STEM OPT Trainee Jobs
Trainee roles in STEM fields accept F-1 students on the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization to build hands-on experience. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your STEM degree must match an eligible CIP code. Both requirements are confirmed before your training plan is approved.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Assists in performing investigative research under the mentorship in a particular area(s) of study. Publishes and presents data in a timely manner. Works collaboratively with other investigators to facilitate their scientific research and training. Participates in various types of institute and community activities.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs research projects as directed; follows and adheres to experimental protocols in a proficient and meticulous manner.
- Responsible for the collection, analysis and interpretation of research data related to specific project.
- Submits manuscripts and abstracts for publication to peer review journals and presentations at local, national and international conferences.
- Performs a variety of tasks, including but not limited to, correspondence, attending meetings, database maintenance, maintaining records, charts, etc.
- Responsible for all other activities, clinical and administrative, as needed.
- Provides technical direction to research staff.
- Operates with direct guidance and work assignments are generally straightforward and of moderate complexity.
- Performs related duties as required. All responsibilities noted here are considered essential functions of the job under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Duties not mentioned here, but considered related are not essential functions.
LOCATION
Please note: the position will be located in both Cold Spring Harbor as well as at the Feinstein Institutes in Manhasset. Flexibility and the ability to travel to both locations is preferred.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Philosophy required.
- 0-1 years of relevant experience, required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong interest in understanding disease mechanisms and a high level of scientific curiosity.
- Prior research experience in Drosophila genetics, mammalian disease models, metabolomics, cell biology, or computational biology.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and scientific communication skills.
ADDITIONAL SALARY DETAIL
The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining a team member's base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, service line, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity).
INTRODUCTION
Assists in performing investigative research under the mentorship in a particular area(s) of study. Publishes and presents data in a timely manner. Works collaboratively with other investigators to facilitate their scientific research and training. Participates in various types of institute and community activities.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs research projects as directed; follows and adheres to experimental protocols in a proficient and meticulous manner.
- Responsible for the collection, analysis and interpretation of research data related to specific project.
- Submits manuscripts and abstracts for publication to peer review journals and presentations at local, national and international conferences.
- Performs a variety of tasks, including but not limited to, correspondence, attending meetings, database maintenance, maintaining records, charts, etc.
- Responsible for all other activities, clinical and administrative, as needed.
- Provides technical direction to research staff.
- Operates with direct guidance and work assignments are generally straightforward and of moderate complexity.
- Performs related duties as required. All responsibilities noted here are considered essential functions of the job under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Duties not mentioned here, but considered related are not essential functions.
LOCATION
Please note: the position will be located in both Cold Spring Harbor as well as at the Feinstein Institutes in Manhasset. Flexibility and the ability to travel to both locations is preferred.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Philosophy required.
- 0-1 years of relevant experience, required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong interest in understanding disease mechanisms and a high level of scientific curiosity.
- Prior research experience in Drosophila genetics, mammalian disease models, metabolomics, cell biology, or computational biology.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and scientific communication skills.
ADDITIONAL SALARY DETAIL
The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining a team member's base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, service line, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity).
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Trainee
Verify your CIP code before applying
Cross-check your degree's CIP code against the STEM OPT eligible CIP code list published by USCIS before you submit any application. Trainee roles often require a specific discipline match, and a mismatch delays or disqualifies your extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask the recruiter for the employer's E-Verify company ID number before you sign anything. Trainee programs at smaller organizations or startups sometimes lack E-Verify enrollment, which makes your STEM OPT extension invalid even after an offer.
Build a training plan around measurable outcomes
The I-983 requires performance evaluation criteria tied to your STEM degree, not just a job description. Frame your Trainee duties around quantifiable learning goals so your DSO can approve the plan without revision requests.
Target employers with active LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Trainee postings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and Labor Condition Application filing history, so you're only spending time on roles that can actually support your STEM OPT extension.
Check prevailing wage before your training plan is finalized
Run your Trainee job title and work location through the OFLC Wage Search to confirm the offered compensation meets the DOL prevailing wage for that role. Submitting an I-983 with a below-prevailing wage rate creates compliance problems during USCIS review.
File your extension request 90 days early
USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be submitted at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. Missing that window means a gap in work authorization, which invalidates a Trainee role that hasn't yet started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Trainee roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your STEM degree's CIP code appears on the USCIS STEM OPT eligible list and the Trainee position directly relates to that field. The role must also be paid, at least part-time, and structured around learning goals tied to your degree. Unpaid or volunteer trainee positions do not qualify.
How do I know if a Trainee employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the recruiter or HR contact directly for the employer's E-Verify company ID before you accept an offer. You can also ask them to confirm their E-Verify enrollment date. If they can't provide this, the employer likely isn't enrolled, which means your DSO cannot approve the STEM OPT extension for that position. Migrate Mate flags E-Verify enrollment status on every listed employer.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Trainee role?
The I-983 requires a detailed description of how the Trainee position applies your STEM knowledge, specific goals and performance benchmarks, a supervision structure, and the employer's attestation that the role isn't displacing a U.S. worker. Your DSO reviews and signs the plan before USCIS adjudicates the extension. Vague job descriptions without measurable outcomes are the most common reason DSOs request revisions.
Can I start a Trainee role while my STEM OPT extension is pending?
If you applied for the STEM OPT extension before your initial OPT EAD expired, cap-gap provisions allow continued employment authorization while the application is pending. You can work under your existing OPT EAD during that window. Once USCIS approves the extension and issues the new EAD, your 24-month authorization period begins from your original OPT end date.
How do I find Trainee jobs where the employer already understands STEM OPT requirements?
Search Migrate Mate for Trainee roles filtered by STEM OPT eligibility. Employers listed there have E-Verify enrollment and Labor Condition Application filing history, which signals they've sponsored international students before and understand the I-983 process. This significantly reduces back-and-forth with HR departments that aren't familiar with STEM OPT training plan requirements.