Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Michigan
Michigan's biotech and pharma sector spans Ann Arbor's life sciences corridor, Grand Rapids' medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing base, and Detroit's growing biopharma presence. Companies like Pfizer, Perrigo, and Emergent BioSolutions have operations here, alongside University of Michigan spin-offs actively hiring F-1 OPT candidates in research, regulatory, and lab roles.
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Get Access To All JobsQC Chemist I
Agility, Impact, Methodology. Do you exhibit these values and wish to be around others that do too? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where agility, adaptability, and high standards go hand in hand? Are you driven to make a meaningful impact, whether through your work, your support of others, or your commitment to your community? Are you motivated by a disciplined, science-based approach that ensures consistent excellence, safety, and integrity in everything you do? If these statements resonate with you, Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM) welcomes you to apply to join our community of dedicated individuals improving lives every day!
Overview of this Position:
The QC Chemist I supports quality systems as they relate to the manufacturing and testing of cGMP drug products. These duties include, but are not limited to, providing general laboratory support for raw materials and excipient testing used in the finished product.
Non-Negotiable Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and/or other related discipline (e.g. Biochemistry, Biotechnology).
- Minimum of 1-3 years pharmaceutical or testing experience.
- Qualification for use of a full-face respirator is required.
- Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Preferred Requirements:
- Excellent written and verbal skills; Ability to communicate effectively with management, staff, and regulatory agencies by exhibiting excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, keep accurate records, follow instructions, and comply with company policies.
Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to):
- Perform physical, chemical, and instrumental analysis of active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients and finished pharmaceutical products and excipients.
- Prepare standards and samples for analysis.
- Run instrumentation independently including, but not limited to, HPLC, FTIR, UV VIS, and physical testing on pharmaceutical products according to client/compendia procedures and departmental SOPs.
- Review laboratory data for accuracy, clarity, and adherence to GMP and/or GLP regulations.
- Process data, generate reports, and evaluate data.
- Perform all job responsibilities in compliance with cGMPs, company SOP’s, and current industry practice.
Full job description available during formal interview process.
What Sets GRAM Apart from Other Employers:
BENEFITS starting day 1: Medical, prescription, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits are available to you and your family on your first day of work, with the company paying a portion of the cost! Once eligible for the 401(k) program, all your contributions are immediately 100% vested, and you are immediately vested in GRAM contributions as well. We also offer generous off-shift premiums!
Paid VOLUNTEERISM starting day 1: GRAM encourages giving back to our community by offering 16 hours of paid volunteer time per calendar year!
PAID TIME OFF: You choose how to use this time for your vacation, sick, or mental health needs! Full-time employees accrue up to 104 hours of paid time off per calendar year, with this amount being prorated your first year. WELLNESS TIME OFF (WTO): In addition to PTO, employees earn 1 hour of wellness time off for every 30 hours worked, to use how you choose.
PAID HOLIDAYS: We offer 10 paid holidays per calendar year with immediate eligibility!
PAY: Depends on Experience and is discussed during the interview process.
If you meet the required criteria listed above, GRAM welcomes you to apply today!
QC Chemist I
Agility, Impact, Methodology. Do you exhibit these values and wish to be around others that do too? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where agility, adaptability, and high standards go hand in hand? Are you driven to make a meaningful impact, whether through your work, your support of others, or your commitment to your community? Are you motivated by a disciplined, science-based approach that ensures consistent excellence, safety, and integrity in everything you do? If these statements resonate with you, Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM) welcomes you to apply to join our community of dedicated individuals improving lives every day!
Overview of this Position:
The QC Chemist I supports quality systems as they relate to the manufacturing and testing of cGMP drug products. These duties include, but are not limited to, providing general laboratory support for raw materials and excipient testing used in the finished product.
Non-Negotiable Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and/or other related discipline (e.g. Biochemistry, Biotechnology).
- Minimum of 1-3 years pharmaceutical or testing experience.
- Qualification for use of a full-face respirator is required.
- Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Preferred Requirements:
- Excellent written and verbal skills; Ability to communicate effectively with management, staff, and regulatory agencies by exhibiting excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, keep accurate records, follow instructions, and comply with company policies.
Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to):
- Perform physical, chemical, and instrumental analysis of active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients and finished pharmaceutical products and excipients.
- Prepare standards and samples for analysis.
- Run instrumentation independently including, but not limited to, HPLC, FTIR, UV VIS, and physical testing on pharmaceutical products according to client/compendia procedures and departmental SOPs.
- Review laboratory data for accuracy, clarity, and adherence to GMP and/or GLP regulations.
- Process data, generate reports, and evaluate data.
- Perform all job responsibilities in compliance with cGMPs, company SOP’s, and current industry practice.
Full job description available during formal interview process.
What Sets GRAM Apart from Other Employers:
BENEFITS starting day 1: Medical, prescription, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits are available to you and your family on your first day of work, with the company paying a portion of the cost! Once eligible for the 401(k) program, all your contributions are immediately 100% vested, and you are immediately vested in GRAM contributions as well. We also offer generous off-shift premiums!
Paid VOLUNTEERISM starting day 1: GRAM encourages giving back to our community by offering 16 hours of paid volunteer time per calendar year!
PAID TIME OFF: You choose how to use this time for your vacation, sick, or mental health needs! Full-time employees accrue up to 104 hours of paid time off per calendar year, with this amount being prorated your first year. WELLNESS TIME OFF (WTO): In addition to PTO, employees earn 1 hour of wellness time off for every 30 hours worked, to use how you choose.
PAID HOLIDAYS: We offer 10 paid holidays per calendar year with immediate eligibility!
PAY: Depends on Experience and is discussed during the interview process.
If you meet the required criteria listed above, GRAM welcomes you to apply today!
OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Michigan
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in MichiganBiotech & Pharma OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies in Michigan sponsor F-1 OPT visas?
Several Michigan-based employers have a track record of hiring F-1 OPT workers in life sciences roles. Pfizer's Kalamazoo and Holland facilities, Perrigo in Allegan, Emergent BioSolutions, and numerous Ann Arbor biotech startups connected to University of Michigan research programs regularly hire OPT candidates. Large pharmaceutical manufacturers tend to have established HR processes for OPT, while smaller biotech firms may handle authorization on a case-by-case basis.
Which Michigan cities have the most biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Ann Arbor consistently leads for biotech and pharma OPT opportunities, driven by University of Michigan's research ecosystem and a dense cluster of life sciences startups and contract research organizations. Grand Rapids has a strong pharmaceutical manufacturing and medical device presence. Kalamazoo is significant given Pfizer's major operations there. Detroit's emerging biopharma scene is smaller but growing, particularly in clinical research and healthcare-adjacent biotech roles.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters job listings by visa type, including F-1 OPT, and by industry. You can search Michigan biotech and pharma roles directly and see which employers have posted positions open to OPT candidates. This saves significant time compared to manually screening postings that don't address visa authorization. Migrate Mate's filters let you focus only on employers actively seeking candidates with your work authorization status.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Michigan?
F-1 OPT is tied to STEM degree fields, so roles that directly apply life sciences training qualify most cleanly. In Michigan's biotech and pharma sector, this includes research associate positions, analytical chemistry and formulation roles, regulatory affairs coordinator positions, quality assurance and quality control analyst roles, and clinical data management. Roles in bioinformatics and computational biology also qualify under STEM OPT for students with relevant degree backgrounds. The position must be directly related to the student's field of study.
Are there any Michigan-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in biotech and pharma?
Michigan's biotech and pharma industry includes a mix of large manufacturers, university spin-outs, and contract research organizations, each with different HR infrastructure for managing OPT authorization. Employers near university research hubs like Ann Arbor and East Lansing tend to be more experienced with OPT paperwork given high volumes of international graduates from Michigan State University and University of Michigan. STEM OPT extension applications require a formal training plan, and employers in regulated pharma environments may need additional time to prepare the required documentation.