STEM OPT Research Associate Jobs
Research Associate roles in labs, biotech firms, and universities are a strong fit for STEM OPT students. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, and employers must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you. A STEM degree in life sciences, chemistry, biology, or a related field satisfies the CIP code eligibility requirement.
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Get Access To All JobsJob ID 20176
Location Los Angeles, California, United States
Job Category Academic / Research
Date posted 09/18/2026
Job Description
Principal Investigator, Ivan Vujkovic-Cvijin, PhD, is looking for a Research Associate to join the team!
The Vujkovic-Cvijin Lab investigates how human gut microbes influence inflammatory diseases. Research in the lab is focused on integration of omics technologies and lies at the intersection of immunology, microbiology and computational biology. The gut microbiota—the community of bacteria, fungi, viruses and protists that inhabit our intestines—has a profound impact on the way our body functions. The primary goal of my lab is to better understand how these microbes affect us, and to harness that relationship for improving human health. We use microbiology, immunology, ecology and data science techniques to identify microbes that spur inflammation, and in turn, devise ways of therapeutically targeting them for clinical benefit. To learn more, please visit Vujkovic-Cvijin Research Lab | Cedars-Sinai.
The Vujkovic-Cvijin Laboratory exists within the Cedars-Sinai Inflammatory Bowel and Immunology Research Institute (IBIRI), which focuses on chronic inflammatory conditions of the intestines, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The gastroenterology and gastrointestinal (GI) surgery program at Cedars-Sinai is the No. 2 program nationwide, facilitating state-of-the-art science aimed at understanding human gastrointestinal medical conditions.
Are you ready to be a part of breakthrough research?
Working under direct supervision, the Research Associate I performs a variety of routine experimental protocols and procedures to support the objectives of one or more laboratory research projects in a specific area of research. Assists in general laboratory activities, including maintenance of reagents and stocking of supplies. Files and monitors documents. Keeps accurate and detailed records of experiments and results. Assists in the operation of specialized equipment and machinery. Observes safety standards and procedures. The Research Assistant I will be able to perform routine cellular, micro- and molecular biology procedures. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Performs a variety of routine laboratory tasks and procedures.
- Keeps accurate and detailed project records of experiments and results.
- May assist with animal husbandry.
- Maintains lab equipment and related records.
- Transports, processes and logs samples.
- Maintains computer database with relevant clinical information.
- Performs lab maintenance duties, including glassware cleaning and sterilization.
- Maintains stocks of general lab materials, and places orders for lab equipment and supplies.
- Assists new students and fellows at the laboratory.
- Assists in the operation of specialized equipment and machinery.
- Observes and complies with safety standards and procedures.
Department-Specific Responsibilities:
- Collaborates to problem solve and make decisions to achieve desired outcomes.
- Establishes effective working relationships with cross-functional team(s).
- Responds promptly, effectively, and appropriately to deliverables.
- Shares knowledge, time, and expertise to assist other members of the team.
- Maintains detailed, organized, and accurate laboratory records.
- Assists with instrument validation/service and maintenance purchase orders as needed.
- Assists with issues concerning the lab space including coordinating repairs to equipment and space.
- Places orders for lab supplies, general and researcher-specific.
- Aids in maintaining contact with vendors to ensure availability and best cost for equipment or supplies needed by the group.
- Coordinates biowaste pickup, anaerobic gas, liquid nitrogen, and CO2 delivery/pickup.
- Assist researchers with glass washing, autoclaving, and miscellaneous lab duties.
- Will be a point of contact for all freezer alarms and system monitoring.
- Assists in annual and semiannual maintenance for equipment (PCR machines).
- Provide entry into the space for any visitors and or repairs needed.
Assist new Research Fellows and/or Research Scientists with day-to-day lab operations and procedures.
Qualifications
Education:
- Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a science-related field.
Experience & Skills:
- Understanding of general research objectives. Familiar with routine laboratory procedures and experimental protocols.
- Must be highly motivated, detail-oriented, and able to demonstrate problem-solving skills and recommend solutions.
- Working knowledge of database management, personal computers, and presentation and imaging software.
- Must possess computer skills including, but not limited to, Excel and Word.
- Must have outstanding interpersonal, communication, and organization skills and the ability to work across company disciplines and functional units.
About us
Cedars-Sinai is a leader in providing high-quality healthcare encompassing primary care, specialized medicine and research. Since 1902, Cedars-Sinai has evolved to meet the needs of one of the most diverse regions in the nation, setting standards in quality and innovative patient care, research, teaching and community service. Today, Cedars-Sinai is known for its national leadership in transforming healthcare for the benefit of patients. Cedars-Sinai impacts the future of healthcare by developing new approaches to treatment and educating tomorrow's health professionals. Additionally, Cedars-Sinai demonstrates a commitment to the community through programs that improve the health of its most vulnerable residents.
About the Team
Cedars-Sinai is one of the largest nonprofit academic medical centers in the U.S., with 915 licensed beds, 2,993 physicians, 4,700+ nurses and thousands of other healthcare professionals and staff. Choose this if you want to work in a fast-paced environment that offers the highest level of care to people in the Los Angeles that need our care the most.
Req ID 20176
Working Title Research Associate I - Immunology - Vujkovic-Cvijin Lab
Department Research - Digestive and Liver Diseases
Business Entity Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Job Category Academic / Research
Job Specialty Research Studies/ Clin Trial
Overtime Status NONEXEMPT
Primary Shift Day
Shift Duration 8 hour
Base Pay $25.00 - $30.46
Diversity and Inclusion at Cedars-Sinai
We are caretakers and innovators committed to the pursuit of equitable healthcare. But health equity is not possible without representation. Our commitment to diversity goes beyond demographics or checking boxes. Our people must reflect the diverse identities, experiences and geographies of the communities and patients we serve – because that’s what our patients, colleagues and communities deserve Quality Care and Research—For All, By All.
Cedars-Sinai is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Cedars-Sinai does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of the race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics or any genetic information), marital status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age (40 or older), military and/or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal or state law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at Applicant_Accommodation@cshs.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
Cedars-Sinai will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
At Cedars-Sinai, we are dedicated to the safety, health and wellbeing of our patients and employees. This includes protecting our patients from communicable diseases, such as influenza (flu). For this reason, we require that all new employees receive a flu vaccine based on the seasonal availability of flu vaccine (typically during September through April each year) as a condition of employment, and annually thereafter as a condition of continued employment, subject to medical exemption or religious accommodation. For the same reason, you may also be required to receive other vaccines as a condition of employment. Cedars-Sinai reserves the right to make modifications to its required list of vaccines as required by law and/or policy.
Job ID 20176
Location Los Angeles, California, United States
Job Category Academic / Research
Date posted 09/18/2026
Job Description
Principal Investigator, Ivan Vujkovic-Cvijin, PhD, is looking for a Research Associate to join the team!
The Vujkovic-Cvijin Lab investigates how human gut microbes influence inflammatory diseases. Research in the lab is focused on integration of omics technologies and lies at the intersection of immunology, microbiology and computational biology. The gut microbiota—the community of bacteria, fungi, viruses and protists that inhabit our intestines—has a profound impact on the way our body functions. The primary goal of my lab is to better understand how these microbes affect us, and to harness that relationship for improving human health. We use microbiology, immunology, ecology and data science techniques to identify microbes that spur inflammation, and in turn, devise ways of therapeutically targeting them for clinical benefit. To learn more, please visit Vujkovic-Cvijin Research Lab | Cedars-Sinai.
The Vujkovic-Cvijin Laboratory exists within the Cedars-Sinai Inflammatory Bowel and Immunology Research Institute (IBIRI), which focuses on chronic inflammatory conditions of the intestines, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The gastroenterology and gastrointestinal (GI) surgery program at Cedars-Sinai is the No. 2 program nationwide, facilitating state-of-the-art science aimed at understanding human gastrointestinal medical conditions.
Are you ready to be a part of breakthrough research?
Working under direct supervision, the Research Associate I performs a variety of routine experimental protocols and procedures to support the objectives of one or more laboratory research projects in a specific area of research. Assists in general laboratory activities, including maintenance of reagents and stocking of supplies. Files and monitors documents. Keeps accurate and detailed records of experiments and results. Assists in the operation of specialized equipment and machinery. Observes safety standards and procedures. The Research Assistant I will be able to perform routine cellular, micro- and molecular biology procedures. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Performs a variety of routine laboratory tasks and procedures.
- Keeps accurate and detailed project records of experiments and results.
- May assist with animal husbandry.
- Maintains lab equipment and related records.
- Transports, processes and logs samples.
- Maintains computer database with relevant clinical information.
- Performs lab maintenance duties, including glassware cleaning and sterilization.
- Maintains stocks of general lab materials, and places orders for lab equipment and supplies.
- Assists new students and fellows at the laboratory.
- Assists in the operation of specialized equipment and machinery.
- Observes and complies with safety standards and procedures.
Department-Specific Responsibilities:
- Collaborates to problem solve and make decisions to achieve desired outcomes.
- Establishes effective working relationships with cross-functional team(s).
- Responds promptly, effectively, and appropriately to deliverables.
- Shares knowledge, time, and expertise to assist other members of the team.
- Maintains detailed, organized, and accurate laboratory records.
- Assists with instrument validation/service and maintenance purchase orders as needed.
- Assists with issues concerning the lab space including coordinating repairs to equipment and space.
- Places orders for lab supplies, general and researcher-specific.
- Aids in maintaining contact with vendors to ensure availability and best cost for equipment or supplies needed by the group.
- Coordinates biowaste pickup, anaerobic gas, liquid nitrogen, and CO2 delivery/pickup.
- Assist researchers with glass washing, autoclaving, and miscellaneous lab duties.
- Will be a point of contact for all freezer alarms and system monitoring.
- Assists in annual and semiannual maintenance for equipment (PCR machines).
- Provide entry into the space for any visitors and or repairs needed.
Assist new Research Fellows and/or Research Scientists with day-to-day lab operations and procedures.
Qualifications
Education:
- Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a science-related field.
Experience & Skills:
- Understanding of general research objectives. Familiar with routine laboratory procedures and experimental protocols.
- Must be highly motivated, detail-oriented, and able to demonstrate problem-solving skills and recommend solutions.
- Working knowledge of database management, personal computers, and presentation and imaging software.
- Must possess computer skills including, but not limited to, Excel and Word.
- Must have outstanding interpersonal, communication, and organization skills and the ability to work across company disciplines and functional units.
About us
Cedars-Sinai is a leader in providing high-quality healthcare encompassing primary care, specialized medicine and research. Since 1902, Cedars-Sinai has evolved to meet the needs of one of the most diverse regions in the nation, setting standards in quality and innovative patient care, research, teaching and community service. Today, Cedars-Sinai is known for its national leadership in transforming healthcare for the benefit of patients. Cedars-Sinai impacts the future of healthcare by developing new approaches to treatment and educating tomorrow's health professionals. Additionally, Cedars-Sinai demonstrates a commitment to the community through programs that improve the health of its most vulnerable residents.
About the Team
Cedars-Sinai is one of the largest nonprofit academic medical centers in the U.S., with 915 licensed beds, 2,993 physicians, 4,700+ nurses and thousands of other healthcare professionals and staff. Choose this if you want to work in a fast-paced environment that offers the highest level of care to people in the Los Angeles that need our care the most.
Req ID 20176
Working Title Research Associate I - Immunology - Vujkovic-Cvijin Lab
Department Research - Digestive and Liver Diseases
Business Entity Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Job Category Academic / Research
Job Specialty Research Studies/ Clin Trial
Overtime Status NONEXEMPT
Primary Shift Day
Shift Duration 8 hour
Base Pay $25.00 - $30.46
Diversity and Inclusion at Cedars-Sinai
We are caretakers and innovators committed to the pursuit of equitable healthcare. But health equity is not possible without representation. Our commitment to diversity goes beyond demographics or checking boxes. Our people must reflect the diverse identities, experiences and geographies of the communities and patients we serve – because that’s what our patients, colleagues and communities deserve Quality Care and Research—For All, By All.
Cedars-Sinai is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Cedars-Sinai does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of the race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics or any genetic information), marital status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age (40 or older), military and/or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal or state law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at Applicant_Accommodation@cshs.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
Cedars-Sinai will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
At Cedars-Sinai, we are dedicated to the safety, health and wellbeing of our patients and employees. This includes protecting our patients from communicable diseases, such as influenza (flu). For this reason, we require that all new employees receive a flu vaccine based on the seasonal availability of flu vaccine (typically during September through April each year) as a condition of employment, and annually thereafter as a condition of continued employment, subject to medical exemption or religious accommodation. For the same reason, you may also be required to receive other vaccines as a condition of employment. Cedars-Sinai reserves the right to make modifications to its required list of vaccines as required by law and/or policy.
See all 1,953+ STEM OPT Research Associate Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Research Associate Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Research Associate
Verify your CIP code before applying
Not every STEM degree qualifies automatically. Cross-check your program's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List to confirm your degree supports the extension before you target Research Associate postings.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before signing
Ask the HR team for their E-Verify Company ID before you accept any offer. Research institutions and nonprofits sometimes operate under federal funding rules that require E-Verify, but individual labs may not be registered independently.
Tailor your CV to the lab's research output
PIs reviewing Research Associate applications scan for technique-specific experience matching their active grants. List specific assays, instruments, or computational methods you've used, not just broad skill categories, so your CV survives the first filter.
File your I-983 training plan before your start date
USCIS requires a signed I-983 on file with your DSO before you begin work, not after. Coordinate with HR to complete the employer sections, including the FTE percentage and training objectives, at least a week before your first day.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for E-Verify employers
Search Research Associate roles on Migrate Mate to see which employers already have verified E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT hiring history, cutting out the manual confirmation step from your outreach process.
Request the prevailing wage tier from your employer
Look up the wage level for your SOC code and location using the OFLC Wage Search before your offer negotiation. Research Associates are typically classified at Level I or II, and knowing the range helps you identify whether an offer meets the threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a biology or chemistry degree qualify me for STEM OPT as a Research Associate?
Yes, if your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Life sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, and most natural science programs qualify. Your DSO can confirm your specific CIP code. The research duties in a Research Associate role typically align closely with STEM degree fields, which strengthens your I-983 training plan justification.
Can I work as a Research Associate at a university lab on STEM OPT?
Yes, but only if the university entity employing you is enrolled in E-Verify as a covered employer. Some universities enroll institution-wide, while others enroll by department or subsidiary. Confirm that the specific hiring unit, not just the university system, appears in E-Verify before your offer letter is finalized. Your DSO can help you verify this.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Research Associate position?
The I-983 requires a detailed description of how the Research Associate role provides practical training directly related to your STEM degree. You'll list specific learning objectives, the supervision structure, and how your employer will evaluate your progress. The employer must identify a supervisor with relevant STEM credentials. Both you and your employer sign before your DSO submits the form to SEVIS.
How does cap-gap protect me if my H-1B is selected while I'm working as a Research Associate?
If your employer files a timely H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your OPT EAD expires, cap-gap automatically extends your STEM OPT work authorization through September 30. You can continue in your Research Associate role without interruption during that period. USCIS updates your I-20 end date to reflect the cap-gap extension, and you can verify your status remains active through your DSO.
Where can I find Research Associate jobs where the employer already accepts STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters Research Associate postings by employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and a history of hiring STEM OPT candidates. That means you spend less time chasing down HR teams to ask basic eligibility questions and more time on applications where your work authorization is already a known fit for the role.