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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Overview

Open Jobs68+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type91% On-site
Median Salary$135K
Top LocationSan Diego, CA
Most JobsArrowhead Pharmaceuticals

Showing 5 of 68+ Senior Clinical Research Scientist jobs

Abbott
Senior Clinical Research Scientist
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Abbott
Added 3w ago
Senior Clinical Research Scientist
Abbott
Sylmar, California
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Laboratory Research
Healthcare Administration
Data Science & Analytics
Clinical Trials
Data Science
Data Analytics
$90,000/yr - $180,000/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Associate's
10,000+

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Legend Biotech
Senior Clinical Research Scientist
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Legend Biotech
Added 2mo ago
Senior Clinical Research Scientist
Legend Biotech
Somerset, New Jersey
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Laboratory Research
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
$142,146/yr - $186,567/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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The Geneva Foundation
Research Scientist (I, II, III, or Senior) - Uniformed Services University
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The Geneva Foundation
Added 1w ago
Research Scientist (I, II, III, or Senior) - Uniformed Services University
The Geneva Foundation
Rockville, Maryland
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
$90,000 - $150,000/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Associate's

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Google
Senior Research Scientist
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Google
Added 1mo ago
Senior Research Scientist
Google
Goleta, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
$174,000/yr - $252,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Doctorate
10,000+

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Sapient Bioanalytics
Research Scientist III / Senior Research Scientist
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Sapient Bioanalytics
Added 1mo ago
Research Scientist III / Senior Research Scientist
Sapient Bioanalytics
San Diego, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
$85,000/yr - $115,000/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Tips 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 petition is filed while your OPT EAD remains valid.

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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.

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