Chemicals & Materials F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Florida
Florida's chemicals and materials sector spans petrochemical processing along the Gulf Coast, specialty polymer manufacturers in Tampa and Jacksonville, and agricultural chemical producers tied to the state's phosphate mining industry. F-1 students on STEM OPT can find sponsorship opportunities at companies like Mosaic, Olin Corporation, and BASF's Florida operations, with roles concentrated in research, process engineering, and quality assurance.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Summary: This position is responsible for independently testing and qualifying new raw materials, analyzing finished goods, and generating technical reports. The Research Associate II plays a key role in developing laboratory prototypes, supporting scale-up activities, and executing plant trial runs. This would apply to the membranes, formulations, and/or coatings technologies.
Responsibilities:
- Leads the testing and trials of raw materials and finished products; generate and interpret technical data reports.
- Supports New Product Development initiatives for product Improvements.
- Supports plant trial preparation and execution, scale-up evaluations, and performance benchmarking.
- Uses intermediate analytical equipment including DMA, DSC, DSR, mixers, ovens, and conditioning chambers, as well as conducts troubleshooting and calibration.
- Interfaces with cross-functional teams and external testing labs for code compliance and validation.
- Maintains accurate documentation, assist in raw material evaluations, and suggest improvement opportunities.
- Presents findings in meetings and contribute to technical discussions with Scientists and team leads.
- Mentors technicians and ensure lab activities are aligned with safety and quality systems.
- Partners with Product Management, Operations, Codes & Compliance, and Supply Chain to support R&D initiatives.
- Follows safety, environmental, and housekeeping standards in compliance with company and regulatory policies.
- Performs other duties as required.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science /Arts in Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering Polymer Science or related fields.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in modified asphalt, underlayments and membranes systems for residential and or commercial industries.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience industrial experience in modified asphalt, underlayments and membranes systems for residential and or commercial industries.
- Requires proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.
- 10% travel.
- Preferred: PhD or Masters in Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or related fields with minimum 1 year of industrial experience in modified asphalt, underlayments and membranes systems for residential and or commercial industries is preferred.
Position Summary: This position is responsible for independently testing and qualifying new raw materials, analyzing finished goods, and generating technical reports. The Research Associate II plays a key role in developing laboratory prototypes, supporting scale-up activities, and executing plant trial runs. This would apply to the membranes, formulations, and/or coatings technologies.
Responsibilities:
- Leads the testing and trials of raw materials and finished products; generate and interpret technical data reports.
- Supports New Product Development initiatives for product Improvements.
- Supports plant trial preparation and execution, scale-up evaluations, and performance benchmarking.
- Uses intermediate analytical equipment including DMA, DSC, DSR, mixers, ovens, and conditioning chambers, as well as conducts troubleshooting and calibration.
- Interfaces with cross-functional teams and external testing labs for code compliance and validation.
- Maintains accurate documentation, assist in raw material evaluations, and suggest improvement opportunities.
- Presents findings in meetings and contribute to technical discussions with Scientists and team leads.
- Mentors technicians and ensure lab activities are aligned with safety and quality systems.
- Partners with Product Management, Operations, Codes & Compliance, and Supply Chain to support R&D initiatives.
- Follows safety, environmental, and housekeeping standards in compliance with company and regulatory policies.
- Performs other duties as required.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science /Arts in Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering Polymer Science or related fields.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in modified asphalt, underlayments and membranes systems for residential and or commercial industries.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience industrial experience in modified asphalt, underlayments and membranes systems for residential and or commercial industries.
- Requires proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.
- 10% travel.
- Preferred: PhD or Masters in Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or related fields with minimum 1 year of industrial experience in modified asphalt, underlayments and membranes systems for residential and or commercial industries is preferred.
Chemicals & Materials Job Roles in Florida
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Search Chemicals & Materials Jobs in FloridaChemicals & Materials Jobs in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
Which chemicals and materials companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Florida?
Florida-based sponsors in chemicals and materials include Mosaic Company, one of the world's largest phosphate producers headquartered in Tampa, along with specialty chemical distributors and polymer manufacturers in the Jacksonville and Miami corridors. Multinational firms such as Honeywell, Dow, and Olin maintain Florida operations and have documented STEM OPT sponsorship histories through DOL Labor Condition Application filings.
Which cities in Florida have the most chemicals and materials F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Tampa Bay leads Florida's chemicals and materials hiring, driven by the phosphate and fertilizer industry concentrated in Polk County and Hillsborough County. Jacksonville supports refining, industrial coatings, and polymer distribution operations. Miami and Fort Lauderdale attract specialty chemical and materials firms with international trade connections. Orlando hosts research-oriented materials science roles linked to aerospace and defense supply chains in the region.
What types of chemicals and materials roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that align with STEM-designated degree programs tend to qualify. In chemicals and materials, these include process engineer, chemical engineer, materials scientist, quality control chemist, R&D chemist, environmental health and safety engineer, and polymer formulation specialist. Positions requiring a bachelor's or advanced degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field are most consistently eligible for STEM OPT extension under USCIS guidelines.
How do I find chemicals and materials F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Florida?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters job listings by visa sponsorship type, including F-1 STEM OPT, so you can focus on Florida chemicals and materials employers who have active sponsorship histories. You can narrow results by industry, location, and role type, making it straightforward to identify companies in Tampa, Jacksonville, or elsewhere in Florida that are actively hiring for STEM-eligible positions.
Are there any Florida-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in chemicals and materials?
Florida has no state income tax, which affects total compensation comparisons but has no bearing on visa eligibility. More relevant is that Florida's chemicals sector is heavily export-oriented, particularly phosphate and fertilizer, meaning some employers operate under federal export control regulations that can restrict hiring of certain foreign nationals. F-1 students should confirm with prospective employers whether their role involves export-controlled materials or technology before accepting an offer.