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 sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Corteva Agriscience, a global leader in crop protection, seed, and digital agricultural solutions, invites applications for an entry-level Statistics Research Scientist within its Crop Protection Statistics team.
The successful candidate will contribute to the advancement of statistical science at the intersection of methodology development, artificial intelligence, and crop protection research. The Crop Protection Statistics team is responsible for the discovery, adaptation, and development of state-of-the-art statistical methodologies and computational algorithms. Through the deployment of statistical software and artificial intelligence agents, the team transforms high-volume experimental data streams into actionable insights that inform the optimized design and development of crop protection products. The ideal candidate will demonstrate intellectual curiosity, methodological rigor, and a sustained interest in contributing to a high-performing scientific team.
What You’ll Do:
- Conduct research and implement statistical methodologies and computational algorithms to optimize the design, analysis, and interpretation of crop protection efficacy and sensitivity trials, including those addressing insect, herbicide, disease, and biological treatments. Provide statistical expertise in support of product advancement and global and regional regulatory submissions.
- Lead the development of in-house statistical software intended to serve as alternatives to existing commercial statistical platforms in support of crop protection product design and development.
- Build AI-powered agents that convert experimental data streams into actionable insights, accelerating the design and development of crop protection products.
- Collaborate with characterization and development scientists to address experimental design and statistical inference questions, supported by power analyses conducted through theoretical and simulation-based modeling frameworks.
- Provide statistical consultation and training to the crop protection product design community regarding experimental design principles, statistical analysis frameworks, and internal software systems.
- Operate effectively as both an independent contributor and a member of multidisciplinary expert teams, proactively identifying opportunities to provide focused statistical guidance to crop protection scientists.
- Engage in external scientific collaborations and peer-reviewed publications, which are actively encouraged.
What Skills You'll Need:
Education and Experience:
- Doctoral degree (PhD) in Statistics or a closely related quantitative discipline.
- Demonstrated interest in experimental design and statistical theory, with proven ability to translate statistical methodology into functional software systems through the considered application of modern artificial intelligence tools (e.g., Claude).
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the capacity to engage effectively with colleagues and stakeholders representing diverse linguistic, cultural, and scientific backgrounds.
Technical Requirements:
- Strong foundation in applied statistical science, with demonstrated expertise in mixed linear model methodology within both Frequentist and Bayesian frameworks, as well as generalized linear mixed models.
- Advanced programming proficiency in ASReml, R, Python, or comparable scientific computing languages.
- Demonstrated proficiency in the appropriate application of large language models to statistical problems, together with a willingness to contribute to the development, testing, and deployment of internal scientific software and artificial intelligence agents.
- Foundational knowledge of crop protection concepts and tools is considered advantageous; a demonstrated willingness to learn and operate within a commercial crop protection business environment is required.
Benefits – How We’ll Support You:
- Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
- Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
- Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
- Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
- Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
- Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.
The salary range for this position is $102,500.00 to $128,000.00. This reflects a reasonable estimate of the targeted base salary for this role. This role is also eligible for an annual bonus. Based on factors such as geographic location and candidate qualifications, actual base pay is determined when an employment offer is made.
Corteva Agriscience is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.
INTRODUCTION
Corteva Agriscience, a global leader in crop protection, seed, and digital agricultural solutions, invites applications for an entry-level Statistics Research Scientist within its Crop Protection Statistics team.
The successful candidate will contribute to the advancement of statistical science at the intersection of methodology development, artificial intelligence, and crop protection research. The Crop Protection Statistics team is responsible for the discovery, adaptation, and development of state-of-the-art statistical methodologies and computational algorithms. Through the deployment of statistical software and artificial intelligence agents, the team transforms high-volume experimental data streams into actionable insights that inform the optimized design and development of crop protection products. The ideal candidate will demonstrate intellectual curiosity, methodological rigor, and a sustained interest in contributing to a high-performing scientific team.
What You’ll Do:
- Conduct research and implement statistical methodologies and computational algorithms to optimize the design, analysis, and interpretation of crop protection efficacy and sensitivity trials, including those addressing insect, herbicide, disease, and biological treatments. Provide statistical expertise in support of product advancement and global and regional regulatory submissions.
- Lead the development of in-house statistical software intended to serve as alternatives to existing commercial statistical platforms in support of crop protection product design and development.
- Build AI-powered agents that convert experimental data streams into actionable insights, accelerating the design and development of crop protection products.
- Collaborate with characterization and development scientists to address experimental design and statistical inference questions, supported by power analyses conducted through theoretical and simulation-based modeling frameworks.
- Provide statistical consultation and training to the crop protection product design community regarding experimental design principles, statistical analysis frameworks, and internal software systems.
- Operate effectively as both an independent contributor and a member of multidisciplinary expert teams, proactively identifying opportunities to provide focused statistical guidance to crop protection scientists.
- Engage in external scientific collaborations and peer-reviewed publications, which are actively encouraged.
What Skills You'll Need:
Education and Experience:
- Doctoral degree (PhD) in Statistics or a closely related quantitative discipline.
- Demonstrated interest in experimental design and statistical theory, with proven ability to translate statistical methodology into functional software systems through the considered application of modern artificial intelligence tools (e.g., Claude).
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the capacity to engage effectively with colleagues and stakeholders representing diverse linguistic, cultural, and scientific backgrounds.
Technical Requirements:
- Strong foundation in applied statistical science, with demonstrated expertise in mixed linear model methodology within both Frequentist and Bayesian frameworks, as well as generalized linear mixed models.
- Advanced programming proficiency in ASReml, R, Python, or comparable scientific computing languages.
- Demonstrated proficiency in the appropriate application of large language models to statistical problems, together with a willingness to contribute to the development, testing, and deployment of internal scientific software and artificial intelligence agents.
- Foundational knowledge of crop protection concepts and tools is considered advantageous; a demonstrated willingness to learn and operate within a commercial crop protection business environment is required.
Benefits – How We’ll Support You:
- Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
- Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
- Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
- Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
- Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
- Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.
The salary range for this position is $102,500.00 to $128,000.00. This reflects a reasonable estimate of the targeted base salary for this role. This role is also eligible for an annual bonus. Based on factors such as geographic location and candidate qualifications, actual base pay is determined when an employment offer is made.
Corteva Agriscience is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.
See all 1,011+ Research Scientist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Scientist roles.
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.
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Find Research Scientist JobsFrequently 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.
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