Science & Research Jobs in Illinois with F-1 OPT Sponsorship
F-1 OPT science and research jobs in Illinois span a dense concentration of employers across Chicagoland, Champaign-Urbana, and the North Shore research corridor. Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago are among the institutions that consistently hire OPT-eligible researchers, analysts, and scientists across life sciences, physical sciences, and data-driven research roles.
See All Science & Research JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 50+ Science & Research F-1 OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 50+ Science & Research F-1 OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Science & Research F-1 OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois roles.
Get Access To All JobsTITLE: Tech & AV Support Technician
DEPARTMENT: Information Technology
REPORTS TO: Director of Technology & AV Support Services
STATUS: Full-time, Non-Exempt
PAY RATE: $24.00 - $26.00/hour
LOCATION: Onsite - Shedd
Time Commitment: Wednesday - Sunday
POSITION OVERVIEW: The Tech & AV Service Desk Technician is a role that facilitates and maintains all user accessible voice, data, and desktop equipment, as well as the overall audio-visual (AV) experience for employees and patrons at Shedd. This position is responsible for the success of meetings, programs, and events requiring the operation of AV equipment for all Shedd employees.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Demonstrate commitment to Shedd's vision, mission, and values
- Collaborate with Shedd teams and vendors as needed
- First point of contact for end-user technology needs, including hardware, software, and desktop access
- Develop and provide training and support documentation for all Shedd employees
- Prepare and maintain new laptops, tablets and workstations for Shedd employees
- Assist in supporting telephony infrastructure and its associated end user hardware and software
- Performs daily exhibit walkthroughs verifying and troubleshooting the technical operation of the overall Shedd AV experience for guests
- Maintain an inventory of all Shedd owned hardware, including user devices and facilitating AV equipment
- Respond to and log workflows regarding employee technology/AV requests via JIRA ticketing system
- Arrange and operate AV equipment for meetings, classes, programs, and events as needed
- Serve as live show production assistant for programs and productions as needed
- Create and update technical documentation related to technology and AV systems configurations, process, procedure, and knowledgebase articles
- Maintain an ongoing understanding of current and emerging technologies
- Must be able to work onsite during normal business hours as well as on weekends and holidays
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing technology environment
- Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education: Minimum of a high school diploma and training in technology support or AV engineering, and/or equivalent experience providing technology and AV support
Experience:
- 2+ years of experience in the IT or AV field preferred
- Experience with various IT and AV technologies, including interactive displays, projectors, digital signage, AV environments, microphones, and videoconferencing
- Knowledge of and experience with various operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
- Knowledge of various common customer software packages, including Microsoft 365, G-Suite, and Adobe Suite
- Strong customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Must be able to maintain effective relations with users at all levels and positively interact with customers with complex or challenging needs
- Ability to learn quickly and to communicate technical issues to non-technical personnel
Designations/Certifications: CompTia A+, MCSE, ACMT, CTS, and/or Dante preferred
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Lift up to 60 pounds
- Sit
- Stand
- Stoop
- Walk
- Climb ladders
- Operate lift
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This person may be exposed to:
- Heat
- Cold
- Electrical shock
- Low noise
- Moderate Noise
- Loud Noise
BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD: We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.
- Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
- Vision and Dental Insurance
- Accrued Paid Time Off
- Up to 12 Paid Holidays
- Life Insurance
- Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
- 401(k)
- Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive
- Employee Discounts
- Employee Tickets
Reasonable Accommodations:
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org.
We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.
TITLE: Tech & AV Support Technician
DEPARTMENT: Information Technology
REPORTS TO: Director of Technology & AV Support Services
STATUS: Full-time, Non-Exempt
PAY RATE: $24.00 - $26.00/hour
LOCATION: Onsite - Shedd
Time Commitment: Wednesday - Sunday
POSITION OVERVIEW: The Tech & AV Service Desk Technician is a role that facilitates and maintains all user accessible voice, data, and desktop equipment, as well as the overall audio-visual (AV) experience for employees and patrons at Shedd. This position is responsible for the success of meetings, programs, and events requiring the operation of AV equipment for all Shedd employees.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Demonstrate commitment to Shedd's vision, mission, and values
- Collaborate with Shedd teams and vendors as needed
- First point of contact for end-user technology needs, including hardware, software, and desktop access
- Develop and provide training and support documentation for all Shedd employees
- Prepare and maintain new laptops, tablets and workstations for Shedd employees
- Assist in supporting telephony infrastructure and its associated end user hardware and software
- Performs daily exhibit walkthroughs verifying and troubleshooting the technical operation of the overall Shedd AV experience for guests
- Maintain an inventory of all Shedd owned hardware, including user devices and facilitating AV equipment
- Respond to and log workflows regarding employee technology/AV requests via JIRA ticketing system
- Arrange and operate AV equipment for meetings, classes, programs, and events as needed
- Serve as live show production assistant for programs and productions as needed
- Create and update technical documentation related to technology and AV systems configurations, process, procedure, and knowledgebase articles
- Maintain an ongoing understanding of current and emerging technologies
- Must be able to work onsite during normal business hours as well as on weekends and holidays
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing technology environment
- Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education: Minimum of a high school diploma and training in technology support or AV engineering, and/or equivalent experience providing technology and AV support
Experience:
- 2+ years of experience in the IT or AV field preferred
- Experience with various IT and AV technologies, including interactive displays, projectors, digital signage, AV environments, microphones, and videoconferencing
- Knowledge of and experience with various operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
- Knowledge of various common customer software packages, including Microsoft 365, G-Suite, and Adobe Suite
- Strong customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Must be able to maintain effective relations with users at all levels and positively interact with customers with complex or challenging needs
- Ability to learn quickly and to communicate technical issues to non-technical personnel
Designations/Certifications: CompTia A+, MCSE, ACMT, CTS, and/or Dante preferred
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Lift up to 60 pounds
- Sit
- Stand
- Stoop
- Walk
- Climb ladders
- Operate lift
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This person may be exposed to:
- Heat
- Cold
- Electrical shock
- Low noise
- Moderate Noise
- Loud Noise
BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD: We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.
- Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
- Vision and Dental Insurance
- Accrued Paid Time Off
- Up to 12 Paid Holidays
- Life Insurance
- Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
- 401(k)
- Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive
- Employee Discounts
- Employee Tickets
Reasonable Accommodations:
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org.
We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.
Job Roles in Science & Research in Illinois
See all 50+ Science & Research Illinois jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Science & Research Illinois roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which science and research companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Illinois?
Illinois has a wide range of employers that hire F-1 OPT holders in science and research, including Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie, Baxter International, and academic research centers at the University of Illinois, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago. National laboratories and large pharmaceutical employers in the Chicago metro and North Shore have established processes for hiring OPT-eligible candidates.
Which cities in Illinois have the most science and research F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Chicago leads in volume, particularly for biotech, pharmaceutical research, and data science roles concentrated in the Merchandise Mart tech district and medical campuses. The Champaign-Urbana area is significant for academic and computational research, anchored by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The North Shore suburbs, including Waukegan and North Chicago, house major pharmaceutical campuses from employers like AbbVie and Baxter.
What types of science and research roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Illinois?
Roles that directly apply a student's degree field are eligible under F-1 OPT. In Illinois, qualifying positions commonly include research scientist, laboratory analyst, computational researcher, clinical research associate, environmental scientist, and data scientist roles within life sciences or physical sciences. The key requirement is that the work must be directly related to the major area of study listed on the student's academic program.
How do I find science & research F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa type and industry, so you can search science and research roles in Illinois that are open to F-1 OPT candidates without sorting through positions that don't offer sponsorship. Given the concentration of national labs, pharmaceutical employers, and university research centers in Illinois, filtering by location alongside OPT eligibility on Migrate Mate narrows results to the most relevant opportunities efficiently.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for F-1 OPT science and research jobs?
Illinois does not have state-level visa sponsorship requirements beyond federal OPT rules, but the state's life sciences sector is heavily regulated at the federal level, particularly for clinical and pharmaceutical research roles. OPT students in STEM fields may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension if their employer is enrolled in E-Verify, which many larger Illinois research institutions and pharmaceutical companies already are. Students should verify E-Verify enrollment with each prospective employer.
See which science & research employers are hiring and sponsoring visas in Illinois right now.
Search Science & Research Jobs in Illinois