STEM OPT Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs
Senior Clinical Research Scientist roles in biotech, pharma, and academic medical centers qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. A STEM degree in life sciences, biomedical engineering, or a related CIP-coded field is required to qualify. You have up to 36 months total to build clinical trial experience and transition to long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Keros, our mission is to deliver significant clinical benefit to a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) family of proteins. With a focus on developing differentiated product candidates that are designed to alter TGF-β signaling, we aim to target the pathways critical for the growth, repair and maintenance of blood cells and a number of tissues, including bone, skeletal muscle, adipose and heart tissue. We believe our product candidates have the potential to unlock the full therapeutic benefits of modulating the TGF-β superfamily and provide disease-modifying benefit to patients.
JOB SUMMARY
In the role of Scientist, Preclinical Biomarkers and Translational Research, you will join the Bioanalytical Sciences group to advance novel biologic programs from pre-clinical to clinical development. You will partner closely with Biology, Toxicology, and other cross-functional teams to translate biological questions into biomarker strategies; design and execute hypothesis-driven studies; develop fit-for-purpose assays; analyze preclinical samples; and interpret results in the context of TGF-beta superfamily biology, mechanism of action, PK/PD, efficacy, and safety. This is a highly hands-on research position requiring strong scientific judgement, rigorous experimental design, excellent bench and in vivo skills, and clear communication of actionable conclusions.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Partner with Biology, Toxicology and other cross-functional teams to identify critical biological questions and establish biomarker strategies for target engagement, pharmacodynamic activity, efficacy, disease biology, and potential safety findings.
- Independently generate scientific hypotheses and design, execute, and interpret in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies that clarify mechanism of action and support program decisions.
- Develop, optimize, qualify, and troubleshoot fit-for-purpose biomarker assays using relevant platforms such as ELISA/MSD, qPCR, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, multicolor flow cytometry, and cell-based assays.
- Perform hands-on analysis of serum, plasma, tissue, and cellular samples from preclinical studies, including tissue processing, tissue dissociation, primary cell isolation, and ex vivo functional analyses.
- Evaluate commercial kits, antibodies, reagents, and assay platforms; develop custom methods when needed; and ensure assay performance, reproducibility, data integrity, and appropriate documentation.
- Present study designs, data, interpretations, limitations, and recommendations at project team meetings and contribute to study reports, technical documents, publications, and patent-related activities.
- Support assay transfer and external CRO activities under the guidance of the Director of Bioanalysis, as needed.
CORE COMPETENCIES (REQUIRED SKILLS)
- Strong research ability, including hypothesis generation, experimental design, assay troubleshooting, and critical data interpretation
- Good understanding of TGF-β superfamily biology, related signaling pathways, and their roles in disease mechanisms.
- Hands-on experience within vivo models, tissue collection and processing, and preclinical sample analysis.
- Technical expertise in relevant methods such as ELISA, MSD, qPCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and mammalian cell culture, and experience developing and optimizing biomarker assays.
- Strong quantitative analysis and data visualization skills using GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, or comparable software, with careful attention to reproducibility and data integrity.
- Strong collaboration, scientific communication, documentation, and data-presentation skills.
PREFERRED SKILLS
- Experience supporting biologic drug-discovery programs.
- Experience applying TGF-beta pathway biology to preclinical, target validation, mechanism-of-action, or biomarker studies.
- Experience with MSD, Luminex, multiplex assays, flow cytometry.
- Experience with primary cells, ex vivo assays, gene perturbation, or novel disease-model development.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Ph.D. in molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, cancer biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a closely related discipline, with at least 2 years of relevant industry and/or postdoctoral research experience, or a Master’s degree with at least 10 years of relevant industry experience.
This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, and other relevant factors. Potential base pay range: $133,000 USD - $157,000 USD
OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT:
Keros is an inclusive company. We believe that diversity drives innovation. We continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees. As such, Keros takes a holistic approach in mentoring, coaching, and developing all of our Keros team members.
Keros Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
RECRUITMENT & STAFFING AGENCIES:
Keros Therapeutics does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than the candidate directly. Any unsolicited submission by an agency to Keros is prohibited. Any resume submitted by an agency without a signed contract or expressed consent by a member of the Keros Therapeutics Human Resources Department, will be considered property of Keros Therapeutics, and no fee shall be owed with respect thereto.
INTRODUCTION
At Keros, our mission is to deliver significant clinical benefit to a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) family of proteins. With a focus on developing differentiated product candidates that are designed to alter TGF-β signaling, we aim to target the pathways critical for the growth, repair and maintenance of blood cells and a number of tissues, including bone, skeletal muscle, adipose and heart tissue. We believe our product candidates have the potential to unlock the full therapeutic benefits of modulating the TGF-β superfamily and provide disease-modifying benefit to patients.
JOB SUMMARY
In the role of Scientist, Preclinical Biomarkers and Translational Research, you will join the Bioanalytical Sciences group to advance novel biologic programs from pre-clinical to clinical development. You will partner closely with Biology, Toxicology, and other cross-functional teams to translate biological questions into biomarker strategies; design and execute hypothesis-driven studies; develop fit-for-purpose assays; analyze preclinical samples; and interpret results in the context of TGF-beta superfamily biology, mechanism of action, PK/PD, efficacy, and safety. This is a highly hands-on research position requiring strong scientific judgement, rigorous experimental design, excellent bench and in vivo skills, and clear communication of actionable conclusions.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Partner with Biology, Toxicology and other cross-functional teams to identify critical biological questions and establish biomarker strategies for target engagement, pharmacodynamic activity, efficacy, disease biology, and potential safety findings.
- Independently generate scientific hypotheses and design, execute, and interpret in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies that clarify mechanism of action and support program decisions.
- Develop, optimize, qualify, and troubleshoot fit-for-purpose biomarker assays using relevant platforms such as ELISA/MSD, qPCR, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, multicolor flow cytometry, and cell-based assays.
- Perform hands-on analysis of serum, plasma, tissue, and cellular samples from preclinical studies, including tissue processing, tissue dissociation, primary cell isolation, and ex vivo functional analyses.
- Evaluate commercial kits, antibodies, reagents, and assay platforms; develop custom methods when needed; and ensure assay performance, reproducibility, data integrity, and appropriate documentation.
- Present study designs, data, interpretations, limitations, and recommendations at project team meetings and contribute to study reports, technical documents, publications, and patent-related activities.
- Support assay transfer and external CRO activities under the guidance of the Director of Bioanalysis, as needed.
CORE COMPETENCIES (REQUIRED SKILLS)
- Strong research ability, including hypothesis generation, experimental design, assay troubleshooting, and critical data interpretation
- Good understanding of TGF-β superfamily biology, related signaling pathways, and their roles in disease mechanisms.
- Hands-on experience within vivo models, tissue collection and processing, and preclinical sample analysis.
- Technical expertise in relevant methods such as ELISA, MSD, qPCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and mammalian cell culture, and experience developing and optimizing biomarker assays.
- Strong quantitative analysis and data visualization skills using GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, or comparable software, with careful attention to reproducibility and data integrity.
- Strong collaboration, scientific communication, documentation, and data-presentation skills.
PREFERRED SKILLS
- Experience supporting biologic drug-discovery programs.
- Experience applying TGF-beta pathway biology to preclinical, target validation, mechanism-of-action, or biomarker studies.
- Experience with MSD, Luminex, multiplex assays, flow cytometry.
- Experience with primary cells, ex vivo assays, gene perturbation, or novel disease-model development.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Ph.D. in molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, cancer biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a closely related discipline, with at least 2 years of relevant industry and/or postdoctoral research experience, or a Master’s degree with at least 10 years of relevant industry experience.
This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, and other relevant factors. Potential base pay range: $133,000 USD - $157,000 USD
OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT:
Keros is an inclusive company. We believe that diversity drives innovation. We continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees. As such, Keros takes a holistic approach in mentoring, coaching, and developing all of our Keros team members.
Keros Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
RECRUITMENT & STAFFING AGENCIES:
Keros Therapeutics does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than the candidate directly. Any unsolicited submission by an agency to Keros is prohibited. Any resume submitted by an agency without a signed contract or expressed consent by a member of the Keros Therapeutics Human Resources Department, will be considered property of Keros Therapeutics, and no fee shall be owed with respect thereto.
See all 251+ STEM OPT Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Senior Clinical Research Scientist
Verify your degree qualifies by CIP code
Pull your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code from your transcript or DSO and cross-check it against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Degrees in biochemistry, biomedical sciences, or pharmacology typically qualify, but interdisciplinary programs sometimes use non-STEM CIP codes that disqualify you.
Filter employers by E-Verify enrollment status
Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and hospital systems are not automatically E-Verify participants. Confirm enrollment through the E-Verify employer search before accepting any offer, since your STEM OPT extension is void without it.
Build your I-983 training plan around protocol-specific tasks
Your I-983 must list concrete learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just your job title. For a Senior Clinical Research Scientist role, map objectives to protocol development, pharmacokinetics analysis, or regulatory submissions so the plan withstands a USCIS site visit.
Target sponsors with active IND or BLA filing history
Use the OFLC Wage Search to identify employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for clinical research scientist roles in your target geography. Companies with active Investigational New Drug or Biologics License Applications are structurally set up for long-term visa sponsorship and already work with immigration counsel.
Use Migrate Mate to find E-Verify employers hiring now
Search Migrate Mate for Senior Clinical Research Scientist roles filtered by E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT eligibility. The platform surfaces employers with verified sponsorship history so you're not cold-applying to companies that can't legally employ you on an OPT extension.
Time your H-1B registration around your OPT end date
If you're approaching your 24-month STEM OPT extension window, confirm your employer will register you in the H-1B lottery before April 1 of the relevant fiscal year. Cap-gap protection only applies if a timely H-1B visa petition is filed while your OPT EAD remains valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Clinical Research Scientist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as biological sciences, biomedical engineering, pharmacology, or a related discipline listed on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. The role itself must also relate directly to your degree field. Your DSO will confirm CIP code eligibility when you apply for the extension through SEVIS.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify to hire me on STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a federal requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student on the 24-month extension. You can confirm enrollment through the E-Verify employer search before signing an offer. If the employer is not enrolled, they must complete enrollment before your STEM OPT extension is approved and before you begin work.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a clinical research role?
The I-983 must describe how your work as a Senior Clinical Research Scientist directly relates to your STEM degree. List specific objectives such as designing clinical protocols, analyzing trial data, preparing regulatory submissions, or managing investigational product accountability. Generic job descriptions are not sufficient. Both you and your supervisor sign the form, and USCIS may audit it during a site visit.
What happens to my work authorization if my H-1B is selected but not yet approved when my OPT expires?
Cap-gap protection extends your OPT EAD automatically if your employer files a timely H-1B cap-subject petition before your OPT end date and you are selected in the lottery. Your authorization continues through September 30 of that fiscal year. If the H-1B is denied or withdrawn, the cap-gap period ends and you must stop working immediately.
Where can I find Senior Clinical Research Scientist jobs with employers who sponsor STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lists Senior Clinical Research Scientist positions filtered by employers enrolled in E-Verify and with verified sponsorship history, so you can focus your applications on companies that can legally extend your work authorization. Searching by role and location on Migrate Mate removes the guesswork of identifying STEM OPT-compatible employers in pharma, biotech, and CRO settings.