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.

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Overview

Open Jobs40+
Work Type78% On-site
Top LocationPhiladelphia, PA
Most JobsThe Wistar Institute

Showing 5 of 40+ Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in Pennsylvania

Thermo Fisher Scientific
Field Application Scientist
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Thermo Fisher Scientific
New 4h ago
Field Application Scientist
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
$83k - $125k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Temple University Health System
Research Coordinator
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Temple University Health System
New 7h ago
Research Coordinator
Temple University Health System
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research & Academia
Laboratory Research
Healthcare Administration
$45k - $55k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Merck
Associate Principal Scientist, Systems Biology
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Merck
New 16h ago
Associate Principal Scientist, Systems Biology
Merck
West Point, Pennsylvania
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Data Science & Analytics
Clinical Trials
Data Science
$142k - $224k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

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The Wistar Institute
Research Assistant
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The Wistar Institute
Added 1d ago
Research Assistant
The Wistar Institute
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
On-Site
Bachelor's
201-500

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Genentech
Purification Development Scientist
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Genentech
Added 1w ago
Purification Development Scientist
Genentech
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
$91k - $169k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

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STEM OPT Science & Research Job Roles in Pennsylvania

Laboratory Research21 jobs
Biotech & Life Sciences15 jobs
Clinical Trials & Medical Research13 jobs
Clinical Trials9 jobs
Healthcare Administration9 jobs
Specialized Engineering6 jobs
Data Science5 jobs
Data Science & Analytics5 jobs
Engineering (Non-Software)5 jobs
Project & Program Management4 jobs

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Science & 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.