Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT Jobs in Kentucky
Kentucky's biotech and pharma sector, anchored by employers such as Kindred Biosciences, Ashland Global Holdings, and the growing research corridor around Louisville and Lexington, offers F-1 STEM OPT candidates roles in process chemistry, regulatory affairs, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The state's life sciences ecosystem is expanding, making it a viable destination for OPT students seeking hands-on industry experience.
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INTRODUCTION
Piramal Pharma Solutions is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), offering end-to-end development and manufacturing solutions across the drug life cycle. We serve our clients through a globally integrated network of facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. This enables us to offer a comprehensive range of services including Drug Discovery Solutions, Process & Pharmaceutical Development services, Clinical Trial Supplies, Commercial supply of APIs and Finished dosage forms. We also offer specialized services like development and manufacture of Highly Potent APIs and Antibody Drug Conjugation. Our capability as an integrated service provider & experience with various technologies enables us to serve Innovator and Generic companies worldwide.
JOB TITLE
PROJECT MANAGER
JOB OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Director of Project Management, the Project Manager is the primary and critical interface with clients regarding both existing and potential development projects and has cross-functional responsibility for facilitating and managing completion of all required elements of the project strategy.
REPORTING STRUCTURE
This position reports to the Director of Project Management.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as the main point of contact for internal and external clients throughout the manufacturing process
- Lead role in determining specific client requirements
- Ensure that client expectations are managed and met
- Negotiate acceptance of scope changes with client
- Manage project scope, critical path, timeline and budget of multiple complex projects simultaneously
- Manage communications such as conference calls and meetings with clients to ensure a positive relationship
- Maintain detailed meeting minutes for internal and external use and send out as appropriate
- Establish practical, achievable, realistic timelines/goals with internal and external project teams
- Identify scope creep and create scope change document with input from appropriate functional groups including business development
- Responsible for identifying potential problems in meeting commitments
- Resolve potential shortfalls in meeting commitments first by working internally with Piramal Pharma Solutions team so commitment can be made, or if it not feasible, contacting the client as soon as possible to renegotiate a new commitment that they can accept
- Develop project risk management plan
- Coordinate with Finance to obtain project financials to hold project close-out meeting
- Establish and report on essential project metrics (such as variance) and elevate issues/risks to senior and executive management
- Manage revenue forecast for projects
- Participate in revenue notification process and complete invoice notifications as required
- Manage and communicate client needs and expectations to project team
- Work with Piramal Pharma Solutions employees to ensure that commitments made to clients are realistic and achievable
- Coordinate with business development and/or client to ensure appropriate information and materials are provided to facilitate kick-off of project
- Effectively schedule, facilitate and manage team meetings and ensure that proper communication regarding the project is appropriately elevated and distributed
- Influence/motivate team members to enact project plans and achieve goals
- Mentor team members and encourage positive team atmosphere
- Lead projects in alignment with Piramal Pharma Solutions - Lexington/Policies and FDA guidelines
- Assist in department standardization
- Provide training to project team members as needed
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's Degree in applicable scientific field required, advanced degree preferred
- One to three years of Project Management experience desired
- Minimum two (2) years of previous pharmaceutical industry experience desired, contract manufacturing or contract research organization experience strongly preferred
- Good working knowledge of cGMP Guidelines and FDA regulations as well as an ability to understand company policies, SOPs, and Safety/OSHA policies
- Proficient in use of common office software including SmartSheet (or equivalent alternate PM software), Excel, Word, and Power Point
- Can demonstrate understanding of project management practices; including project initiating, planning, execution, monitoring/controlling, and closeout
- Requires excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must be proactive and able to engage effectively with multiple stakeholders
- Proven ability to meet deadlines and handle stressful situations effectively
- Detail oriented
LOCATION:
Location: Lexington
STEM OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Kentucky
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in KentuckyBiotech & Pharma STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies in Kentucky have sponsored F-1 STEM OPT workers?
Companies with documented life sciences hiring activity in Kentucky include Ashland Global Holdings, Lexmark International, and pharmaceutical manufacturing operations clustered around Louisville. Large hospital systems with affiliated research divisions, such as Norton Healthcare and Baptist Health, have also hired STEM OPT candidates in research-adjacent roles. Sponsorship history varies by position and year, so confirming active OPT sponsorship with each employer's HR team is an important step before applying.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most biotech and pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Louisville concentrates the largest share of Kentucky's pharmaceutical and life sciences employment, driven by its established manufacturing base and proximity to major distribution infrastructure. Lexington supports biotech research activity, partly through ties to the University of Kentucky's research programs. Covington, situated in the Greater Cincinnati metro area, also offers access to pharma employers that recruit across the Kentucky-Ohio border. These three cities account for the majority of F-1 STEM OPT opportunities in the sector.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Kentucky?
Roles most likely to qualify include process development scientist, quality assurance analyst, regulatory affairs associate, computational biologist, and pharmaceutical research associate. These positions typically carry STEM degree classifications that appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, which determines OPT extension eligibility. Positions in manufacturing operations, analytical chemistry, and clinical data management also frequently qualify, provided the job duties align with the graduate's STEM degree field. Candidates should verify STEM degree classification alignment with their DSO before accepting an offer.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers with F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history in biotech and pharma, letting you search by state so you can focus on Kentucky-based openings. This saves time compared to manually screening general job boards where sponsorship status is often unlisted. You can also review DOL Labor Condition Application filings through the OFLC Wage Search to verify which Kentucky employers have recently sponsored workers in life sciences roles before applying.
Are there any state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in biotech and pharma in Kentucky?
Kentucky does not impose state-level work authorization requirements beyond federal STEM OPT rules, but biotech and pharma roles often involve regulated environments where employers require E-Verify enrollment, which is already mandated for STEM OPT positions. Life sciences roles in GMP manufacturing settings may also require background checks and health screenings that extend onboarding timelines. Candidates should account for these steps when timing their OPT start date relative to their program end date and any employer-mandated pre-employment requirements.