STEM OPT Research Data Scientist Jobs
Research Data Scientist roles sit squarely within STEM OPT eligibility, drawing on degrees in statistics, computer science, and related fields. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, giving you up to 36 months total to build U.S. experience, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify.
Find STEM OPT Research Data Scientist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 323+ Research Data Scientist jobs
See all 323+ Research Data Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Data Scientist roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
YouTube Data Science influences and informs YouTube’s product and engineering leadership. The Gaming Discovery team helps gamers find YouTube content whether it's videos about gaming (e.g., gaming-related content) or Playables (e.g., mini-games playable within the YouTube app). At YouTube, we believe that everyone deserves to have a voice, and that the world is a better place when we listen, share, and build community through our stories. We work together to give everyone the power to share their story, explore what they love, and connect with one another in the process. Working at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and boundless creativity, we move at the speed of culture with a shared goal to show people the world. We explore new ideas, solve real problems, and have fun — and we do it all together. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. US: $147000 - $211000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + bonus + equity + benefits
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Collaborate with stakeholders in cross-project and team settings to identify and clarify business or product questions to answer. Provide feedback to translate and refine business questions into analysis, evaluation metrics or mathematical models.
Use custom data infrastructure or existing data models. Design and evaluate models to mathematically express and solve defined problems with limited precedent.
Gather information, business goals, priorities and organizational context around the questions to answer as well as the existing and upcoming data infrastructure.
Own the process of gathering, extracting and compiling data across sources via relevant tools (e.g., SQL and Python). Format, re-structure or validate data to ensure quality and review the dataset to ensure it is ready for analysis.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Operations Research, Engineering or a related quantitative field.
3 years of work experience using analytics to solve product or business problems, coding (e.g., Python, R, SQL), querying databases or statistical analysis, or a PhD degree.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with machine learning and experiment design principles.
Experience with recommender systems.
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
INTRODUCTION
YouTube Data Science influences and informs YouTube’s product and engineering leadership. The Gaming Discovery team helps gamers find YouTube content whether it's videos about gaming (e.g., gaming-related content) or Playables (e.g., mini-games playable within the YouTube app). At YouTube, we believe that everyone deserves to have a voice, and that the world is a better place when we listen, share, and build community through our stories. We work together to give everyone the power to share their story, explore what they love, and connect with one another in the process. Working at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and boundless creativity, we move at the speed of culture with a shared goal to show people the world. We explore new ideas, solve real problems, and have fun — and we do it all together. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. US: $147000 - $211000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + bonus + equity + benefits
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Collaborate with stakeholders in cross-project and team settings to identify and clarify business or product questions to answer. Provide feedback to translate and refine business questions into analysis, evaluation metrics or mathematical models.
Use custom data infrastructure or existing data models. Design and evaluate models to mathematically express and solve defined problems with limited precedent.
Gather information, business goals, priorities and organizational context around the questions to answer as well as the existing and upcoming data infrastructure.
Own the process of gathering, extracting and compiling data across sources via relevant tools (e.g., SQL and Python). Format, re-structure or validate data to ensure quality and review the dataset to ensure it is ready for analysis.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Operations Research, Engineering or a related quantitative field.
3 years of work experience using analytics to solve product or business problems, coding (e.g., Python, R, SQL), querying databases or statistical analysis, or a PhD degree.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with machine learning and experiment design principles.
Experience with recommender systems.
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
See all 323+ STEM OPT Research Data Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Research Data Scientist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Research Data Scientist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to a STEM-designated field recognized by ICE. Data science, statistics, and computer science degrees typically qualify, but interdisciplinary programs sometimes don't. Confirm with your DSO before you start applying.
Screen employers for E-Verify enrollment early
Before submitting any application, confirm the employer is actively enrolled in E-Verify through the E-Verify employer search tool. STEM OPT authorization is void without it, and many smaller research labs or startups aren't enrolled despite hiring data scientists.
Target research-heavy teams with established OPT pipelines
University research divisions, national labs, and large tech companies with dedicated data science teams file I-983 training plans regularly. Searching on Migrate Mate filters for employers with active STEM OPT hiring history, saving you from cold-applying to companies unfamiliar with the process.
Align your I-983 training goals to the actual role
Your I-983 must outline specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not generic job duties. For Research Data Scientist roles, document planned exposure to experimental design, statistical modeling, or ML methodology so USCIS can verify the training connection to your field of study.
Use OFLC Wage Search to set salary expectations by SOC code
Research Data Scientist roles map to a specific Standard Occupational Classification code. Run the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating an offer to confirm the employer's proposed wage meets prevailing wage levels, which affects both your offer and any future H-1B visa labor condition application.
Negotiate your start date around cap-gap timing
If your OPT expires before October 1 and your employer files an H-1B petition before that date, cap-gap extends your work authorization automatically. Structure your offer letter start date to account for this window so authorization doesn't lapse between OPT expiration and H-1B activation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Data Scientist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, provided your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as statistics, computer science, applied mathematics, or a related discipline recognized on the ICE STEM Designated Degree Program List. The Research Data Scientist occupation falls under SOC codes aligned with mathematical science and computer-related occupations, both of which consistently qualify. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my STEM OPT employer?
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify for the specific worksite where you'll work. Enrollment at the company level doesn't automatically cover all locations, so verify that the hiring site is enrolled, not just the corporate headquarters. If the employer isn't enrolled, they must enroll before you can begin working under STEM OPT authorization. You can check enrollment status through the E-Verify employer search.
What does the I-983 training plan require for a Research Data Scientist position?
The I-983 must describe how the Research Data Scientist role provides practical training directly related to your STEM degree. You'll need to document specific learning objectives, such as applying statistical inference methods, building predictive models, or conducting data-driven experiments, rather than listing general job duties. Both you and your employer sign the form, and your DSO must receive it before your STEM OPT extension is approved by USCIS.
How does cap-gap protection work if I'm a Research Data Scientist on STEM OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year, or until USCIS makes a final decision on your case if it's still pending after October 1. You can continue working as a Research Data Scientist without interruption during that period, as long as the petition was filed on time and you remain in valid F-1 status.
Where can I find Research Data Scientist jobs where employers are already familiar with STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 STEM OPT students and surfaces Research Data Scientist roles at employers with documented work authorization hiring activity. Searching there filters out companies unlikely to navigate the I-983 process or E-Verify enrollment, so you're focusing your applications on employers already set up to hire you. Your DSO can also advise on employers in your institution's established OPT network.