Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the top states for biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship, with major employers like Moderna, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals concentrated in the Greater Boston area. The Cambridge and Kendall Square corridor alone hosts hundreds of life sciences companies actively hiring international graduates for research, development, and clinical roles.
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Sana Biotechnology is growing, and we are hiring new team members who believe in the potential of engineered cells as medicines, who want to challenge status quo, and who lead with the desire to work on novel ideas. You will join the Beta Islet Team at the Cambridge location as a Senior Research Associate and report to the Scientist. In this role, your primary responsibility will be to lead large-scale media preparation supporting in vitro differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into beta islet cells, including all aspects of media preparation, reconstituted factors, and reagents stocks. This position will also cover the differentiation of stem cell (SC)-islets, including all aspects of cell culture duties and downstream characterization assays, such as flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. You should have sufficient personal expertise to teach as well as troubleshoot these techniques. In addition, you will be expected to adhere to all protocols and ensure the quality of data collection, both personally and as part of allied laboratory staff. A successful candidate will be well-organized, collaborative, and impact driven.
What you’ll do
- Perform large-scale media preparation in closed systems, as well as participate in continuous improvement of media preparation workflows.
- Reconstitute small molecules/growth factors for beta islet cell differentiation.
- Manage inventory of raw materials and complete reagents to maintain uninterrupted workflow aligned with project timelines and program goals.
- Expand, maintain, and direct differentiation of pluripotent stem cells towards SC-islets.
- Cryopreserve pluripotent stem cells, SC-islets, and intermediates.
- Execute in vitro molecular and cellular characterization assays (e.g., flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, DNA/RNA isolation, etc.).
- Closely adhere to batch records/protocols for both reagent preparation, beta islet differentiation, and cellular characterization assays.
- Maintain accurate documentation of executed activities in Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) and/or written batch records.
- Assure compliance with all relevant lab safety and biosafety regulations.
- Demonstrate Sana’s core values and the attributes that support these core values (Lead from every seat, Thrive as a team, Make it happen).
What we’re looking for
The successful candidate is expected to have extensive hands-on expertise in histology, methods necessary to assess transplanted animals, and microscopy (epifluorescent and confocal). The successful candidate will have sufficient personal expertise and contribute towards the maintenance of both the histology and molecular lab environments, including day-to-day operations and personnel coordination, as well as assuring the quality of data collection.
- BA/MA or MS in cell biology, stem cell biology, biotechnology, or related fields.
- 2-3+ years of post-graduate academic or industry experience in cell biology, stem cell biology, biotechnology, or related fields.
- Experience with large-scale media preparation, filtration, and aliquoting into both bottles and bags.
- Experience with closed system media preparation equipment including mixers, tube welders, sealers, pumps, and pressure monitors.
- Ability to maintain sterility and consistency during large-volume media preparation and differentiations.
- Experience with stem cell differentiation into beta islet cells.
- Strong attention to detail and organization skills with consistent protocol adherence.
- Ability to manage time efficiently across multiple tasks in fast-paced environments.
- Clear communication skills and ability to work effectively within a team setting.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and independent problem-solving skills.
What will separate you from the crowd
- Strong background in beta islet cell biology
- Experience in suspension differentiation of pluripotent stems cells
What you should know
- The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $95,000 and $115,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience
How we work together
- Lead from every seat – we seek to understand, act with honesty, and engage in the crucial conversations
- Thrive as a team – we hire amazing people, are intensely curious, and cultivate inclusion and personal connectivity
- Make it happen – we value vigorous debate, alignment around our decisions, and resilient execution
How we work together for patients
- Lead from every seat – we seek to understand, act with honesty, and engage in the crucial conversations
- Thrive as a team – we hire amazing people, are intensely curious, and cultivate inclusion and personal connectivity
- Make it happen – we value vigorous debate, alignment around our decisions, and resilient execution
Get to know us
At Sana, we believe that a workforce with varied backgrounds strengthens us as a company and helps us to achieve our mission to meaningfully change the outcome of many human diseases. This belief is a pillar of our business and is critical to our success. Our goal is that Sana is the place for talented people to bring their authentic selves to work, to have a great career and to deeply, positively impact patients. Core to our values, we believe there is nothing more important than the health and wellness of you and your family. For benefit eligible employees, we cover a generous portion of the cost for employee health coverage, making high-quality care more accessible and affordable. We offer ample time-off (various paid time off benefits, such as holidays, vacation, sick time, and parental leave), short- and long-term disability, employer paid basic life insurance, additional voluntary life insurance protection, financial wellness programs including financial planning resources, a 401(k) Plan with an immediately vested employer match, Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Repayment, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, commuter subsidy and a variety of wellness offerings to support each person individually.
We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental or sensory disability (including the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability), genetic information, actual or perceived HIV or Hepatitis C infection, medical condition (cancer or a record or history of cancer and genetic characteristics), marital status, sexual orientation, sexual preference, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), disability, veteran status, political ideology, social class (including caste/caste identity), taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each job responsibility satisfactorily. The job description listed above is representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions described above.
About the role
Sana Biotechnology is growing, and we are hiring new team members who believe in the potential of engineered cells as medicines, who want to challenge status quo, and who lead with the desire to work on novel ideas. You will join the Beta Islet Team at the Cambridge location as a Senior Research Associate and report to the Scientist. In this role, your primary responsibility will be to lead large-scale media preparation supporting in vitro differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into beta islet cells, including all aspects of media preparation, reconstituted factors, and reagents stocks. This position will also cover the differentiation of stem cell (SC)-islets, including all aspects of cell culture duties and downstream characterization assays, such as flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. You should have sufficient personal expertise to teach as well as troubleshoot these techniques. In addition, you will be expected to adhere to all protocols and ensure the quality of data collection, both personally and as part of allied laboratory staff. A successful candidate will be well-organized, collaborative, and impact driven.
What you’ll do
- Perform large-scale media preparation in closed systems, as well as participate in continuous improvement of media preparation workflows.
- Reconstitute small molecules/growth factors for beta islet cell differentiation.
- Manage inventory of raw materials and complete reagents to maintain uninterrupted workflow aligned with project timelines and program goals.
- Expand, maintain, and direct differentiation of pluripotent stem cells towards SC-islets.
- Cryopreserve pluripotent stem cells, SC-islets, and intermediates.
- Execute in vitro molecular and cellular characterization assays (e.g., flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, DNA/RNA isolation, etc.).
- Closely adhere to batch records/protocols for both reagent preparation, beta islet differentiation, and cellular characterization assays.
- Maintain accurate documentation of executed activities in Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) and/or written batch records.
- Assure compliance with all relevant lab safety and biosafety regulations.
- Demonstrate Sana’s core values and the attributes that support these core values (Lead from every seat, Thrive as a team, Make it happen).
What we’re looking for
The successful candidate is expected to have extensive hands-on expertise in histology, methods necessary to assess transplanted animals, and microscopy (epifluorescent and confocal). The successful candidate will have sufficient personal expertise and contribute towards the maintenance of both the histology and molecular lab environments, including day-to-day operations and personnel coordination, as well as assuring the quality of data collection.
- BA/MA or MS in cell biology, stem cell biology, biotechnology, or related fields.
- 2-3+ years of post-graduate academic or industry experience in cell biology, stem cell biology, biotechnology, or related fields.
- Experience with large-scale media preparation, filtration, and aliquoting into both bottles and bags.
- Experience with closed system media preparation equipment including mixers, tube welders, sealers, pumps, and pressure monitors.
- Ability to maintain sterility and consistency during large-volume media preparation and differentiations.
- Experience with stem cell differentiation into beta islet cells.
- Strong attention to detail and organization skills with consistent protocol adherence.
- Ability to manage time efficiently across multiple tasks in fast-paced environments.
- Clear communication skills and ability to work effectively within a team setting.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and independent problem-solving skills.
What will separate you from the crowd
- Strong background in beta islet cell biology
- Experience in suspension differentiation of pluripotent stems cells
What you should know
- The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $95,000 and $115,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience
How we work together
- Lead from every seat – we seek to understand, act with honesty, and engage in the crucial conversations
- Thrive as a team – we hire amazing people, are intensely curious, and cultivate inclusion and personal connectivity
- Make it happen – we value vigorous debate, alignment around our decisions, and resilient execution
How we work together for patients
- Lead from every seat – we seek to understand, act with honesty, and engage in the crucial conversations
- Thrive as a team – we hire amazing people, are intensely curious, and cultivate inclusion and personal connectivity
- Make it happen – we value vigorous debate, alignment around our decisions, and resilient execution
Get to know us
At Sana, we believe that a workforce with varied backgrounds strengthens us as a company and helps us to achieve our mission to meaningfully change the outcome of many human diseases. This belief is a pillar of our business and is critical to our success. Our goal is that Sana is the place for talented people to bring their authentic selves to work, to have a great career and to deeply, positively impact patients. Core to our values, we believe there is nothing more important than the health and wellness of you and your family. For benefit eligible employees, we cover a generous portion of the cost for employee health coverage, making high-quality care more accessible and affordable. We offer ample time-off (various paid time off benefits, such as holidays, vacation, sick time, and parental leave), short- and long-term disability, employer paid basic life insurance, additional voluntary life insurance protection, financial wellness programs including financial planning resources, a 401(k) Plan with an immediately vested employer match, Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Repayment, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, commuter subsidy and a variety of wellness offerings to support each person individually.
We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental or sensory disability (including the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability), genetic information, actual or perceived HIV or Hepatitis C infection, medical condition (cancer or a record or history of cancer and genetic characteristics), marital status, sexual orientation, sexual preference, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), disability, veteran status, political ideology, social class (including caste/caste identity), taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each job responsibility satisfactorily. The job description listed above is representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions described above.
OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Massachusetts
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in MassachusettsBiotech & Pharma OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Massachusetts?
Many of Massachusetts's largest life sciences employers have established track records of hiring F-1 OPT workers, including Biogen, Moderna, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda, and Sanofi Genzyme. Smaller Cambridge-based biotechs and CROs such as Agenus, Editas Medicine, and ICON also regularly hire OPT candidates. Sponsorship patterns vary by company size, role, and department, so it's worth researching each employer's OPT hiring history directly.
Which cities in Massachusetts have the most biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Cambridge and Boston together form the densest concentration of biotech and pharma OPT jobs in the state, driven by proximity to MIT, Harvard, and major research hospitals. The Kendall Square area in Cambridge is particularly active. Waltham and Lexington host significant pharma operations, including Takeda's U.S. headquarters. Worcester is a growing hub with a strong academic medical presence, and Watertown has attracted several cell and gene therapy companies in recent years.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Massachusetts?
Roles that directly apply a graduate's field of study qualify for F-1 OPT, so positions in research and development, process development, bioinformatics, regulatory affairs, clinical data management, quality assurance, and computational biology are common fits for life sciences degree holders. Manufacturing and CMC roles qualify for engineering and chemistry graduates. The role must be directly related to the student's major, so a match between job function and degree field is essential.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Massachusetts?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters biotech and pharma jobs in Massachusetts by visa type, including F-1 OPT, so you're not sorting through roles that don't sponsor. Beyond job boards, attending events at the Kendall Square Association, MassBio networking nights, and university career fairs at MIT and Northeastern can surface opportunities with employers actively seeking OPT candidates. Always confirm OPT eligibility directly with each employer's HR or recruiting team.
Are there any Massachusetts-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in biotech and pharma?
Massachusetts life sciences companies are generally experienced with OPT and STEM OPT extensions because of the state's deep ties to universities like MIT, Harvard, Northeastern, and UMass. Many Boston-area biotechs routinely hire from these programs. However, STEM OPT requires a formal training plan and employer enrollment in E-Verify, which is federally mandated. Smaller startups or spinouts may not yet be E-Verify enrolled, so it's worth verifying this before accepting an offer if you plan to pursue a STEM OPT extension.