STEM OPT Research Assistant Jobs
Research Assistant roles at universities, government labs, and private R&D firms regularly hire STEM OPT students. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies if your degree CIP code aligns with the role, and every employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before your training plan is approved.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Assistant - Department of Pharmacology at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
JOB PURPOSE: Basic cancer research laboratory studying the role of extracellular proteases in tumor progression seeks qualified candidates for the position of Research Assistant.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Primary responsibilities include maintenance and analysis of various models of cancer. The candidate is expected to maintain records of the experimental procedures and to assist in general laboratory management and organization. This includes inventory management, equipment maintenance, and ordering.
This position is well-suited for a recent college graduate wanting hands-on research experience. The candidate will receive comprehensive training in all the procedures used in the laboratory.
UNIQUE DUTIES: Participation in all aspects of the research process which encompass various standard cellular/molecular biology/biochemistry techniques including cell culture, siRNA knockdown, immunofluorescence staining, molecular cloning, PCR, western blotting, and data analysis.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, or related discipline.
Experience: Prior lab experience with routine molecular biology and/or biochemical techniques required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Strong written and verbal communications skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Time-management skills, organization skills, experience with data analysis programs. Experience with tissue culture is a plus. Experience with laboratory animal work an advantage. Salary based on experience and qualifications. Position is open now and until filled.
SCHOOL/COLLEGE/DIVISION: H06 - School of Medicine
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT: H0602 - Pharmacology
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Research
FUNDING/SALARY INFORMATION:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Hourly rate:
- Salary minimum: TBD
- Salary hire maximum: TBD
WORKING CONDITIONS: Typical work environment may include a laboratory and/or office environment. May require working non-standard business hours including evenings and weekends. May be required to travel to scientific conferences.
JOB OPENINGS:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
- Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
- Prior posting/requisition number:
BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS: University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
Wayne State University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, height, weight, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The university welcomes applications from persons with disabilities and veterans. Wayne State is an equal opportunity employer.
INTRODUCTION
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Assistant - Department of Pharmacology at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
JOB PURPOSE: Basic cancer research laboratory studying the role of extracellular proteases in tumor progression seeks qualified candidates for the position of Research Assistant.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Primary responsibilities include maintenance and analysis of various models of cancer. The candidate is expected to maintain records of the experimental procedures and to assist in general laboratory management and organization. This includes inventory management, equipment maintenance, and ordering.
This position is well-suited for a recent college graduate wanting hands-on research experience. The candidate will receive comprehensive training in all the procedures used in the laboratory.
UNIQUE DUTIES: Participation in all aspects of the research process which encompass various standard cellular/molecular biology/biochemistry techniques including cell culture, siRNA knockdown, immunofluorescence staining, molecular cloning, PCR, western blotting, and data analysis.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, or related discipline.
Experience: Prior lab experience with routine molecular biology and/or biochemical techniques required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Strong written and verbal communications skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Time-management skills, organization skills, experience with data analysis programs. Experience with tissue culture is a plus. Experience with laboratory animal work an advantage. Salary based on experience and qualifications. Position is open now and until filled.
SCHOOL/COLLEGE/DIVISION: H06 - School of Medicine
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT: H0602 - Pharmacology
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Research
FUNDING/SALARY INFORMATION:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Hourly rate:
- Salary minimum: TBD
- Salary hire maximum: TBD
WORKING CONDITIONS: Typical work environment may include a laboratory and/or office environment. May require working non-standard business hours including evenings and weekends. May be required to travel to scientific conferences.
JOB OPENINGS:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
- Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
- Prior posting/requisition number:
BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS: University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
Wayne State University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, height, weight, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The university welcomes applications from persons with disabilities and veterans. Wayne State is an equal opportunity employer.
See all 246+ STEM OPT Research Assistant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Research Assistant
Verify your CIP code before applying
Pull your degree's CIP code from your I-20 and cross-reference it against USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List. A mismatch between your listed degree field and the research role's discipline is the most common reason DSOs reject STEM OPT extension requests.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask hiring managers for their E-Verify Company ID or search the E-Verify employer search portal directly. Research labs inside universities sometimes operate under a parent institution's enrollment, so clarify which legal entity is actually signing your I-983.
Target federal grant-funded labs for faster onboarding
NIH- and NSF-funded research positions at universities and nonprofit institutes almost always maintain active E-Verify enrollment because federal contracting requires it. Filtering your search by grant-funded employers cuts the E-Verify verification step down significantly.
Build your I-983 training plan around specific research tasks
USCIS requires your I-983 to list concrete learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. For Research Assistant roles, map each lab task, data analysis method, or instrumentation skill directly to a degree competency rather than submitting a generic job description.
Search Migrate Mate to find Research Assistant roles at E-Verify employers
Filter by STEM OPT on Migrate Mate to surface Research Assistant openings at employers already enrolled in E-Verify. This saves you from applying to positions where the sponsorship infrastructure isn't in place, which is a common source of offer-letter delays.
Use cap-gap protection if your OPT expires during H-1B transition
If you're moving from STEM OPT toward H-1B visa sponsorship and your EAD expires between April 1 and October 1, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization. Confirm your employer's I-129 was filed before your EAD end date so your research role doesn't have a gap in authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Research Assistant jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree's CIP code appears on USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List and the Research Assistant role requires you to apply knowledge from that field. Life sciences, computer science, engineering, and physical science degrees commonly qualify. Your DSO confirms the match when you apply for the 24-month extension through your school's SEVIS record. Roles that are purely administrative, even at research institutions, typically don't qualify.
How do I know if a research employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the hiring manager or HR contact for the employer's E-Verify Company ID before accepting an offer. You can also search the E-Verify employer search tool by employer name. For university-based Research Assistant positions, confirm whether the specific department or lab is covered under the university's master E-Verify account, since some satellite locations enroll separately. Your I-983 training plan cannot be approved without confirmed E-Verify enrollment.
What goes into an I-983 training plan for a Research Assistant role?
Your I-983 must describe how each research duty connects to your STEM degree's learning outcomes. List specific tasks such as data collection protocols, statistical analysis methods, or laboratory techniques, and tie each one to a competency from your degree program. USCIS reviews these plans for substance, so a generic job description copied from the posting won't satisfy the requirement. Your employer signs the form alongside your DSO, and you must update it if your duties change significantly.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my Research Assistant contract ends between April and September during an H-1B year?
Cap-gap protection extends your STEM OPT work authorization automatically if your employer filed an H-1B petition on your behalf before your EAD expiration date and you were selected in the lottery. Authorization continues until October 1, the H-1B start date, with no action required on your part. If the petition is withdrawn or denied, cap-gap protection ends and you must stop working. Confirm your employer filed before your EAD end date, not just before April 1.
Where can I find Research Assistant jobs that already support STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Research Assistant openings filtered for STEM OPT eligibility, so you can identify employers with active E-Verify enrollment without manually verifying each one. Federal grant-funded labs at universities and nonprofit research institutes are consistently strong options because federal contracting requirements push them to maintain E-Verify enrollment year-round. Prioritize employers who have onboarded STEM OPT students before, since they're familiar with the I-983 process and reporting timelines.