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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Researcher 2
Department:
Arts and Sciences | Sociology
The Researcher 2 collaborates with the Departments of Sociology and Psychology to coordinate and manage the day-to-day operations of two survey research projects. This role supports all phases of the research lifecycle, including study design, IRB documentation, implementation, fieldwork management, and data preparation.
Key Responsibilities
Project Coordination & Study Implementation
- Coordinate and manage daily activities for multiple survey research projects.
- Assist with preparation and submission of IRB documentation.
- Collaborate with study teams on research design, methodology, and implementation.
- Participate in the development of study communications and outreach strategies.
Survey Programming & Data Collection
- Convert, program, and debug complex electronic questionnaires using specialized survey software.
- Manage field operations, including oversight of survey administration processes.
- Create and maintain dialing campaigns within call center software; serve as a subject matter resource for staff.
Field Staff Training & Supervision
- Develop training materials and conduct training sessions for field and telephone interviewers.
- Supervise field and office-based research interviewers, ensuring performance standards are met.
- Conduct interviewer quality assurance activities to maintain data integrity.
Respondent Engagement
- Initiate and manage communications with survey respondents (e.g., emails, text messages) to encourage participation.
- Support implementation of engagement strategies to improve response rates.
Data Management & Reporting
- Assist with variable creation, data cleaning, and reporting using statistical software packages.
- Track interviewer hours and monitor fielding budgets to ensure project efficiency.
Qualifications
- Experience with survey research methods and data collection.
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R) and survey programming tools.
- Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
- Experience supervising staff and managing field operations preferred.
Minimum Education Required
Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, Psychology or related field with 3 years of relevant research experience required; Master's Degree in Sociology, Psychology or a related field and/or six years of survey research equivalent experience.
Additional Education Desired
Considerable experience (six or more years) in a social science discipline and in conducting research. Six or more years of experience with programmed survey conversion and testing. Expertise in SAS or equivalent programming language (preferably SPSS or STATA). Ability to produce metrics and create variables. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
This is a part-time, limited term, 2 year position with a 55% FTE.
The range of offers for this position will be based on internal equity, the unit’s budget and the individual’s qualifications.
Additional Information:
Location:
Remote Location
Position Type:
Term (Fixed Term)
Scheduled Hours:
22
Shift:
Varying Shifts
Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.
Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
Job Title:
Researcher 2
Department:
Arts and Sciences | Sociology
The Researcher 2 collaborates with the Departments of Sociology and Psychology to coordinate and manage the day-to-day operations of two survey research projects. This role supports all phases of the research lifecycle, including study design, IRB documentation, implementation, fieldwork management, and data preparation.
Key Responsibilities
Project Coordination & Study Implementation
- Coordinate and manage daily activities for multiple survey research projects.
- Assist with preparation and submission of IRB documentation.
- Collaborate with study teams on research design, methodology, and implementation.
- Participate in the development of study communications and outreach strategies.
Survey Programming & Data Collection
- Convert, program, and debug complex electronic questionnaires using specialized survey software.
- Manage field operations, including oversight of survey administration processes.
- Create and maintain dialing campaigns within call center software; serve as a subject matter resource for staff.
Field Staff Training & Supervision
- Develop training materials and conduct training sessions for field and telephone interviewers.
- Supervise field and office-based research interviewers, ensuring performance standards are met.
- Conduct interviewer quality assurance activities to maintain data integrity.
Respondent Engagement
- Initiate and manage communications with survey respondents (e.g., emails, text messages) to encourage participation.
- Support implementation of engagement strategies to improve response rates.
Data Management & Reporting
- Assist with variable creation, data cleaning, and reporting using statistical software packages.
- Track interviewer hours and monitor fielding budgets to ensure project efficiency.
Qualifications
- Experience with survey research methods and data collection.
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R) and survey programming tools.
- Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
- Experience supervising staff and managing field operations preferred.
Minimum Education Required
Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, Psychology or related field with 3 years of relevant research experience required; Master's Degree in Sociology, Psychology or a related field and/or six years of survey research equivalent experience.
Additional Education Desired
Considerable experience (six or more years) in a social science discipline and in conducting research. Six or more years of experience with programmed survey conversion and testing. Expertise in SAS or equivalent programming language (preferably SPSS or STATA). Ability to produce metrics and create variables. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
This is a part-time, limited term, 2 year position with a 55% FTE.
The range of offers for this position will be based on internal equity, the unit’s budget and the individual’s qualifications.
Additional Information:
Location:
Remote Location
Position Type:
Term (Fixed Term)
Scheduled Hours:
22
Shift:
Varying Shifts
Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.
Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
See all 537+ 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.