Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT Jobs in Iowa
Iowa's biotech and pharma sector offers F-1 STEM OPT opportunities across research, manufacturing, and quality roles, with employers like Corteva Agriscience, Pfizer, and Boehringer Ingelheim operating in the state. Des Moines, Ames, and the Iowa City corridor are active hiring hubs, drawing candidates from Iowa State University and the University of Iowa's life sciences programs.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for being the liaison between our generic clients and Charles City with regards to request for documentation to support their regulatory needs. This position also is a technical reviewer for internal projects such as stability protocols and reports, analytical method protocols and reports as well as managing customer complaints.
Responsibilities:
- Key Quality Assurance customer support person to answer, address and/or compile relevant data to support Cambrex Charles City, Inc. products through customer requests through, but not limited to: Review of customers specification, Stability Data, Providing Standard statements of compliance
- Review of companies technical documents
- Serve as a liaison with new and existing customers concerning regulatory filings (i.e. coordinating issuance of CEPs, Letters of Authorization, coordinate filings of EDMF/CDMF with MAA, coordinate responses to customer inquiries)
- Review of various change controls for compliance to commitments made in Regulatory Submissions or requirements and complete assessments of regulatory impact
- Review of data/records received from R&D, manufacturing, analytical, supply chain and Quality Assurance departments for corresponding with customers for regulatory support
- Compile and author Annual Product Quality Reviews
- All employees are required to adhere to DEA, EPA, FDA and cGMP regulations as they relate to the operation of the Company; and to adhere to all company safety rules and procedures. All employees are expected to report to work regularly and promptly. Other duties relating to departmental mission, not specifically detailed in this section may be assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ability to maintain written and oral communication in English required
- Strong critical thinking skills
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, including initiative and strong work ethic
QUALIFICATIONS
- BS or BA
- 3-5 years of relevant experience preferably in a cGMP environment
- Experience at a commercial manufacturing facility for pharmaceuticals is strongly preferred.
INTRODUCTION
The Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for being the liaison between our generic clients and Charles City with regards to request for documentation to support their regulatory needs. This position also is a technical reviewer for internal projects such as stability protocols and reports, analytical method protocols and reports as well as managing customer complaints.
Responsibilities:
- Key Quality Assurance customer support person to answer, address and/or compile relevant data to support Cambrex Charles City, Inc. products through customer requests through, but not limited to: Review of customers specification, Stability Data, Providing Standard statements of compliance
- Review of companies technical documents
- Serve as a liaison with new and existing customers concerning regulatory filings (i.e. coordinating issuance of CEPs, Letters of Authorization, coordinate filings of EDMF/CDMF with MAA, coordinate responses to customer inquiries)
- Review of various change controls for compliance to commitments made in Regulatory Submissions or requirements and complete assessments of regulatory impact
- Review of data/records received from R&D, manufacturing, analytical, supply chain and Quality Assurance departments for corresponding with customers for regulatory support
- Compile and author Annual Product Quality Reviews
- All employees are required to adhere to DEA, EPA, FDA and cGMP regulations as they relate to the operation of the Company; and to adhere to all company safety rules and procedures. All employees are expected to report to work regularly and promptly. Other duties relating to departmental mission, not specifically detailed in this section may be assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ability to maintain written and oral communication in English required
- Strong critical thinking skills
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, including initiative and strong work ethic
QUALIFICATIONS
- BS or BA
- 3-5 years of relevant experience preferably in a cGMP environment
- Experience at a commercial manufacturing facility for pharmaceuticals is strongly preferred.
STEM OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in IowaBiotech & Pharma STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech & pharma companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Iowa?
Iowa-based biotech and pharma employers with a history of sponsoring international work authorization include Corteva Agriscience, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Pfizer, and DuPont. Agricultural biotech firms concentrated in the Des Moines metro and Ames area are particularly active, given Iowa's strong agriscience industry. Sponsorship history varies by role and hiring cycle, so checking each company's current filings is advisable before applying.
Which cities in Iowa have the most biotech & pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Des Moines and its western suburbs, including Johnston and Ankeny, host the highest concentration of biotech and pharma employers in Iowa, particularly in agricultural biotechnology. Ames is a secondary hub driven by proximity to Iowa State University and its research partnerships. Iowa City supports life sciences roles connected to University of Iowa Health Care and affiliated research institutions. These three areas account for most sponsorship-eligible postings in the state.
What types of biotech & pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Iowa?
Roles that commonly qualify include research scientist, computational biologist, bioinformatics analyst, quality assurance engineer, regulatory affairs specialist, and process development associate. Positions must fall under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code tied to your degree. Agricultural biotech roles in crop science and genomics are especially prevalent in Iowa, reflecting the state's agriscience focus. O*NET can help confirm whether a specific job title aligns with a qualifying STEM occupation.
How do I find biotech & pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate lets you filter biotech and pharma jobs by visa type, including F-1 STEM OPT, and by state, so you can see Iowa-specific openings from employers with verified sponsorship history. This is more targeted than a general job search because it surfaces companies that have previously filed for STEM OPT workers. Combining Migrate Mate with outreach to Iowa State University and University of Iowa career centers can also surface unadvertised roles.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in biotech & pharma in Iowa?
Iowa does not impose additional state-level visa or work authorization requirements beyond federal STEM OPT rules. However, Iowa's biotech sector skews heavily toward agricultural biotechnology rather than clinical pharma, so candidates with plant science, genomics, or animal health backgrounds may find more relevant openings than those targeting traditional drug development roles. Employers in Iowa who participate in E-Verify are required to do so for STEM OPT extensions, which is a federal compliance requirement your employer must meet before approving the extension.