Teaching Assistant Jobs at University of South Florida with Visa Sponsorship
Teaching Assistant jobs at University of South Florida span graduate-level instruction, lab facilitation, and course support across a wide range of disciplines. USF has an established process for sponsoring international teaching staff, making it a realistic target for candidates on F-1 OPT, H-1B visa, J-1 visa, and other work-authorized visas.
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Get Access To All JobsOrganizational Summary:
The Department has 30 full-time faculty members and offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, as well as a minor in Aerospace Engineering. The Department's faculty members collaborate with all departments in the College of Engineering, as well as the Colleges of Medicine, Arts & Sciences, Marine Science, Education, Nursing, and Public Health. The Department also has strong ties with numerous USF centers, including the Nanotechnology Research and Education Center, Center for Urban Transportation Research, Center for Assistive Rehabilitation Robotics & Technologies, Clean Energy Research Center, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, and Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research.
Established in 1964 and led by Dean Levi Thompson, the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida is ranked #56 among public institutions (#89 overall) by U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 engineering graduate school rankings.
The college serves more than 3,500 students, offering seven bachelor’s programs, which are ABET-accredited, as well as nine master’s and seven doctoral degrees. The college is actively engaged in local and global research activities with $46.9 million in research expenditures for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The college has 12 major research centers and institutes and is actively engaged in local and global research activities focused on sustainability, biomedical engineering, computing technology, and transportation.
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee, and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference.
Position Summary:
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Florida invites applications for the following:
A non-tenure track faculty position in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering. Applicants with backgrounds in aeronautics and astronautics, as well as in all areas of mechanical engineering, are encouraged to apply.
The position is available at the Associate Professor of Instruction levels and is expected to commence in the Spring of 2027 or earlier.
An application package should include a 1) cover letter, 2) detailed curriculum vitae, 3) teaching interests, 4) one-page statement of teaching and vision, and 5) contact information of at least four professional references. Applicants must electronically submit the application packet as a single PDF file.
Applications will be considered starting immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Minimum Desired Qualifications:
The position requires a doctoral degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution. The College of Engineering seeks candidates with a proven track record of teaching.
Preferred Qualifications:
The candidate should have demonstrated excellence in teaching and teaching publications, the potential for development of laboratories, and a strong commitment to mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged, and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental, and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee, and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
Organizational Summary:
The Department has 30 full-time faculty members and offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, as well as a minor in Aerospace Engineering. The Department's faculty members collaborate with all departments in the College of Engineering, as well as the Colleges of Medicine, Arts & Sciences, Marine Science, Education, Nursing, and Public Health. The Department also has strong ties with numerous USF centers, including the Nanotechnology Research and Education Center, Center for Urban Transportation Research, Center for Assistive Rehabilitation Robotics & Technologies, Clean Energy Research Center, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, and Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research.
Established in 1964 and led by Dean Levi Thompson, the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida is ranked #56 among public institutions (#89 overall) by U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 engineering graduate school rankings.
The college serves more than 3,500 students, offering seven bachelor’s programs, which are ABET-accredited, as well as nine master’s and seven doctoral degrees. The college is actively engaged in local and global research activities with $46.9 million in research expenditures for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The college has 12 major research centers and institutes and is actively engaged in local and global research activities focused on sustainability, biomedical engineering, computing technology, and transportation.
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee, and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference.
Position Summary:
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Florida invites applications for the following:
A non-tenure track faculty position in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering. Applicants with backgrounds in aeronautics and astronautics, as well as in all areas of mechanical engineering, are encouraged to apply.
The position is available at the Associate Professor of Instruction levels and is expected to commence in the Spring of 2027 or earlier.
An application package should include a 1) cover letter, 2) detailed curriculum vitae, 3) teaching interests, 4) one-page statement of teaching and vision, and 5) contact information of at least four professional references. Applicants must electronically submit the application packet as a single PDF file.
Applications will be considered starting immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Minimum Desired Qualifications:
The position requires a doctoral degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution. The College of Engineering seeks candidates with a proven track record of teaching.
Preferred Qualifications:
The candidate should have demonstrated excellence in teaching and teaching publications, the potential for development of laboratories, and a strong commitment to mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged, and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental, and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee, and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
Tips for Finding Teaching Assistant Jobs at University of South Florida
Align your academic credentials to USF's requirements
Most TA roles at USF require enrollment in or completion of a relevant graduate program. Confirm your degree field matches the department you're targeting, since USF ties sponsorship eligibility closely to the specialty occupation standard USCIS applies to H-1B petitions.
Target departments with active graduate programs
USF's colleges of Engineering, Public Health, and Business consistently post TA openings tied to their graduate programs. Focusing your search on departments with large doctoral cohorts improves your odds of finding a role that comes with institutional sponsorship support.
Start your OPT or CPT paperwork before the semester begins
F-1 students hired as TAs at USF need SEVIS-compliant work authorization before their start date. Work with USF's International Services office early, since OPT applications submitted to USCIS take up to 90 days to process and cannot be expedited.
Use Migrate Mate to filter open TA roles by visa type
Not every Teaching Assistant posting at USF specifies which visas the department will support. Migrate Mate lets you filter USF listings by sponsorship type, so you can focus only on roles that match your current status or visa pathway.
Clarify H-1B sponsorship scope before accepting an offer
USF sponsors H-1B visas for qualifying TA roles, but department-level budgets and timing affect whether premium processing is available. Ask HR whether the sponsoring unit covers USCIS filing fees and confirm your proposed start date clears the October 1 cap-subject start window.
Understand how J-1 exchange visitor status applies to TA work
Many international TAs at USF enter on J-1 status through a university-sponsored exchange program. If you hold a J-1, check with USF's International Services office whether a two-year home residency requirement applies before pursuing H-1B sponsorship after your program ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of South Florida sponsor H-1B visas for Teaching Assistants?
Yes, USF sponsors H-1B visas for Teaching Assistant roles that meet USCIS's specialty occupation standard, which requires the position to normally require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Sponsorship is typically handled through USF's International Services office, and eligibility depends on the department, the nature of the TA duties, and whether the role qualifies under the H-1B definition.
How do I apply for Teaching Assistant jobs at University of South Florida?
Most TA positions at USF are posted through the university's official careers portal, and many are tied to graduate program enrollment. You can also browse open roles filtered by visa sponsorship type on Migrate Mate, which makes it easier to identify which USF Teaching Assistant postings are accessible based on your current immigration status before you apply.
Which visa types are commonly used for Teaching Assistant roles at University of South Florida?
Teaching Assistants at USF commonly work on F-1 OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, H-1B, and TN visas, depending on nationality and career stage. Graduate students in active F-1 status often use CPT for TA work tied to their program, while post-graduation candidates typically rely on OPT or transition to H-1B sponsorship after receiving a full-time offer.
What qualifications does University of South Florida expect for Teaching Assistant roles?
USF generally expects TA candidates to be enrolled in or hold a graduate degree in a field relevant to the courses they will support. Strong academic performance, prior teaching or tutoring experience, and subject-matter expertise in the assigned discipline are commonly cited in job postings. Some departments also require English language proficiency documentation for international candidates with instructional responsibilities.
How do I time my visa sponsorship process when starting a TA role at USF?
Timing depends heavily on your visa type. F-1 CPT authorization must be in place before your first day, and OPT applications should be submitted to USCIS at least 90 days before your intended start date. For H-1B sponsorship, cap-subject petitions can only take effect on October 1, so a spring or summer hiring decision requires filing in April through the lottery, assuming you're selected.