Cap-exempt H1b or OPT STEM extension, which is better?

[Curious_minds]

Hi everyone,

I recently got my PhD. I am currently on F1 - OPT since last 6 months and I am eligible for the 24-month STEM extension. I recently got a job offer from a non-profit research institute. They are willing to sponsor my cap-exempt H1b, but I might get laid off after 2 years or so, in case they run out of funds. They also told me that they do not sponsor OPT-extensions.

So, if I decide to work with them and get H1b, I will loose my 24-months OPT extension forever. Also, if I am laid off or I wish to join a for-profit employer, then I will have to go through the H1b-lottery and wait until October of following year to start working. On the flip side, if I don't join them and don't find another employer within the next 6 months, my OPT will end and I will have to leave the country.

So, which option is better for me? Should I take this offer and worry about changing jobs later? Or, should I keep searching and hope to find an employer before my OPT expires?

Thanks, I would really appreciate your advise.

Regards,
CM