Top 10 Companies Hiring Assistant Professors on OPT

Mihailo Bozic
Mihailo Bozic
Updated October 22, 2026 · 4 min read

The top 10 companies hiring Assistant Professors on OPT include Texas A&M University, University of Kentucky, and Memphis-Shelby County Schools, spanning K-12 school districts, charter networks, and research universities across the education sector. Migrate Mate is tracking 601 live OPT jobs across these employers as of October 22, 2026, updated daily. For F-1 students whose field of study aligns with teaching or academic research, these employers offer roles where OPT authorization is sufficient to begin work without any employer filing requirement.

Which companies hire the most Assistant Professors on OPT?

Ranked by live OPT openings on Migrate Mate, updated daily

  1. 01
    Texas A&M University

    Texas A&M University

    Higher EducationResearchAcademia

    Texas A&M University has 42 live OPT openings for assistant professors, the most of any company on this list. Texas A&M University is a public land-grant research university in College Station, Texas, and one of the largest in the country.

    Open roles by team

    • Teaching & Instruction49
    • Higher Education28
    • Science & Research25
    • Healthcare Administration6
    • Nursing3

    +13 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Texas A&M University42 open
    Assistant Professor of Interactive Spatial Audio and Multimodal Computing
    College Station, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant or Associate Professor
    College Station, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Professor - Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution
    College Station, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant or Associate Professor in Comparative Ophthalmology
    College Station, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Professor
    College Station, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all 42+ Texas A&M University OPT jobs
  2. 02
    University of Kentucky

    University of Kentucky

    Higher EducationResearchAcademia

    University of Kentucky has 95 live OPT openings for assistant professors. University of Kentucky is a public research university offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in Lexington.

    Open roles by team

    • Physicians & Surgeons79
    • Teaching & Instruction73
    • Healthcare Administration52
    • Nursing42
    • Science & Research37

    +36 roles across other teams

    Open roles at University of Kentucky95 open
    Assistant or Associate Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences
    Lexington, Kentucky · On-site
    Apply
    Lecturer in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
    Lexington, Kentucky · On-site
    Apply
    FNP Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor
    Lexington, Kentucky · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant, Associate, or Professor in Physician Assistant Studies
    Lexington, Kentucky · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences
    Lexington, Kentucky · On-site
    Apply
    See all 95+ University of Kentucky OPT jobs
  3. 03
    Memphis-Shelby County Schools

    Memphis-Shelby County Schools

    K-12 EducationPublic SchoolsTeaching

    Memphis-Shelby County Schools has 2 live OPT openings for assistant professors. Memphis-Shelby County Schools is a unified public school district serving students in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee.

    Open roles by team

    • Teaching & Instruction121
    Open roles at Memphis-Shelby County Schools2 open
    Classroom Teacher
    Memphis, Tennessee · On-site
    Apply
    Classroom Teacher – Special Education
    Memphis, Tennessee · On-site
    Apply
    See all Memphis-Shelby County Schools OPT jobs
  4. Unlock every OPT job from these sponsors

    Find 4,800+ OPT jobs for assistant professors
  5. 04
    University of Florida

    University of Florida

    Higher EducationResearchAcademia

    University of Florida has 41 live OPT openings for assistant professors. University of Florida is a public research university and land-grant institution located in Gainesville, Florida.

    Open roles by team

    • Physicians & Surgeons36
    • Nursing28
    • Teaching & Instruction26
    • Healthcare Administration20
    • Science & Research17

    +25 roles across other teams

    Open roles at University of Florida41 open
    Assistant, Associate or Full Professor of Epidemiology
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Clinical Assistant / Associate Professor
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Clinical Assistant / Associate Professor, Pediatric Dentistry
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Professor / Associate Professor
    Palm Beach, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    LECTURER
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    See all 41+ University of Florida OPT jobs
  6. 05
    Oregon Health & Science University

    Oregon Health & Science University

    Higher EducationResearchAcademia

    Oregon Health & Science University has 53 live OPT openings for assistant professors. Oregon Health & Science University is a public research university focused on health sciences education and biomedical research in Portland.

    Open roles by team

    • Nursing62
    • Physicians & Surgeons57
    • Healthcare Administration52
    • Teaching & Instruction32
    • Allied Health8

    +12 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Oregon Health & Science University53 open
    Endocrinologist- Assistant or Associate Professor
    Portland, Oregon · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant/ Associate Professor, Periodontology
    Portland, Oregon · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant or Associate Professor
    Portland, Oregon · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
    Portland, Oregon · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Professor
    Portland, Oregon · On-site
    Apply
    See all 53+ Oregon Health & Science University OPT jobs
  7. Editor’s note

    How this list is ranked

    These employers are ranked by how many roles open to OPT candidates they have live on Migrate Mate right now. OPT is your own work authorization rather than something the employer files, so the practical question is whether the role fits your field of study and whether the team has hired people on OPT before.

  8. 06
    Spring Independent School District

    Spring Independent School District

    K-12 EducationPublic SchoolsTeaching

    Spring Independent School District has 86 live OPT openings for assistant professors. Spring Independent School District provides K-12 public education to students in the greater Houston, Texas area.

    Open roles by team

    • Teaching & Instruction182
    • Higher Education9
    • Engineering (Non-Software)2
    • Healthcare Administration1
    Open roles at Spring Independent School District86 open
    Adaptive Behavior Teacher
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Art Teacher
    Spring, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    CTE Teacher
    Spring, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Theater Teacher
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Math Teacher
    Houston, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all 86+ Spring Independent School District OPT jobs
  9. 07
    Rutgers University

    Rutgers University

    Higher EducationResearchAcademia

    Rutgers University has 72 live OPT openings for assistant professors. Rutgers University is the public research university of New Jersey, offering programs across multiple campuses statewide.

    Open roles by team

    • Teaching & Instruction64
    • Higher Education45
    • Physicians & Surgeons36
    • Nursing24
    • Healthcare Administration22

    +23 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Rutgers University72 open
    Research Assistant Professor
    Piscataway, New Jersey · On-site
    Apply
    Lecturer
    New Brunswick, New Jersey · On-site
    Apply
    LECTURER- Energy Governance
    New Brunswick, New Jersey · On-site
    Apply
    Leadership Skills Minor Lecturer and Coadjutant Instructors
    New Brunswick, New Jersey · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Professor
    Newark, New Jersey · On-site
    Apply
    See all 72+ Rutgers University OPT jobs
  10. See OPT jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more

    Find 4,800+ OPT jobs for assistant professors
  11. 08
    Chicago Public Schools

    Chicago Public Schools

    K-12 EducationTeachingUrban Schools

    Chicago Public Schools has 74 live OPT openings for assistant professors. Chicago Public Schools operates one of the largest urban K-12 school districts in the United States.

    Open roles by team

    • Teaching & Instruction150
    • Higher Education2
    • Project & Program Management1
    • Administrative & Office Support1
    Open roles at Chicago Public Schools74 open
    Bilingual Teacher
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Class Size BIL Teacher
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Teacher
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Teacher Assistant
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Class Size Teacher
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    See all 74+ Chicago Public Schools OPT jobs
  12. 09
    Baltimore City Public Schools

    Baltimore City Public Schools

    K-12 EducationPublic SchoolsUrban Schools

    Baltimore City Public Schools has 65 live OPT openings for assistant professors. Baltimore City Public Schools is the public school district serving students throughout Baltimore, Maryland.

    Open roles by team

    • Teaching & Instruction126
    • Nursing2
    • Higher Education1
    • Healthcare Administration1
    • Caregiving & Elderly Support1
    Open roles at Baltimore City Public Schools65 open
    Teacher Vocational- Construction Trades Pathway- Masonry
    Baltimore, Maryland · On-site
    Apply
    Teacher Vocational- Construction Trades Pathway- Manufacturing
    Baltimore, Maryland · On-site
    Apply
    Teacher Vocational- Business Management & Finance Pathway
    Baltimore, Maryland · On-site
    Apply
    Teacher Vocational - Construction Trades Pathway - Plumbing
    Baltimore, Maryland · On-site
    Apply
    Teacher Vocational - Nursing Assistant
    Baltimore, Maryland · On-site
    Apply
    See all 65+ Baltimore City Public Schools OPT jobs
  13. 10
    IDEA Public Schools

    IDEA Public Schools

    Charter SchoolsTeachingNonprofit

    IDEA Public Schools has 71 live OPT openings for assistant professors. IDEA Public Schools is a nonprofit charter school network operating campuses across Texas and other states.

    Open roles by team

    • Teaching & Instruction154
    • Executive Assistant & Personal Assistant22
    Open roles at IDEA Public Schools71 open
    AP Physics Teacher
    Greater Houston · On-site
    Apply
    Math Teacher
    Greater Houston · On-site
    Apply
    2nd grade ELA Teacher
    Midland, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    3rd grade Math Teacher
    Midland, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    7th Grade Pre-Algebra Teacher
    Lakeland, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    See all 71+ IDEA Public Schools OPT jobs

How OPT works

OPT is work authorization for F-1 students, not an employer-sponsored visa. The student applies through their school's international office (the DSO) and USCIS with Form I-765; the employer files nothing. The role must relate to the student's field of study. OPT gives up to 12 months of work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension for eligible degrees.

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OPT Employers for Assistant Professors: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies sponsor the most OPT visas for Assistant Professors?

Texas A&M University has the most, with 42 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by University of Kentucky (95) and Memphis-Shelby County Schools (2). Across the 10 companies on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 601 live OPT jobs, updated daily.

Who is eligible for OPT?

F-1 students in the United States are eligible for OPT if they have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year, are in valid F-1 status, and plan to work in a role directly related to their field of study. Pre-completion OPT is available before graduation, and post-completion OPT provides up to 12 months of work authorization after graduation. Students in STEM-designated degree programs may apply for a 24-month extension.

Do assistant professors qualify for F-1 OPT as a specialty occupation?

Yes. Assistant professors typically hold a bachelor's degree in a specific field, which is exactly the specialty-occupation standard F-1 OPT is built around. What matters is that the employer classifies the role under a matching occupation code and that your degree lines up with it.

How do I get OPT through a top employer?

The process for getting OPT does not involve any employer action. You request a recommendation from your Designated School Official, who updates your SEVIS record, and then you file Form I-765 with USCIS to receive your Employment Authorization Document. Once your EAD arrives and its start date has passed, you can begin working at any employer in a role related to your field of study. The employer simply hires you, they do not file anything or take any steps to authorize your status.