Science & Research F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's science and research sector spans pharmaceutical giants in Philadelphia's University City, life sciences clusters in the Lehigh Valley, and university-affiliated research institutions in Pittsburgh. Employers like GSK, Merck, and the University of Pennsylvania regularly hire F-1 STEM OPT candidates into research roles across biology, chemistry, materials science, and data science disciplines.
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Job Description
The Discovery Analytical Research group in West Point, Pennsylvania is seeking application for an Associate Principal Scientist position to drive innovation in analytical measurement technologies, enabling the discovery of new drug candidates across diverse modalities. Key deliverables will include the development, implementation, and execution of analytical measurement technologies that accelerate the pace of discovery research and influence molecular design. The successful candidate must be able to collaborate in a dynamic, integrated, and multidisciplinary team environment. A broad range of tools (e.g. high-resolution mass spectrometry, chromatography, spectroscopy) are leveraged, and new technologies are developed to influence selection of new drug candidates and enhance scalability and robustness.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Enable discovery partner groups with advanced analytical methods.
- Represent the discovery analytical research group in project teams, provide technical guidance, and drive scientific strategy.
- Develop, implement, and troubleshoot advanced analytical methods (e.g., high-resolution mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, ion chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, and two-dimensional techniques).
- Solve complex problems and explore new measurement technologies.
- Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, foster partnerships with discovery groups, and contribute to organizational goals.
- Support junior scientists and promote a culture of learning and innovation.
- Ensure high standards of data integrity and documentation.
- The successful candidate must be able to effectively collaborate in a fast-paced, integrated, multidisciplinary team environment.
Education Minimum Requirements:
- Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry or related field with 4+ years of biopharmaceutical industry experience.
- MS in Analytical Chemistry or related field with 8+ years of biopharmaceutical industry experience.
- BS in Analytical Chemistry or related field with 12+ years of biopharmaceutical industry experience.
Required Experience and Skills:
- Strong background and extensive hands-on experience in separation techniques (UPLC, cIEF, CZE, SEC, HIC, IEX), hyphenated techniques (e.g. LC-MS, GC-MS) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (structure elucidation) is required.
- Demonstrated scientific ability through publications in peer reviewed journals and presentations in scientific conferences.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrated creativity, and strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to deliver complex objectives under challenging timelines in a rapidly changing environment.
- Ability to work in a team environment with cross-functional interactions.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
- Understanding of biochemistry and organic chemistry.
- Experience with electronic laboratory notebook applications and good documentation practices.
Why Join Us?
Be part of a dynamic, innovative team. Lead impactful research and contribute to drug discovery. Opportunities for professional growth and publication.
Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Method Development, Anion Exchange Chromatography, Assay Development, Bioanalysis, Biological Assay Development, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biopharmaceuticals, Capillary Electrophoresis (CE), Cell-Based Assays, Chromatographic Techniques, Chromatography, Cross-Functional Teamwork, External Collaboration, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS), Laboratory Documentation, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Mass Spectrometry (MS), Mass Spectrometry Analysis, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Optimism, Process Analytical Technology (PAT), Protein Analysis
Preferred Skills:
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence. This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.
The salary range for this role is
$142,400.00 - $224,100.00
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status:
Regular
Relocation:
Domestic
VISA Sponsorship:
Yes
Travel Requirements:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
05/18/2026
A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Requisition ID: R395599
Science & Research Job Roles in Pennsylvania
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Search Science & Research Jobs in PennsylvaniaScience & Research Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
Which science and research companies in Pennsylvania sponsor F-1 STEM OPT workers?
Pennsylvania has a strong concentration of life sciences and research employers with documented STEM OPT sponsorship history. GSK, Merck, Johnson & Johnson's Janssen division, Incyte, and West Pharmaceutical Services have filed Labor Condition Applications for research roles in the state. University-affiliated research centers at Penn, Carnegie Mellon, and Drexel also hire F-1 STEM OPT candidates into qualifying positions across biological sciences, chemistry, and engineering.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most science and research F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Philadelphia leads Pennsylvania for science and research sponsorship opportunities, anchored by University City's dense cluster of research hospitals, biotech firms, and pharmaceutical campuses. The Lehigh Valley corridor around Allentown and Bethlehem holds a growing life sciences presence. Pittsburgh adds a second major hub, with Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh driving demand for research scientists, data analysts, and biomedical engineers with F-1 STEM OPT authorization.
What types of science and research roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Pennsylvania?
Roles that qualify must fall under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code tied to the graduate's degree. In Pennsylvania's research sector, common qualifying positions include research scientist, computational biologist, materials scientist, biostatistician, environmental scientist, and laboratory analyst. The position must be directly related to the student's degree field, paid, and supervised by a U.S. employer enrolled in E-Verify. O*NET profiles can help confirm whether a specific job title is STEM-aligned.
How do I find science and research F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Pennsylvania?
Migrate Mate filters science and research jobs in Pennsylvania specifically by F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history, drawing on DOL Labor Condition Application data to surface employers who have actively sponsored workers in comparable roles. Rather than sorting through general postings, you can search by industry, role type, and Pennsylvania location to identify employers with a documented track record of STEM OPT sponsorship in the sciences.
Are there any Pennsylvania-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in science and research?
Pennsylvania employers in life sciences and research often operate under federal contracts or grant funding, which can affect E-Verify compliance timelines and sponsorship decisions. Research roles tied to federally funded labs or NIH-backed programs require the employer to be E-Verify enrolled before STEM OPT can begin. Pennsylvania also has a dense network of contract research organizations and academic medical centers where STEM OPT is commonly used but sponsorship decisions can depend on grant cycles and departmental hiring authority rather than centralized HR policy.