Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Indiana
Indiana's biotech and pharma sector offers F-1 OPT students real opportunities, anchored by major employers like Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, Cook Medical in Bloomington, and Corteva Agriscience in Johnston. The state's concentration of research institutions and life sciences companies makes it one of the Midwest's more active markets for OPT sponsorship in this industry.
Find Biotech & Pharma JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 96+ Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Indiana










See all 96+ Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Indiana
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Indiana.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals! As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Your Role: Process Engineering Associate (Entry Level)
As a Process Engineer at Clinton Labs, Elanco’s largest U.S. manufacturing site, you’ll join a team focused on ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient production of animal health products. In this entry-level role, you’ll develop deep technical expertise in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and equipment, contribute to regulatory compliance, and support continuous improvement initiatives in a highly regulated environment.
Your Responsibilities:
- Troubleshoot and resolve day-to-day process and equipment issues to maintain production performance and reliability
- Analyze operational and process data to identify trends, improve efficiency, and support decision-making
- Support regulatory compliance by documenting process changes, investigating deviations, and applying safety and environmental standards (e.g., PSM)
- Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams on improvement projects, including equipment upgrades and process optimizations
- Participate in cross-functional efforts to reduce variability in manufacturing by evaluating process, equipment, and procedural factors
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
- Education: Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, with an expected graduation by June 2027.
- Required Experience: None required — entry-level position
- Strong problem-solving and communication skills; comfortable using tools like Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
- Internship, co-op, or project experience in a manufacturing, engineering, or lab setting
- Exposure to lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies
- Familiarity with process modeling software (e.g., Aspen) or data analysis tools (e.g., PI system)
- Understanding of root cause analysis or troubleshooting methods
- General awareness of manufacturing or process equipment such as fermentors, dryers, or packaging systems
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Schedule: Full-time, primarily Monday–Friday (8-hour shifts); occasional evening or weekend support may be required
- Location: Clinton, IN Manufacturing Site
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
- Multiple relocation packages
- 8-week parental leave
- 9 Employee Resource Groups
- Annual bonus offering
- Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Indiana
See all 96+ Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Indiana
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in IndianaBiotech & Pharma OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Indiana: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech & pharma companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Indiana?
Eli Lilly and Company is Indiana's most prominent pharma employer and has a long history of hiring international graduates on F-1 OPT. Other notable employers include Corteva Agriscience, Cook Medical, Elanco Animal Health, and Catalent. Smaller biotech firms and contract research organizations in the Indianapolis metro also participate in OPT hiring, though sponsorship practices vary by company, role, and hiring cycle.
Which cities in Indiana have the most biotech & pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Indianapolis is by far the primary hub, home to Eli Lilly's global headquarters and a growing cluster of life sciences companies, CROs, and biotech startups. Bloomington has a notable presence due to Cook Medical and proximity to Indiana University. West Lafayette benefits from Purdue University's research ecosystem and attracts pharma-adjacent employers. These three cities account for the majority of OPT-eligible biotech roles in the state.
What types of biotech & pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that align directly with STEM degrees tend to qualify most clearly for OPT and STEM OPT extensions. Common examples in Indiana include research scientist, analytical chemist, process development engineer, regulatory affairs associate, bioinformatics analyst, and quality assurance specialist. Positions requiring a bachelor's or advanced degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or chemical engineering are the most common fit for F-1 OPT in this industry.
How do I find biotech & pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Indiana?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters biotech and pharma jobs in Indiana by visa type, including F-1 OPT. Rather than sorting through generic job listings, you can search directly for employers who have indicated willingness to sponsor OPT in this industry. Pairing Migrate Mate with outreach to Indiana's BioCrossroads life sciences network and career offices at Purdue or Indiana University can strengthen your search further.
Are there any Indiana-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in biotech & pharma?
Indiana's life sciences sector is heavily concentrated around established large employers rather than early-stage startups, which matters for OPT because larger companies tend to have more structured international hiring processes and HR familiarity with STEM OPT extensions. Students should confirm that their degree field qualifies for STEM OPT before targeting roles, since the 24-month extension requires both a STEM-designated program and an E-Verify registered employer.