Teaching Assistant Jobs at Michigan State University with Visa Sponsorship
Teaching Assistant jobs at Michigan State University encompass graduate-level instruction, lab facilitation, and course support across numerous academic departments. MSU has a well-established process for sponsoring international scholars and students in these positions, making it a strong target for candidates on F-1 OPT, J-1 visa, or H-1B visa status.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Working/Functional Title
Teaching Specialist in Chemical Engineering
Position Summary
The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (ChEMS) at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a fixed-term Teaching Specialist position with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2026. This is a full-time, nine-month academic-year appointment with primary responsibilities in teaching, laboratory instruction, and service. The appointment is initially for one year with the possibility of subsequent renewal based on instructional needs, funding, performance, and departmental priorities.
This position plays an important role in supporting the department’s mission in undergraduate education. The successful candidate will contribute to delivering high-quality instruction across classroom and laboratory settings, with a particular emphasis on undergraduate laboratory education and experiential learning.
Courses may include introductory chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, process design and optimization, materials science, and other core areas within the chemical engineering curriculum. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to teach both lecture and laboratory courses and support laboratory operations in a collaborative instructional environment. We are seeking an individual who is committed to excellence in teaching and is interested in building a long-term academic career focused on instruction and student engagement.
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
Masters - Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field
Desired Degree
Doctorate - Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field
- At least three years of relevant industrial or laboratory experience
- Demonstrated ability to effectively teach undergraduate-level engineering courses and/or laboratories
- Strong communication skills and the ability to engage diverse student populations
- Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, graduate teaching assistants, and students
Desired Qualifications
- PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field
- Significant academic laboratory experience and knowledge of analytical and unit operations instrumentation
- Experience in laboratory module development and hands-on instructional environments
- Prior teaching experience in a higher education setting
Required Application Materials
Applicants must submit:
- A detailed curriculum vitae
- A cover letter summarizing qualifications and interest in the position
- A teaching vision statement, including mentoring and outreach philosophy
- Names and contact information for at least three professional references
Review of applications will begin on July 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.
Review of Applications Begins On
07/01/2026
Department Statement
About The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Michigan State University is recognized for excellence in research, innovation, and engineering education. The department offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs that emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on learning, and the development of solutions to complex challenges in energy, health, sustainability, manufacturing, and advanced materials.
About The College of Engineering
For more than 130 years, the MSU College of Engineering has advanced, shared, and applied engineering knowledge to address society’s most pressing challenges. Our mission is to prepare exceptional engineering graduates, conduct cutting-edge research, and drive innovation that benefits communities locally and globally.
The college pursues this mission through educational and research programs across eight departments, with interdisciplinary strengths in computational sciences, energy, health, manufacturing, materials, mobility, security, and sustainability. By fostering collaboration and discovery, the MSU College of Engineering equips students and faculty to shape the technologies and solutions of the future.
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
Working/Functional Title
Teaching Specialist in Chemical Engineering
Position Summary
The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (ChEMS) at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a fixed-term Teaching Specialist position with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2026. This is a full-time, nine-month academic-year appointment with primary responsibilities in teaching, laboratory instruction, and service. The appointment is initially for one year with the possibility of subsequent renewal based on instructional needs, funding, performance, and departmental priorities.
This position plays an important role in supporting the department’s mission in undergraduate education. The successful candidate will contribute to delivering high-quality instruction across classroom and laboratory settings, with a particular emphasis on undergraduate laboratory education and experiential learning.
Courses may include introductory chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, process design and optimization, materials science, and other core areas within the chemical engineering curriculum. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to teach both lecture and laboratory courses and support laboratory operations in a collaborative instructional environment. We are seeking an individual who is committed to excellence in teaching and is interested in building a long-term academic career focused on instruction and student engagement.
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
Masters - Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field
Desired Degree
Doctorate - Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field
- At least three years of relevant industrial or laboratory experience
- Demonstrated ability to effectively teach undergraduate-level engineering courses and/or laboratories
- Strong communication skills and the ability to engage diverse student populations
- Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, graduate teaching assistants, and students
Desired Qualifications
- PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field
- Significant academic laboratory experience and knowledge of analytical and unit operations instrumentation
- Experience in laboratory module development and hands-on instructional environments
- Prior teaching experience in a higher education setting
Required Application Materials
Applicants must submit:
- A detailed curriculum vitae
- A cover letter summarizing qualifications and interest in the position
- A teaching vision statement, including mentoring and outreach philosophy
- Names and contact information for at least three professional references
Review of applications will begin on July 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.
Review of Applications Begins On
07/01/2026
Department Statement
About The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Michigan State University is recognized for excellence in research, innovation, and engineering education. The department offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs that emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on learning, and the development of solutions to complex challenges in energy, health, sustainability, manufacturing, and advanced materials.
About The College of Engineering
For more than 130 years, the MSU College of Engineering has advanced, shared, and applied engineering knowledge to address society’s most pressing challenges. Our mission is to prepare exceptional engineering graduates, conduct cutting-edge research, and drive innovation that benefits communities locally and globally.
The college pursues this mission through educational and research programs across eight departments, with interdisciplinary strengths in computational sciences, energy, health, manufacturing, materials, mobility, security, and sustainability. By fostering collaboration and discovery, the MSU College of Engineering equips students and faculty to shape the technologies and solutions of the future.
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 Teaching Assistant Jobs at Michigan State University
Align your degree field with your TA department
MSU's International Student Services office requires that your visa paperwork reflect a clear match between your academic background and your teaching assignment. A mismatch between your degree field and the course you're supporting is one of the most common reasons sponsorship documentation stalls.
Apply through MSU's graduate admissions pipeline first
Most Teaching Assistant positions at MSU are tied to graduate program enrollment, not standalone job postings. Applying to the relevant graduate department gets you into the hiring funnel where TA funding and visa sponsorship are bundled into your offer package.
Confirm OPT authorization covers your start date
If you're on F-1 OPT, your employment start date must fall within your authorized period. MSU's semester start dates are fixed, so plan your OPT application with USCIS at least 90 days before the academic term begins to avoid a gap in work authorization.
Request H-1B cap-exempt status through MSU directly
As a nonprofit research university, MSU qualifies to file H-1B petitions outside the annual lottery cap. Ask the Office for International Students and Scholars specifically about cap-exempt eligibility early in your offer negotiation, since this affects your timeline significantly.
Track open TA roles across MSU departments using Migrate Mate
TA openings at MSU are scattered across individual department pages and graduate program listings. Use Migrate Mate to browse consolidated Teaching Assistant postings at MSU filtered by visa sponsorship type, so you're targeting roles where sponsorship is already confirmed.
Prepare your SEVIS record before your offer letter arrives
For J-1 exchange visitor appointments, MSU must issue a DS-2019 before you can apply for your visa. Contact your department's designated school official as soon as you receive a verbal offer so SEVIS record creation doesn't delay your official start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan State University sponsor H-1B visas for Teaching Assistants?
Yes. MSU is a nonprofit research university, which makes it a cap-exempt H-1B employer. This means Teaching Assistants can be sponsored for H-1B status without competing in the annual USCIS lottery. Petitions are filed through MSU's Office for International Students and Scholars, and the process typically begins after a formal offer letter is issued by the department.
How do I apply for Teaching Assistant jobs at Michigan State University?
Most TA positions at MSU are awarded through graduate program admissions rather than standalone job applications. You apply to the relevant academic department's graduate program, and funding packages that include a TA appointment with visa sponsorship are offered as part of your admission. Some departments also post TA openings on MSU's HR portal for candidates already enrolled. You can browse open Teaching Assistant roles at MSU with confirmed visa sponsorship on Migrate Mate.
Which visa types does MSU commonly use for Teaching Assistant roles?
MSU sponsors Teaching Assistants under several visa categories depending on your situation. F-1 students already enrolled at MSU typically use CPT or OPT for TA work. Incoming international scholars are often placed on J-1 exchange visitor status. For longer-term or post-degree appointments, MSU can file H-1B petitions as a cap-exempt employer. In some cases, permanent residence sponsorship through EB-2 or EB-3 is available for ongoing academic staff roles.
What qualifications does MSU expect for Teaching Assistant positions?
Most TA roles at MSU require enrollment in or completion of a relevant graduate program, with strong subject matter knowledge in the course area you'll be supporting. Lab-based TA positions in STEM departments often expect prior research experience. Language proficiency requirements apply for international applicants who will lead sections independently, and some departments require a teaching portfolio or sample lesson plan as part of the selection process.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take for a Teaching Assistant role at MSU?
Timeline depends on your visa type. J-1 DS-2019 issuance typically takes two to four weeks once your department submits the request to MSU's Office for International Students and Scholars. H-1B processing runs three to six months for standard filing, though MSU can use premium processing to reduce this to 15 business days in urgent cases. F-1 OPT applications should be submitted to USCIS at least 90 days before your intended start date.