Science & Research OPT Jobs in Washington DC
Washington DC's science and research sector draws F-1 OPT candidates to federal agencies, think tanks, and research institutions concentrated across the District. Major employers include NIH-affiliated research centers, the Smithsonian Institution, and policy-focused organizations along the K Street corridor. OPT authorization, including the 24-month STEM extension for qualifying roles, opens a defined window to gain U.S. research experience.
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Get Access To All JobsWork Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Fluctuating Temps hot/cold, Laboratory Setting, Loud Noises (Equipment/Machinery), Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Strong Odors (chemical, lubricants, biological products etc.), Various outside weather conditions
Job Description
Regional Sales Manager - Bulk Elemental Analyzers
R-01364666
Southwest Territory (CA, TX, AZ)
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
As an Instruments Sales Representative III at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you'll support sales growth and customer success for our advanced analytical and scientific instruments. Working in scientific instrument solutions, you'll help customers make informed decisions in research, quality control, and process improvement. You'll develop and expand customer relationships while representing our comprehensive portfolio of instruments, consumables, and services across diverse markets including pharmaceutical, environmental, industrial, food safety, healthcare, and academic research.
Education/Experience:
- Master's degree preferred plus 5 years of sales experience in analytical instrument markets or equivalent laboratory experience
- Preferred Fields of Study: Chemistry, Biology, Life Sciences or related scientific field
- Technical knowledge of analytical instrumentation and applications
- Understanding of laboratory workflows and customer needs across key market segments
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Effective consultative selling and negotiation skills
- Ability to develop and execute strategic sales plans
- Strong presentation and communication skills
- Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and MS Office suite
- Project management and organizational abilities
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with customers and internal stakeholders
- Experience working in collaborative environments
- Fluency in English required, additional languages beneficial
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel up to 70%
- Commitment to Thermo Fisher Scientific's values of Integrity, Intensity, Innovation and Involvement
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in Texas is $64,900.00–$97,300.00. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
- A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
- Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
- At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
- Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
- Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Fluctuating Temps hot/cold, Laboratory Setting, Loud Noises (Equipment/Machinery), Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Strong Odors (chemical, lubricants, biological products etc.), Various outside weather conditions
Job Description
Regional Sales Manager - Bulk Elemental Analyzers
R-01364666
Southwest Territory (CA, TX, AZ)
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
As an Instruments Sales Representative III at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you'll support sales growth and customer success for our advanced analytical and scientific instruments. Working in scientific instrument solutions, you'll help customers make informed decisions in research, quality control, and process improvement. You'll develop and expand customer relationships while representing our comprehensive portfolio of instruments, consumables, and services across diverse markets including pharmaceutical, environmental, industrial, food safety, healthcare, and academic research.
Education/Experience:
- Master's degree preferred plus 5 years of sales experience in analytical instrument markets or equivalent laboratory experience
- Preferred Fields of Study: Chemistry, Biology, Life Sciences or related scientific field
- Technical knowledge of analytical instrumentation and applications
- Understanding of laboratory workflows and customer needs across key market segments
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Effective consultative selling and negotiation skills
- Ability to develop and execute strategic sales plans
- Strong presentation and communication skills
- Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and MS Office suite
- Project management and organizational abilities
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with customers and internal stakeholders
- Experience working in collaborative environments
- Fluency in English required, additional languages beneficial
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel up to 70%
- Commitment to Thermo Fisher Scientific's values of Integrity, Intensity, Innovation and Involvement
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in Texas is $64,900.00–$97,300.00. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
- A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
- Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
- At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
- Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
- Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
OPT Science & Research Job Roles in Washington DC
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Search Science & Research Jobs in Washington DCScience & Research OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Washington DC: Frequently Asked Questions
Which science and research companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Washington DC?
Washington DC's science and research employers with documented OPT hiring include federal contractors such as Booz Allen Hamilton and Leidos, nonprofits like the Brookings Institution and Resources for the Future, and research arms of major universities including Georgetown and George Washington University. Government-adjacent research organizations in the District frequently file Labor Condition Applications for science and policy roles, making them visible in OFLC disclosure data.
Which areas of Washington DC have the most science and research F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Most science and research OPT positions in Washington DC cluster in three areas: the National Mall corridor near federal agency headquarters, the Foggy Bottom and Dupont Circle neighborhoods where think tanks and international research organizations concentrate, and the emerging NoMa district where several biotech and data science firms have expanded. The nearby suburbs of Bethesda and Rockville in Maryland also host dense NIH-adjacent research employment for DC-area OPT candidates.
How do I find science & research F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Washington DC?
Migrate Mate filters science and research positions in Washington DC by verified OPT sponsorship history, so you can identify employers who have actively sponsored international candidates rather than guessing from job postings. Search by role type and filter for the DC metro area to surface positions at research institutes, federal contractors, and nonprofit science organizations. Complement your search by reviewing OFLC disclosure data to confirm an employer's LCA filing history in your specific research field.
What types of science and research roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Washington DC?
Roles that commonly qualify include research analyst, policy scientist, data scientist, environmental scientist, bioinformatics specialist, and public health researcher. USCIS defines qualifying employment as work directly related to your degree field, so a chemistry graduate working as a laboratory researcher or an environmental policy graduate placed in a climate research role would both satisfy OPT authorization requirements. Positions at DC think tanks frequently blend research and policy analysis, and both components can support OPT eligibility when the role aligns with your major.
Are there any Washington DC-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in science and research?
Washington DC's heavy concentration of federal agencies creates an important distinction: direct federal government positions are generally not available to F-1 OPT holders due to citizenship requirements, but federally funded contractors, grantees, and affiliated research institutions can and do sponsor OPT candidates. DC-based research organizations that receive federal grants must also comply with E-Verify requirements for certain contracts, so confirming an employer's compliance status before accepting an offer is worth doing. STEM OPT extensions require the employer to be E-Verify enrolled, which many DC research contractors already satisfy.