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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Get Access To All JobsPosition Summary
The Drug Product Manufacturing Associate I / II / III, is a regular employee in a full-time non-exempt position at Kashiv BioSciences, LLC, in Chicago, IL. This employee will be responsible for the manufacturing of Biotechnology products for clinical and commercial human use. Employee employs aseptic techniques while working in controlled and classified environments, some of which require complete aseptic gowning. Must comply with Kashiv BioSciences policies, procedures (SOP), FDA current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and any other government requirement.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- To take Line Inspection/Line clearance of the Packaging area.
- To operate syringe labeling machine, label counting, blister packaging, check weigher, serialization, aggregation, and temper evident sealing Machines by following respective SOP.
- To visually inspect labeled syringes, blister packs, printed cartons, or shippers for any defects.
- Responsible for submission of samples.
- To participate in investigations if needed.
- To pack syringes with other necessary components manually in cartons.
- To check the weight of cartons to ensure no missing components.
- To packed good cartons into the shipper and do palletization.
- To submit documents and material requests to start packaging operations to the respective department.
- To verify all drug product syringes before starting of packaging activity.
- To electronically record all the process steps (If required).
- To complete logbooks, Batch Records, and other cGMP documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
- To remove and dispose soiled / expired, rejected syringes, materials from the area.
- To assure that the packaging rooms and surrounding areas are maintained within the required conditions for clean room manufacturing.
- To report all nonconformance or events that arise during the shift to the Supervisor.
- To comply with all safety, cGMP and Company policies, practices, and procedures.
- To perform other functions (Manufacturing, Visual inspection) as required or assigned.
- To comply with all company policies and standards.
Position Requirements and Qualifications
Education:
- Associate degree or higher college in Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacy or related preferred
- Or an equivalent of 1 – 2 years (for associate 1 and 2) and 3 – 4 years (For associate 3) of industry experience required.
- Operation of packaging machines (Labeling, blister packing, serialization, aggregation etc.) is preferred.
Special Skills:
Language:
- Basic verbal and written communication skills in English with the ability to understand technical information, procedures, batch records, and other documents in English.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
Reasoning Skills:
- The candidate should have the ability to operate complex systems and equipment in accordance with current GMPs, SOPs, and safety guidelines under minimum supervision.
- Basic skills for identifying problems and troubleshooting of the equipment and manufacturing processes.
- Ability to work independently, within SOP, prescribed guidelines, or as a team member and the demonstrated ability to follow detailed directions.
Computer and/or Technical Skills:
- Skills for working with Computer systems, such as: POMS, LIMS, SAP, NetSuite etc.
- Operation and understanding of word processing, spreadsheets, and data management
- Knowledge of GMP and safety requirements.
- Knowledge of biotechnology operations such as, Aseptic Filtration Systems, Aseptic Sampling, Filter Integrity Testing, stirrer plate, floor scale, peristaltic pump, Weigh Scales, etc.
Work Environment & Physical Demands:
General work environment and physical demands as required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Ability to work flexible hours as needed. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Some travel may be involved.
Supervisory Responsibility, if any: No
This position description is not a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skill required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.
Position Summary
The Drug Product Manufacturing Associate I / II / III, is a regular employee in a full-time non-exempt position at Kashiv BioSciences, LLC, in Chicago, IL. This employee will be responsible for the manufacturing of Biotechnology products for clinical and commercial human use. Employee employs aseptic techniques while working in controlled and classified environments, some of which require complete aseptic gowning. Must comply with Kashiv BioSciences policies, procedures (SOP), FDA current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and any other government requirement.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- To take Line Inspection/Line clearance of the Packaging area.
- To operate syringe labeling machine, label counting, blister packaging, check weigher, serialization, aggregation, and temper evident sealing Machines by following respective SOP.
- To visually inspect labeled syringes, blister packs, printed cartons, or shippers for any defects.
- Responsible for submission of samples.
- To participate in investigations if needed.
- To pack syringes with other necessary components manually in cartons.
- To check the weight of cartons to ensure no missing components.
- To packed good cartons into the shipper and do palletization.
- To submit documents and material requests to start packaging operations to the respective department.
- To verify all drug product syringes before starting of packaging activity.
- To electronically record all the process steps (If required).
- To complete logbooks, Batch Records, and other cGMP documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
- To remove and dispose soiled / expired, rejected syringes, materials from the area.
- To assure that the packaging rooms and surrounding areas are maintained within the required conditions for clean room manufacturing.
- To report all nonconformance or events that arise during the shift to the Supervisor.
- To comply with all safety, cGMP and Company policies, practices, and procedures.
- To perform other functions (Manufacturing, Visual inspection) as required or assigned.
- To comply with all company policies and standards.
Position Requirements and Qualifications
Education:
- Associate degree or higher college in Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacy or related preferred
- Or an equivalent of 1 – 2 years (for associate 1 and 2) and 3 – 4 years (For associate 3) of industry experience required.
- Operation of packaging machines (Labeling, blister packing, serialization, aggregation etc.) is preferred.
Special Skills:
Language:
- Basic verbal and written communication skills in English with the ability to understand technical information, procedures, batch records, and other documents in English.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
Reasoning Skills:
- The candidate should have the ability to operate complex systems and equipment in accordance with current GMPs, SOPs, and safety guidelines under minimum supervision.
- Basic skills for identifying problems and troubleshooting of the equipment and manufacturing processes.
- Ability to work independently, within SOP, prescribed guidelines, or as a team member and the demonstrated ability to follow detailed directions.
Computer and/or Technical Skills:
- Skills for working with Computer systems, such as: POMS, LIMS, SAP, NetSuite etc.
- Operation and understanding of word processing, spreadsheets, and data management
- Knowledge of GMP and safety requirements.
- Knowledge of biotechnology operations such as, Aseptic Filtration Systems, Aseptic Sampling, Filter Integrity Testing, stirrer plate, floor scale, peristaltic pump, Weigh Scales, etc.
Work Environment & Physical Demands:
General work environment and physical demands as required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Ability to work flexible hours as needed. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Some travel may be involved.
Supervisory Responsibility, if any: No
This position description is not a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skill required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.
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.