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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Get Access To All JobsQuality Control Analyst
Position Summary
Typical working hours are on E shift (6 AM - 6 PM Saturday - Monday, every other Tuesday from 6 AM - 2:30 PM). This position is 100% on-site in Winchester, Kentucky.
Catalent’s Winchester location is the flagship US manufacturing location for large scale oral dose forms, with integrated analytical and development services. With 28 years of expertise in product development, technology transfers and commercial manufacturing, and roots in industry-leading Glatt technology.
The Quality Control Analyst performs the basic and critical experimental work of day-to-day analysis, including generation and analysis of data. The Quality Control Analyst works “hands on” in an analytical lab that requires analytical testing, computer operating, record keeping, and report writing abilities.
The Role
- Perform efficient/reliable/high quality analytical testing in accordance with USP/NF/EP/JP/FCC/etc. or customer supplied guidelines. Typical testing may include Dissolution, Titration, Polarimetry, Loss on Drying, Viscosity, Residue on Ignition, Heavy Metal Content, FTIR, HPLC, and GC, etc.
- Maintain accurate written records of all analysis performed.
- Accurately interpret and effectively communicate analytical results and issues.
- Schedule daily tasks in an organized and efficient manner.
- Calibrate and maintain lab equipment and instrumentation.
- Responsible for operating in a safe manner, must be familiar with basic laboratory and chemical hygiene practices.
- Perform peer review of analytical testing and write up. Write SOPs on an as needed basis.
- Other duties as required in support of Catalent Pharma Solutions high performance.
The Candidate
Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field required (Chemistry or Biology preferred). Alternate degrees in a non-scientific field may be accepted with at least 2 years of relevant experience in a material testing laboratory.
2+ years in Quality, Laboratory, Clinical, or Chemical manufacturing role preferred.
Assisting with other personnel with lifting of liquid containers and all objects of greater than 50 lbs. Operating safely in a dynamic environment which includes mobile and fixed equipment and changing conditions while completing job tasks that range from simple to complex and/or multi-tasking.
Why You Should Join Catalent
- Several Employee Resource Groups focusing on D&I
- Tuition Reimbursement – Let us help you finish your degree or earn a new one!
- Generous 401K match
- 152 hours accrued PTO + 8 paid holidays
Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career! Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.
personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.
Visit Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities.
Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veterans.
If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to DisabilityAccommodations@catalent.com. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.
Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Catalent employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Catalent. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.
Important Security Notice to U.S. Job Seekers:
Catalent NEVER asks candidates to provide any type of payment, bank details, photocopies of identification, social security number or other highly sensitive personal information during the offer process, and we NEVER do so via email or social media. If you receive any such request, DO NOT respond— it is a fraudulent request. Please forward such requests to spam@catalent.com for us to investigate with local authorities.
California Job Seekers can find our California Job Applicant Notice HERE.
Quality Control Analyst
Position Summary
Typical working hours are on E shift (6 AM - 6 PM Saturday - Monday, every other Tuesday from 6 AM - 2:30 PM). This position is 100% on-site in Winchester, Kentucky.
Catalent’s Winchester location is the flagship US manufacturing location for large scale oral dose forms, with integrated analytical and development services. With 28 years of expertise in product development, technology transfers and commercial manufacturing, and roots in industry-leading Glatt technology.
The Quality Control Analyst performs the basic and critical experimental work of day-to-day analysis, including generation and analysis of data. The Quality Control Analyst works “hands on” in an analytical lab that requires analytical testing, computer operating, record keeping, and report writing abilities.
The Role
- Perform efficient/reliable/high quality analytical testing in accordance with USP/NF/EP/JP/FCC/etc. or customer supplied guidelines. Typical testing may include Dissolution, Titration, Polarimetry, Loss on Drying, Viscosity, Residue on Ignition, Heavy Metal Content, FTIR, HPLC, and GC, etc.
- Maintain accurate written records of all analysis performed.
- Accurately interpret and effectively communicate analytical results and issues.
- Schedule daily tasks in an organized and efficient manner.
- Calibrate and maintain lab equipment and instrumentation.
- Responsible for operating in a safe manner, must be familiar with basic laboratory and chemical hygiene practices.
- Perform peer review of analytical testing and write up. Write SOPs on an as needed basis.
- Other duties as required in support of Catalent Pharma Solutions high performance.
The Candidate
Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field required (Chemistry or Biology preferred). Alternate degrees in a non-scientific field may be accepted with at least 2 years of relevant experience in a material testing laboratory.
2+ years in Quality, Laboratory, Clinical, or Chemical manufacturing role preferred.
Assisting with other personnel with lifting of liquid containers and all objects of greater than 50 lbs. Operating safely in a dynamic environment which includes mobile and fixed equipment and changing conditions while completing job tasks that range from simple to complex and/or multi-tasking.
Why You Should Join Catalent
- Several Employee Resource Groups focusing on D&I
- Tuition Reimbursement – Let us help you finish your degree or earn a new one!
- Generous 401K match
- 152 hours accrued PTO + 8 paid holidays
Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career! Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.
personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.
Visit Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities.
Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veterans.
If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to DisabilityAccommodations@catalent.com. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.
Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Catalent employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Catalent. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.
Important Security Notice to U.S. Job Seekers:
Catalent NEVER asks candidates to provide any type of payment, bank details, photocopies of identification, social security number or other highly sensitive personal information during the offer process, and we NEVER do so via email or social media. If you receive any such request, DO NOT respond— it is a fraudulent request. Please forward such requests to spam@catalent.com for us to investigate with local authorities.
California Job Seekers can find our California Job Applicant Notice HERE.
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.