Science & Research OPT Jobs in Virginia

Science and research F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia are concentrated around federal research corridors in Northern Virginia, the Tysons area, and the Research Triangle communities near Charlottesville and Blacksburg. Major employers include Leidos, SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Northrop Grumman, alongside university-affiliated labs and federal contractors supporting agencies such as NIH, DARPA, and the Department of Defense.

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Overview

Open Jobs57+
Work Type89% On-site
Top LocationNorfolk, VA
Most JobsOld Dominion University

Showing 5 of 57+ Science & Research OPT Jobs in Virginia

Old Dominion University
Sponsored Programs Billing Supervisor
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Old Dominion University
Added 2d ago
Sponsored Programs Billing Supervisor
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia
Finance
Accounting
Compliance & Legal
Audit
Tax
On-Site
Master's
1,001-5,000

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Thermo Fisher Scientific
Scientist I, Formulation
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Thermo Fisher Scientific
Added 1w ago
Scientist I, Formulation
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Middletown, Virginia
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Quality Control
$23 - $34/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Novocure
Territory Manager
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Novocure
Added 1mo ago
Territory Manager
Novocure
Richmond, Virginia
Sales
Account Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Inside Sales
Business Development
$145k - $175k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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LotusWorks
BIM Coordinator
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LotusWorks
Added 1mo ago
BIM Coordinator
LotusWorks
Manassas, Virginia
Specialized Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Project Management
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Astellas
Womens Health Business Specialist
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Astellas
Added 1mo ago
Womens Health Business Specialist
Astellas
Arlington, Virginia
Sales
Account Management
Inside Sales
$84k - $132k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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OPT Science & Research Job Roles in Virginia

Teaching & Instruction15 jobs
Higher Education11 jobs
Healthcare Administration11 jobs
Project & Program Management11 jobs
Compliance & Legal8 jobs
Project Management8 jobs
Laboratory Research6 jobs
Biotech & Life Sciences6 jobs
Corporate Training & Learning Development6 jobs
Sales5 jobs

See all 57+ Science & Research OPT Jobs in Virginia

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Science & Research OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

Which science and research companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Virginia?

Federal defense and technology contractors are among the most active F-1 OPT sponsors in Virginia's science and research sector. Companies such as Leidos, SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton, Northrop Grumman, and ManTech regularly file Labor Condition Applications for research and scientific roles. University-affiliated research centers at George Mason University, Virginia Tech, and the University of Virginia also sponsor OPT students for positions in applied sciences, data analysis, and engineering research.

Which cities in Virginia have the most science and research F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?

Northern Virginia, particularly Tysons Corner, Reston, and Arlington, hosts the highest concentration of science and research OPT sponsorship roles due to proximity to federal agencies and major contractors. Charlottesville supports research positions tied to the University of Virginia, while Blacksburg offers opportunities connected to Virginia Tech's research enterprise. The Hampton Roads area also has science and research roles linked to naval and aerospace research institutions.

How do I find science & research F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT job seekers and surfaces verified science and research roles in Virginia where employers have a documented history of sponsoring work authorization. You can filter by OPT status, industry, and Virginia location to identify contractors, labs, and research institutions actively hiring. This is more targeted than general job searches, which do not filter by sponsorship history or visa compatibility.

What types of science and research roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Virginia?

Roles that align directly with a qualifying STEM degree field are most commonly sponsored under F-1 OPT in Virginia's research sector. These include research scientist, data scientist, bioinformatics analyst, environmental scientist, laboratory analyst, and research engineer positions. Many Virginia employers also sponsor roles in computational modeling, materials science, and geospatial analysis. STEM OPT extension eligibility applies to roles at E-Verify enrolled employers, which is common among Virginia's federal contractors.

Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in science and research roles in Virginia?

Virginia's large federal contracting sector means that many science and research positions require security clearances or clearance eligibility, which can affect OPT holders since clearances are tied to citizenship or permanent residency status. F-1 OPT candidates should confirm clearance requirements before applying. Virginia has no state-level OPT restrictions, but applicants should verify that their employer is enrolled in E-Verify if they intend to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after their initial OPT period.