Science & Research OPT Jobs in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the strongest states for science and research F-1 OPT sponsorship, anchored by the Boston-Cambridge corridor where employers like Broad Institute, Biogen, Moderna, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory hire international graduates in life sciences, biotech, and environmental research. Worcester, Lowell, and Springfield also have active research institutions supporting F-1 OPT hires.
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Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Laboratory Setting, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Will work with hazardous/toxic materials
Job Description
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer! We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
Location/Division Specific Information
Customer location in Cambridge, MA
Discover Impactful Work:
Drive excellence in the Media Sciences program through right-the-first-time preparation of custom media formulations, compliance adherence, safe lab techniques, and client satisfaction. Champion innovation and practical process improvement in the laboratory!
A Day in the Life:
- Play a key role in a team of laboratory staff performing media and buffer operations for Process Development
- Complete tasks associated with media and buffer preparation operations (e.g., complex calculations, aseptic technique, chemical inventory, troubleshooting, cell culture media prep, dilutions, pH titration)
- Performs the weighing dispensing of raw materials for solution prep, filtration, and labeling
- Perform verification/approval of peer calculations, technical documentation, and equipment logbooks
- Maintain laboratory areas in a high state of inspection preparedness.
- Follow procedures as outlined by Best Practices, Good Documentation Practices (GDP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Work Instructions
- May perform other duties as assigned by management.
Keys to Success:
Education
Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in a scientific subject area and 1 year of laboratory experience strongly preferred; or an advanced degree with limited experience; or equivalent combination of work experience and education.
HS Diploma or equivalent required.
Experience
Experience in a laboratory setting, validated excellence in customer service required, experience handling chemicals preferred
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and a safety-first approach.
- Trained in basic laboratory safety.
- Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and confident working in systems and databases.
- Ability to work independently within customer location.
- GMP/GLP compliance, and audit critical records preferred
Physical Requirements / Work Environment
The role primarily involves working independently at customer sites, which may include areas with chemical-based allergens like penicillin and tetracycline. Personal protective equipment, such as lab coats, coveralls, facemasks, and steel-toe shoes, is often required. The position requires regular lifting of 30-40 lbs (up to 50 lbs occasionally) and using equipment like pushcarts and forklifts to move up to 100 lbs. Standing, walking, and manual material handling of chemical containers are frequent activities, sometimes in varied temperature environments. Overtime work may also be necessary.
As a condition of your employment with Thermo Fisher Scientific, you must successfully complete and satisfy Thermo Fisher’s pre-employment screening (including background check and drug test) and any customer-mandated screening, credentialing, or badging requirements. Customer requirements may differ from or exceed Thermo Fisher’s criteria.
Benefits
We offer comprehensive healthcare, paid Holidays, tuition reimbursement, and a range of employee benefits. Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation!
May be eligible for weekly allowance for parking expenses.
Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Watch as our colleagues explain 5 reasons to work with us. As one team of 100,000+ colleagues, we share a common set of values - Integrity, Intensity, Innovation and Involvement - working together to accelerate research, solve complex scientific challenges, drive technological innovation and support patients in need. #StartYourStory at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where diverse experiences, backgrounds and perspectives are valued.
Apply today!
Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
Accessibility/Disability Access
Job Seekers with a Disability: Thermo Fisher Scientific offers accessibility service for job seekers requiring accommodations in the job application process. For example, this may include individuals requiring assistance because of hearing, vision, mobility, or cognitive impairments. If you are a job seeker with a disability, or assisting a person with a disability, and require accessibility assistance or an accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, please submit a request by telephone at 1-855-471-2255. Please include your contact information and specific details about your required accommodation to support you during the job application process.
This telephone line is reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requiring accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Messages left for other purposes, such as not being able to get into the career website, following up on an application, or other non-disability related technical issues will not receive a response.
Compensation and Benefits
The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in Massachusetts is $21.82–$32.00. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
- A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
- Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
- At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
- Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
- Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
OPT Science & Research Job Roles in Massachusetts
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Search Science & Research Jobs in MassachusettsScience & Research OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions
Which science and research companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a high concentration of science and research employers with documented F-1 OPT sponsorship activity. Notable examples include Biogen, Moderna, Ginkgo Bioworks, Broad Institute, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Academic medical centers like Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital also hire international graduates in research roles. Sponsorship patterns vary by role, team, and hiring cycle, so confirming directly with each employer is important.
Which cities in Massachusetts have the most science and research F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Cambridge and Boston together form the densest cluster of science and research F-1 OPT opportunities in the state, driven by biotech firms, research hospitals, and university-affiliated labs. Worcester is home to several life sciences companies and UMass Medical School. Waltham and Lexington host pharmaceutical and biotech employers along the Route 128 corridor. Woods Hole on Cape Cod is a recognized hub for marine and environmental research.
What types of science and research roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that directly apply a graduate's field of study are most likely to qualify for F-1 OPT authorization. In Massachusetts, this commonly includes research scientist, research associate, computational biologist, bioinformatics analyst, environmental scientist, and laboratory technician positions. For STEM OPT extension eligibility, the role must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and must be directly related to the degree the student completed.
How do I find science and research F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Massachusetts?
Migrate Mate is designed specifically for international students seeking F-1 OPT sponsorship roles and filters science and research jobs in Massachusetts by visa type, so you are not sorting through listings that don't apply to your situation. Beyond Migrate Mate, targeting employers with active STEM OPT sponsorship histories in the Boston-Cambridge biotech corridor and reaching out to research institutions directly can strengthen your search.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Massachusetts science and research?
Massachusetts does not have state-level visa sponsorship requirements, but the competitive density of its science and research sector means hiring timelines at top employers can be fast. Many Massachusetts research institutions, particularly those receiving federal funding, are familiar with OPT and STEM OPT authorization requirements. Students should ensure their SEVIS record and EAD are in order before a start date, as federal contractors and research labs often have strict onboarding compliance requirements.