STEM OPT Research And Development Engineer Jobs
Research and Development Engineer roles sit squarely within STEM OPT eligibility, giving you up to 24 months of extended work authorization beyond your initial OPT period. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your STEM degree must align with the role's CIP code. That's 36 months total to build your R&D career in the U.S.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Napierala Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to innovative translational and basic science research focused on developing therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders. Research areas include gene regulation, repeat instability, mitochondrial fitness and function, neuronal development and activity, and biomarker discovery. The laboratory utilizes a wide range of experimental approaches, including induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models, mouse models, genome editing, next-generation sequencing, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. The successful candidate will participate in NIH-funded projects supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), including investigations into the impact of somatic repeat expansion on neurodegenerative phenotypes, the molecular mechanisms underlying somatic instability of repetitive DNA sequences, and the role of repeat tract interruptions in cellular and tissue-level disease processes.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing novel research methods
- Conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments
- Planning and managing research projects
- Interpreting data
- Preparing presentations and peer-reviewed publications
- Contributing to grant applications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must hold a recent PhD and/or MD degree. Experience in mammalian cell culture or working with mouse models of neurological disorders, along with proficiency in basic molecular biology techniques leading to publication in peer-reviewed journals is desired. The selected candidate will join a dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced research environment, working closely with Dr. Napierala and other members of the laboratory while also contributing independently to ongoing and new research projects.
LOCATION
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
INTRODUCTION
The Napierala Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to innovative translational and basic science research focused on developing therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders. Research areas include gene regulation, repeat instability, mitochondrial fitness and function, neuronal development and activity, and biomarker discovery. The laboratory utilizes a wide range of experimental approaches, including induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models, mouse models, genome editing, next-generation sequencing, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. The successful candidate will participate in NIH-funded projects supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), including investigations into the impact of somatic repeat expansion on neurodegenerative phenotypes, the molecular mechanisms underlying somatic instability of repetitive DNA sequences, and the role of repeat tract interruptions in cellular and tissue-level disease processes.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing novel research methods
- Conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments
- Planning and managing research projects
- Interpreting data
- Preparing presentations and peer-reviewed publications
- Contributing to grant applications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must hold a recent PhD and/or MD degree. Experience in mammalian cell culture or working with mouse models of neurological disorders, along with proficiency in basic molecular biology techniques leading to publication in peer-reviewed journals is desired. The selected candidate will join a dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced research environment, working closely with Dr. Napierala and other members of the laboratory while also contributing independently to ongoing and new research projects.
LOCATION
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
See all 457+ STEM OPT Research And Development Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Research And Development Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Cross-reference your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Engineering disciplines like mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering qualify, but your transcript's field designation must match exactly.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment during screening
Ask recruiters directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before your first interview. R&D labs at universities and nonprofits sometimes lack enrollment, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers regardless of how well the role fits.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan details
Your I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to your R&D project scope. Push your hiring manager to define measurable engineering outcomes in the plan, not just your job title. Vague plans invite DSO rejection and delay your extension filing.
Use OFLC Wage Search to anchor salary discussions
Look up the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location using OFLC Wage Search before negotiating your offer. R&D Engineer roles span multiple wage levels, and knowing the DOL benchmark prevents you from accepting below the employer's LCA certification threshold.
Search Migrate Mate for R&D employers with OPT history
Filter your job search on Migrate Mate to surface companies with verified STEM OPT hiring history in R&D engineering. Targeting employers who have sponsored OPT students before cuts the time you spend educating HR on E-Verify and training plan requirements.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT ends
USCIS requires your extension application to be received before your initial OPT expires. Submit your I-765 to USCIS at least 90 days early so a pending receipt notice covers any gap if your card hasn't arrived by your end date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research and Development Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree falls under a DHS-designated STEM field and the role uses that technical training directly. Engineering disciplines including mechanical, electrical, biomedical, chemical, and computer engineering qualify. Your DSO will verify that your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List before recommending the extension on your I-20.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my STEM OPT employer?
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify at the worksite where you'll perform your R&D work. Enrollment at a parent company's headquarters doesn't automatically cover a subsidiary or separate facility. Verify the specific site's E-Verify status before accepting an offer. If the employer isn't enrolled, they must enroll before USCIS will approve your STEM OPT extension.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for an R&D engineering position?
Your I-983 must describe the practical training objectives tied to your specific R&D projects, the supervision structure, and how the work connects to your STEM degree. Generic job descriptions aren't sufficient. USCIS expects measurable learning outcomes, such as developing proficiency in specific testing methodologies or design software. Your DSO and employer both sign the form, and your employer must submit a formal evaluation every six months.
How does cap-gap protection work if I'm waiting on an H-1B decision?
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your OPT or STEM OPT expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as an R&D Engineer during this period. If your H-1B is selected and approved, your status transitions on October 1. USCIS confirmation of the timely-filed petition serves as your authorization to continue working.
Where can I find Research and Development Engineer jobs that accept STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters R&D engineering roles by employers enrolled in E-Verify and with a track record of hiring STEM OPT students. You can search by location, engineering discipline, and company type to focus your applications on employers already familiar with the training plan and extension process, which shortens your path from offer to approved work authorization.