Instructor Jobs at Michigan State University with Visa Sponsorship
Instructor jobs at Michigan State University span academic departments, English language programs, and professional development units, with positions ranging from fixed-term teaching appointments to specialized course instruction. MSU has an established international hiring process and regularly sponsors work visas for qualified instructors across a range of disciplines.
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The successful candidate will serve as an assistant instructor for introductory biology lecture and/or lab courses designed to actively engage life-science majors in three-dimensional learning. Duties included some combination of the following: attending and participating in weekly instructional team meetings, reviewing materials and preparing for class, attending class and assisting students with activities, lead lab sections, grading, help room hours, weekly review sessions, managing D2L, MS Teams, or other electronic course resources, and other items that support student learning in the course as requested by the instructor or curriculum coordinator. Depending on the needs of the program, the candidate may teach in cellular and molecular or organismal biology courses and is expected to work with all students in BioSci courses to support their learning. Assistant instructors use core ideas taught in introductory biology courses to help students engage in scientific practices such as developing and using models and constructing arguments from evidence. They need strong interpersonal skills so they can interact with students and support their learning and strong organizational skills to ensure tasks are completed with high quality in a timely manner. BioSci’s mission is to support undergraduate student learning in introductory biology lecture and laboratory courses. Assistant instructors work with faculty curriculum coordinators and instructors to accomplish this mission and support MSU’s strategic plan student success goal by helping students do well in BioSci courses and progress towards graduation.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Served as an undergraduate learning assistant in a BioSci course at MSU or a similar role in similar introductory biology courses.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
Complete applications must include:
1) a cover letter describing previous experience supporting student learning in introductory biology courses including specific examples of how you have interacted with students and supported their learning and how an assistant instructor position in BioSci supports your career goals;
2) a curriculum vitae or resume, and
3) a transcript (an unofficial transcript is sufficient).
Complete applications must be received preferably by March 30 to receive full consideration. Late submissions will be considered if suitable candidates are not identified by the deadline.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
For additional information contact the Biological Sciences Program Director, Dr. Jon Stoltzfus, via e-mail at stoltzfu@msu.edu or via phone at (517) 432-3618.
REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS BEGINS ON
03/30/2026
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.
DEPARTMENT STATEMENT
MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees' work and personal life and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.
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.
Position Summary
The successful candidate will serve as an assistant instructor for introductory biology lecture and/or lab courses designed to actively engage life-science majors in three-dimensional learning. Duties included some combination of the following: attending and participating in weekly instructional team meetings, reviewing materials and preparing for class, attending class and assisting students with activities, lead lab sections, grading, help room hours, weekly review sessions, managing D2L, MS Teams, or other electronic course resources, and other items that support student learning in the course as requested by the instructor or curriculum coordinator. Depending on the needs of the program, the candidate may teach in cellular and molecular or organismal biology courses and is expected to work with all students in BioSci courses to support their learning. Assistant instructors use core ideas taught in introductory biology courses to help students engage in scientific practices such as developing and using models and constructing arguments from evidence. They need strong interpersonal skills so they can interact with students and support their learning and strong organizational skills to ensure tasks are completed with high quality in a timely manner. BioSci’s mission is to support undergraduate student learning in introductory biology lecture and laboratory courses. Assistant instructors work with faculty curriculum coordinators and instructors to accomplish this mission and support MSU’s strategic plan student success goal by helping students do well in BioSci courses and progress towards graduation.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Served as an undergraduate learning assistant in a BioSci course at MSU or a similar role in similar introductory biology courses.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
Complete applications must include:
1) a cover letter describing previous experience supporting student learning in introductory biology courses including specific examples of how you have interacted with students and supported their learning and how an assistant instructor position in BioSci supports your career goals;
2) a curriculum vitae or resume, and
3) a transcript (an unofficial transcript is sufficient).
Complete applications must be received preferably by March 30 to receive full consideration. Late submissions will be considered if suitable candidates are not identified by the deadline.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
For additional information contact the Biological Sciences Program Director, Dr. Jon Stoltzfus, via e-mail at stoltzfu@msu.edu or via phone at (517) 432-3618.
REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS BEGINS ON
03/30/2026
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.
DEPARTMENT STATEMENT
MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees' work and personal life and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.
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.
Tips for Finding Instructor Jobs at Michigan State University
Align Your Credentials to U.S. Standards
MSU's International Student and Scholar Services office evaluates foreign degrees carefully. Get your credentials assessed by a NACES-approved evaluation service before applying, so your qualification level maps cleanly to the U.S. master's or doctoral standard most Instructor roles require.
Target Departments with Recurring Instructor Needs
English Language Center, Writing Center, and first-year experience programs at MSU hire Instructors on a rolling basis. Monitoring these units directly, rather than general job boards, gives you earlier access to openings before they close.
Search Verified Sponsoring Instructor Roles on Migrate Mate
Filter by Education employers and Instructor job titles on Migrate Mate to find MSU postings confirmed for visa sponsorship, saving you from applying to roles that won't support an H-1B or TN petition.
Clarify Visa Type Early in Interviews
MSU sponsors multiple visa categories for Instructors, including H-1B, TN, and J-1. During your interview, ask which category fits your role and citizenship, since TN is faster for Canadian and Mexican nationals and avoids the H-1B cap entirely.
Understand MSU's H-1B Filing Calendar
For cap-subject H-1B petitions, USCIS registration opens in March and the cap year starts October 1. If your offer letter arrives after April, work with MSU's HR team to confirm whether premium processing is available to meet your start date.
Request LCA Documentation Before Your Start Date
DOL requires your employer to post the Labor Condition Application at your primary worksite before your H-1B is filed. Confirm with MSU's international office that this step is completed and request a copy for your personal records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan State University sponsor H-1B visas for Instructors?
Yes, Michigan State University sponsors H-1B visas for Instructor positions. MSU's International Student and Scholar Services office manages the petition process on behalf of the department. Because most Instructor roles require at least a master's degree in a specific field, they typically satisfy USCIS's specialty occupation requirement, which is the core threshold for H-1B eligibility.
How do I apply for Instructor jobs at Michigan State University?
Applications go through MSU's official careers portal at careers.msu.edu, where Instructor postings are listed by department. You'll submit a CV, cover letter, and teaching philosophy statement in most cases. Roles in language instruction or writing programs may also require a teaching demonstration. Check individual postings carefully since document requirements vary by department and funding source.
Which visa types does MSU commonly use for Instructor roles?
MSU sponsors H-1B, TN visa, J-1 visa, and Green Card pathways including EB-2 and EB-3 for Instructor positions. F-1 OPT and CPT are available for current students transitioning into teaching roles. TN visa is a practical option for Canadian and Mexican nationals since it has no annual cap and can be processed at the border or a U.S. consulate without USCIS filing.
What qualifications does MSU expect for Instructor positions?
Most Instructor roles at MSU require a master's degree in a relevant discipline at minimum, with doctoral credentials preferred for positions tied to academic departments. Teaching experience at the post-secondary level is expected, and roles in specialized programs such as English language instruction often require field-specific certifications like TESOL. Prior U.S. classroom experience strengthens your application considerably.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take for an MSU Instructor role?
Timeline depends on visa type. TN sponsorship for Canadian or Mexican nationals can be arranged within weeks. H-1B petitions filed under standard processing take three to five months, while premium processing cuts that to about 15 business days for an additional USCIS fee. J-1 scholar timelines are set by MSU's international office and typically run four to six weeks. Start conversations with the hiring department early. Use Migrate Mate to identify MSU Instructor roles that already confirm sponsorship, so you're not losing time on positions that won't support a petition.