STEM OPT Research Jobs
Research roles at universities, national labs, and biotech firms regularly hire STEM OPT students with degrees in life sciences, engineering, computer science, and related fields. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your role directly uses your STEM degree.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The New England Centenarian Study and Long Life Family Study, based at Boston University School of Medicine seeks a Research Specialist (RS) to be responsible for collection and management of study participant data. This position will work both independently and as a member of a team to collect clinical data from study participants ages 18 to 110+ years during in-person home visits, telephone, and video visits.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Research Specialist will receive standardized training in conducting and scoring the following measures and will work toward certification in these measures in order to perform them independently. The Research Specialist will be trained and certified in administration of the neuropsychological assessment, Short Physical Performance Battery, vitals and anthropometry assessment, neuromotor exam, carotid ultrasound, blood sample processing, phlebotomy, and video visit administration and technical troubleshooting, as needed by the study.
- Obtain vital signs measures
- Conduct cognitive testing
- Perform carotid ultrasounds
- Administer physical function assessments
- Troubleshoot technology
- Draw blood, if interested, or coordinate phlebotomy and stool collection with lab agencies
After each visit, the research specialist will score the cognitive data, process digital cognitive and physical function data and will assist with periodic data quality control efforts. The RS receives a list of data that have been flagged for review. The RS determines whether follow-up questions are required from the participant and collects the necessary information to resolve the error, whether the data were entered incorrectly, or whether the flagged values are valid data outside the typical range. Additionally, the RS will obtain annual follow-up data via mailed and telephone-administered questionnaires.
LOCATION
The position is located in Boston, MA.
SCHEDULE
Schedule is Monday-Friday, typically 9:00am-5:00pm but varies depending on daily schedule to accommodate participants. Occasional Saturdays required (3-4 in Spring and 3-4 in Fall). Travel to participants' homes to conduct offsite examinations and coordination of travel logistics for multiple visits may be required.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years of experience to the requirements.
- Previous phlebotomy experience is highly desirable though willingness to take part in a phlebotomy course to learn these skills is also acceptable.
- Spanish fluency is a plus.
The RS works one-on-one with participants without supervision to perform assessments and collect data. The RS independently determines the best engagement methods to achieve the participant's maximal performance while ensuring their safety and gauges the participant's stamina and effort to determine when to terminate the assessments.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
INTRODUCTION
The New England Centenarian Study and Long Life Family Study, based at Boston University School of Medicine seeks a Research Specialist (RS) to be responsible for collection and management of study participant data. This position will work both independently and as a member of a team to collect clinical data from study participants ages 18 to 110+ years during in-person home visits, telephone, and video visits.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Research Specialist will receive standardized training in conducting and scoring the following measures and will work toward certification in these measures in order to perform them independently. The Research Specialist will be trained and certified in administration of the neuropsychological assessment, Short Physical Performance Battery, vitals and anthropometry assessment, neuromotor exam, carotid ultrasound, blood sample processing, phlebotomy, and video visit administration and technical troubleshooting, as needed by the study.
- Obtain vital signs measures
- Conduct cognitive testing
- Perform carotid ultrasounds
- Administer physical function assessments
- Troubleshoot technology
- Draw blood, if interested, or coordinate phlebotomy and stool collection with lab agencies
After each visit, the research specialist will score the cognitive data, process digital cognitive and physical function data and will assist with periodic data quality control efforts. The RS receives a list of data that have been flagged for review. The RS determines whether follow-up questions are required from the participant and collects the necessary information to resolve the error, whether the data were entered incorrectly, or whether the flagged values are valid data outside the typical range. Additionally, the RS will obtain annual follow-up data via mailed and telephone-administered questionnaires.
LOCATION
The position is located in Boston, MA.
SCHEDULE
Schedule is Monday-Friday, typically 9:00am-5:00pm but varies depending on daily schedule to accommodate participants. Occasional Saturdays required (3-4 in Spring and 3-4 in Fall). Travel to participants' homes to conduct offsite examinations and coordination of travel logistics for multiple visits may be required.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years of experience to the requirements.
- Previous phlebotomy experience is highly desirable though willingness to take part in a phlebotomy course to learn these skills is also acceptable.
- Spanish fluency is a plus.
The RS works one-on-one with participants without supervision to perform assessments and collect data. The RS independently determines the best engagement methods to achieve the participant's maximal performance while ensuring their safety and gauges the participant's stamina and effort to determine when to terminate the assessments.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Research
Verify your degree's CIP code eligibility
Cross-check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the USCIS STEM OPT designated degree list before applying. Research roles often require a direct field match, and a misaligned CIP code can disqualify your extension even if your title fits.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask the hiring manager or HR team to confirm active E-Verify participation before you sign anything. Federal contractors and university research labs are common employers here, but enrollment status can lapse, so verify it directly rather than assuming.
Target federally funded research institutions first
National labs, NIH-funded university departments, and NSF grant recipients are required to use E-Verify as federal contractors. Prioritizing these employers removes one layer of uncertainty from your STEM OPT extension eligibility from the start.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for E-Verify research employers
Search Research roles on Migrate Mate to surface employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and active STEM OPT hiring history. Filtering by employer verification status saves you from chasing postings at organizations that can't support your extension.
Build your I-983 training plan around your research duties
Your I-983 must map specific research tasks to your STEM degree's learning objectives. Work with your DSO and PI to document how bench work, data analysis, or field research directly applies your coursework, since vague descriptions are a common cause of SEVIS complications.
Track your cap-gap window if transitioning to H-1B
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your OPT expires, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization through September 30. Confirm with USCIS that your petition was received and your EAD reflects the cap-gap period before continuing to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all research employers qualify for STEM OPT?
No. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to qualify as a STEM OPT training site, regardless of their size or sector. University research departments, private biotech firms, and government contractors all need active E-Verify participation. Ask HR to confirm enrollment status before you accept an offer, since a lapsed enrollment invalidates your extension.
Which STEM degrees qualify for OPT extension in research roles?
Your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code must appear on the USCIS STEM OPT designated degree list. Degrees in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, and data science typically qualify. The match is made at the degree level, not the job title, so confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying to research positions.
What goes into an I-983 training plan for a research role?
Your I-983 must describe how the research work directly applies and develops the knowledge from your STEM degree. For research positions, this means documenting specific methodologies, equipment, or analytical techniques you'll use and connecting each to learning objectives. Both you and your supervisor sign it, and your DSO must review it before USCIS processes your extension application.
Can I work at a university lab or national lab on STEM OPT?
Yes, provided the institution is enrolled in E-Verify. Federal grant recipients and national labs operated under DOE or NIH contracts are typically required to participate in E-Verify, making them common STEM OPT employers. Confirm active enrollment with HR rather than assuming institutional status guarantees compliance.
How do I find research jobs that support STEM OPT?
Search Migrate Mate to browse research positions at employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and a history of hiring STEM OPT students. Filtering by OPT-supporting employers at the start saves significant time compared to screening postings individually. Once you identify a role, verify E-Verify status directly with the employer's HR team before applying.