Biotech & Pharma CPT Jobs in California
California is the top state for biotech and pharma F-1 CPT jobs, anchored by major hubs in San Diego's Torrey Pines corridor, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles. Companies like Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Amgen, and Illumina regularly bring on CPT students for research, computational biology, and regulatory roles across their California operations.
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About Oxford Biotherapeutics:
Oxford Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focusing on the development of antibody therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. OBT’s OGAP-verify® platform is the world's largest, cancer specific, membrane protein library, directly measuring plasma membrane protein expression in patient tumors. OGAP is used to identify novel, highly tumor specific antigens for novel first-in-class ADC, T-cell Engager (TCE) and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR-T) targets. Our lead asset, OBT076, is an Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) in Phase 1b clinical development. Our clinical and pre-clinical pipeline of novel biologics is balanced between internal programs, focused on ADCs and checkpoint regulators, and externally partnered programs with key innovators in oncology such as Roche, GSK and Zymeworks.
Job Description
We are seeking 4 motivated interns to support our Research & Development teams across multiple scientific functions. This is a paid, non-exempt position based in San Jose, California. Interns will gain hands-on exposure to a lab environment, contribute to day-to-day research activities, and learn foundational laboratory and operational skills while working alongside experienced scientists.
The anticipated internship timeframe is June 1, 2026 through August 31, 2026, with flexibility depending on candidate availability and business needs.
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Support basic laboratory activities under the guidance of team members
- Prepare, label, and organize samples, reagents, and materials for experiments
- Assist with routine tasks such as pipetting, solution preparation, and simple assays (as trained)
- Accurately record observations and maintain organized lab notes or electronic records
- Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment
- Restock supplies and assist with tracking inventory levels
- Assist with basic data entry, organization, and review
- Attend team meetings, take notes, and provide updates on assigned tasks
- Follow all laboratory safety procedures and company guidelines
Qualifications and Skills:
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Bachelor’s program in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field
- Interest in pursuing a career in biotechnology or scientific research
- Basic familiarity with laboratory concepts through coursework or academic labs
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions carefully
- Good organizational, time management, and communication skills
- Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively within a team
Equal Opportunities Statement
OBT is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. One of our top priorities is to maintain the health and wellbeing of our employees and their families. To achieve this goal, we offer comprehensive benefits.
CPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in California
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in CaliforniaBiotech & Pharma CPT Sponsorship Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 CPT visas in California?
California-based companies with established internship and co-op programs that accommodate F-1 CPT students include Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Amgen, Illumina, Biogen, and Regeneron's California offices. Smaller biotech startups in the Bay Area and San Diego also frequently hire CPT students, particularly for lab research and bioinformatics roles. CPT eligibility ultimately depends on your school's program requirements and DSO authorization, not employer preference alone.
Which cities in California have the most biotech and pharma F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs?
San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area are California's two dominant biotech employment centers. San Diego's Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley corridors house dozens of biotech firms, while the Bay Area clusters around South San Francisco, Foster City, and Emeryville. Los Angeles is a smaller but growing market, with pharma and medtech activity concentrated around UCLA and USC research parks.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 CPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly qualify include research associate positions, bioinformatics and computational biology internships, regulatory affairs support roles, quality assurance and quality control internships, and clinical data management positions. The role must be directly tied to your declared degree program for CPT to apply. STEM fields like molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, and data science align most cleanly with CPT eligibility requirements at most universities.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate lists biotech and pharma positions in California that are open to F-1 CPT candidates, letting you filter specifically by visa type and industry rather than sorting through general job postings. Given California's concentration of biotech employers, filtering by city (San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles) on Migrate Mate helps narrow results to the clusters where CPT hiring is most active. Always confirm CPT authorization with your DSO before applying.
Are there California-specific considerations for F-1 CPT in biotech and pharma?
California's biotech sector is heavily research-driven, so many CPT positions involve lab work, proprietary data, or biological materials subject to strict confidentiality agreements and export control regulations. Some roles at defense-adjacent life sciences companies may require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, which would exclude F-1 students. Additionally, California's strong university ecosystem means competition for CPT slots at major employers is high, particularly from UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, UCSF, and Stanford graduate programs.