Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT Jobs in Illinois

Illinois is one of the country's leading biotech and pharma hubs, anchored by the Chicago metro area and research corridors along the North Shore. Companies like AbbVie, Baxter International, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals have established STEM-designated roles that have historically supported F-1 STEM OPT candidates in research, clinical, and regulatory functions.

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Overview

Open Jobs53+
Work Type91% On-site
Top LocationNorth Chicago, IL
Most JobsAbbVie

Showing 5 of 53+ Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT Jobs in Illinois

AbbVie
Senior Scientist, Data I
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AbbVie
Added 2d ago
Senior Scientist, Data I
AbbVie
North Chicago, Illinois
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Data Science
Data Analytics
$97k - $184k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Boston Bioprocess
Bioprocess Associate
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Boston Bioprocess
Added 3w ago
Bioprocess Associate
Boston Bioprocess
Champaign, Illinois
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
$25/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Fresenius Kabi USA
Validation Engineer
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Fresenius Kabi USA
Added 1mo ago
Validation Engineer
Fresenius Kabi USA
Melrose Park, Illinois
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Engineering (Non-Software)
$65k - $80k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Tempus AI
Associate, Sales Operations
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Tempus AI
Added 1mo ago
Associate, Sales Operations
Tempus AI
Chicago, Illinois
Business Operations
Business Analysis
Project & Program Management
Sales
Project Management
Revenue Operations & Enablement
$80k - $95k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Abbott
Network Integration Executive
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Abbott
Added 2mo ago
Network Integration Executive
Abbott
Abbott Park, Illinois
Customer Service & Support
Technical Product & Program Management
Sales
$87k - $173k/yr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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STEM OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Illinois

Laboratory Research20 jobs
Biotech & Life Sciences17 jobs
Data Science & Analytics17 jobs
Data Science16 jobs
Quality Control10 jobs
Project Management10 jobs
Project & Program Management10 jobs
Software Engineering9 jobs
Data Analytics8 jobs
Technical Product & Program Management7 jobs

See all 53+ Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT Jobs in Illinois

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Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

Which biotech and pharma companies in Illinois have sponsored F-1 STEM OPT workers?

AbbVie, Baxter International, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and Horizon Therapeutics are among the Illinois-based employers that have filed Labor Condition Applications for roles. Smaller biotech firms in the Chicago metro and Lake County corridor have also sponsored F-1 STEM OPT candidates, particularly in research and development, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs positions.

Which Illinois cities have the most biotech and pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?

The Chicago metro area and the North Shore corridor, including North Chicago, Deerfield, and Lake County, concentrate the highest density of biotech and pharma employers in Illinois. Glenview and Mettawa also host significant pharma operations. Downtown Chicago is growing as a life sciences hub, with companies establishing research and commercial offices alongside established academic medical centers.

How do I find biotech & pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?

Migrate Mate filters biotech and pharma job listings in Illinois specifically for F-1 STEM OPT eligibility, showing employers with verified sponsorship history based on DOL filing data. This saves time compared to manually screening postings. Focus on roles with STEM degree classifications in life sciences, such as biochemists, microbiologists, and biomedical engineers, which commonly appear under STEM OPT-qualifying designations.

What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Illinois?

Roles that qualify are those tied to STEM-designated STEM degree classifications, including research scientist, biomedical engineer, biochemist, clinical data analyst, regulatory affairs specialist, bioinformatics analyst, and quality control chemist. The position must appear on the Department of Homeland Security's STEM OPT designated degree list and match the academic field of the student's qualifying STEM degree for authorization to apply.

Are there Illinois-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT in biotech and pharma?

Illinois employers sponsoring STEM OPT workers must be enrolled in E-Verify, a federal requirement for all STEM OPT extensions. Illinois has no state-level visa sponsorship law, but employers must file a formal training plan with the student's DSO. Large pharma campuses in Lake County often have dedicated immigration or global mobility teams familiar with STEM OPT compliance requirements, which can streamline the process.