Science & Research STEM OPT 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.
Find Science & Research JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 52+ Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in Pennsylvania
See all 52+ Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in Pennsylvania
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in Pennsylvania.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Wistar Institute is a world leader in early-stage discovery science in the areas of cancer, immunology, and infectious disease. Wistar is committed to accelerating research advances from bench to bedside through brilliant science and distinctive approaches to collaboration among scientific investigators and academic and industry partners. Wistar’s dynamic environment supports the advancement of discoveries that will change the future of human health.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Wistar Institute has an opening for a highly motivated Research Assistant in the laboratory of Dr. Jessie Villanueva to perform a wide variety of laboratory tasks and experiments. The Villanueva laboratory studies the molecular signaling pathways that become deregulated in melanoma with the goal of identifying suitable targets for therapy, particularly for tumors with limited therapeutic options.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in a science related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience) is required.
- Extensive experience in cancer biology, in vivo pre-clinical studies, and expertise with tissue culture and 3D organotypic cancer models is required.
LOCATION
The Wistar Institute is located in the University City area of Philadelphia, in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania Campus. Wistar provides resources to its faculty and staff that enable them to conduct cutting edge collaborative research and provides for outstanding intellectual environments and state-of-the-art facilities. Research discoveries conducted at Wistar have led to the development of vaccines; the identification of genes associated with cancers; and the development of many other significant research technologies and tools.
We offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.
It is the policy of the Institute to provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, citizenship, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), pregnancy, caregiver status, domestic or sexual violence victim status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or on the basis of genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, with respect to all terms and conditions of employment.
INTRODUCTION
The Wistar Institute is a world leader in early-stage discovery science in the areas of cancer, immunology, and infectious disease. Wistar is committed to accelerating research advances from bench to bedside through brilliant science and distinctive approaches to collaboration among scientific investigators and academic and industry partners. Wistar’s dynamic environment supports the advancement of discoveries that will change the future of human health.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Wistar Institute has an opening for a highly motivated Research Assistant in the laboratory of Dr. Jessie Villanueva to perform a wide variety of laboratory tasks and experiments. The Villanueva laboratory studies the molecular signaling pathways that become deregulated in melanoma with the goal of identifying suitable targets for therapy, particularly for tumors with limited therapeutic options.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in a science related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience) is required.
- Extensive experience in cancer biology, in vivo pre-clinical studies, and expertise with tissue culture and 3D organotypic cancer models is required.
LOCATION
The Wistar Institute is located in the University City area of Philadelphia, in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania Campus. Wistar provides resources to its faculty and staff that enable them to conduct cutting edge collaborative research and provides for outstanding intellectual environments and state-of-the-art facilities. Research discoveries conducted at Wistar have led to the development of vaccines; the identification of genes associated with cancers; and the development of many other significant research technologies and tools.
We offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.
It is the policy of the Institute to provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, citizenship, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), pregnancy, caregiver status, domestic or sexual violence victim status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or on the basis of genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, with respect to all terms and conditions of employment.
STEM OPT Science & Research Job Roles in Pennsylvania
See all 52+ Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in Pennsylvania
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Science & Research Jobs in PennsylvaniaScience & Research STEM OPT Sponsorship 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.