STEM OPT Research Specialist Jobs
Research Specialist roles in academia, biotech, and government labs regularly hire on STEM OPT. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies if your degree CIP code aligns with the research field, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before your training plan takes effect.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Napierala Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to innovative translational and basic science research focused on developing therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders. Research areas include gene regulation, repeat instability, mitochondrial fitness and function, neuronal development and activity, and biomarker discovery. The laboratory utilizes a wide range of experimental approaches, including induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models, mouse models, genome editing, next-generation sequencing, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. The successful candidate will participate in NIH-funded projects supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), including investigations into the impact of somatic repeat expansion on neurodegenerative phenotypes, the molecular mechanisms underlying somatic instability of repetitive DNA sequences, and the role of repeat tract interruptions in cellular and tissue-level disease processes.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing novel research methods
- Conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments
- Planning and managing research projects
- Interpreting data
- Preparing presentations and peer-reviewed publications
- Contributing to grant applications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must hold a recent PhD and/or MD degree. Experience in mammalian cell culture or working with mouse models of neurological disorders, along with proficiency in basic molecular biology techniques leading to publication in peer-reviewed journals is desired. The selected candidate will join a dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced research environment, working closely with Dr. Napierala and other members of the laboratory while also contributing independently to ongoing and new research projects.
LOCATION
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
INTRODUCTION
The Napierala Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to innovative translational and basic science research focused on developing therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders. Research areas include gene regulation, repeat instability, mitochondrial fitness and function, neuronal development and activity, and biomarker discovery. The laboratory utilizes a wide range of experimental approaches, including induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models, mouse models, genome editing, next-generation sequencing, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. The successful candidate will participate in NIH-funded projects supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), including investigations into the impact of somatic repeat expansion on neurodegenerative phenotypes, the molecular mechanisms underlying somatic instability of repetitive DNA sequences, and the role of repeat tract interruptions in cellular and tissue-level disease processes.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing novel research methods
- Conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments
- Planning and managing research projects
- Interpreting data
- Preparing presentations and peer-reviewed publications
- Contributing to grant applications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must hold a recent PhD and/or MD degree. Experience in mammalian cell culture or working with mouse models of neurological disorders, along with proficiency in basic molecular biology techniques leading to publication in peer-reviewed journals is desired. The selected candidate will join a dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced research environment, working closely with Dr. Napierala and other members of the laboratory while also contributing independently to ongoing and new research projects.
LOCATION
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
See all 608+ STEM OPT Research Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Research Specialist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Research Specialist roles span biology, chemistry, and data science, so a mismatched CIP code can disqualify your extension even when the work is clearly research-focused.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify before your STEM OPT training plan can be approved. Ask hiring managers to provide their E-Verify Company ID during the offer stage, not after you've signed, so your DSO can verify enrollment without delaying your I-983 submission.
Search research labs through Migrate Mate
Filter your Research Specialist job search on Migrate Mate to surface employers with verified E-Verify enrollment. Academic and government-adjacent labs often meet the requirement but don't advertise it, and pre-filtered results cut the time you spend manually checking each institution.
Tailor your I-983 training plan to the research scope
Write your I-983 learning objectives around the specific methodologies in the role, such as cell culture protocols, statistical modeling, or spectroscopy. Generic descriptions like 'conduct research' invite SEVP scrutiny and can trigger a request for a revised plan that delays your start date.
Cross-check wage offers against OFLC Wage Search
Research Specialist salaries vary significantly by geography and sector. Run the posted offer against the OFLC Wage Search for your SOC code and metro area before negotiating. If the offer falls below prevailing wage, that signals the employer may struggle with future LCA filings if you transition to H-1B visa.
Use O*NET to document specialty occupation standing
Pull the O*NET profile for Research Specialist and note the education and knowledge requirements listed there. If your employer ever needs to support an H-1B petition for you, having documented alignment between the O*NET profile and your actual duties strengthens the specialty occupation argument from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Specialist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on whether your degree's CIP code appears on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List and whether the research work directly applies that field of study. Roles in biology, chemistry, environmental science, computer science, and engineering-adjacent research commonly qualify. Your DSO makes the initial determination by reviewing your degree, CIP code, and the job description before approving the I-983.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify for my STEM OPT to be valid?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a federal requirement for STEM OPT employers, and it must be active before your DSO can approve your training plan. Universities, private research labs, and nonprofit institutes all need enrollment regardless of size or funding source. Ask for the employer's E-Verify Company ID before you sign an offer letter, because starting work without confirmed enrollment puts your status at risk.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Research Specialist position?
Your I-983 must describe how the Research Specialist duties connect to your STEM degree, list specific learning objectives tied to the methodologies you'll use, and identify how your employer will evaluate your progress. Vague objectives like 'gain research experience' are frequently flagged by SEVP. Tie each objective to a concrete skill, instrument, or analytical technique relevant to the lab's work, and have your supervisor sign off before submission.
Can I work as a Research Specialist at a university or nonprofit on STEM OPT?
Yes, as long as the institution is enrolled in E-Verify. Many universities maintain E-Verify enrollment for their hiring programs, but individual departments don't always know the enrollment status. Verify through the official E-Verify portal or ask the HR office directly. Federal grant-funded labs at universities are often required to use E-Verify as a condition of funding, which makes them a reliable category to target.
How do I find Research Specialist employers that already meet STEM OPT requirements?
Migrate Mate filters Research Specialist listings to show employers with verified E-Verify enrollment, which removes the most common compliance hurdle upfront. Beyond that, federal agencies, national laboratories, and universities receiving federal contracts are frequently E-Verify enrolled by policy. Checking DOL LCA disclosure data for prior STEM OPT or H-1B filings in your target occupation is another way to identify employers already familiar with the process.