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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The Luznik Lab at Baylor College of Medicine is seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Assistant to support translational research focused on allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, immune escape, and leukemia relapse. Our group integrates murine models and patient-derived clinical samples to investigate mechanisms of post-transplant relapse and to develop novel immune-based therapies. This position offers a dynamic and collaborative research environment, with direct involvement in both preclinical mouse experiments and human clinical sample processing.
Job Duties
- Performs and coordinates in vivo experiments including stem cell transplantation, immune phenotyping, and disease monitoring in mouse models.
- Processes clinical specimens (peripheral blood, bone marrow aspirates) from patients undergoing alloHCT under IRB-approved protocols.
- Conducts flow cytometry, tissue dissociation, nucleic acid extraction, and other immunological and molecular assays.
- Maintains mouse colonies, organizes sample inventories, and documents experimental data.
- Collaborates with postdocs and faculty on experimental planning and data analysis.
- Ensures compliance with institutional IACUC and IRB regulations.
- Trains and supports junior lab members as needed.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field.
Four years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Immunology, Oncology, or related field.
- Experience with mouse handling, injections, and irradiation procedures.
- Skilled in multicolor flow cytometry and tissue processing.
- Familiarity with clinical research procedures and regulatory documentation.
- Strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
Summary
The Luznik Lab at Baylor College of Medicine is seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Assistant to support translational research focused on allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, immune escape, and leukemia relapse. Our group integrates murine models and patient-derived clinical samples to investigate mechanisms of post-transplant relapse and to develop novel immune-based therapies. This position offers a dynamic and collaborative research environment, with direct involvement in both preclinical mouse experiments and human clinical sample processing.
Job Duties
- Performs and coordinates in vivo experiments including stem cell transplantation, immune phenotyping, and disease monitoring in mouse models.
- Processes clinical specimens (peripheral blood, bone marrow aspirates) from patients undergoing alloHCT under IRB-approved protocols.
- Conducts flow cytometry, tissue dissociation, nucleic acid extraction, and other immunological and molecular assays.
- Maintains mouse colonies, organizes sample inventories, and documents experimental data.
- Collaborates with postdocs and faculty on experimental planning and data analysis.
- Ensures compliance with institutional IACUC and IRB regulations.
- Trains and supports junior lab members as needed.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field.
Four years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Immunology, Oncology, or related field.
- Experience with mouse handling, injections, and irradiation procedures.
- Skilled in multicolor flow cytometry and tissue processing.
- Familiarity with clinical research procedures and regulatory documentation.
- Strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
See all 308+ STEM OPT Senior Researcher Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips 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 visa 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.
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.