University Of Cincinnati OPT Eligible Jobs USA
University of Cincinnati hires OPT students across research, engineering, healthcare, and administrative roles, making it a viable target for F-1 graduates seeking education-sector experience. Its academic environment supports OPT-to-H-1B visa transitions, and departments with ongoing research funding tend to offer the most consistent opportunities for international graduates.
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Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors
Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati
Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,600 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 360,000 living alumni, UC, a Carnegie 1 institution, combines research prowess with a physical setting The New York Times has called “the most ambitious campus design program in the country." UC's momentum has never been stronger as the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the oldest cooperative education (co-op) program in the country with students earning $94 million annually through paid experiences, an academic health system, and as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio. At UC, next is all of us. Learn more at uc.edu.
UC is a mission-driven organization where we are committed to student success and positively transforming the community through scholarship and service. We thrive on innovation, making an impact, and fostering an environment where staff and faculty are key contributors to UC’s success.
About Cooperative Grants Office
The Cooperative Grants Office (CGO) is a centralized department in the Office of Research primarily responsible for the development, review, and submission of sponsored research proposals.
Job Overview
The Grant Administrator Pre-Award (GA pre-award) is responsible for the development of proposals in compliance with University, funder, and federal requirements. The GA pre-award works closely with the Principal Investigator to develop the proposal submission and with an Authorized Organizational Representative to ensure the timely submission of all required proposal documents.
The start date for this position will be after July 1, 2026.
Essential Functions
- Assist faculty and staff with developing proposals for submission to federal, state, and private grants, contracts, and external funding sources. Advise faculty and staff in the design of sponsored programs, including budget development, document editing and sponsor forms/templates.
- Maintain proposal records in accordance with the department’s policies and processes, support development of proposal documentation templates and instructions, and attend regular meetings to review the status of assigned projects.
- Facilitate coordination across units/colleges for interdisciplinary proposals. Facilitate collaborative work between central offices and the college/unit.
- Ensure compliance with university, federal, state and sponsor requirements.
- Initiate grant proposals in various sponsor portals, enter data directly into portal applications or append required files.
- Dependent on skill level, may be required to function as a University Authorized Organizational Representative to submit proposals on behalf of the university by required deadlines.
- Ability to learn quickly, adapt and grow professionally in order to meet the demands of both simple and complex proposal submissions as well as work with a varied group of faculty and staff within the university.
- Provide feedback and recommendations on business operations to help improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Build and maintain effective professional relationships with faculty and colleagues in different environments.
- Perform related duties based on departmental needs. This job description can be changed at any time.
Required Education
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Five (5) years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of education requirement.
Required Experience
One (1) year grant and/or finance-related experience.
Additional Qualifications Considered
- Pre-award grant administration experience.
- Understanding of SAP, Kuali, Grants.gov, Research.gov/FastLane and other state and federal grant systems.
- Intermediate proficiency in MS Office Skills, e.g., Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment
- Sitting - Continuously
- Repetitive hand motion (such as typing) - Continuously
- Hearing, listening - Continuously
- Talking - Often
- Standing - Seldom
- Walking - Seldom
- Bending - Seldom
- Stooping - Seldom
- Climbing stairs/ladders - Seldom
- Kneeling, squatting - Seldom
- Crouching - Seldom
- Reaching overhead - Seldom
- Lifting - up to 20 pounds - Seldom
Application Process Information
A resume and cover letter are required as part of the application process. Attach these documents before submitting your application.
Compensation and Benefits
UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. (UC Benefits) Eligibility may vary by position and FTE status. Highlights include:
Salary/Hourly Pay Rate Information:
Comprehensive Tuition Remission
UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.
Robust Retirement Plans
As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you’ll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14–18% of your salary based on position.
Real Work-Life Balance
UC prioritizes work-life balance with a generous time-off policy, including:
- Vacation and sick time
- 11 paid holidays and additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days)
- 6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents
Additional Benefits Include:
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
- Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs
- Professional development & mentorship opportunities
To learn more about why UC is a great place to work, please visit our Careers Page.
UC is an E-Verify employer. If hired into this position, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process. Click here for a list of acceptable documents.
Important: To apply you must create a profile and submit a complete job application through the UC applicant portal. We are unable to consider “easy apply” applications submitted via other websites. For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact UC HR at jobs@uc.edu.
Equal Opportunity Employer. Building a workplace where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, including Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans.
REQ: 102301
Job Roles at University Of Cincinnati
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding University Of Cincinnati OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target research and grant-funded departments
University of Cincinnati's colleges with active federal or private research grants hire OPT students most consistently. Focus your search on departments in engineering, health sciences, and IT, where project timelines align with OPT work authorization windows and renewal cycles are predictable.
Verify E-Verify enrollment before accepting
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm University of Cincinnati's E-Verify status with HR before your offer is finalized, not after, so your 24-month extension eligibility isn't jeopardized by a last-minute administrative gap.
Align your OPT start date with hiring timelines
University of Cincinnati, like most academic institutions, has defined hiring cycles tied to semesters and fiscal years. Request your OPT EAD start date to coincide with a department's onboarding window, typically August or January, to avoid a gap between authorization and employment.
Search verified OPT-hiring employers on Migrate Mate
Before applying, use Migrate Mate to check University of Cincinnati's OPT hiring history and identify which roles and departments have brought on international students. This lets you target applications where the institution has demonstrated willingness to hire on OPT, not just where jobs are posted.
Frame your degree's specialty occupation fit early
If you're planning an H-1B transition after OPT, document from day one how your role at University of Cincinnati requires a specific bachelor's degree. USCIS scrutinizes education-sector specialty occupation claims, so maintaining clear records of job duties strengthens a future H-1B petition.
Ask HR about the I-983 training plan process
For STEM OPT, you and your employer must complete Form I-983 together. Ask University of Cincinnati's HR team how they handle this document, whether they use a standardized template, and what internal approval steps are required before your DSO can process the extension request.
University Of Cincinnati OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of Cincinnati sponsor OPT visas?
University of Cincinnati doesn't sponsor OPT visas in the traditional sense. OPT is work authorization issued by USCIS directly to you as an F-1 student. What University of Cincinnati does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. For STEM OPT extensions, the university must be enrolled in E-Verify, which it is as a large academic institution.
Which departments at University of Cincinnati hire OPT students most often?
Research-intensive departments in engineering, health sciences, information technology, and data analytics tend to hire OPT students most consistently. These units carry grant funding that supports longer employment timelines, which aligns well with OPT authorization windows. Administrative and student affairs roles also hire OPT graduates, though less predictably across hiring cycles.
How do I start the OPT application process before joining University of Cincinnati?
Your DSO at your university, not University of Cincinnati, initiates your OPT application by issuing a new I-20 recommending OPT. You then file Form I-765 with USCIS. Start this process at least 90 days before your intended employment start date, since USCIS processing can take several weeks and your EAD must be in hand before you begin work.
How do I transition from OPT to H-1B at University of Cincinnati?
University of Cincinnati can sponsor H-1B visas for employees currently on OPT. The H-1B cap-subject lottery opens each March for an October 1 start date. If you're in your final months of OPT, cap-gap protection extends your authorization automatically if the H-1B petition is filed before your OPT expires. Use Migrate Mate to explore University of Cincinnati's H-1B filing history by role.
What should I expect for timeline and onboarding as an OPT hire at University of Cincinnati?
University of Cincinnati follows academic hiring cycles, with most full-time positions onboarding in August or January. Once you receive an offer, HR will verify your EAD through E-Verify before your start date. Build in extra lead time if you're waiting on your EAD card, since USCIS processing can run up to three months from the date you file Form I-765.
How does University Of Cincinnati hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. University Of Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.