Finding Post-Bac Research Opportunities as International Students

Authored by: Yunshu Yu, PhD

This blog is part of ADAA’s Early Career Professionals and Students SIGInternational Scholars Blog Serieswhich highlights the experiences of early-career international scholars.

I remember that as a senior in college, I was excited about graduation but also nervous about what would come next.

I knew I wanted to pursue a career in clinical science research and gain additional research experience through a post-baccalaureate research assistant (RA) job. I had to navigate not only the typical challenges of job applications but also the added stress of applying for work authorization in the U.S. as an international student, which can feel incredibly lonely without family support nearby.

I was really lucky to have mentors and peers who supported me along the way. With their help, I secured an RA job at Brown University, where I gained valuable research skills and built meaningful relationships, and eventually prepared for graduate school. Through this journey, I learned some practical strategies that I hope can help make the transition a bit smoother for others considering a similar path!

1. Work legally in the U.S. after graduation:

• If you’re on an F-1 student visa, you’ll need either a work visa (H1B) or to apply for post-completion optional practical training (OPT) to be able to work in the U.S. after graduation. For post-bac RA positions, sponsorship for a work visa might not be available, so it’s important to plan for applying to OPT early. The international student office at your university could be a helpful resource for this.
• Depending on whether your degree is STEM-designated (based on the CIP code on your I-20 form), you may be able to work for 1 year or 3 years on OPT after graduation. For STEM OPT, you will apply for a one-year post-completion OPT first, and then apply for STEM extension for another two years at the end of the first year of OPT.  Some RA positions require a commitment of 2 years, so it’s important to understand what type of OPT you can do (1 year vs 3 years) and be transparent with P.I.s about this during interviews.
• Sometimes it may take a couple of months to get OPT approved and for your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card to be delivered (sometimes it may take less time than this though). When applying, it’s ideal to use a reliable mailing address that you will have access to for a couple of months. You can still change the address after submitting the application, but using a mailing address that you will have access to will save a lot of headaches.
• After your OPT start date, you are limited to a maximum of 90 days of unemployment. Those on STEM OPT extension will get an additional 60 days, which makes it 150 days in total. So once your OPT starts, you have 90 days to secure a job, which is important to take into consideration given that job hunting and interviews may take some time.
• It can be extremely stressful to be on this timeline while hunting for jobs, and you may be worried that potential employers will view your application negatively based on your OPT status. But it’s more helpful to be transparent about this from the beginning, which will help both parties save time and help your future employer better understand the process and plan accordingly.

2. How do I find open positions?

• Use your network! If you have worked closely with professors on research projects or have worked in a lab as an undergraduate RA, don’t be afraid to let them know that you’re looking for post-bac research jobs. They or someone they know might be hiring, and it’s likely that they’re looking for someone with your experience.
• There are also different listservs online where people share job posts. Here are a couple examples:
  • https://undergrad.psychology.fas.harvard.edu/post-graduate-research-jobs
  • https://psychandneuro.duke.edu/undergraduate/research-opportunities-jobs
  • https://psychologyjobsinternships.wordpress.com/
• Social media platforms like X or BlueSky. Some labs may maintain a social media presence and directly post hiring information on their account. So if there’s any research lab you’d like to work with, be sure to follow them on social media to get updates on their work and also their hiring information. Other recruitment sites, like LinkedIn, may be worth checking too
• Cold emails. Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to cold email research labs you’re interested in working with and ask if they’re looking to hire someone. Don’t take it personally if they don’t respond, they might not be hiring or just too busy with their work. It’s worth a shot though.

3. What to prepare?

Be ready to prepare the following materials. If you’re looking for jobs to start after graduation (e.g., May), starting to prepare for these during the winter (a couple of months earlier than when you graduate) could save you some last-minute stress. You can find templates online, or if there’s anyone, like a lab manager or graduate student, you know who has gone through a similar process, you can ask them if they’d be willing to share what they had with you too. People in this field like to help each other!

• CV (can run multiple pages, should list your education, honors, research experience, work experience, skills)
• Cover letter (a 1–2-page short letter introducing your background and interest and showing why you might be a good candidate for the job you’re applying for)
• Interview (be ready to interview with either current lab managers or P.I.s of the lab you’re applying to)
• References (have 2-3 references ready, should be someone who has worked with you and can speak about your ability)

Good luck with your search for post-bac jobs! It can be an incredibly stressful process, but also an exciting one with the next chapter of your career unfolding!