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 Jobs24+
Work Type83% On-site
Top LocationNorth Chicago, IL
Most JobsAbbVie

Showing 5 of 24+ Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT Jobs in Illinois

Lab Technician III
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Added 4d ago
Lab Technician III
Fresenius Kabi USA
Melrose Park, Illinois
Laboratory Research
Allied Health
Laboratory Science
$28 - $32/hr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Senior Specialist, Product Development
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Added 3w ago
Senior Specialist, Product Development
Sysmex America
Mundelein, Illinois
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Project Management
$110k - $112k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Scientist l, Lab Manager
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Added 1mo ago
Scientist l, Lab Manager
AbbVie
North Chicago, Illinois
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Healthcare Administration
$75k - $143k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Bioprocess Associate
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Added 2mo ago
Bioprocess Associate
Boston Bioprocess
Champaign, Illinois
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
$25/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Associate, Analytics & Business Insights
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Added 3mo ago
Associate, Analytics & Business Insights
Tempus AI
Chicago, Illinois
Business Analysis
Data Science & Analytics
Project & Program Management
Data Science
Data Analytics
Project Management
Revenue Operations & Enablement
$83k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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STEM OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Illinois

Data Science9 jobs
Data Science & Analytics9 jobs
Project Management7 jobs
Laboratory Research7 jobs
Project & Program Management7 jobs
Biotech & Life Sciences6 jobs
Business Analysis5 jobs
Software Engineering4 jobs
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)4 jobs
Business Analyst3 jobs

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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.