Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Illinois
Illinois is one of the Midwest's strongest biotech and pharma markets, anchored by the Chicago metro area and research corridors in Lake County and the North Shore. Major employers including AbbVie, Baxter International, and Takeda have deep hiring pipelines that have historically included F-1 OPT candidates in research, regulatory, and laboratory roles.
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JOB SUMMARY
Salary Range: $28.00-32.00 per hour
Final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to experience level, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Our benefits and programs are comprehensive and thoughtfully crafted to ensure our colleagues live healthy lives and have support when it matters most. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with company contributions, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, employee assistance program, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage.
Responsibilities
The Lab Tech III is responsible for receiving and logging samples. In addition, the Tech. III is responsible for ensuring proper storage of samples and performing scheduled inspections for reserves, incoming materials and complaints as examples. The individual is expected to maintain up-to-date qualified inspector status. The individual will enter data into computerized systems, review and approve data, coordinate testing to assist Supervisor, communicate with other departments and act as back up to supervisor in their absence.
Job responsibilities:
- Receipt, verification, and logging of samples using SAP and LIMS.
- Ensure proper storage of samples and maintain the chambers and warehouse.
- Accurately documents activities in accordance with GMP requirements.
- Schedules testing, enters results and maintains inventory using computerized systems (example LIMS).
- Performs scheduled inspections.
- Reviews and approves data. Releases lots in LIMS.
- Responsible for training Lab tech II.
- Serves as a backup in the absence of the supervisor.
- Tracks testing status and reports issues to the supervisor.
- Communicates with other departments about testing status.
- Performs additional inspections required for product complaints and deviations.
- Performs destruction of expired samples.
- Keeps accurate inventory on samples.
- Assumes additional duties as assigned by management.
- All employees are responsible for ensuring the compliance to company documents, programs and activities related to the Health, Safety, Environment, Energy, and Quality Management Systems, as per your roles and responsibilities.
Job Requirements
- Associate degree preferred or previous relevant work experience.
- Minimum of three years’ experience in a laboratory environment preferably in the pharmaceutical or other similar regulated industry.
- Attention to detail.
- Good organization skills.
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).
- Must be flexible with continually changing projects and priorities.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- The Company’s primary business language is English. The successful candidate must be able to effectively speak, read, write, and understand English to perform the essential functions of the position, including independently understanding policies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We offer an excellent salary and benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage, as well as life insurance, disability, 401K with company contribution, and wellness program.
Please note that joining our team does not create a guaranteed or permanent employment arrangement. All employment is at-will, meaning both the employee and Fresenius Kabi have the right to end the employment relationship at any time, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
Fresenius Kabi is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, disabilities, or protected veteran status.
OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in IllinoisBiotech & Pharma OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Illinois?
Several large Illinois-based biotech and pharma employers have OPT hiring histories, including AbbVie in North Chicago, Baxter International in Deerfield, Takeda Pharmaceuticals in Bannockburn, and Horizon Therapeutics in Deerfield. Smaller contract research organizations and biotech startups in the Chicago metro area also participate in OPT sponsorship, though hiring practices vary by role, department, and business need at the time of application.
Which cities in Illinois have the most biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
The North Shore suburbs, particularly North Chicago, Deerfield, Bannockburn, and Lake Forest, host the highest concentration of large pharma employers in Illinois. Chicago itself has a growing biotech cluster, especially around the Illinois Medical District and the Fulton Market neighborhood. Evanston and the University of Illinois at Chicago campus area also generate biotech and life sciences hiring activity tied to academic research programs.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Illinois?
Roles that qualify for OPT must be directly related to your degree field. In biotech and pharma, this commonly includes research associate, analytical chemist, regulatory affairs associate, clinical data analyst, bioinformatics specialist, quality control scientist, and process development engineer positions. Roles in computational biology and drug discovery that align with life sciences, chemistry, or engineering degrees are also frequently eligible, provided the employer is registered with E-Verify.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters biotech and pharma jobs in Illinois that are open to F-1 OPT candidates, saving you time screening listings that won't consider your status. Beyond job boards, attending Chicago-area biotech networking events, connecting with University of Illinois or Northwestern alumni in the industry, and targeting companies with an established OPT and H-1B visa sponsorship track record can strengthen your pipeline.
Are there any Illinois-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in biotech and pharma?
Most Illinois biotech and pharma employers require E-Verify enrollment to hire OPT students, so confirming this before applying is important. Roles in STEM-designated fields such as biochemistry, biomedical engineering, or computational biology may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Illinois has no state-level restrictions on OPT employment, but some federal contractor positions at pharma companies may have additional work authorization requirements.