Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT 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.
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INTRODUCTION
We are searching for motivated, detail-oriented, and hands-on individuals interested in advancing science through the manufacturing of CRISPR products. As a Laboratory Associate II at Synthego, you will join our operations team and independently execute established laboratory and production workflows. This role requires strong attention to detail, sound judgment, adaptability, and working knowledge of laboratory, safety, quality, and production protocols. The Laboratory Associate II is expected to manage routine work with limited guidance, recognize when issues require escalation, maintain accurate production documentation, collaborate cross-functionally, and support the development of other team members through training on assigned processes.
Available Shift and Training Schedule
- Shift: Night Shift
- Hours: 10:30pm to 7:00am
- Days: Monday - Friday
- Training: Training will take up to 3 months. During the training period you may be asked to temporarily move to a different shift time due to staffing and training needs. After training is complete, you will work the hours/days of the week you were hired for.
What You'll Do:
- Independently follow standard operating procedures and departmental protocols to set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment
- Execute established laboratory and production workflows with limited guidance, including preparation, processing, documentation, and related production activities
- Monitor and execute production work, make observations, record results, and escalate issues appropriately
- Capture production data accurately and maintain documentation in compliance with laboratory, quality, and organizational standards
- Review routine production records for accuracy and completeness before handoff or submission
- Identify routine process or equipment issues and troubleshoot under supervision when appropriate
- Support multiple production workflows and adapt to changing priorities as needed
- Maintain inventory of laboratory products, reagents, and supplies, including material requests and inventory updates as needed
- Collaborate with cross-functional partners to support production timelines and resolve routine operational needs
- Train or support team members on assigned laboratory and production processes once qualified
ABOUT YOU:
- AA in Chemistry, Biotech Certification, or equivalent relevant work experience
- 1+ year of industry experience within a manufacturing, production, or laboratory environment
- Working knowledge of laboratory, safety, quality, and production protocols
- Understanding of quality concepts and the importance of complete, accurate production documentation
- Excellent attention to detail and strong commitment to quality
- Strong time management skills and ability to work independently while knowing when to escalate
- Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work with cross-functional partners
- Able to multitask and prioritize work effectively in a fast-paced production environment
NICE TO HAVES:
- Experience improving SOPs, work instructions, or production documentation based on hands-on workflow knowledge
- Experience independently supporting complex, multi-step laboratory workflows with changing priorities or tight timelines
- Experience training, mentoring, or onboarding others in laboratory or production processes
- Hands-on experience using LIMS, ERP, inventory, or lab management systems to support production planning or material tracking
OUR MISSION
Synthego is a pioneering force in the biotechnology industry, dedicated to advancing the frontiers of CRISPR cell and gene therapies through cutting-edge CRISPR technology and expertise. Our mission is to provide unparalleled access to best-in-class CRISPR solutions at scale, empowering agility in life science research and development from discovery through clinical trials. From streamlined approaches to licensing through full technical and regulatory support from our industry-leading experts, Synthego is enabling greater access to CRISPR technology driving to improved outcomes in patient therapeutic treatments.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
15% shift differential will be added for night shift hours.
STEM OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in California
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in CaliforniaBiotech & Pharma STEM OPT Sponsorship 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.