STEM OPT Research Manager Jobs
Research Manager roles in academia, biotech, and policy organizations regularly qualify for STEM OPT's 24-month extension when the position requires a STEM degree and the employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Your I-983 training plan must map your research responsibilities directly to your degree field to maintain valid work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsTITLE / CLASSIFICATION: Research Technician I, Study Services / Non-exempt Position
REPORTING LOCATION: Rockville, MD
REPORTS TO: Manager, Study Services
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: Support in vivo oncology research studies in mice as a member of the Study Services Team.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform in-life technical procedures on mice, including handling, restraint, body weight measurement, tumor volume measurement with calipers or imaging device, compound administration, blood collection, and euthanasia.
- Record study data within the laboratory information management system.
- Read, understand, and adhere to study protocols.
- Perform general study preparation and organizational activities, including sample tube labeling, supply organization and stocking, and laboratory organization.
- Work weekends and holidays on rotating basis.
- PRODUCTIVITY EXPECTATIONS: 40 activities/hour worked. To be attained within 3 months of training completion.
- PROMOTION ELIGIBILITY: Promotion to Research Technician II, Study Services, requires performance of 50 activities/hour worked for at least 6 months and quarterly PMP rating in Quality and Productivity of 4 or higher, with no PMP ratings of 1.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- TEAM PLAYER. Actively and eagerly support leadership and colleagues.
- COACHABLE. Actively solicits feedback. Eager to improve.
- HONEST. Trustworthy. Demonstrates integrity.
- ADAPTABLE. Flexible and open to change. Eager early adopter.
- MOTIVATED. Driven. Proactive and takes the initiative.
- POSITIVE. Compassionate. Empathetic and understanding. Balanced.
- INNOVATIVE. Challenges the status quo. Eager problem solver.
- OPEN. Transparent and communicative. Candid.
- NICE. Kind and respectful. Sincere.
- Organized. Detail oriented.
- Process oriented. Eager to follow procedures.
- Strong computer skills.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- PREFERRED: BS degree in animal science, biology, pharmacology, or related field.
- PREFERRED: AALAS ALAT certification.
- PREFERRED: 1 year of related experience in a Contract Research Organization or similar research setting OR completion of the Champions Oncology Laboratory Animal Science & Research Apprenticeship Program in lieu of experience.
- REQUIRED: Lean Six Sigma White Belt certification required within 1 year of hire. Training provided by Champions Oncology.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Requires manual dexterity, fine motor skills, and repetitive motion.
- Requires sitting, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, and lifting throughout the work shift consistent with a typical research laboratory environment and vivarium.
- Must be able to lift and move packages weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Routine exposure to odors and chemicals.
- Routine exposure to sharps.
- Routine exposure to blood, body fluids, and tissue.
This job description may be changed to include new responsibilities and tasks or change existing ones as management deems necessary.
TITLE / CLASSIFICATION: Research Technician I, Study Services / Non-exempt Position
REPORTING LOCATION: Rockville, MD
REPORTS TO: Manager, Study Services
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: Support in vivo oncology research studies in mice as a member of the Study Services Team.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform in-life technical procedures on mice, including handling, restraint, body weight measurement, tumor volume measurement with calipers or imaging device, compound administration, blood collection, and euthanasia.
- Record study data within the laboratory information management system.
- Read, understand, and adhere to study protocols.
- Perform general study preparation and organizational activities, including sample tube labeling, supply organization and stocking, and laboratory organization.
- Work weekends and holidays on rotating basis.
- PRODUCTIVITY EXPECTATIONS: 40 activities/hour worked. To be attained within 3 months of training completion.
- PROMOTION ELIGIBILITY: Promotion to Research Technician II, Study Services, requires performance of 50 activities/hour worked for at least 6 months and quarterly PMP rating in Quality and Productivity of 4 or higher, with no PMP ratings of 1.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- TEAM PLAYER. Actively and eagerly support leadership and colleagues.
- COACHABLE. Actively solicits feedback. Eager to improve.
- HONEST. Trustworthy. Demonstrates integrity.
- ADAPTABLE. Flexible and open to change. Eager early adopter.
- MOTIVATED. Driven. Proactive and takes the initiative.
- POSITIVE. Compassionate. Empathetic and understanding. Balanced.
- INNOVATIVE. Challenges the status quo. Eager problem solver.
- OPEN. Transparent and communicative. Candid.
- NICE. Kind and respectful. Sincere.
- Organized. Detail oriented.
- Process oriented. Eager to follow procedures.
- Strong computer skills.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- PREFERRED: BS degree in animal science, biology, pharmacology, or related field.
- PREFERRED: AALAS ALAT certification.
- PREFERRED: 1 year of related experience in a Contract Research Organization or similar research setting OR completion of the Champions Oncology Laboratory Animal Science & Research Apprenticeship Program in lieu of experience.
- REQUIRED: Lean Six Sigma White Belt certification required within 1 year of hire. Training provided by Champions Oncology.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Requires manual dexterity, fine motor skills, and repetitive motion.
- Requires sitting, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, and lifting throughout the work shift consistent with a typical research laboratory environment and vivarium.
- Must be able to lift and move packages weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Routine exposure to odors and chemicals.
- Routine exposure to sharps.
- Routine exposure to blood, body fluids, and tissue.
This job description may be changed to include new responsibilities and tasks or change existing ones as management deems necessary.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Research Manager
Verify your CIP code before applying
Cross-reference your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against STEM OPT's designated list before targeting roles. Research Manager positions in social science or public policy departments may not qualify if your degree CIP code falls outside STEM categories.
Use O*NET to frame your I-983
Pull the Research Manager occupation profile from O*NET and map your training plan's learning objectives directly to the listed knowledge, skills, and tasks. USCIS expects your I-983 to reflect the occupation's defined competencies, not just a job description restatement.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before negotiating
Ask your hiring contact to share the company's E-Verify company ID or check enrollment status through the E-Verify employer search before you reach the offer stage. Discovering a lapse after you've accepted costs you valuable OPT days.
Target organizations with active LCA filings
Search Migrate Mate for Research Manager roles filtered to employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and Labor Condition Application filing history. Organizations that have filed LCAs for research roles are already familiar with the compliance steps your extension requires.
Negotiate your start date around DSO processing
Your DSO must issue a new I-20 recommending the STEM OPT extension before USCIS can approve your I-765. Build at least 90 days between your offer acceptance and your intended start date to absorb USCIS processing without an authorization gap.
Document how research activities connect to your STEM degree
USCIS scrutinizes I-983 training plans for Research Manager roles at nonprofits and government contractors more carefully than industry positions. Write specific learning objectives that name your degree discipline and explain how managing research protocols advances your STEM training, not just your career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Manager role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on two factors: your degree's CIP code must appear on the STEM OPT designated list, and the role must require and use that STEM degree in a direct, demonstrable way. Research Manager positions in biology, computer science, environmental science, and engineering fields typically qualify. Roles housed in social science or humanities departments may not, even if the work is research-focused. Your DSO makes the eligibility determination based on your specific degree and job duties.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Research Manager position?
Your I-983 must identify specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, the supervision structure, how your employer will evaluate your progress, and a reporting schedule. For Research Manager roles, objectives should describe how overseeing research design, data integrity, or team coordination advances your technical training. Vague descriptions like 'managing projects' are insufficient. Your employer's authorized representative signs the form, and your DSO countersigns before you submit your I-765 to USCIS.
How do I verify that a Research Manager employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the recruiter or HR contact directly for the company's E-Verify company ID during the offer process. You can also check enrollment through the E-Verify employer search tool, which is publicly accessible. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT authorization; your employer must be enrolled before your extension is approved and must remain enrolled throughout your 24-month period. If enrollment lapses, your authorization is immediately at risk.
What happens to my STEM OPT if I'm still waiting on my extension approval when my initial OPT ends?
If you filed your I-765 extension application on time, cap-gap provisions give you a 180-day automatic extension of your work authorization while USCIS processes the application. You can continue working for your E-Verify-enrolled employer during this period. Your I-20 must reflect the STEM OPT recommendation from your DSO to document the cap-gap protection. USCIS will issue a new EAD card once the extension is approved.
Where can I find Research Manager jobs that already support STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters Research Manager roles to employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and LCA filing history, so you're not spending time on positions where the authorization pathway is unclear. Employers who have previously sponsored STEM OPT students understand the I-983 requirements and the reporting obligations, which reduces friction during onboarding. Search by degree field and location on Migrate Mate to see roles aligned with your specific STEM CIP code.