STEM OPT Research Scientist Jobs
Research Scientist roles qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension when your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your degree aligns with a STEM-designated CIP code. With up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization, you have a realistic runway to contribute to long-term research projects and pursue H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsTitle: Research Scientist II - Ma Research Laboratory
Employee Classification: Research Scientist II
Campus: University of North Texas
Division: UNT-Provost
SubDivision-Department: UNT-College of Science
Department: UNT-Chemistry-121200
Job Location: Denton
Salary: Compensation is competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and discipline, in accordance with university guidelines and available funding.
FTE: 1.00
Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible
About Us - Values Overview
Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.
We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.
Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.
Department Summary
The Ma research lab has been focusing on the development of advanced functional porous materials including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and porous organic polymers (POPs) for energy, biological, environmental-related applications with over 400 papers published thus far including more than 100 publications in top journals such as Nature, Nature Synthesis, Nature Commun., J. Am. Chem. Soc., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Science Adv., Chem, Adv. Mater., ACS Cent. Sci. After serving at the University of South Florida for ten years, Dr. Shengqian Ma moved to the University of North Texas as the Robert A. Welch Chair in Chemistry in August 2020. The Ma Lab at the University of North Texas was newly renovated in January 2022 with over 3,000 square feet and has purchased a large number of new instruments/facilities to facilitate the research in porous materials such as Rigaku SmartLab X Powder X-ray Diffractometer, Rigaku XtaLAB Synergy-I Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometer, JOEL SEM, DRIFTS, Micromeritics ASAP2020, ASAP2020 Plus, 3FLEX Gas Sorption Analyzer, HPVA-II High-Pressure Gas Sorption Apparatus, DVS Vapor Sorption apparatus, Maruun LabMaster Glove box, Solvent Purification System, Millipore water purifier. To learn more about the Ma Lab at the University of North Texas, please visit the Ma Research Website: https://sites.chemistry.unt.edu/~sqma/.
Position Overview
This role is to provide independent scientific and technical leadership, student mentoring, laboratory oversight, design/execution of complex experiments, management of funded projects, and development of competitive research proposals. Its core scientific focus is advancing porous materials and scalable technologies for the selective extraction and recovery of critical minerals from waste streams and unconventional resources, translating fundamental materials research into practical technologies.
Minimum Qualifications
- Ph.D. in chemistry, materials science or chemical engineering
- Strong communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in MOF synthesis is desirable
- Experience in organic synthesis would be beneficial
- Valuable know-how: SCXRD and PXRD
Job Duties
- Design, execute, and optimize experiments
- Write grant proposals, manage multiple research projects and deliver milestones on schedule
- Analyze, interpret, and contribute to scholarly and funding outputs including journal publications and conference presentations
- Maintain and upkeep major laboratory equipment, provide training for their use and coordinate scheduling
- Supervise and provide technical mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students
- Ensure laboratory safety and regulatory compliance
- Manage Laboratory operations and resources
- Support the laboratory's overall research and training mission
Physical Requirements
Communicating with others to exchange information.
Environmental Hazards
No adverse environmental conditions expected.
Work Schedule
Varies based upon assignment
Driving University Vehicle
No
Security Sensitive
This is a Security Sensitive Position.
Special Instructions
Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.
Benefits
For information regarding our Benefits, click here.
EEO Statement
The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.
Title: Research Scientist II - Ma Research Laboratory
Employee Classification: Research Scientist II
Campus: University of North Texas
Division: UNT-Provost
SubDivision-Department: UNT-College of Science
Department: UNT-Chemistry-121200
Job Location: Denton
Salary: Compensation is competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and discipline, in accordance with university guidelines and available funding.
FTE: 1.00
Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible
About Us - Values Overview
Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.
We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.
Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.
Department Summary
The Ma research lab has been focusing on the development of advanced functional porous materials including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and porous organic polymers (POPs) for energy, biological, environmental-related applications with over 400 papers published thus far including more than 100 publications in top journals such as Nature, Nature Synthesis, Nature Commun., J. Am. Chem. Soc., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Science Adv., Chem, Adv. Mater., ACS Cent. Sci. After serving at the University of South Florida for ten years, Dr. Shengqian Ma moved to the University of North Texas as the Robert A. Welch Chair in Chemistry in August 2020. The Ma Lab at the University of North Texas was newly renovated in January 2022 with over 3,000 square feet and has purchased a large number of new instruments/facilities to facilitate the research in porous materials such as Rigaku SmartLab X Powder X-ray Diffractometer, Rigaku XtaLAB Synergy-I Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometer, JOEL SEM, DRIFTS, Micromeritics ASAP2020, ASAP2020 Plus, 3FLEX Gas Sorption Analyzer, HPVA-II High-Pressure Gas Sorption Apparatus, DVS Vapor Sorption apparatus, Maruun LabMaster Glove box, Solvent Purification System, Millipore water purifier. To learn more about the Ma Lab at the University of North Texas, please visit the Ma Research Website: https://sites.chemistry.unt.edu/~sqma/.
Position Overview
This role is to provide independent scientific and technical leadership, student mentoring, laboratory oversight, design/execution of complex experiments, management of funded projects, and development of competitive research proposals. Its core scientific focus is advancing porous materials and scalable technologies for the selective extraction and recovery of critical minerals from waste streams and unconventional resources, translating fundamental materials research into practical technologies.
Minimum Qualifications
- Ph.D. in chemistry, materials science or chemical engineering
- Strong communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in MOF synthesis is desirable
- Experience in organic synthesis would be beneficial
- Valuable know-how: SCXRD and PXRD
Job Duties
- Design, execute, and optimize experiments
- Write grant proposals, manage multiple research projects and deliver milestones on schedule
- Analyze, interpret, and contribute to scholarly and funding outputs including journal publications and conference presentations
- Maintain and upkeep major laboratory equipment, provide training for their use and coordinate scheduling
- Supervise and provide technical mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students
- Ensure laboratory safety and regulatory compliance
- Manage Laboratory operations and resources
- Support the laboratory's overall research and training mission
Physical Requirements
Communicating with others to exchange information.
Environmental Hazards
No adverse environmental conditions expected.
Work Schedule
Varies based upon assignment
Driving University Vehicle
No
Security Sensitive
This is a Security Sensitive Position.
Special Instructions
Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.
Benefits
For information regarding our Benefits, click here.
EEO Statement
The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.
See all 705+ STEM OPT Research Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Research Scientist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Research Scientist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list. Biology, chemistry, computer science, and engineering fields qualify, but interdisciplinary degrees sometimes carry non-STEM CIP codes that disqualify you.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Research institutions, national labs, and private R&D firms must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire STEM OPT students. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name before signing anything, enrollment status is not always disclosed upfront in job postings.
File your I-983 training plan before your start date
Your DSO must receive a completed I-983 signed by both you and your Research Scientist supervisor before your STEM OPT extension begins. Delays in supervisor sign-off at large institutions are common, so build in two weeks of buffer.
Use O*NET to match your role to STEM OPT criteria
Pull the Research Scientist occupation profile from O*NET and cross-reference the listed knowledge areas with your degree field. This documentation strengthens your I-983 training plan and helps your employer's HR team confirm the role qualifies.
Target employers with active H-1B filing history
Research Scientist roles often lead directly to H-1B sponsorship. Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified DOL Labor Condition Application filings in research and life sciences occupations, so you focus your applications on organizations that have already committed to sponsoring workers in your field.
Request employer cap-gap documentation immediately after lottery selection
If USCIS selects your H-1B petition in the annual lottery before your STEM OPT expires, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. Ask your employer's immigration team to provide written confirmation of your cap-gap status so you can continue working without interruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Scientist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your degree carries a STEM-designated CIP code. Research Scientist positions in life sciences, physical sciences, computer science, and engineering routinely qualify. Your DSO confirms eligibility by matching your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM designated degree list before recommending the extension to USCIS.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Research Scientist position?
Your I-983 must describe the specific research skills, laboratory techniques, or computational methods you'll develop on the job, how those learning goals connect to your STEM degree, and how your supervisor will evaluate your progress. Both you and your supervising researcher must sign it. USCIS can audit these plans, so vague descriptions like 'conduct experiments' are insufficient without linking tasks to degree-specific competencies.
How do I find Research Scientist employers who are enrolled in E-Verify?
E-Verify enrollment is mandatory for STEM OPT employers but isn't always listed in job postings. You can search the E-Verify employer database by organization name to confirm enrollment before applying. Migrate Mate also surfaces Research Scientist roles filtered for E-Verify compliance and active LCA filing history, saving you from applying to employers who can't legally hire STEM OPT students.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my H-1B is selected in the lottery?
Cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization if your H-1B petition is filed before your STEM OPT expires and USCIS selects it in the lottery. Your authorization continues through September 30 of the fiscal year your H-1B takes effect. Research Scientist employers typically file H-1B petitions in April, so your STEM OPT must still be valid at that filing date for cap-gap to apply.
Can I switch Research Scientist employers while on STEM OPT?
Yes, but you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days and file a new I-983 training plan with the incoming employer before you start working there. The new employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify. Your authorization does not transfer automatically, and working for the new employer before your DSO processes the update creates a status violation.