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 JobsPosition Overview & Responsibilities
The Pezza Lab is seeking a motivated Research Technician to support ongoing scientific projects. This role involves conducting routine laboratory procedures following standardized protocols, with supervision and training provided as needed. The technician will play a key role in supporting the team’s research objectives and, after appropriate training, is expected to take on the following responsibilities, which include but are not limited to:
- Perform routine laboratory procedures according to established protocols
- Record and report experimental results accurately
- Follow general instructions for routine tasks and detailed guidance for new assignments
- Operate under regular supervision while developing independence in routine work
- Collaborate with team members to help achieve overall lab goals
Minimum Qualifications
- BS/BA degree in one of the biological sciences, physics, chemistry or related area, or equivalent years of relevant lab experience. Plus minimum of 2 years of relevant lab experience
- Basic knowledge of routine technical and functional laboratory procedures
- Basic computer skills, including familiarity with:
- Internet software
- Order processing systems
- Microsoft Office software
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated ability to read and interpret instructions, brief correspondence, and memos
- Proficiency in performing basic mathematical calculations
- Sound judgment and problem-solving skills for following straightforward instructions
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when working with samples and chemicals
Work Hours
Typically, Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM.
OMRF Overview
Founded in 1946, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is among the nation’s oldest, most respected independent, nonprofit biomedical research institutes. OMRF is dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human diseases, focusing on critical research areas such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. OMRF follows an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to medical research and ranks among the nation’s leaders in patents per scientist.
Located in Oklahoma City, a city that offers a dynamic and flourishing downtown area, with low cost of living, short commute times and a diversified economy, OMRF has been voted one of the Top Workplaces since the inception of the award. This achievement has been accomplished thanks to OMRF individuals who share a unified understanding that our excellence can only be fully realized with a collective commitment to our mission, “. . . so that more may live longer, healthier lives.” Successful candidates will demonstrate commitment to this mission.
OMRF Benefits
We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits to full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision insurance, minimum 8% company retirement contribution, vacation and sick leave, and paid holidays. All employees have access to our onsite café, free onsite fitness center with access to personal trainer, free parking and much more! Relocation assistance available for those located 50 miles outside of Oklahoma City metro. Learn more about our benefits here.
OMRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Position Overview & Responsibilities
The Pezza Lab is seeking a motivated Research Technician to support ongoing scientific projects. This role involves conducting routine laboratory procedures following standardized protocols, with supervision and training provided as needed. The technician will play a key role in supporting the team’s research objectives and, after appropriate training, is expected to take on the following responsibilities, which include but are not limited to:
- Perform routine laboratory procedures according to established protocols
- Record and report experimental results accurately
- Follow general instructions for routine tasks and detailed guidance for new assignments
- Operate under regular supervision while developing independence in routine work
- Collaborate with team members to help achieve overall lab goals
Minimum Qualifications
- BS/BA degree in one of the biological sciences, physics, chemistry or related area, or equivalent years of relevant lab experience. Plus minimum of 2 years of relevant lab experience
- Basic knowledge of routine technical and functional laboratory procedures
- Basic computer skills, including familiarity with:
- Internet software
- Order processing systems
- Microsoft Office software
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated ability to read and interpret instructions, brief correspondence, and memos
- Proficiency in performing basic mathematical calculations
- Sound judgment and problem-solving skills for following straightforward instructions
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when working with samples and chemicals
Work Hours
Typically, Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM.
OMRF Overview
Founded in 1946, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is among the nation’s oldest, most respected independent, nonprofit biomedical research institutes. OMRF is dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human diseases, focusing on critical research areas such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. OMRF follows an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to medical research and ranks among the nation’s leaders in patents per scientist.
Located in Oklahoma City, a city that offers a dynamic and flourishing downtown area, with low cost of living, short commute times and a diversified economy, OMRF has been voted one of the Top Workplaces since the inception of the award. This achievement has been accomplished thanks to OMRF individuals who share a unified understanding that our excellence can only be fully realized with a collective commitment to our mission, “. . . so that more may live longer, healthier lives.” Successful candidates will demonstrate commitment to this mission.
OMRF Benefits
We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits to full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision insurance, minimum 8% company retirement contribution, vacation and sick leave, and paid holidays. All employees have access to our onsite café, free onsite fitness center with access to personal trainer, free parking and much more! Relocation assistance available for those located 50 miles outside of Oklahoma City metro. Learn more about our benefits here.
OMRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See all 3,354+ STEM OPT Research Jobs
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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.