STEM OPT Jobs in Hawaii
F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Hawaii are concentrated in defense and aerospace contractors on Oahu, ocean science research institutions, and the University of Hawaii system. Honolulu anchors most employer activity, with smaller pockets in Hilo and Maui's growing tech sector.
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Description
Title: Graduate Research Assistant (HSCN-Residency)
Position Number: 0000GA11
Hiring Unit: School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene, Hawaii State Center for Nursing
Location: Manoa Campus / Honolulu
Date Posted: September 11, 2026
Closing Date: September 25, 2026
Salary Information: Step 17: $2,627 per month/ $31,524 annually
Monthly Appointment Type: 11-Month
Part Time/ Full Time: Part Time
Full Time Equivalency: 50%
Temporary/ Permanent: Temporary
The Hawai‘i State Center for Nursing invites students for Master’s Degrees or PhDs in Nursing, Public Health, Public Administration, or other health or social science departments to apply for a temporary, 50% effort, 11-month Graduate Assistant position beginning in October 2026. Continuation is contingent upon program needs, satisfactory work performance, academic progress, and availability of funds. Position benefits include tuition waiver and eligibility for health benefits, such as medical, drug, dental, and vision, with employee contribution.
Candidates will be expected to engage with multi-disciplinary teams across the state using virtual technology, plus working in in-person settings. The candidate will provide assistance to the Principal Investigator (PI), the Director of the Hawaii State Center of Nursing, in conducting program evaluation and supporting programs and initiatives. Manages project data and ensure integrity and quality of data collected. Attends weekly project meetings and assist with communication with other program administrators, vendors, and community members who are key stakeholders for the assigned projects.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Works closely with the Hawaii State Center for Nursing staff to support ongoing policy initiatives, and day-to-day program operations.
- Maintains communications with internal/external project partners and assists with any necessary paperwork. Assists in carrying out routine awareness-raising events to ensure ongoing project funding. Reviews and summarizes relevant research literature to guide project activities.
- Actively participates in team meetings to share insights and best practices from active projects.
- Performs project administration support activities such as manage, coordinate & administer the implementation of the Nurse Transition to Practice Support grant supported initiatives, which includes but is not limited to the Hawai‘i Nurse Residency Program (NRP).
- Works with Nurse Transition to Practice Support staff to collect program data and complete data entry required for analysis, reporting, and program management purposes.
- Develops recurring reports on program outcomes for grant expectations.
- Provides user support to partners on the operation of system and tools.
- Organizes and maintains documents, files and folders.
- Assists in planning and recording meetings with staff, faculty, administrators, internal and external stakeholders.
- Completes various projects as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Classified degree-seeking graduate student in Master’s Degrees or PhDs in Nursing, Public Health, Public Administration, or other health or social science departments at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, in good academic standing and maintains a GPA of 3.0 or above;
- Must maintain 6 credits per semester except those who have reached 800 (dissertation);
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills;
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
- Demonstrated problem-solving, communication, and adaptability skills;
- Familiarity with modern communication tools and technology and ability to assist others in using them;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Zoom and ability to manage multiple projects are essential.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Interest in coalition work, workforce development, and advocacy to advance nursing workforce issues.
- Experience in program evaluation.
- Experience in data analytics.
- Familiarity with: 1) Word processing programs, 2) AI tools, 3) graphic design tools such as Canva, or similar programs.
To Apply:
Note: If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account. Applicant must submit the following:
- Cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications;
- Resume;
- Names and contact information (telephone number and email addresses) of three (3) professional references; and
- Copies of unofficial transcripts (official transcripts will be required at the time of hire). Academic record/grade summaries and copy of diplomas are NOT ACCEPTABLE. Documents issued from an institution outside the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant.
NOTE: If multiple applications are received from the same candidate, only the last one will be reviewed. Please do not include any self-identifying photos they will be redacted. PLEASE REDACT Social Security #s and birth dates on transcript copies. All submitted items become the property of the University of Hawaii and will not be returned.
Only complete applications will be passed on to the search committee for consideration. No late applications will be accepted.
Inquiries:
Corie O. Fulgencio-Arre; mcfa@hawaii.edu
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in Hawaii
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Hawaii
Target E-Verify enrolled federal contractors first
Hawaii's largest STEM employers, including defense and aerospace contractors based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, must already be enrolled in E-Verify. Prioritize these employers: E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT, and federal contractors typically have established I-983 workflows.
Use Migrate Mate to filter verified STEM OPT sponsors
Search Migrate Mate's job board to identify Hawaii employers with confirmed STEM OPT sponsorship history, filtered by DOL Labor Condition Application data. This cuts the guesswork of cold-applying to employers who haven't sponsored F-1 students before.
Request your I-983 training plan before your start date
Your employer must sign a completed I-983 before USCIS approves the STEM OPT extension. Ask your prospective employer in Honolulu or Hilo whether they have a template ready. Delays in I-983 preparation are the most common reason STEM OPT applications are filed late.
Apply through University of Hawaii research labs directly
UH Manoa and UH Hilo operate research divisions in marine science, astronomy, and engineering that regularly host F-1 STEM OPT students. Apply through each lab's departmental hiring pages rather than central HR, where STEM OPT positions are often filled before they reach general job boards.
See all 37+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Hawaii
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Hawaii: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Hawaii sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Defense contracting, ocean and atmospheric research, and the University of Hawaii system account for the largest share of F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship activity in Hawaii. Aerospace operations around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oahu, federally funded marine science programs, and Maui's growing cybersecurity and satellite technology sector are the most active employers for STEM OPT candidates.
Which cities in Hawaii have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Honolulu holds the majority of F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Hawaii, driven by federal contractors, tech firms, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Hilo on the Big Island has a smaller but consistent presence through UH Hilo and astronomical research facilities at Maunakea. Kahului on Maui is an emerging area with defense-adjacent technology employers.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Hawaii?
Roles in software engineering, data analysis, oceanographic research, systems engineering, and cybersecurity commonly qualify when they carry a STEM-designated STEM degree classification and require a STEM degree directly related to the position. In Hawaii, ocean and atmospheric science roles tied to NOAA-affiliated programs and engineering positions with federal defense contractors are frequently structured to meet STEM OPT eligibility requirements.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Hawaii?
Migrate Mate filters job listings by employers with confirmed STEM OPT sponsorship history using DOL Labor Condition Application data, so you're targeting companies that have actually sponsored F-1 students rather than guessing. For Hawaii specifically, also check departmental hiring pages at UH Manoa and UH Hilo research divisions, and look at federal contractor postings tied to Oahu's defense installations, which require E-Verify enrollment and are structurally ready to hire STEM OPT candidates.
Are there any Hawaii-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Hawaii's geographic isolation means many STEM employers rely heavily on in-person presence for security-clearance roles and lab-based research, limiting fully remote STEM OPT placements compared to mainland states. Additionally, Hawaii's prevailing wages in technical occupations run above national medians due to cost of living, so verify your offered compensation against OFLC Wage Search figures before accepting an offer to ensure it meets the threshold your employer will certify on the LCA.