Michigan State University OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Michigan State University hires OPT students across research, academic administration, IT, and engineering roles. As a major public research university, MSU actively brings on F-1 graduates and is enrolled in E-Verify, making it a solid option for STEM OPT extension candidates seeking a university environment.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Position Summary
The Human Biology Program is seeking an Assistant Instructor to join the Human Biology teaching team. The successful candidate will join a dedicated group of educators who are committed to providing high-quality undergraduate education for students interested in health and biomedical sciences. The initial appointment will be for one academic year (9 months). Reappointment may be possible based on program teaching needs, funding, and performance.
The successful candidate will serve as an Assistant Instructor for HBIO410: Cellular Basis of Disease, an active learning course focused on cell biology and information literacy. Duties include attending and participating in weekly instructional team meetings, reviewing materials and preparing for class, attending all class meetings and assisting students with activities, grading, managing D2L, and other activities that support student learning in the course as requested by the curriculum coordinator for the course.
The successful candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to work cooperatively and engage with a diverse population of students and teaching team members
- Knowledge of cell and molecular biology content and research methods
- Ability to critically evaluate and interpret scientific research literature
- Commitment to creating inclusive environments that support learning for all students
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Bachelors - Human biology, cell and molecular biology, or other related field in the biological sciences - Experience with learning management systems such as D2L.
Desired Degree
Masters - Human biology, cell and molecular biology, or other related field in the biological sciences
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in human biology, cell biology, or other related field in the biological sciences
- Experience with learning management systems such as D2L.
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s degree or higher in human biology, cell biology or other related field in the biological sciences
- Experience as a graduate teaching assistant and/or undergraduate learning assistant
- Research experience in a cell, molecular, or genetics laboratory setting.
Required Application Materials
- Letter of application (no more than 2 pages) that (1) describes your interest in the position, (2) explains how your educational background and experiences have prepared you to contribute to the HBIO program, and (3) describes your commitment to creating inclusive learning environments.
- Resume or CV
Review of Applications Begins On
05/25/2026
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
Location: East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Position Summary
The Human Biology Program is seeking an Assistant Instructor to join the Human Biology teaching team. The successful candidate will join a dedicated group of educators who are committed to providing high-quality undergraduate education for students interested in health and biomedical sciences. The initial appointment will be for one academic year (9 months). Reappointment may be possible based on program teaching needs, funding, and performance.
The successful candidate will serve as an Assistant Instructor for HBIO410: Cellular Basis of Disease, an active learning course focused on cell biology and information literacy. Duties include attending and participating in weekly instructional team meetings, reviewing materials and preparing for class, attending all class meetings and assisting students with activities, grading, managing D2L, and other activities that support student learning in the course as requested by the curriculum coordinator for the course.
The successful candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to work cooperatively and engage with a diverse population of students and teaching team members
- Knowledge of cell and molecular biology content and research methods
- Ability to critically evaluate and interpret scientific research literature
- Commitment to creating inclusive environments that support learning for all students
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Bachelors - Human biology, cell and molecular biology, or other related field in the biological sciences - Experience with learning management systems such as D2L.
Desired Degree
Masters - Human biology, cell and molecular biology, or other related field in the biological sciences
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in human biology, cell biology, or other related field in the biological sciences
- Experience with learning management systems such as D2L.
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s degree or higher in human biology, cell biology or other related field in the biological sciences
- Experience as a graduate teaching assistant and/or undergraduate learning assistant
- Research experience in a cell, molecular, or genetics laboratory setting.
Required Application Materials
- Letter of application (no more than 2 pages) that (1) describes your interest in the position, (2) explains how your educational background and experiences have prepared you to contribute to the HBIO program, and (3) describes your commitment to creating inclusive learning environments.
- Resume or CV
Review of Applications Begins On
05/25/2026
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Michigan State University OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target MSU's research and STEM departments
MSU's colleges of engineering, natural science, and agriculture run active research labs that routinely hire OPT students. Focus your applications on lab coordinator, research assistant, and data analyst roles where STEM OPT extensions align cleanly with department needs.
Confirm MSU's E-Verify enrollment before accepting
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. MSU participates, but individual hiring units within a large university can sometimes operate under separate employer identification numbers. Verify your specific hiring department is covered before you commit.
Align your OPT start date with MSU's hiring cycles
MSU academic hiring peaks in spring for fall semester starts. Coordinate your OPT EAD activation timeline with USCIS processing windows so your authorization is active when the role begins, avoiding gaps that could delay your onboarding in a structured university calendar.
Use Migrate Mate to find MSU's H-1B filing history
MSU's long-term value as an employer depends on its willingness to sponsor H-1B after your OPT ends. Search MSU's DOL Labor Condition Application filing history on Migrate Mate to see which job titles and departments have supported H-1B transitions in past years.
Frame your degree field against O*NET occupation codes
STEM OPT eligibility requires a direct relationship between your degree and your role. Use O*NET to identify the occupation code for your MSU position and cross-reference it with your degree field before your DSO submits the STEM OPT extension recommendation.
Prepare your I-983 training plan before your offer letter
MSU HR will need a completed I-983 training plan as part of your STEM OPT extension package. Draft the learning objectives and performance evaluation structure in advance so your hiring manager can sign off without delays during onboarding paperwork.
Michigan State University OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan State University sponsor OPT visas?
MSU does not sponsor OPT directly. OPT is work authorization USCIS grants to you as an F-1 student, not something an employer petitions for. What MSU does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. MSU is enrolled in E-Verify, which makes it eligible to support STEM OPT 24-month extensions.
Which departments at MSU typically hire OPT students?
MSU's research-intensive colleges, including engineering, natural science, social science, and agriculture and natural resources, are the most active in hiring OPT students. IT services, institutional research, and academic administration units also bring on OPT workers regularly, particularly for roles tied to funded research projects.
How do I find OPT-eligible job openings at Michigan State University?
Search MSU's careers portal and filter for staff and research positions in STEM-adjacent departments. Migrate Mate also lists open roles at employers with verified H-1B visa and OPT hiring history, so you can identify MSU positions where the department has a track record of supporting international students through the full visa lifecycle.
How do I time my OPT application to align with an MSU job offer?
USCIS recommends filing your OPT application up to 90 days before your program end date. MSU's academic hiring cycle peaks in spring for fall starts. File early enough that your EAD arrives before your intended start date, since MSU HR cannot onboard you without work authorization already in hand.
Will MSU sponsor my H-1B after my OPT period ends?
H-1B sponsorship is a separate employer-driven process and not guaranteed. MSU has sponsored H-1B for employees in research, IT, and faculty-adjacent roles, but sponsorship depends on department budget, role classification as a specialty occupation, and MSU's internal immigration policy at the time you make the request.
How does Michigan State University hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. Michigan State University can hire OPT students as soon as their EAD card is approved. STEM degree holders can extend OPT by 24 months when their employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Most companies that hire OPT students also support the transition to H-1B when the student's OPT period is ending. Check Michigan State University's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.