Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in Virginia
Science and research F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia are concentrated around Northern Virginia's federal contractor corridor, the research institutions of Charlottesville, and biotech clusters near Richmond. Employers like Leidos, MITRE, and Booz Allen Hamilton regularly hire STEM OPT candidates in research-intensive roles across the state.
Find Science & Research JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 8+ Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in Virginia
See all Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in Virginia
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in Virginia.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are seeking highly motivated and talented Postdoctural Research Associates to join our dynamic team at the ODU School of Cybersecurity.
All the applicants in the broad area of Trustworthy AI will be considered but priority will be given to candidates with expertise and background in security of agentic AI systems, privacy-preserving AI using fully homomorphic encryption. The initial appointment will be one year and is renewable for additional years based on performance. The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge research, publish in top-tier venues, and help lead collaborative funding initiatives.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct Research: Design, implement, and evaluate novel research focused on AI security and/or privacy.
- Publish: Author high-impact research papers for premier cybersecurity and AI conferences and journals.
- Grant Development: Contribute to writing grant proposals submitted to major funding agencies.
- Mentorship: Provide guidance, project oversight, and technical mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students within the research lab.
- Technical Management: Manage the deployment, testing, and maintenance of the developed prototypes and tools.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a closely related field by the start date.
- Research Focus: Proven track record of doctoral research explicitly focused on AI security, privacy-preserving AI, or applied cryptography.
- Publication Record: Strong publications record in peer-reviewed AI or cybersecurity conferences/journals.
- Communication: Strong written and verbal English communication skills, with demonstrated experience presenting complex technical topics to diverse audiences.
- Grant Development: Familiarity with funding agencies and grant writing.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Publication Record: Strong publications record in highly ranked peer-reviewed AI or cybersecurity conferences/journals (e.g., IEEE S&P, USENIX Security, ACM CCS, NDSS, NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, AAAI, EMNLP).
- Funding Experience: Prior involvement in the successful drafting or execution of federal or industry-sponsored research grants.
- Mentorship: Experience with mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.
- Collaborative Spirit: Experience working across multidisciplinary teams or bridging gaps between academic research and industry applications.
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking highly motivated and talented Postdoctural Research Associates to join our dynamic team at the ODU School of Cybersecurity.
All the applicants in the broad area of Trustworthy AI will be considered but priority will be given to candidates with expertise and background in security of agentic AI systems, privacy-preserving AI using fully homomorphic encryption. The initial appointment will be one year and is renewable for additional years based on performance. The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge research, publish in top-tier venues, and help lead collaborative funding initiatives.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct Research: Design, implement, and evaluate novel research focused on AI security and/or privacy.
- Publish: Author high-impact research papers for premier cybersecurity and AI conferences and journals.
- Grant Development: Contribute to writing grant proposals submitted to major funding agencies.
- Mentorship: Provide guidance, project oversight, and technical mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students within the research lab.
- Technical Management: Manage the deployment, testing, and maintenance of the developed prototypes and tools.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a closely related field by the start date.
- Research Focus: Proven track record of doctoral research explicitly focused on AI security, privacy-preserving AI, or applied cryptography.
- Publication Record: Strong publications record in peer-reviewed AI or cybersecurity conferences/journals.
- Communication: Strong written and verbal English communication skills, with demonstrated experience presenting complex technical topics to diverse audiences.
- Grant Development: Familiarity with funding agencies and grant writing.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Publication Record: Strong publications record in highly ranked peer-reviewed AI or cybersecurity conferences/journals (e.g., IEEE S&P, USENIX Security, ACM CCS, NDSS, NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, AAAI, EMNLP).
- Funding Experience: Prior involvement in the successful drafting or execution of federal or industry-sponsored research grants.
- Mentorship: Experience with mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.
- Collaborative Spirit: Experience working across multidisciplinary teams or bridging gaps between academic research and industry applications.
STEM OPT Science & Research Job Roles in Virginia
See all Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in Virginia
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Science & Research Jobs in VirginiaScience & Research STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which science and research companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Virginia?
Virginia's federal contractor ecosystem produces some of the most active STEM OPT sponsors in the country. Companies such as Leidos, MITRE Corporation, Booz Allen Hamilton, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and Noblis have established hiring pipelines for research-focused STEM OPT candidates. University-affiliated employers like the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech Research Division also sponsor STEM OPT extensions for lab and research staff.
Which cities in Virginia have the most science and research F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia, particularly the McLean, Reston, and Arlington corridor, holds the highest concentration of science and research STEM OPT roles due to proximity to federal agencies and defense contractors. Charlottesville supports research hiring through the University of Virginia and affiliated institutes. Richmond has a growing biotech and life sciences presence, while Hampton Roads hosts research positions tied to naval and aerospace science.
What types of science and research roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Virginia?
Roles that qualify generally map to STEM degree classifications on the STEM OPT Designated Degree Program List. In Virginia's science and research sector, these include research scientists, data scientists, computational biologists, environmental scientists, materials scientists, systems researchers, and applied physicists. Positions must involve practical training directly related to the graduate's qualifying STEM degree field, and the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify.
How do I find science and research F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate filters science and research job listings in Virginia by employers with verified STEM OPT sponsorship history, so you're not guessing which companies will support your extension. You can search by role type, location, and STEM degree alignment. This is particularly useful in Virginia's federal contracting sector, where sponsorship eligibility varies significantly by contract vehicle and project classification.
Are there any Virginia-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in science and research?
Virginia's large share of federal contract work introduces a practical factor: some research positions require security clearances, which can delay or limit sponsorship for STEM OPT holders who are not yet eligible to apply. Additionally, Virginia employers receiving federal grants may face E-Verify compliance requirements beyond the standard STEM OPT rule. Candidates should confirm both E-Verify enrollment and clearance eligibility requirements directly with prospective employers before applying.