joint Commission accredited teaching facility that provides acute, subacute, and ambulatory care to patients referred by public agencies and private sector providers. Shattuck Hospital’s services help economically and socially disadvantaged patients to get high quality, cost-effective care from a staff that respects their dignity.
Located in the heart of Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, the Shattuck Hospital includes 248 inpatient beds including 95 Psychiatric beds and 29 Correctional Health beds.
In addition, the Shattuck has a full outpatient clinic with many specialties that offers treatment to patients of the Department of Mental Health as well as Department of Correction and House of Correction inmates and community patients.
The Shattuck hospital is on the forefront of substance use disorder treatment including a Suboxone clinic serving 200 patients. In addition to direct medical services LSH hosts and supports an array of services located on the campus, serving patients struggling with addictions and homelessness.
PRE-OFFER PROCESS:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.
ADA REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. #4
QUALIFICATIONS
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have (A) at least three (3) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or academic research experience in microbiology, molecular biology, or medical laboratory technology, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Based on assignment, applicants must meet related Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) requirements for High Complexity Testing. Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in microbiology, molecular biology, biology, medical laboratory technology, or equivalent scientific field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
II. A Master's degree or higher with a major in microbiology, molecular biology, biology or equivalent scientific field may be substituted for the required experience.
Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.
COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
LOCATION
Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-170 Morton Street
JOB
Job: Science
AGENCY
Agency: Department of Public Health
SCHEDULE
Schedule: Full-time
SHIFT
Shift: Day
JOB POSTING
Job Posting: Sep 18, 2026, 3:48:07 PM
NUMBER OF OPENINGS
Number of Openings: 1
SALARY
Salary: 77,228.06 - 113,574.50 Yearly
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Sandra.C.Semedo@mass.gov - 6173524250
Bargaining Unit: 09-MOSES - Engineers/Scientists
Confidential: Yes
Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: No
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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.