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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Job Ref:
JR-6372
Location:
450 Brookline Ave, BOSTON, MA 02215
Category:
Research Laboratory
Employment Type:
Full time
Work Location:
Onsite: 100% onsite
Salary/Pay Rate:
$47,500.00 - $51,300.00 per year
Overview
The Research Technician will assist scientists in performing scientific research, development and/or clinical tasks of varying complexity. In general, they will assist in the set up, operation and maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment, monitoring experiments, making observations and calculating and recording results. Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
Responsibilities:
- Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain and troubleshoot equipment
- Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas and may be responsible for ordering of supplies. Collaborates with Purchasing and may be responsible for negotiating with vendors
- Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses, including the collection of information and samples from organic substances, such as blood, drugs, and animals
- Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings, including grant preparation and presentations, and look for opportunities to co-author publications. May be expected to participate in formal and information presentations of results to staff
- Participate in grant application process and manuscript preparation as required
- Maintains detailed notebook of all work-related activities
- Monitors laboratory work to ensure compliance with Environmental Health and Safety information as well as the standard operation procedures specific to each laboratory
- Expected to provide intellectual and interactive commitment to position by keeping up with appropriate literature and research publications
- May be responsible for the development, modification and improvement of standard operating procedures
- Uses computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology applications to perform work duties
- May be responsible for designing and executing advanced experiments and setting strategy
- May be responsible for the examination of animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems
- May be responsible for monitoring laboratory budgets
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Knowledge of information and techniques related to either biology, chemistry, or medicine is preferred
- Must have excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and be able to work with a wide variety of faculty and staff
- Ability to analyze information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems
- Must have attention to detail and be thorough in completing work tasks
- Ability to work within a team environment
MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
The position requires a bachelor’s degree, preferably in biology or chemistry, with no prior professional experience necessary. Candidates will learn and technical principles, processes, and concepts, use institutional policies to address routine issues, and work on problems of limited scope. The role involves following standard practices to analyze situations or data and building stable internal working relationships.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No supervisory responsibilities. Normally receives detailed instructions on all work.
PATIENT CONTACT:
None
At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
EEO Poster
Pay Transparency Statement
The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.
For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
$47,500.00 - $51,300.00
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.