Education STEM OPT Jobs in California
F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in California's education sector span edtech companies in Silicon Valley, university research roles in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, and K-12 curriculum technology firms statewide. Employers like Coursera, Duolingo's California offices, and major UC system affiliates regularly hire international STEM graduates in data, software, and instructional design roles.
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Get Access To All JobsOpen date: Immediately
Next review date: December 1, 2026
Final date: March 1, 2027
The anticipated start date is January 2027, with flexibility depending on candidate availability.
Location: School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis.
Position Description
The Segarra Lab at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in fish physiology and behavior to join our team. The successful candidate will join a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment involving faculty, staff and students studying the physiological ecology of California fishes and their responses to environmental change, with the ultimate goal of improving conservation and management strategies. The initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of extension for a second or third year, subject to funding availability.
The primary responsibility of the Postdoctoral Researcher will be to oversee and conduct experiments investigating the effects of environmental conditions and contaminant exposure on the physiology and behavior of juvenile Chinook salmon. These projects aim to provide critical information on how environmental stressors influence fish performance during outmigration and the potential implications for salmon conservation and management.
The researcher will participate in field-based exposure studies, including fish cage deployments in collaboration with the Fangue Lab at UC Davis, followed by laboratory assessments of fish physiology and behavior. Experiments may include swimming performance (Ucrit), thermal tolerance (CTmax), physiological stress indicators (e.g., cortisol and blood glucose), and behavioral assays. These assessments will be complemented by contaminant analyses of fish tissues and water samples conducted in collaboration with Southern Illinois University (SIU).
The successful candidate will play an active role throughout the research process, from experimental design and data collection to statistical analysis, interpretation, and scientific communication. The candidate will also be responsible for supervising undergraduate students and coordinating their involvement in research activities. The position offers opportunities to serve as lead author on peer-reviewed publications, present research findings at scientific conferences, and interact with academic collaborators and stakeholders involved in fisheries conservation and management.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Physiology, Ecology, Animal Biology, Animal Behavior, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience conducting fish physiology experiments and interpreting physiological data.
- Experience in experimental design, planning, and project coordination, including the ability to meet research objectives and deadlines.
- Strong statistical and analytical skills, including proficiency with R or comparable statistical software.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Preferred Qualifications
- Fish physiology: Experience with physiological techniques such as swimming performance (Ucrit), thermal tolerance (CTmax), and physiological stress measurements.
- Fish behavior: Experience designing behavioral experiments and using behavioral analysis software (e.g., EthoVision).
- Field research: Experience with fish handling, cage deployments, boat-based fieldwork, and small-boat operation.
- Salmonid research: Previous experience working with salmonids, particularly Chinook salmon, including fish husbandry and experimental handling.
- Scientific productivity: Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, demonstrating scientific independence and effective communication of research findings.
- Research leadership: Experience independently managing research activities, troubleshooting experimental challenges, and mentoring undergraduate students or research assistants.
- Environmental toxicology: Previous experience would be an asset.
Salary and Appointment
Salary and benefits will be consistent with UC Davis policies and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Application Requirements
Interested candidates should submit:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV), including publications, presentations, and relevant laboratory and field research experience.
- Cover letter (1–2 pages) describing their research background, relevant technical expertise, professional interests, and motivation for applying.
- Contact information for three professional references familiar with their research experience and qualifications.
Please email your application to asegarra@ucdavis.edu with the subject line: “Post-Doc in fish physiology”. For more information about our research, please visit https://segarralab.faculty.ucdavis.edu
Pay: $56,000.00 - $73,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
- Doctorate (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- driver's license (Required)
Location:
- Davis, CA 95616 (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
- 25% (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Open date: Immediately
Next review date: December 1, 2026
Final date: March 1, 2027
The anticipated start date is January 2027, with flexibility depending on candidate availability.
Location: School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis.
Position Description
The Segarra Lab at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in fish physiology and behavior to join our team. The successful candidate will join a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment involving faculty, staff and students studying the physiological ecology of California fishes and their responses to environmental change, with the ultimate goal of improving conservation and management strategies. The initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of extension for a second or third year, subject to funding availability.
The primary responsibility of the Postdoctoral Researcher will be to oversee and conduct experiments investigating the effects of environmental conditions and contaminant exposure on the physiology and behavior of juvenile Chinook salmon. These projects aim to provide critical information on how environmental stressors influence fish performance during outmigration and the potential implications for salmon conservation and management.
The researcher will participate in field-based exposure studies, including fish cage deployments in collaboration with the Fangue Lab at UC Davis, followed by laboratory assessments of fish physiology and behavior. Experiments may include swimming performance (Ucrit), thermal tolerance (CTmax), physiological stress indicators (e.g., cortisol and blood glucose), and behavioral assays. These assessments will be complemented by contaminant analyses of fish tissues and water samples conducted in collaboration with Southern Illinois University (SIU).
The successful candidate will play an active role throughout the research process, from experimental design and data collection to statistical analysis, interpretation, and scientific communication. The candidate will also be responsible for supervising undergraduate students and coordinating their involvement in research activities. The position offers opportunities to serve as lead author on peer-reviewed publications, present research findings at scientific conferences, and interact with academic collaborators and stakeholders involved in fisheries conservation and management.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Physiology, Ecology, Animal Biology, Animal Behavior, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience conducting fish physiology experiments and interpreting physiological data.
- Experience in experimental design, planning, and project coordination, including the ability to meet research objectives and deadlines.
- Strong statistical and analytical skills, including proficiency with R or comparable statistical software.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Preferred Qualifications
- Fish physiology: Experience with physiological techniques such as swimming performance (Ucrit), thermal tolerance (CTmax), and physiological stress measurements.
- Fish behavior: Experience designing behavioral experiments and using behavioral analysis software (e.g., EthoVision).
- Field research: Experience with fish handling, cage deployments, boat-based fieldwork, and small-boat operation.
- Salmonid research: Previous experience working with salmonids, particularly Chinook salmon, including fish husbandry and experimental handling.
- Scientific productivity: Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, demonstrating scientific independence and effective communication of research findings.
- Research leadership: Experience independently managing research activities, troubleshooting experimental challenges, and mentoring undergraduate students or research assistants.
- Environmental toxicology: Previous experience would be an asset.
Salary and Appointment
Salary and benefits will be consistent with UC Davis policies and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Application Requirements
Interested candidates should submit:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV), including publications, presentations, and relevant laboratory and field research experience.
- Cover letter (1–2 pages) describing their research background, relevant technical expertise, professional interests, and motivation for applying.
- Contact information for three professional references familiar with their research experience and qualifications.
Please email your application to asegarra@ucdavis.edu with the subject line: “Post-Doc in fish physiology”. For more information about our research, please visit https://segarralab.faculty.ucdavis.edu
Pay: $56,000.00 - $73,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
- Doctorate (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- driver's license (Required)
Location:
- Davis, CA 95616 (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
- 25% (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
STEM OPT Education Job Roles in California
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Search Education Jobs in CaliforniaEducation STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which education companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in California?
California-based edtech and education services companies with active F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship histories include Coursera, Chegg, Renaissance Learning, and various UC system research units. Larger districts and charter management organizations operating in Los Angeles and the Bay Area have also filed Labor Condition Applications for roles in data analysis, software engineering, and educational technology.
Which cities in California have the most education F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
San Francisco and the broader Bay Area lead in edtech STEM OPT hiring, driven by the concentration of venture-backed education technology companies. Los Angeles follows closely, supported by a large network of university campuses, ed-tech startups, and K-12 technology vendors. San Diego and Sacramento also have active markets through university research affiliates and state education agency contractors.
What types of education roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly qualify are those with a STEM STEM degree classification designation, including software engineer, data analyst, data scientist, instructional systems designer, and learning experience technologist positions within education organizations. Curriculum developer roles may qualify when the position is housed within a STEM-designated degree-aligned employer. Purely administrative or teaching-only roles at non-qualifying employers typically do not meet STEM OPT extension eligibility.
How do I find education F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters education sector jobs in California by employers with verified F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history, so you can identify companies that have filed Labor Condition Applications for roles rather than relying on job postings alone. Searching by STEM STEM degree classification within the education industry on Migrate Mate narrows results to roles where your OPT authorization is most likely to be compatible with the employer's documented hiring pattern.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in California's education sector?
California's E-Verify participation rules are relevant: the state generally limits mandatory E-Verify use to certain public contractors, but STEM OPT employers are federally required to be enrolled in E-Verify regardless of state law. California also has some of the country's largest community college and CSU system campuses, which are cap-exempt H-1B visa employers, making them strong long-term sponsorship pathways after your STEM OPT period ends.