Education STEM OPT Jobs in Iowa
F-1 STEM OPT education jobs in Iowa are concentrated at research universities and edtech organizations, with the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and ACT Inc. among the employers with documented OPT hiring history. Des Moines and Iowa City see the most activity. Roles in instructional technology, data analytics, and curriculum development align with STEM OPT's 24-month extension eligibility.
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Get Access To All JobsRequisition # 4655
Advertising Ends on: Friday, August 7th, 2026
Advertising Started on: Friday, July 24th, 2026
College: Carver College of Medicine
Department: Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Salary: $63,480.00 to Commensurate
Full/Part Time Status: Full Time
Percent Time: 100%
Position Description:
A postdoctoral position is available immediately in the laboratory of Dionéia Araldi, MS.c., Ph.D., in the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology at the University of Iowa.
The Araldi lab investigates signaling pathways that drive the transition from acute to chronic pain, with a focus on aging, neuropathic pain, chronic opioid use, and stress. The lab uses complementary rodent and human translational approaches to study pain-related mechanisms.
We are seeking a highly motivated scientist with a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience or a related field. Applicants should have strengths in a subset of the core research areas relevant to the position, with additional training provided as needed.
The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative and interactive research team and will have the opportunity to contribute to high-impact publications. The position includes structured mentorship in manuscript preparation, career development awards, and preparation for the academic job market.
The postdoc will also be expected to present research at national and international scientific meetings and mentor junior trainees in the laboratory.
In addition, the candidate will participate in the Pain Research Program, which offers a highly collaborative training environment including didactic coursework, seminars, journal clubs, progress meetings, and grant-writing support. Trainees are encouraged to develop an independent research profile and pursue fellowship or career development funding early in the postdoctoral period.
Salary will follow the current NIH postdoctoral stipend scale and will be commensurate with experience. The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine is a major research and teaching center with a strong national reputation.
The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine has a national and international reputation as a major research and teaching center and ranks highly among U.S. News “Best Graduate Schools”. Iowa City is one of the most beautiful, safe, and collegial university towns in the Midwest, approximately 3.5 hours by car from Chicago, and offers a high standard of living, relatively low cost of living, and a rich cultural life. The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer.
Education Requirement:
Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience or a related field.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience with preclinical models of pain, including inflammatory and neuropathic pain syndromes
- Strong hands-on experience with behavioral assessment of evoked and spontaneous pain, including assays such as the Randall-Selitto, von Frey, Hargreaves test, and weight-bearing tests
- Experience with molecular biology techniques, including Western blotting, PCR, immunohistochemistry, and/or immunofluorescence
- Experience with dorsal root ganglion (DRG) isolation, processing, and analysis
Desirable Qualifications:
- Experience with statistical analysis software such as GraphPad Prism or R
- Experience with catch-clamp recording
- Experience with Ca2+ imaging
Online Application Required Documents
- Curriculum Vita
- Name and Contact Information of References
- Letters of Interest
Number of References: 3
To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.
Contact: Dioneia Araldi - dioneia-araldi@uiowa.edu
Cmed-Neurosci & Pharmacology
Bowen Science Building
51 Newton Road
2-430 BSB
Iowa City, IA 52242-1109
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.
Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.
Requisition # 4655
Advertising Ends on: Friday, August 7th, 2026
Advertising Started on: Friday, July 24th, 2026
College: Carver College of Medicine
Department: Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Salary: $63,480.00 to Commensurate
Full/Part Time Status: Full Time
Percent Time: 100%
Position Description:
A postdoctoral position is available immediately in the laboratory of Dionéia Araldi, MS.c., Ph.D., in the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology at the University of Iowa.
The Araldi lab investigates signaling pathways that drive the transition from acute to chronic pain, with a focus on aging, neuropathic pain, chronic opioid use, and stress. The lab uses complementary rodent and human translational approaches to study pain-related mechanisms.
We are seeking a highly motivated scientist with a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience or a related field. Applicants should have strengths in a subset of the core research areas relevant to the position, with additional training provided as needed.
The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative and interactive research team and will have the opportunity to contribute to high-impact publications. The position includes structured mentorship in manuscript preparation, career development awards, and preparation for the academic job market.
The postdoc will also be expected to present research at national and international scientific meetings and mentor junior trainees in the laboratory.
In addition, the candidate will participate in the Pain Research Program, which offers a highly collaborative training environment including didactic coursework, seminars, journal clubs, progress meetings, and grant-writing support. Trainees are encouraged to develop an independent research profile and pursue fellowship or career development funding early in the postdoctoral period.
Salary will follow the current NIH postdoctoral stipend scale and will be commensurate with experience. The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine is a major research and teaching center with a strong national reputation.
The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine has a national and international reputation as a major research and teaching center and ranks highly among U.S. News “Best Graduate Schools”. Iowa City is one of the most beautiful, safe, and collegial university towns in the Midwest, approximately 3.5 hours by car from Chicago, and offers a high standard of living, relatively low cost of living, and a rich cultural life. The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer.
Education Requirement:
Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience or a related field.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience with preclinical models of pain, including inflammatory and neuropathic pain syndromes
- Strong hands-on experience with behavioral assessment of evoked and spontaneous pain, including assays such as the Randall-Selitto, von Frey, Hargreaves test, and weight-bearing tests
- Experience with molecular biology techniques, including Western blotting, PCR, immunohistochemistry, and/or immunofluorescence
- Experience with dorsal root ganglion (DRG) isolation, processing, and analysis
Desirable Qualifications:
- Experience with statistical analysis software such as GraphPad Prism or R
- Experience with catch-clamp recording
- Experience with Ca2+ imaging
Online Application Required Documents
- Curriculum Vita
- Name and Contact Information of References
- Letters of Interest
Number of References: 3
To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.
Contact: Dioneia Araldi - dioneia-araldi@uiowa.edu
Cmed-Neurosci & Pharmacology
Bowen Science Building
51 Newton Road
2-430 BSB
Iowa City, IA 52242-1109
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.
Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.
STEM OPT Education Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Education Jobs in IowaEducation STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which education companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Iowa?
Employers with documented F-1 OPT hiring in Iowa's education sector include the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and ACT Inc. in Iowa City. These organizations regularly hire for data, technology, and research roles that qualify under STEM OPT's eligible occupation requirements. Sponsorship practices vary by department and role, so verifying active Labor Condition Application filings for specific positions is advisable.
Which cities in Iowa have the most education F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Iowa City and Ames account for the largest share of education STEM OPT roles in the state, driven by the University of Iowa and Iowa State University respectively. Des Moines adds a secondary concentration through private edtech companies, workforce development organizations, and community college systems. Cedar Rapids also sees activity from education technology vendors and regional training providers that hire for technical and data-focused positions.
What types of education roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that typically qualify are those classified under STEM-designated Standard Occupational Classification codes. In education, this includes instructional design technologists, educational data analysts, learning management system administrators, research scientists, and software developers working within academic or edtech settings. General teaching positions and purely administrative roles usually do not fall under eligible STEM degree classifications. Checking the role's SOC classification against the STEM OPT designated degree list via USCIS is the definitive verification step.
How do I find education F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate filters education job listings in Iowa by F-1 STEM OPT eligibility, showing employers with verified Labor Condition Application filing history so you can identify which organizations have actively sponsored international candidates. Searching by the Education industry tag and selecting Iowa narrows results to relevant employers in Iowa City, Ames, and Des Moines. Confirming that the posted role carries a STEM-designated STEM degree classification before applying saves significant time in the screening process.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Iowa's education sector?
Iowa requires STEM OPT employers to be enrolled in E-Verify, a federal requirement that applies nationally but is worth confirming with smaller Iowa-based edtech firms and community colleges, which may not always participate. Public university positions in Iowa are subject to state procurement and hiring timelines that can extend onboarding, so coordinating OPT start dates with offer letters requires careful planning. Iowa's education sector also relies on grant-funded research roles, where sponsorship capacity may depend on the funding cycle of individual grants rather than institutional policy.