Biotech & Pharma Jobs in North Carolina with F-1 OPT Sponsorship
North Carolina's Research Triangle Park region is one of the most active biotech and pharma hiring zones in the country, with major employers like Biogen, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and Syneos Health regularly bringing on F-1 OPT candidates. Research-heavy roles in drug development, clinical operations, and bioanalytical science align well with OPT authorization periods.
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INTRODUCTION
Our mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. We are working to change the trajectory of cancer mortality and bring stakeholders together to adopt innovative, safe, and effective technologies that can transform cancer care.
We are a healthcare company, pioneering new technologies to advance early cancer detection. We have built a multi-disciplinary organization of scientists, engineers, and physicians and we are using the power of next-generation sequencing (NGS), population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to overcome one of medicine’s greatest challenges.
GRAIL is headquartered in the bay area of California, with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. It is supported by leading global investors and pharmaceutical, technology, and healthcare companies.
Responsibilities:
- Perform and document troubleshooting, recovery, debugging, and repairs on laboratory systems and equipment.
- Create and update procedures, work instructions, guidelines, and testing documents such as installation / operational / verifications, standard operating procedures (SOP).
- Support root cause investigations that drive for resolutions to completion.
- Execute Equipment Lifecycle Management processes and procedures by supporting and maintaining equipment records for traceability purposes in compliance with CLIA/CAP and ISO 13485 requirements.
- Collaborate with validation engineers to draft, review and execute equipment qualification protocols.
- Recommend and implement changes to ensure ongoing high-quality and efficient engineering operations procedures as part of the continuous improvement process.
- Support the planning and execution of qualification activities ensuring compliance with established procedures and guidelines.
- Participate and adhere to GRAIL’s policies and guidelines.
- Work closely with Compliance, Engineering, Quality and Regulatory to implement and follow the required policies and procedures for the lifecycle of equipments.
- Partner cross-functionally to enable effective technology transfer and continuous workflow improvements.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or similar Life Sciences discipline.
- 1+ years generating technical documentation within a regulated environment.
- 1+ years experience completing work in accordance with stated deadlines.
- 1+ years experience contributing to cross-functional team initiatives.
- 1+ years technical troubleshooting and root cause analysis experience.
- Good to excellent communication skills to work independently and provide internal customer support.
- Good to excellent time management skills to support a fast paced working environment.
- Basic to good knowledge of laboratory equipment and systems.
- Basic to good knowledge creating and interpreting process and material flow diagrams.
- Ability to take initiative and independently drive projects to completion with detailed and efficient execution and reporting.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Engineering preferred.
- 1+ years experience with asset management softwares.
- 1+ years experience using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
- 1+ years experience maintaining low volume automated liquid handling systems (e.g. MultiFlo/Bravo, STAR/STARlet, Echo, Lynx, high throughput NGS sequencers).
- 1+ years experience writing and implementing test protocols and procedures.
- 1+ years experience using Green Button Go.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Regularly required to stand, sit, walk, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, crouch, and wear safety gear.
- Occasionally work with dry ice or materials stored at very low temperatures.
- Must be able to stand or sit for long periods of time.
- May be exposed to hazardous materials, blood specimens and instruments with moving parts, heating or freezing elements, and high speed centrifugation.
- Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
- Must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
COMPENSATION
- Expected full time annual base pay scale for this position is $69,000 - $85,000. Actual base pay will consider skills, experience and location.
This role may be eligible for other forms of compensation, including an annual bonus and/or incentives, subject to the terms of the applicable plans and Company discretion. This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire; the actual compensation offered may vary depending on factors such as the candidate’s qualifications. Employees in this role are also eligible for GRAIL’s comprehensive and competitive benefits package, offered in accordance with our applicable plans and policies. This package currently includes flexible time-off or vacation; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; medical, dental, and vision coverage; and carefully selected mindfulness programs.
GRAIL is an equal employment opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a workplace where every individual can thrive, contribute, and grow. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, GRAIL will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with applicable law and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us at rc@grailbio.com if you require an accommodation to apply for an open position.
GRAIL maintains a drug-free workplace. We welcome job-seekers from all backgrounds to join us!

INTRODUCTION
Our mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. We are working to change the trajectory of cancer mortality and bring stakeholders together to adopt innovative, safe, and effective technologies that can transform cancer care.
We are a healthcare company, pioneering new technologies to advance early cancer detection. We have built a multi-disciplinary organization of scientists, engineers, and physicians and we are using the power of next-generation sequencing (NGS), population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to overcome one of medicine’s greatest challenges.
GRAIL is headquartered in the bay area of California, with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. It is supported by leading global investors and pharmaceutical, technology, and healthcare companies.
Responsibilities:
- Perform and document troubleshooting, recovery, debugging, and repairs on laboratory systems and equipment.
- Create and update procedures, work instructions, guidelines, and testing documents such as installation / operational / verifications, standard operating procedures (SOP).
- Support root cause investigations that drive for resolutions to completion.
- Execute Equipment Lifecycle Management processes and procedures by supporting and maintaining equipment records for traceability purposes in compliance with CLIA/CAP and ISO 13485 requirements.
- Collaborate with validation engineers to draft, review and execute equipment qualification protocols.
- Recommend and implement changes to ensure ongoing high-quality and efficient engineering operations procedures as part of the continuous improvement process.
- Support the planning and execution of qualification activities ensuring compliance with established procedures and guidelines.
- Participate and adhere to GRAIL’s policies and guidelines.
- Work closely with Compliance, Engineering, Quality and Regulatory to implement and follow the required policies and procedures for the lifecycle of equipments.
- Partner cross-functionally to enable effective technology transfer and continuous workflow improvements.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or similar Life Sciences discipline.
- 1+ years generating technical documentation within a regulated environment.
- 1+ years experience completing work in accordance with stated deadlines.
- 1+ years experience contributing to cross-functional team initiatives.
- 1+ years technical troubleshooting and root cause analysis experience.
- Good to excellent communication skills to work independently and provide internal customer support.
- Good to excellent time management skills to support a fast paced working environment.
- Basic to good knowledge of laboratory equipment and systems.
- Basic to good knowledge creating and interpreting process and material flow diagrams.
- Ability to take initiative and independently drive projects to completion with detailed and efficient execution and reporting.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Engineering preferred.
- 1+ years experience with asset management softwares.
- 1+ years experience using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
- 1+ years experience maintaining low volume automated liquid handling systems (e.g. MultiFlo/Bravo, STAR/STARlet, Echo, Lynx, high throughput NGS sequencers).
- 1+ years experience writing and implementing test protocols and procedures.
- 1+ years experience using Green Button Go.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Regularly required to stand, sit, walk, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, crouch, and wear safety gear.
- Occasionally work with dry ice or materials stored at very low temperatures.
- Must be able to stand or sit for long periods of time.
- May be exposed to hazardous materials, blood specimens and instruments with moving parts, heating or freezing elements, and high speed centrifugation.
- Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
- Must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
COMPENSATION
- Expected full time annual base pay scale for this position is $69,000 - $85,000. Actual base pay will consider skills, experience and location.
This role may be eligible for other forms of compensation, including an annual bonus and/or incentives, subject to the terms of the applicable plans and Company discretion. This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire; the actual compensation offered may vary depending on factors such as the candidate’s qualifications. Employees in this role are also eligible for GRAIL’s comprehensive and competitive benefits package, offered in accordance with our applicable plans and policies. This package currently includes flexible time-off or vacation; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; medical, dental, and vision coverage; and carefully selected mindfulness programs.
GRAIL is an equal employment opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a workplace where every individual can thrive, contribute, and grow. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, GRAIL will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with applicable law and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us at rc@grailbio.com if you require an accommodation to apply for an open position.
GRAIL maintains a drug-free workplace. We welcome job-seekers from all backgrounds to join us!
Job Roles in Biotech & Pharma in North Carolina
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in North Carolina?
Companies with significant hiring presence in North Carolina's biotech and pharma sector include Biogen, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Syneos Health, Catalent, and Quintiles parent IQVIA. Research Triangle Park hosts dozens of mid-size and large life sciences employers that regularly work with F-1 OPT candidates in scientific and research roles. Sponsorship patterns vary by role, team, and hiring cycle, so it's worth confirming directly with each employer.
Which cities in North Carolina have the most biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Research Triangle area, covering Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, is by far the most concentrated hub for biotech and pharma F-1 OPT jobs in North Carolina. Research Triangle Park sits at the center of this cluster and houses the North American headquarters or major operations of numerous life sciences companies. Charlotte has a smaller but growing presence, particularly in contract research and pharmaceutical distribution.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that align directly with STEM-qualifying degree fields tend to see the most F-1 OPT placement in biotech and pharma. These include research associate positions in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry; clinical data management and biostatistics roles; regulatory affairs and quality assurance positions; and process development or manufacturing science roles. Employers in North Carolina frequently hire OPT candidates for these functions because they map cleanly to degree-specific STEM OPT extension eligibility.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in North Carolina?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and visa holders searching for sponsorship-friendly roles. You can filter by F-1 OPT, select the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals industry, and narrow results to North Carolina to see current openings from employers that have indicated sponsorship willingness. This removes the guesswork of identifying which companies are open to OPT candidates in the life sciences sector.
Are there any state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in North Carolina's biotech and pharma sector?
North Carolina's Research Triangle Park has a well-established pipeline between its research universities, including NC State, Duke, and UNC Chapel Hill, and the surrounding life sciences industry, which means many employers have experience onboarding F-1 OPT candidates. STEM OPT extensions of up to 24 months are particularly relevant here because most biotech and pharma roles require a qualifying STEM degree. Students should confirm their employer is enrolled in E-Verify, which is required for STEM OPT authorization.
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