Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in Washington DC
Washington DC's science and research sector draws federal agencies, think tanks, and biomedical institutions that regularly hire F-1 STEM OPT candidates. Employers such as NIH, MITRE, and Georgetown University Medical Center have established OPT sponsorship pipelines. Competition is strong, but the concentration of research-intensive organizations makes DC one of the more active markets for STEM OPT-eligible scientists and researchers.
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Get Access To All JobsWork Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Laboratory Setting, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)
Job Description
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.
This opening is for a highly qualified and self-motivated individual to support our LC-MS instrumentation as a Field Application Scientist, with a strong focus on small molecule quantitation. As a member of the Thermo Fisher Scientific North Americas application support team, the candidate will work within a multi-disciplinary matrix team that includes regional sales representatives, marketing and service professionals, product development scientists, and engineers.
Primary responsibilities will be to support the commercial field sales team by providing support for LC-MS instrumentation, focusing mainly on the small molecule mass spectrometry market, with an emphasis on either pharma or environmental applications. The support will mainly be at customer sites (within North America) and focus on rapidly jump-starting customers for future success.
What will you do?
- Conduct product training for customers in their laboratories, onsite training centers, or remotely, on the accurate use and application of instruments and software.
- Collaborate with customers and internal teams to customize applications and methodologies. This includes troubleshooting, method development, and data interpretation. May be responsible for collecting data from customer experiments or field trials, analyzing the data using statistical methods, and providing insights or recommendations based on the findings. They should be able to interpret scientific data accurately and communicate the results effectively. Resolves and/or escalates customer issues & complaints.
- Deliver presentations to highlight the capabilities and benefits of solutions for various applications. Effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
- Work cross-functionally with internal teams, including marketing and sales, to support strategic execution of the customer training process.
- Deepen and broaden Thermo Fisher Scientific's customer relationships with key scientific and educational leaders.
- Assist in developing insightful content; examples include company hosted websites, videos, seminars, applications reports, eLearning material, etc.
- Stay informed about the latest scientific literature, methodologies, and regulatory requirements. Acts as a trusted expert to our customers to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty which contributes to the overall success of the business. Provide scientific support and counsel to internal teams and customers and identify improvement opportunities.
How will you get here?
- A bachelor's degree (or higher) in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related scientific field and/or equivalent work experience.
- 2-3 years of hands-on technical experience with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry instruments, software, data analysis, and techniques.
- Experience with quantitative LCMS workflows (e.g. Pharma QA/QC labs, US EPA methods) and associated sample preparation techniques.
- This position requires extensive contact with customers and therefore outstanding verbal and written communication skills are required.
- A proven track record to work independently and a strong work ethic is critical.
- Ability to travel up to 75%.
- This position is not approved for relocation assistance.
Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Watch as our colleagues explain 5 reasons to work with us. As one team of 100,000+ colleagues, we share a common set of values - Integrity, Intensity, Innovation and Involvement - working together to accelerate research, solve complex scientific challenges, drive technological innovation and support patients in need. #StartYourStory at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where diverse experiences, backgrounds and perspectives are valued.
Apply today!
Benefits:
We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus scheme, healthcare, company pension/retirement, and a range of employee benefits! Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation.
Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform critical job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.
Compensation and Benefits
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
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in Illinois is $75,800.00–$113,675.00. 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
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Laboratory Setting, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)
Job Description
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.
This opening is for a highly qualified and self-motivated individual to support our LC-MS instrumentation as a Field Application Scientist, with a strong focus on small molecule quantitation. As a member of the Thermo Fisher Scientific North Americas application support team, the candidate will work within a multi-disciplinary matrix team that includes regional sales representatives, marketing and service professionals, product development scientists, and engineers.
Primary responsibilities will be to support the commercial field sales team by providing support for LC-MS instrumentation, focusing mainly on the small molecule mass spectrometry market, with an emphasis on either pharma or environmental applications. The support will mainly be at customer sites (within North America) and focus on rapidly jump-starting customers for future success.
What will you do?
- Conduct product training for customers in their laboratories, onsite training centers, or remotely, on the accurate use and application of instruments and software.
- Collaborate with customers and internal teams to customize applications and methodologies. This includes troubleshooting, method development, and data interpretation. May be responsible for collecting data from customer experiments or field trials, analyzing the data using statistical methods, and providing insights or recommendations based on the findings. They should be able to interpret scientific data accurately and communicate the results effectively. Resolves and/or escalates customer issues & complaints.
- Deliver presentations to highlight the capabilities and benefits of solutions for various applications. Effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
- Work cross-functionally with internal teams, including marketing and sales, to support strategic execution of the customer training process.
- Deepen and broaden Thermo Fisher Scientific's customer relationships with key scientific and educational leaders.
- Assist in developing insightful content; examples include company hosted websites, videos, seminars, applications reports, eLearning material, etc.
- Stay informed about the latest scientific literature, methodologies, and regulatory requirements. Acts as a trusted expert to our customers to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty which contributes to the overall success of the business. Provide scientific support and counsel to internal teams and customers and identify improvement opportunities.
How will you get here?
- A bachelor's degree (or higher) in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related scientific field and/or equivalent work experience.
- 2-3 years of hands-on technical experience with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry instruments, software, data analysis, and techniques.
- Experience with quantitative LCMS workflows (e.g. Pharma QA/QC labs, US EPA methods) and associated sample preparation techniques.
- This position requires extensive contact with customers and therefore outstanding verbal and written communication skills are required.
- A proven track record to work independently and a strong work ethic is critical.
- Ability to travel up to 75%.
- This position is not approved for relocation assistance.
Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Watch as our colleagues explain 5 reasons to work with us. As one team of 100,000+ colleagues, we share a common set of values - Integrity, Intensity, Innovation and Involvement - working together to accelerate research, solve complex scientific challenges, drive technological innovation and support patients in need. #StartYourStory at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where diverse experiences, backgrounds and perspectives are valued.
Apply today!
Benefits:
We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus scheme, healthcare, company pension/retirement, and a range of employee benefits! Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation.
Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform critical job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.
Compensation and Benefits
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
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in Illinois is $75,800.00–$113,675.00. 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
STEM OPT Science & Research Job Roles in Washington DC
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Search Science & Research Jobs in Washington DCScience & Research STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Washington DC: Frequently Asked Questions
Which science and research companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Washington DC?
Federal contractors and research institutions are the most active sponsors in Washington DC. Organizations such as MITRE, Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, the National Institutes of Health, and several university research centers have filed STEM-related OPT sponsorship documentation. Biomedical research firms and federally funded research and development centers also appear regularly in OPT hiring. Checking OFLC disclosure data by employer name gives the most accurate picture of recent filing activity.
Which areas in Washington DC have the most science and research F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Most science and research sponsorship activity in the DC area is concentrated in the District itself, particularly near federal research campuses, and in adjacent Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland corridors. Bethesda and Rockville in Maryland host a high density of biomedical and pharmaceutical research employers. The broader National Capital Region functions as a single labor market, so STEM OPT candidates often consider roles across the full metro area rather than limiting searches to the District boundary.
What types of science and research roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles with STEM degree classifications classified under life sciences, physical sciences, computer and mathematical occupations, and engineering generally qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. In Washington DC, this includes positions such as research scientist, data scientist, bioinformatician, environmental scientist, policy researcher with quantitative methods, and laboratory analyst. The role must appear on the official STEM Designated Degree Program list, and the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to authorize the extension through USCIS.
How do I find science & research F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Washington DC?
Migrate Mate filters science and research jobs specifically by F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship eligibility and Washington DC location, so you can search without sorting through roles that don't apply to your status. Beyond the job board, reviewing employer LCA filings through OFLC disclosure data helps confirm which organizations have recently sponsored OPT workers in research occupations. Prioritizing E-Verify-enrolled employers is essential, as that enrollment is a prerequisite for any STEM OPT extension through USCIS.
Are there Washington DC-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in science and research?
Washington DC's heavy presence 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 and grantee organizations operate under different rules and are significant OPT sponsors. Security clearance requirements at some DC-area research firms can also limit eligibility for non-U.S. nationals. Roles at independent research institutes, universities, and private contractors typically have fewer such restrictions and represent more accessible sponsorship opportunities.