Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Kentucky

Kentucky's biotech and pharma sector, anchored by major employers like Ashland Global Holdings, Kindred Biosciences, and the University of Kentucky's research complex in Lexington, offers F-1 OPT candidates meaningful entry points in lab sciences, regulatory affairs, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Louisville and Lexington host the largest concentration of sponsoring employers in the state.

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Overview

Open Jobs33+
Work Type100% On-site
Top LocationFlorence, KY
Most JobsJabil

Showing 5 of 33+ Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Kentucky

Jabil
Inventory Control Supervisor
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Jabil
Added 1w ago
Inventory Control Supervisor
Jabil
Florence, Kentucky
Logistics & Inventory
Procurement & Supply Chain
Inventory Control
Logistics & Fleet Management
Supply Chain
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Piramal Pharma Solutions
Manufacturing Process Engineer
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Piramal Pharma Solutions
Added 1w ago
Manufacturing Process Engineer
Piramal Pharma Solutions
Lexington, Kentucky
Specialized Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Project Management
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Catalent Pharma Solutions
Quality Assurance Associate
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Catalent Pharma Solutions
Added 1w ago
Quality Assurance Associate
Catalent Pharma Solutions
Winchester, Kentucky
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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AbbVie
Specialty Representative, Psychiatry
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AbbVie
Added 1w ago
Specialty Representative, Psychiatry
AbbVie
Louisville, Kentucky
Sales
Account Management
Customer Success
$79k - $193k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Daiichi Sankyo
Oncology Territory Manager
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Daiichi Sankyo
Added 2w ago
Oncology Territory Manager
Daiichi Sankyo
Louisville, Kentucky
Sales
Account Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Business Development
$146k - $220k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Kentucky

Quality Control11 jobs
Project & Program Management10 jobs
Human Resources8 jobs
Manufacturing Operations8 jobs
Project Management7 jobs
Procurement & Supply Chain6 jobs
Logistics & Fleet Management5 jobs
Supply Chain4 jobs
Compliance & Legal4 jobs
Specialized Engineering4 jobs

See all 33+ Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Kentucky

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Biotech & Pharma OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions

Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Kentucky?

Several Kentucky-based employers have a history of hiring F-1 OPT candidates in biotech and pharma, including Ashland Global Holdings, Lexington-area contract research organizations, and pharmaceutical manufacturers with facilities in Louisville. Large hospital systems affiliated with university research programs also hire OPT candidates in lab and research roles. Sponsorship availability varies by role and is not guaranteed, so confirming directly with each employer is essential.

Which cities in Kentucky have the most biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?

Lexington and Louisville account for the overwhelming majority of biotech and pharma F-1 OPT opportunities in Kentucky. Lexington benefits from proximity to the University of Kentucky and its affiliated research institutes, which attract life sciences employers and CROs. Louisville is home to larger pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare corporations. Outside these two cities, biotech and pharma hiring with OPT sponsorship is limited.

What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?

F-1 OPT allows you to work in roles directly related to your field of study, so qualifying positions in biotech and pharma generally include research associate, quality control analyst, regulatory affairs specialist, clinical data analyst, process development scientist, and biostatistician roles. STEM OPT extension applicants must work in positions that qualify as STEM under the Department of Homeland Security's designated degree list, which covers most life science and chemistry degree programs.

How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and visa holders, letting you filter biotech and pharma jobs in Kentucky by visa type, including F-1 OPT. This makes it straightforward to identify Kentucky employers actively open to OPT candidates without sorting through listings that don't apply to your situation. Pairing Migrate Mate with outreach to University of Kentucky and University of Louisville career centers can strengthen your search further.

Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Kentucky's biotech and pharma sector?

Kentucky does not impose state-level visa sponsorship requirements beyond federal OPT rules, but the state's biotech sector is smaller and more concentrated than coastal hubs, meaning fewer total employers are sponsoring at any given time. Many Kentucky biotech and pharma roles are tied to manufacturing or quality operations rather than early-stage research, which can affect STEM OPT eligibility depending on your degree field. Verifying your degree's STEM designation with your DSO before applying is advisable.