Education STEM OPT Jobs in Kentucky
F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Kentucky's education sector span university research institutions, edtech operations, and data-driven academic programs. Employers like the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University have filed Labor Condition Applications for education-adjacent STEM roles. Lexington and Louisville concentrate the highest volume of qualifying positions, particularly in instructional technology, data analytics, and educational research.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Laboratory Scientist/UKHC
Requisition Number: RE54949
Working Title: Laboratory Scientist - Special Chemistry Laboratory
Department Name: H3200:Laboratory Services
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 10
Salary Range: $23.25-39.10/hour
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education:
BS
Required Related Experience:
No experience required.
Required License/Registration/Certification:
None
Physical Requirements:
Sitting and walking for long periods of time, computer use, and repetitive motions.
Shift:
Primary shift may be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift including weekends and holidays. May be asked to cover other shifts based on the needs of the department.
Job Summary:
The Laboratory Scientist/UKHC will be responsible for performing laboratory testing in a fast-paced academic medical center. The Laboratory provides services to all aspects of the Level I trauma center and throughout the healthcare enterprise, including solid organ and bone marrow transplant, KY Children’s Hospital, and Markey Cancer Center.
The Special Chemistry Laboratory utilizes advanced LC/MS/MS and GCMS techniques, immunochemistry, and electrophoresis. Laboratory Scientists in this lab are able to grow their skill set in new and advancing testing techniques.
This CAP and AABB-Accredited Laboratory at the University of Kentucky showcase the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation and technology.
IMPORTANT: Resumes and CVs cannot be substituted for a completed application. Incomplete applications could disqualify you from being considered for this position. To be considered for this position you must fully complete the online application being sure to only put one (1) job title for each entry (multiple job titles for one employer must have separate entries), the # of hours worked per week and your ending salary. All job titles and dates must correspond with those appearing on your resume.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:
Multitasking, customer service, trouble shooting, and critical thinking skills.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, or Medical Technology preferred. Experience using gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, and/or liquid chromatographs preferred.
Deadline to Apply: 07/05/2026
Our University Community:
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Job Title: Laboratory Scientist/UKHC
Requisition Number: RE54949
Working Title: Laboratory Scientist - Special Chemistry Laboratory
Department Name: H3200:Laboratory Services
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 10
Salary Range: $23.25-39.10/hour
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education:
BS
Required Related Experience:
No experience required.
Required License/Registration/Certification:
None
Physical Requirements:
Sitting and walking for long periods of time, computer use, and repetitive motions.
Shift:
Primary shift may be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift including weekends and holidays. May be asked to cover other shifts based on the needs of the department.
Job Summary:
The Laboratory Scientist/UKHC will be responsible for performing laboratory testing in a fast-paced academic medical center. The Laboratory provides services to all aspects of the Level I trauma center and throughout the healthcare enterprise, including solid organ and bone marrow transplant, KY Children’s Hospital, and Markey Cancer Center.
The Special Chemistry Laboratory utilizes advanced LC/MS/MS and GCMS techniques, immunochemistry, and electrophoresis. Laboratory Scientists in this lab are able to grow their skill set in new and advancing testing techniques.
This CAP and AABB-Accredited Laboratory at the University of Kentucky showcase the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation and technology.
IMPORTANT: Resumes and CVs cannot be substituted for a completed application. Incomplete applications could disqualify you from being considered for this position. To be considered for this position you must fully complete the online application being sure to only put one (1) job title for each entry (multiple job titles for one employer must have separate entries), the # of hours worked per week and your ending salary. All job titles and dates must correspond with those appearing on your resume.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:
Multitasking, customer service, trouble shooting, and critical thinking skills.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, or Medical Technology preferred. Experience using gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, and/or liquid chromatographs preferred.
Deadline to Apply: 07/05/2026
Our University Community:
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
STEM OPT Education Job Roles in Kentucky
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Search Education Jobs in KentuckyEducation STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which education companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Kentucky?
The University of Kentucky and University of Louisville are among the most active education employers with F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history in the state, particularly for roles in data analytics, research computing, and instructional technology. Western Kentucky University and Kentucky State University also appear in OFLC Labor Condition Application records for STEM-designated education positions. Larger edtech vendors with Kentucky operations have filed for software engineering and data roles supporting education platforms.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most education F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Lexington and Louisville account for the majority of education F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship activity in Kentucky. Lexington's concentration of research universities and the University of Kentucky's health sciences and engineering programs generate consistent demand for STEM-designated roles. Louisville's larger metropolitan area supports both higher education institutions and edtech companies. Bowling Green, home to Western Kentucky University, represents a smaller but active third market for qualifying education positions.
How do I find education F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate filters education jobs in Kentucky by verified F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history, drawing on OFLC Labor Condition Application data to show which employers have actively filed for STEM-designated roles. You can narrow results by city, job function, and employer type to focus on universities, research centers, or edtech companies. This approach is more targeted than general job searching because it surfaces employers with a documented record of sponsoring international candidates in education.
What types of education roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles must appear on the Department of Homeland Security STEM OPT Designated Degree Program List and relate directly to your qualifying degree. In Kentucky's education sector, qualifying positions commonly include data analyst roles within academic research offices, instructional technology specialists, educational software engineers, research scientists at university labs, and bioinformatics or learning analytics roles. Administrative or purely instructional teaching roles generally do not qualify. USCIS requires that the position provide practical training directly tied to a STEM field.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Kentucky's education sector?
Kentucky does not impose state-level visa sponsorship requirements, but education employers in the state must comply with federal E-Verify enrollment obligations that apply to STEM OPT employers nationwide. University employers in Kentucky often have dedicated international scholar offices familiar with the formal training plan requirements. Kentucky's education sector skews toward public university systems, which tend to have established HR processes for STEM OPT extensions but may move more slowly than private-sector employers due to institutional procurement timelines.