Science & Research OPT Jobs in Illinois
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.
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INTRODUCTION
We’re looking for an experienced insurance professional to manage an established and active book of business. This book is positioned for continued growth across the full line of COUNTRY Financial® products and services.
COUNTRY Financial® Insurance Agents have the opportunity and the autonomy to build a rewarding, financially stable career while enriching lives in the communities we serve.
THE CAREER
Our insurance agents take a consultative approach to grow business with existing and prospective clients. As independent contractors, they are in business for themselves but not by themselves, and they:
- Diversify their income through our portfolio of property and casualty, life and health lines.
- Have the flexibility to manage their schedules to balance their careers and personal interests.
- Educate clients and prospects about our products and services.
- Collaborate with COUNTRY Trust Bank® Financial Advisors to inform clients of our financial products and services.
- Establish an office and build a staff.
WE OFFER
COUNTRY Financial® Insurance Agents have uncapped earning potential and:
- Opportunities to earn performance-based global trips and financial rewards.
- Access to continued learning and marketing resources.
- Affiliation with our 100-year-old brand heritage and family-focused culture that values authenticity and integrity.
- There is no buy-in required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Successful COUNTRY Financial® Insurance Agents are:
- Entrepreneurial, motivated, and goal driven.
- A strong communicator with excellent business acumen.
- Committed to linking your efforts with tangible rewards.
- Passionate about making positive impacts in their communities.
Required Licenses
- Property/Casualty State Insurance License
- Life/Health State Insurance License
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 2+ years of experience in the insurance and or financial services industry
- 5+ years of business ownership or managerial experience
About us
COUNTRY Financial® is the trade name for a collective of affiliated insurance and financial services companies. This means we have an extended family of support and a large backing.
Since 1925, COUNTRY Financial has been dedicated to helping others plan for their future while also protecting what matters most to them. What started long ago as a simple commitment on Midwest farmlands has expanded to become a FORTUNE 1000 insurance and financial services organization proudly serving 19 states.
Our insurance agents, financial advisors, and employees remain dedicated to serving nearly one million households with our diverse range of personal and business insurance products as well as financial services products. And our consistent AM Best A+ rating means we have the financial strength to keep the promises we make to our clients.
These licenses are not required to apply; however, the candidate’s ability to obtain these licenses is essential when a contract decision is made.
The Premiums and AUC indicated above are the estimated amounts. These amounts may change and are not guaranteed. Future value/size will depend on the strategies, tactics, and efforts of the agent, in addition to external factors including but not limited to pricing trends in the marketplace, competitive intensity, consumer preferences, client relationships, etc.
Farm Certifications are done annually in January. If marked “Yes”, the agent must obtain certification the following January as a condition of the agent’s contract.
COUNTRY Financial® is the marketing name for the COUNTRY Financial family of affiliated companies (collectively, COUNTRY), which include COUNTRY Life Insurance Company®, COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, and their respective subsidiaries, located in Bloomington, Illinois.
Investment management, retirement, trust, and planning services provided by COUNTRY Trust Bank®. The investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of an investment company should be carefully considered before investing.
OPT Science & Research Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Science & Research Jobs in IllinoisScience & Research OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently 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.