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.
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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 525+ STEM OPT Research Data Scientist Jobs
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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.