Instructor Jobs at Wayne State University with Visa Sponsorship
Instructor jobs at Wayne State University encompass undergraduate teaching, lab instruction, and course development across a wide range of disciplines. Wayne State has an established process for sponsoring international educators, making it a realistic target if you're on OPT, CPT, or looking for H-1B visa or TN visa sponsorship in higher education.
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Get Access To All JobsTenure-Track Assistant Professor, Child and Family Development
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Child and Family Development at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Position Purpose:
The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute (MPSI) for Child and Family Development at Wayne State University (WSU) is excited to welcome a new colleague to our collaborative and interdisciplinary research community. We invite applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning August 2027. The successful candidate will hold a joint appointment between MPSI and an academic department aligned with the candidate’s disciplinary background.
We welcome applications from scientists whose work addresses the development, health, and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, or families. Applicants’ research programs should align with the urban mission and values of WSU and MPSI and contribute to research, training, and community engagement that advance knowledge and solutions benefiting children, families, and communities.
Areas of particular interest include research on the processes and contexts that shape the development and health of children and families from infancy through young adulthood; risk, resilience, prevention, and intervention; and translational research that can drive innovations that promote health and well-being, including emerging technologies and new models of healthcare. We are also interested in work that examines influences across multiple levels of context, from individuals and families to communities and populations; however, we are open to work that addresses other important questions in developmental science and family health.
Essential Functions:
Successful candidates will have a strong, independent program of research, evidence of or clear potential for external funding, and demonstrated quantitative expertise in developmental research methods. Responsibilities at MPSI include research, professional service, training and mentorship, and community engagement, along with teaching responsibilities in the academic department in which the candidate holds a joint appointment.
About Wayne State:
Wayne State University is a premier, public, urban research university located in Detroit, Michigan with a bold Strategic Plan. The 200-acre traditional and high-tech campus is in the heart of Midtown, offering unparalleled access to cultural experiences, community involvement, and corporate career opportunities. Wayne State University is the third largest institution of higher learning in Michigan and the most diverse campus in the state with over 24,000 students from every U.S. state and nearly 80 countries. Wayne State is home to 13 colleges offering 375 degree programs, as well as seven interdisciplinary research centers and institutes.
About Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development:
The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute (MPSI) is a vibrant interdisciplinary research institute within Wayne State University’s Division of Research and Innovation. With support from research cores and facilities across campus, current research at MPSI examines how developmental processes, during gestation through young adulthood, shape trajectories of mental and physical health, learning, and well-being within individuals, families, communities, and society. Through community-engaged work, we strive to translate developmental science into innovative programs, policy advancements that prioritize children and families, and workforce training models that help children, families, and communities thrive. Along with other research institutes and centers within DORI, we address pressing societal issues through innovation and research excellence.
The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute (MPSI), founded in 1920, has been at the forefront of developmental science that translates research excellence into practice and policies that strengthen child and family well-being. With a distinguished history of impactful scholarship and practice in child and family development, including opening one of the nation’s first laboratory nursery schools and pioneering early studies on nutrition and high-quality education models, MPSI has worked to advance the development, health, and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. Today, the Institute brings together 11 core and 12 affiliate faculty, 16 predoctoral trainees, external funding from federal, state, and philanthropic sources, and programs that reach thousands of professionals and community members each year. Building on more than a decade of significant growth and accomplishment, MPSI is seeking its next faculty member to contribute to the Institute’s continued research excellence and community impact.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. or equivalent in a field related to child and family development before the start date.
Strong record of research productivity and high potential for significant external funding.
Strong evidence of a novel research agenda and demonstrated potential for excellence in research, community engagement, service, and teaching.
Demonstrated commitment to effective mentoring, teaching, research practices, and community engagement across varied populations, communities, and contexts, along with a strong record of collegiality and collaborative work.
Demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary research and team science.
Application Procedure:
Review of applications will begin December 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. To apply go to the Wayne Talent career site and search for posting “Req # 3693.”
Applications should submit the following directly to the online system:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Key reprints/preprints
- Statement of research interests
- Statement of teaching interest and evidence of teaching effectiveness, if available
- Statement that addresses how your research fits with the missions of MPSI, DORI, and WSU
- List of at least three references who could be contacted
Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Julie Wargo Aikins, Chair of the Search Committee, at julie.wargo.aikins@wayne.edu
School/College/Division:
The Division of Research & Innovation
Primary Department:
H0910 - Merrill Palmer Institute
Employment Type:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Academic/Faculty
Funding/Salary Information:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Annual Salary: To be determined
Working Conditions:
Normal Faculty Environment
Job Openings:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Child and Family Development
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Child and Family Development at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Position Purpose:
The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute (MPSI) for Child and Family Development at Wayne State University (WSU) is excited to welcome a new colleague to our collaborative and interdisciplinary research community. We invite applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning August 2027. The successful candidate will hold a joint appointment between MPSI and an academic department aligned with the candidate’s disciplinary background.
We welcome applications from scientists whose work addresses the development, health, and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, or families. Applicants’ research programs should align with the urban mission and values of WSU and MPSI and contribute to research, training, and community engagement that advance knowledge and solutions benefiting children, families, and communities.
Areas of particular interest include research on the processes and contexts that shape the development and health of children and families from infancy through young adulthood; risk, resilience, prevention, and intervention; and translational research that can drive innovations that promote health and well-being, including emerging technologies and new models of healthcare. We are also interested in work that examines influences across multiple levels of context, from individuals and families to communities and populations; however, we are open to work that addresses other important questions in developmental science and family health.
Essential Functions:
Successful candidates will have a strong, independent program of research, evidence of or clear potential for external funding, and demonstrated quantitative expertise in developmental research methods. Responsibilities at MPSI include research, professional service, training and mentorship, and community engagement, along with teaching responsibilities in the academic department in which the candidate holds a joint appointment.
About Wayne State:
Wayne State University is a premier, public, urban research university located in Detroit, Michigan with a bold Strategic Plan. The 200-acre traditional and high-tech campus is in the heart of Midtown, offering unparalleled access to cultural experiences, community involvement, and corporate career opportunities. Wayne State University is the third largest institution of higher learning in Michigan and the most diverse campus in the state with over 24,000 students from every U.S. state and nearly 80 countries. Wayne State is home to 13 colleges offering 375 degree programs, as well as seven interdisciplinary research centers and institutes.
About Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development:
The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute (MPSI) is a vibrant interdisciplinary research institute within Wayne State University’s Division of Research and Innovation. With support from research cores and facilities across campus, current research at MPSI examines how developmental processes, during gestation through young adulthood, shape trajectories of mental and physical health, learning, and well-being within individuals, families, communities, and society. Through community-engaged work, we strive to translate developmental science into innovative programs, policy advancements that prioritize children and families, and workforce training models that help children, families, and communities thrive. Along with other research institutes and centers within DORI, we address pressing societal issues through innovation and research excellence.
The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute (MPSI), founded in 1920, has been at the forefront of developmental science that translates research excellence into practice and policies that strengthen child and family well-being. With a distinguished history of impactful scholarship and practice in child and family development, including opening one of the nation’s first laboratory nursery schools and pioneering early studies on nutrition and high-quality education models, MPSI has worked to advance the development, health, and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. Today, the Institute brings together 11 core and 12 affiliate faculty, 16 predoctoral trainees, external funding from federal, state, and philanthropic sources, and programs that reach thousands of professionals and community members each year. Building on more than a decade of significant growth and accomplishment, MPSI is seeking its next faculty member to contribute to the Institute’s continued research excellence and community impact.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. or equivalent in a field related to child and family development before the start date.
Strong record of research productivity and high potential for significant external funding.
Strong evidence of a novel research agenda and demonstrated potential for excellence in research, community engagement, service, and teaching.
Demonstrated commitment to effective mentoring, teaching, research practices, and community engagement across varied populations, communities, and contexts, along with a strong record of collegiality and collaborative work.
Demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary research and team science.
Application Procedure:
Review of applications will begin December 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. To apply go to the Wayne Talent career site and search for posting “Req # 3693.”
Applications should submit the following directly to the online system:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Key reprints/preprints
- Statement of research interests
- Statement of teaching interest and evidence of teaching effectiveness, if available
- Statement that addresses how your research fits with the missions of MPSI, DORI, and WSU
- List of at least three references who could be contacted
Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Julie Wargo Aikins, Chair of the Search Committee, at julie.wargo.aikins@wayne.edu
School/College/Division:
The Division of Research & Innovation
Primary Department:
H0910 - Merrill Palmer Institute
Employment Type:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Academic/Faculty
Funding/Salary Information:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Annual Salary: To be determined
Working Conditions:
Normal Faculty Environment
Job Openings:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
Tips for Finding Instructor Jobs at Wayne State University
Translate your credentials for U.S. academia
Wayne State evaluates Instructor applicants on teaching experience and subject-matter depth. If your degree was earned outside the U.S., get a credential evaluation from a NACES-approved service before you apply so your qualifications read clearly to their hiring committees.
Target departments with recurring Instructor openings
Wayne State posts Instructor roles across engineering, health sciences, and liberal arts with notable regularity. Focusing your search on departments that cycle through adjunct and full-time Instructor hires improves your odds of landing in an active pipeline.
Use Migrate Mate to filter Instructor roles by visa type
Not every Instructor posting at Wayne State is open to sponsorship. Use Migrate Mate to filter specifically for H-1B and TN-eligible Instructor positions so you're applying where sponsorship is already confirmed, not guessing from the job description.
Align your OPT start date with the academic calendar
Wayne State hiring for Instructors follows semester cycles. If you're on F-1 OPT, timing your application so your OPT authorization covers the start of a fall or spring term prevents gaps that could delay or complicate your onboarding and any subsequent H-1B filing.
Clarify the H-1B filing timeline before accepting an offer
Once you have an offer, confirm whether Wayne State will file a standard or cap-exempt H-1B petition. As a public university, they qualify for cap-exempt filing, which means USCIS can process your petition year-round without waiting for the April lottery window.
Prepare a teaching portfolio before the interview stage
Instructor candidates at universities like Wayne State are routinely asked for syllabi samples, course evaluations, or a teaching statement. Having these ready signals academic readiness and speeds up departmental approval, which affects how quickly HR can initiate the sponsorship paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wayne State University sponsor H-1B visas for Instructors?
Yes. Wayne State University sponsors H-1B visas for Instructor roles. As a public research university, Wayne State qualifies as a cap-exempt institution, meaning it can file H-1B petitions with USCIS at any time of year without being subject to the annual 85,000-cap lottery. This makes sponsorship more predictable than at most private-sector employers.
How do I apply for Instructor jobs at Wayne State University?
Applications go through Wayne State's official careers portal, where Instructor positions are listed by college and department. You'll typically submit a CV, cover letter, and teaching statement. For international applicants, Migrate Mate is a useful starting point to identify which open Instructor roles are explicitly tied to visa sponsorship before you invest time in the full application.
Which visa types are commonly used for Instructor roles at Wayne State University?
Wayne State supports H-1B, TN, F-1 OPT, and F-1 CPT for Instructor positions. H-1B is the most common long-term route. TN is available to Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying teaching categories. F-1 OPT and CPT are used by current students or recent graduates in the early stages of their career before transitioning to a sponsored status.
What qualifications does Wayne State University expect for Instructor positions?
Most Instructor roles at Wayne State require at minimum a master's degree in a relevant field, though doctoral credentials are preferred for science, technology, and health-related disciplines. Demonstrated teaching experience, either through graduate assistantships or prior appointments, carries significant weight. Candidates with published research or curriculum development experience are often prioritized in competitive departments.
How do I think about timing if I need visa sponsorship for an Instructor role?
Because Wayne State is cap-exempt for H-1B, there's no April deadline to plan around, but academic hiring still runs on a semester schedule. Most Instructor searches conclude two to three months before a term starts. If you're transitioning from OPT or CPT, confirm your authorization window covers your intended start date and allow time for USCIS to process the H-1B petition before your current status expires.