University of California Merced OPT Eligible Jobs USA
University of California Merced hires OPT students across research, academic administration, and technical support roles. As a UC campus, it operates within a structured hiring framework that supports the OPT-to-H-1B visa transition, making it a practical target for F-1 graduates pursuing careers in higher education and research.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The School of Engineering anticipates hiring Teaching Assistants for lower- and upper-division courses for Academic Year 2026-2027, including Summer Session 2026, in the following disciplines:
Management of Innovation, Sustainability and Technology
Management of Complex Systems
Engineering Fundamentals (courses may include the following: Introduction to Materials, Statics and Dynamics, Circuit Theory, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Strength of Materials, Spatial Analysis, Information Systems, etc.)
The Teaching Assistant will be responsible for grading, attending lectures, leading discussion sections when appropriate and holding office hours. Additional information on the title is Appointment and Promotion: APM - 410 – Student Teachers.
The University of California Teaching Assistants are represented by the UAW-AFL-CIO.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in the subject area or a related field
- Maintenance of a qualifying grade point average
- Academically eligible to hold the appointment (as outlined in the Graduate Policies and Procedures Handbook)
- Must be a registered UC Merced graduate student in full-time residence (registered for 12 units per term appointed; for summer appointment registered in 12 units in the previous term)
- Must have passed an Oral English Proficiency Examination (if applicable)
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Document requirements
- Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
- List of Subjects/Courses - List of subjects or courses eligible to teach based on academic or teaching experience
(Optional)
- Authorization to Release Information Form - As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
Required Authorization of Information Release may be found here. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.
Help contact: soe-grstaff@ucmerced.edu
ABOUT UC MERCED
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application: Required Authorization of Information Release Form.
Candidates must possess valid authorization to work in the United States. UC Merced is not currently able to sponsor individuals residing outside the United States who would require a new H-1B visa for employment. Applicants who do not hold valid U.S. work authorization are presently ineligible for this position.
Additional links: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, and APM 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.
The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system’s 10 campuses. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and recently designated as an R1 institution by Carnegie, UC Merced is committed to innovation and excellence in research. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (Center of Institutional Effectiveness), UC Merced provides outstanding, inclusive educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs.
JOB LOCATION
Merced, CA
INTRODUCTION
The School of Engineering anticipates hiring Teaching Assistants for lower- and upper-division courses for Academic Year 2026-2027, including Summer Session 2026, in the following disciplines:
Management of Innovation, Sustainability and Technology
Management of Complex Systems
Engineering Fundamentals (courses may include the following: Introduction to Materials, Statics and Dynamics, Circuit Theory, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Strength of Materials, Spatial Analysis, Information Systems, etc.)
The Teaching Assistant will be responsible for grading, attending lectures, leading discussion sections when appropriate and holding office hours. Additional information on the title is Appointment and Promotion: APM - 410 – Student Teachers.
The University of California Teaching Assistants are represented by the UAW-AFL-CIO.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in the subject area or a related field
- Maintenance of a qualifying grade point average
- Academically eligible to hold the appointment (as outlined in the Graduate Policies and Procedures Handbook)
- Must be a registered UC Merced graduate student in full-time residence (registered for 12 units per term appointed; for summer appointment registered in 12 units in the previous term)
- Must have passed an Oral English Proficiency Examination (if applicable)
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Document requirements
- Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
- List of Subjects/Courses - List of subjects or courses eligible to teach based on academic or teaching experience
(Optional)
- Authorization to Release Information Form - As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
Required Authorization of Information Release may be found here. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.
Help contact: soe-grstaff@ucmerced.edu
ABOUT UC MERCED
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application: Required Authorization of Information Release Form.
Candidates must possess valid authorization to work in the United States. UC Merced is not currently able to sponsor individuals residing outside the United States who would require a new H-1B visa for employment. Applicants who do not hold valid U.S. work authorization are presently ineligible for this position.
Additional links: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, and APM 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.
The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system’s 10 campuses. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and recently designated as an R1 institution by Carnegie, UC Merced is committed to innovation and excellence in research. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (Center of Institutional Effectiveness), UC Merced provides outstanding, inclusive educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs.
JOB LOCATION
Merced, CA
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding University of California Merced OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Align your degree to UC Merced roles
UC Merced hires OPT students most consistently in STEM research and academic operations. Review posted positions against your degree field before applying, since hiring managers in education settings expect a direct connection between your coursework and the role's core responsibilities.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting
STEM OPT's 24-month extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Ask UC Merced's HR team to confirm their E-Verify status early in the offer stage so you're not locked into a role that limits your post-graduation timeline.
Target departments with active research funding
Funded research labs and grant-backed projects at UC Merced tend to have more flexibility to hire OPT students on fixed terms. Look for positions tied to external grants, since those roles often carry clearer timelines and stronger support for work authorization continuity.
Use Migrate Mate to find UC Merced's H-1B history
OPT is only your first step. Use Migrate Mate to check UC Merced's H-1B filing history by department and role, so you can assess how realistically the university transitions OPT hires into longer-term sponsorship before committing to a position.
Prepare your EAD documentation before interviews
UC Merced's HR onboarding follows standard I-9 verification procedures. Have your EAD card, passport, and OPT approval notice ready before your first HR contact so authorization questions don't delay a conditional offer already in progress.
Request an H-1B sponsorship conversation early
Education sector employers like UC Merced often need internal budget approval before committing to H-1B sponsorship. Raise the topic during the offer negotiation stage, not after you've started, so both sides can plan around your OPT expiration date and the annual cap deadline.
University of California Merced OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of California Merced sponsor OPT visas?
UC Merced doesn't sponsor OPT itself. OPT is work authorization USCIS grants directly to F-1 students, not something an employer petitions for. What UC Merced does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD, and as a UC campus it participates in E-Verify, which is required for STEM OPT extensions.
Which roles and departments at UC Merced typically hire OPT students?
OPT students at UC Merced most commonly find roles in STEM research labs, academic administration, IT infrastructure, and grant-funded project teams. Faculty-adjacent research positions and technical coordinator roles tend to attract OPT candidates whose degrees align directly with the department's core work.
How do I confirm UC Merced supports my STEM OPT extension?
Ask UC Merced HR to verify their E-Verify enrollment status before you accept an offer. USCIS requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension to be valid. Getting this confirmation in writing during the offer stage protects your authorization timeline.
What's the typical timeline for transitioning from OPT to H-1B at UC Merced?
H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed by April 1 for an October 1 start date. If your OPT expires before October 1, cap-gap protection through USCIS extends your work authorization. Start the H-1B conversation with UC Merced at least six months before your OPT end date to give HR enough lead time for internal approvals.
How do I find open OPT-compatible jobs at UC Merced?
Search UC Merced's careers portal directly and filter by department or job category aligned with your degree. Migrate Mate also lists UC Merced positions filtered for employers with H-1B filing history, which helps you identify roles where long-term visa sponsorship is more likely after your OPT period ends.
How does University of California Merced hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. University of California Merced 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 University of California Merced's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.