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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The AIML Multimodal Foundation Model Team is pioneering next-generation intelligent agent technologies that combine multimodal reasoning, tool-use, and visual understanding. Our innovative features redefine how hundreds of millions of people utilize their computers and mobile devices for search and information retrieval. Our universal search engine powers search capabilities across a range of Apple products, including Siri, Spotlight, Safari, Messages, and Lookup. Additionally, we develop cutting-edge generative AI technologies based on multimodal large language models to enable innovative features in both Apple’s devices and cloud-based services. As a member of this team, you will design new architectures for multimodal agents, explore advanced training paradigms, and build robust agentic capabilities such as planning, grounding, tool-use, and autonomous task execution. You will collaborate closely with researchers and engineers to bring cutting-edge agent research into production, transforming Apple devices into intelligent partners that help users get things done.
DESCRIPTION
As a member of our fast-paced group, you’ll have the unique and rewarding opportunity to shape upcoming products from Apple. We are looking for people with excellent applied machine learning, computer vision, multimodal LLM, and agent training experience and solid engineering skills. This role will have the following responsibilities:
- Developing state-of-the-art multimodal foundation models for Apple Intelligence.
- Developing various agent capabilities for multimodal LLMs, including computer use agents, visual tool use, thinking with images, and multimodal web search.
- Developing, fine-tuning, and evaluating domain specific foundation models for various tasks and applications in Apple’s AI powered products.
- Conducting applied research to transfer the pioneering research in generative AI to production ready technologies.
- Understanding product requirements, translate them into modeling tasks and engineering tasks.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD, MS or equivalent experience
- Experience in machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, or natural language processing
- Proficiency in one of following languages: Python, Go, Java, C++
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent data analytical skills
- Good interpersonal skills and team player
- PhD preferred
COMPENSATION
- Base pay range for this role is between $175,000 and $308,500, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
SUMMARY
The AIML Multimodal Foundation Model Team is pioneering next-generation intelligent agent technologies that combine multimodal reasoning, tool-use, and visual understanding. Our innovative features redefine how hundreds of millions of people utilize their computers and mobile devices for search and information retrieval. Our universal search engine powers search capabilities across a range of Apple products, including Siri, Spotlight, Safari, Messages, and Lookup. Additionally, we develop cutting-edge generative AI technologies based on multimodal large language models to enable innovative features in both Apple’s devices and cloud-based services. As a member of this team, you will design new architectures for multimodal agents, explore advanced training paradigms, and build robust agentic capabilities such as planning, grounding, tool-use, and autonomous task execution. You will collaborate closely with researchers and engineers to bring cutting-edge agent research into production, transforming Apple devices into intelligent partners that help users get things done.
DESCRIPTION
As a member of our fast-paced group, you’ll have the unique and rewarding opportunity to shape upcoming products from Apple. We are looking for people with excellent applied machine learning, computer vision, multimodal LLM, and agent training experience and solid engineering skills. This role will have the following responsibilities:
- Developing state-of-the-art multimodal foundation models for Apple Intelligence.
- Developing various agent capabilities for multimodal LLMs, including computer use agents, visual tool use, thinking with images, and multimodal web search.
- Developing, fine-tuning, and evaluating domain specific foundation models for various tasks and applications in Apple’s AI powered products.
- Conducting applied research to transfer the pioneering research in generative AI to production ready technologies.
- Understanding product requirements, translate them into modeling tasks and engineering tasks.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD, MS or equivalent experience
- Experience in machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, or natural language processing
- Proficiency in one of following languages: Python, Go, Java, C++
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent data analytical skills
- Good interpersonal skills and team player
- PhD preferred
COMPENSATION
- Base pay range for this role is between $175,000 and $308,500, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
See all 527+ STEM OPT Research Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Research Specialist Jobs.
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.