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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Overview

Open Jobs5,155+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type89% On-site
Median Salary$81K
Top LocationBoston, MA
Most JobsIQVIA

Showing 5 of 5,155+ Research jobs

Stanford University
Researcher
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Stanford University
Added 4d ago
Researcher
Stanford University
Stanford, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
$32/hr - $38/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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OpenAI
Researcher
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OpenAI
Added 1w ago
Researcher
OpenAI
San Francisco, California
Research & Academia
Laboratory Research
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Data Science
$295,000/yr - $445,000/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Doctorate
51-200

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Microsoft
Researcher
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Microsoft
Added 1mo ago
Researcher
Microsoft
Redmond, Washington
Research & Academia
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Data Analytics
$119,800/yr - $304,200/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Doctorate
10,000+

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Penn State University
Researcher
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Penn State University
Added 1mo ago
Researcher
Penn State University
University Park, Pennsylvania
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

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Egon Zehnder
Researcher
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Egon Zehnder
Added 3mo ago
Researcher
Egon Zehnder
San Francisco, California
Partnerships & Business Development
Project & Program Management
Business Analysis
Business Development
Project Management
$85,000/yr - $95,000/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Tips 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 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.

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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.

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