Biotech & Pharma F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in California
California leads the U.S. in biotech and pharma employment, with major F-1 STEM OPT sponsoring employers concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego's Torrey Pines corridor, and Los Angeles. Companies like Genentech, Gilead Sciences, and Amgen have established track records of hiring international talent in research, clinical, and regulatory roles that qualify under STEM OPT's designated degree classifications.
See All Biotech & Pharma JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 314+ Biotech & Pharma F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in California
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 314+ Biotech & Pharma F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in California
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Biotech & Pharma F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in California.
Get Access To All JobsABOUT ABBVIE
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
JOB DESCRIPTION
We are currently hiring a highly motivated Scientist I to join our tLNP drug product formulation and process development team. In this role, you will directly work on formulation and process development of the most exciting tLNP drug product, to support emerging research pipelines.
This position will report into the Principal Scientist and based at our San Diego office. This role will involve hands-on laboratory work. All duties will be performed in compliance with AbbVie’s standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Experience with lipid nanoparticle formulation and purification processes, or experience with process development, engineering and manufacturing of biologics drug product processes are highly desired.
Responsibilities & Duties:
- Develop novel formulation, conjugation and purification process for lipid nanoparticles based nucleic acid formulations with targeting modalities.
- Prepare, formulate, and characterize nucleic based complex lipid nanoparticle formulations.
- Design, execute, and analyze DOE-based experiments to develop and optimize novel LNP formulations and lyophilized product development.
- Perform investigations of aberrant results, determination of root causes, and recommend action plan to ensure process robustness.
- Maintain proper documentation of all experimental procedures and results, including batch records, protocols, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other manufacturing related documentation.
- Prepare technical reports and presentations which summarize procedures, study results, and data interpretation as needed.
- Works in cross-functional teams to deliver results in an accurate and time sensitive manner.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education with typically 5 years of experience, or Master’s Degree or equivalent education with typically two years of experience.
- Understanding of lipid-based delivery systems and formulation science principles.
- Hands-on experience working with nucleic acid and/or lipid nanoparticle-based formulations, complex/nanoparticle formulations, other biological formulation and lyophilization formulation development.
- Ability to work in a well-lit heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office and occasional laboratory setting with adequate ventilation. Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of a productive/technical nature. May require long periods of standing/sitting.
- Comfortable working in a highly innovative, changing, fast-paced environment with multi-task skills is required.
- Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines. Has the discipline to stay focused and complete specific tasks.
- Detail oriented with good organizational skills.
- A team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
-
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
-
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
-
This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
ABOUT ABBVIE
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
JOB DESCRIPTION
We are currently hiring a highly motivated Scientist I to join our tLNP drug product formulation and process development team. In this role, you will directly work on formulation and process development of the most exciting tLNP drug product, to support emerging research pipelines.
This position will report into the Principal Scientist and based at our San Diego office. This role will involve hands-on laboratory work. All duties will be performed in compliance with AbbVie’s standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Experience with lipid nanoparticle formulation and purification processes, or experience with process development, engineering and manufacturing of biologics drug product processes are highly desired.
Responsibilities & Duties:
- Develop novel formulation, conjugation and purification process for lipid nanoparticles based nucleic acid formulations with targeting modalities.
- Prepare, formulate, and characterize nucleic based complex lipid nanoparticle formulations.
- Design, execute, and analyze DOE-based experiments to develop and optimize novel LNP formulations and lyophilized product development.
- Perform investigations of aberrant results, determination of root causes, and recommend action plan to ensure process robustness.
- Maintain proper documentation of all experimental procedures and results, including batch records, protocols, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other manufacturing related documentation.
- Prepare technical reports and presentations which summarize procedures, study results, and data interpretation as needed.
- Works in cross-functional teams to deliver results in an accurate and time sensitive manner.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education with typically 5 years of experience, or Master’s Degree or equivalent education with typically two years of experience.
- Understanding of lipid-based delivery systems and formulation science principles.
- Hands-on experience working with nucleic acid and/or lipid nanoparticle-based formulations, complex/nanoparticle formulations, other biological formulation and lyophilization formulation development.
- Ability to work in a well-lit heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office and occasional laboratory setting with adequate ventilation. Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of a productive/technical nature. May require long periods of standing/sitting.
- Comfortable working in a highly innovative, changing, fast-paced environment with multi-task skills is required.
- Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines. Has the discipline to stay focused and complete specific tasks.
- Detail oriented with good organizational skills.
- A team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
-
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
-
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
-
This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in California
See all 314+ Biotech & Pharma Jobs in California
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in CaliforniaBiotech & Pharma Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in California?
California's largest biotech and pharma employers with documented F-1 STEM OPT hiring include Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Amgen, Biogen, AbbVie, and Illumina, among many others. Mid-size and clinical-stage companies also participate, particularly in the Bay Area and San Diego. Sponsorship patterns vary by role and business unit, so verifying a specific employer's filing history before applying is worth the time.
Which cities in California have the most biotech and pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
San Francisco and the broader Bay Area, including South San Francisco and Foster City, host the highest concentration of biotech employers in the state. San Diego's Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley districts form the second-largest cluster, with strong representation in drug discovery and genomics. Los Angeles has a smaller but growing presence, particularly in cell therapy and diagnostics companies.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify for STEM OPT must be directly related to a STEM-designated degree field. In biotech and pharma, this commonly includes research scientist, bioinformatics analyst, clinical data scientist, process development engineer, regulatory affairs associate, and computational biologist positions. The employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify. Roles in general operations or sales that don't draw on a STEM degree typically don't qualify, even at sponsoring companies.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters biotech and pharma job listings in California specifically for F-1 STEM OPT eligibility, surfacing employers with verified STEM OPT sponsorship activity so you're not guessing which companies will support your work authorization. You can search by city, company size, and role type, focusing on employers in the Bay Area and San Diego who hire in research, clinical, and regulatory functions.
Are there any California-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in biotech?
California's biotech sector operates at a fast pace, and STEM OPT's 24-month authorization window requires early planning for any subsequent H-1B visa transition. California also has strict worker classification laws, so employers must formally document the training relationship under STEM OPT's formal training plan requirement. Some employers in the state have dedicated international hiring programs, while early-stage startups may have less experience with the E-Verify enrollment STEM OPT requires.