STEM OPT Senior Researcher Jobs

Senior Researcher roles in R&D, academia, and biotech are strong fits for STEM OPT students with degrees in life sciences, computer science, engineering, or related fields. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies as long as your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your role directly applies your STEM degree.

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Overview

Open Jobs376+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type84% On-site
Median Salary$116K
Top LocationBoston, MA
Most JobsJohns Hopkins University

Showing 5 of 376+ Senior Researcher jobs

NVIDIA
Senior Research Scientist
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NVIDIA
Added 2d ago
Senior Research Scientist
NVIDIA
Santa Clara, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Research & Academia
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
$192,000/yr - $356,500/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Doctorate
10,000+

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Meso Scale Diagnostics
Senior Research Assistant
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Meso Scale Diagnostics
Added 2d ago
Senior Research Assistant
Meso Scale Diagnostics
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
$45,500/yr - $66,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's
201-500

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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Senior Research Technician
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Added 2d ago
Senior Research Technician
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
$32/hr - $49/hr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Case Western Reserve University
Senior Research Assistant
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Case Western Reserve University
Added 4d ago
Senior Research Assistant
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
$19.32/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Generate Biomedicines
Research Associate II/ Senior Research Associate
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Generate Biomedicines
Added 5d ago
Research Associate II/ Senior Research Associate
Generate Biomedicines
Andover, Massachusetts
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
$85,000/yr - $111,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Master's

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Senior Researcher

Verify your CIP code before applying

Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the STEM OPT eligible fields list. Mismatches between your CIP code and your degree title are a common reason DSOs can't authorize the extension.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers

Ask recruiters directly whether the hiring entity, not just the parent company, is enrolled in E-Verify. Research divisions and subsidiary labs sometimes operate under separate EINs that aren't covered by a parent organization's enrollment.

Align your I-983 training plan to the role

Your training plan must map your Senior Researcher duties to specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. Vague job descriptions get pushed back by DSOs, so request a detailed position description from your hiring manager before submitting.

Target R&D-heavy employers with consistent OPT hiring

Use Migrate Mate to filter Senior Researcher postings by employers with documented STEM OPT hiring history. Government labs, pharmaceutical companies, and university-affiliated research centers file consistently and have established onboarding processes for OPT students.

Benchmark your offer against OFLC Wage Search data

Look up the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location using the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating. Senior Researcher roles span multiple wage levels depending on supervision and complexity, and your offer affects future H-1B LCA compliance.

File your extension request 90 days before OPT expires

USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be submitted no more than 90 days before your initial OPT end date. Missing this window means a gap in work authorization that can't be retroactively fixed, even with an approved extension.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Senior Researcher role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Yes, if your STEM degree directly relates to the research work you'll be performing. Senior Researcher positions in fields like computational biology, materials science, or data science typically qualify. Your DSO will confirm eligibility based on your specific CIP code and the job duties described in your I-983 training plan, not just your job title.

What E-Verify requirement applies to STEM OPT employers hiring researchers?

Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify at the specific site where you'll work. For Senior Researcher roles at institutions with multiple campuses or research divisions, the enrolling entity must match your actual worksite. You can confirm enrollment by asking HR for the employer's E-Verify company ID or by requesting written confirmation before your start date.

How should the I-983 training plan reflect Senior Researcher responsibilities?

Your I-983 must tie each primary job duty to a specific learning objective connected to your STEM degree. For Senior Researcher roles, this means detailing how activities like experimental design, data analysis, or literature synthesis develop skills within your degree field. Generic descriptions like 'conduct research' are insufficient. Work with your supervisor to draft duty-specific language before submitting to your DSO.

What happens to my STEM OPT if my employer loses E-Verify enrollment?

If your employer's E-Verify enrollment lapses after your extension begins, you're required to report the change to your DSO within five days and either secure re-enrollment or find a new qualifying employer. Continued employment without a current E-Verify enrollment violates STEM OPT terms and can jeopardize your status, even if the gap is brief.

Where can I find Senior Researcher jobs posted by E-Verify enrolled employers?

Migrate Mate filters Senior Researcher postings specifically for STEM OPT students, surfacing roles at employers already enrolled in E-Verify. This saves you the step of manually verifying each employer's enrollment status before applying. You can search by research area, degree field, and work location to narrow results to positions that fit your STEM OPT eligibility.

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