Biotech & Pharma F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship 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 Jobs43+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type84% On-site
Median Salary$110K
Top LocationNorth Chicago, IL
Most JobsAbbVie

Showing 5 of 43+ Biotech & Pharma F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois

Nimble Therapeutics Inc.
Scientist I-II, Outsourcing Specialist, Global Analytical Strategy & Operations
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Nimble Therapeutics Inc.
New 15h ago
Scientist I-II, Outsourcing Specialist, Global Analytical Strategy & Operations
Nimble Therapeutics Inc.
North Chicago, Illinois
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Healthcare Administration
Not listed
On-Site
5+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Fresenius Kabi Usa
Scientist I
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Fresenius Kabi Usa
Added 4d ago
Scientist I
Fresenius Kabi Usa
Melrose Park, Illinois
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
Not listed
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
Bachelor's

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Kashiv BioSciences LLC.
Microbiologist I
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Kashiv BioSciences LLC.
Added 1w ago
Microbiologist I
Kashiv BioSciences LLC.
Chicago, Illinois
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Environmental Science
On-Site
Bachelor's

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UCB
Clinical Account Specialist
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UCB
Added 1w ago
Clinical Account Specialist
UCB
Chicago, Illinois
Sales
Account Management
Customer Success
$132,000/yr - $174,000/yr
Hybrid
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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AbbVie
Manager, Statistics
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AbbVie
Added 1w ago
Manager, Statistics
AbbVie
North Chicago, Illinois
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Data Science & Analytics
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
Data Science
$106,500/yr - $202,500/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Master's
10,000+

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See all 43+ Biotech & Pharma F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois

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Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Illinois

Healthcare Administration14 jobs
Laboratory Research13 jobs
Clinical Trials10 jobs
Clinical Trials & Medical Research10 jobs
Biotech & Life Sciences7 jobs
Project & Program Management7 jobs
Data Science6 jobs
Business Analysis5 jobs
Consulting & Professional Services5 jobs
Customer Service & Support5 jobs

See all 43+ Biotech & Pharma Jobs in Illinois

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Biotech & Pharma 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 STEM-eligible 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 SOC codes 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 SOC codes, 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.