J-1 Visa Assistant Professor Jobs
Assistant Professor positions at U.S. universities and research institutions can qualify for J-1 visa sponsorship under the Professor or Research Scholar program category. The hiring institution acts as your host, while a State Department-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 and manages compliance throughout your exchange.
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Governors State University (University Park IL) is a minority-serving institution inviting applicants to a fulltime Visiting faculty position in the Interdisciplinary Studies and Anthropology & Sociology programs to begin in the Fall 2026 term. This position is a 12-month contract with a teaching load of 27 credit hours (9 courses) across fall, spring, and summer terms, renewable for a second year. A PhD in Anthropology, Sociology, Interdisciplinary Studies, Writing, or a closely related interdisciplinary social science field is required by August 2026; candidates who are ABD in the final stages of completion will also be considered.
We seek a candidate with a strong commitment to teaching and demonstrated experience working with diverse, first generation, returning adult, and other non-traditional student populations, who will complement existing faculty strengths across Interdisciplinary Studies and Anthropology & Sociology. The successful candidate will contribute to both programs through disciplinary and interdisciplinary teaching and the integration of applied and spatial methods, including the ability to teach Global Information Systems (GIS).
Teaching responsibilities will include IDSS 3099 Academic Writing Strategies, GIS, and additional courses in Interdisciplinary Studies (such as Interdisciplinary Theory, Career Planning, or the Capstone Seminar), as well as Anthropology and/or Sociology offerings (such as Gender & Sexuality, Race and Ethnicity, Social Issues, Social Theory, or cross-cultural analysis). The specific course mix will be determined in alignment with departmental needs and faculty expertise.
An interest and ability to contribute to related interdisciplinary programs—such as Gender & Sexuality Studies, Geography, Global Studies, Latin American & Caribbean Studies, or other areas within the Division of Arts & Letters—is valued. Experience teaching online or hybrid courses is also desirable. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and first generation college graduates are especially encouraged to apply.
Governors State University is the only regional public comprehensive university in Chicago’s south suburban area, serving approximately 5000 students annually. Since its founding in 1969, GovState has offered accessible, high-value educational opportunities to a culturally diverse student body of first-generation students, returning adults, and veterans. With the lowest undergraduate tuition in Illinois, GovState offers accredited programs that have earned high praise from national accrediting agencies. GovState accepted its inaugural class of first-year students in 2014, transitioning from an upper-division and graduate institution into a regional comprehensive university with a state-of-the-art general education program. New faculty at GovState must demonstrate enthusiasm and ability to work with students at all levels, from first-year to graduate.
Through its strategic planning, GovState emphasizes excellence, access, and innovation. Students benefit from the university’s academic quality, range of convenient class times, increasingly numerous hybrid and online offerings, and outstanding educational value. Our innovative lower-division program uses high-impact practices to foster student engagement with ethics, citizenship, and innovative thinking. Every first-year class is taught by a full-time faculty member to ensure that students have a strong foundation for their studies. GovState is a national leader in successful transfer of community college students to universities, and is leading through the Kresge-supported Dual Degree Program, with features such as tuition lock-in at GovState for academically eligible community college students who commit to earn an Associate Degree and attend college full-time. GovState offers a wide variety of master’s programs and several applied doctoral degrees in health, counseling fields, and Interdisciplinary Leadership.
GovState's 750-acre campus encompasses the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park yet is conveniently located within easy reach of Chicago and surrounding communities with a wealth of cultural and natural attractions. The highly diverse region GovState serves has a number of high-performing schools and engaged communities as well as struggling urban, suburban, and rural communities. GovState serves as a public square, working to foster educational opportunities for all populations.
It is the policy of Governors State University, in its role as educator, employer, and purchaser of goods and services, to provide equal opportunity and affirmative action. Discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status is strictly prohibited.
Required Qualifications
-
PhD in Anthropology, Sociology, or a closely related interdisciplinary social science field (e.g., American Studies, Geography, Gender & Sexuality Studies) with disciplinary training relevant to Anthropology/Sociology. ABD in final stages considered.
-
Ability to teach Global Information Systems (GIS) and integrate geospatial or spatial analytic methods into anthropological, sociological, or interdisciplinary inquiry.
-
Demonstrated ability to teach anthropology and/or sociology at the postsecondary level.
-
Ability to teach academic writing or writing intensive interdisciplinary courses.
-
Experience teaching first generation, returning adult, culturally diverse, or non-traditional students.
-
Experience teaching at the postsecondary level and can demonstrate the ability to teach in person, online and hybrid courses.
Preferred Qualifications
-
Evidence of teaching excellence.
-
Ability to complement ANSO and IDSS program strengths.
-
Ability to teach two or more interdisciplinary social science topics—such as gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, social issues, interdisciplinary theory, social science theory, or career focused/applied coursework—in anthropology, sociology, or interdisciplinary studies contexts.
-
Ability to teach Geography, Global Studies, Latin American & Caribbean Studies, or elsewhere in Arts & Letters.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter, sample syllabi, unofficial transcripts, statement of teaching philosophy, and list of 3-4 references by May 20, 2026 for full consideration, although applications will be accepted until the position is filled. References will only be contacted prior to interviews.
Description
Governors State University (University Park IL) is a minority-serving institution inviting applicants to a fulltime Visiting faculty position in the Interdisciplinary Studies and Anthropology & Sociology programs to begin in the Fall 2026 term. This position is a 12-month contract with a teaching load of 27 credit hours (9 courses) across fall, spring, and summer terms, renewable for a second year. A PhD in Anthropology, Sociology, Interdisciplinary Studies, Writing, or a closely related interdisciplinary social science field is required by August 2026; candidates who are ABD in the final stages of completion will also be considered.
We seek a candidate with a strong commitment to teaching and demonstrated experience working with diverse, first generation, returning adult, and other non-traditional student populations, who will complement existing faculty strengths across Interdisciplinary Studies and Anthropology & Sociology. The successful candidate will contribute to both programs through disciplinary and interdisciplinary teaching and the integration of applied and spatial methods, including the ability to teach Global Information Systems (GIS).
Teaching responsibilities will include IDSS 3099 Academic Writing Strategies, GIS, and additional courses in Interdisciplinary Studies (such as Interdisciplinary Theory, Career Planning, or the Capstone Seminar), as well as Anthropology and/or Sociology offerings (such as Gender & Sexuality, Race and Ethnicity, Social Issues, Social Theory, or cross-cultural analysis). The specific course mix will be determined in alignment with departmental needs and faculty expertise.
An interest and ability to contribute to related interdisciplinary programs—such as Gender & Sexuality Studies, Geography, Global Studies, Latin American & Caribbean Studies, or other areas within the Division of Arts & Letters—is valued. Experience teaching online or hybrid courses is also desirable. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and first generation college graduates are especially encouraged to apply.
Governors State University is the only regional public comprehensive university in Chicago’s south suburban area, serving approximately 5000 students annually. Since its founding in 1969, GovState has offered accessible, high-value educational opportunities to a culturally diverse student body of first-generation students, returning adults, and veterans. With the lowest undergraduate tuition in Illinois, GovState offers accredited programs that have earned high praise from national accrediting agencies. GovState accepted its inaugural class of first-year students in 2014, transitioning from an upper-division and graduate institution into a regional comprehensive university with a state-of-the-art general education program. New faculty at GovState must demonstrate enthusiasm and ability to work with students at all levels, from first-year to graduate.
Through its strategic planning, GovState emphasizes excellence, access, and innovation. Students benefit from the university’s academic quality, range of convenient class times, increasingly numerous hybrid and online offerings, and outstanding educational value. Our innovative lower-division program uses high-impact practices to foster student engagement with ethics, citizenship, and innovative thinking. Every first-year class is taught by a full-time faculty member to ensure that students have a strong foundation for their studies. GovState is a national leader in successful transfer of community college students to universities, and is leading through the Kresge-supported Dual Degree Program, with features such as tuition lock-in at GovState for academically eligible community college students who commit to earn an Associate Degree and attend college full-time. GovState offers a wide variety of master’s programs and several applied doctoral degrees in health, counseling fields, and Interdisciplinary Leadership.
GovState's 750-acre campus encompasses the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park yet is conveniently located within easy reach of Chicago and surrounding communities with a wealth of cultural and natural attractions. The highly diverse region GovState serves has a number of high-performing schools and engaged communities as well as struggling urban, suburban, and rural communities. GovState serves as a public square, working to foster educational opportunities for all populations.
It is the policy of Governors State University, in its role as educator, employer, and purchaser of goods and services, to provide equal opportunity and affirmative action. Discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status is strictly prohibited.
Required Qualifications
-
PhD in Anthropology, Sociology, or a closely related interdisciplinary social science field (e.g., American Studies, Geography, Gender & Sexuality Studies) with disciplinary training relevant to Anthropology/Sociology. ABD in final stages considered.
-
Ability to teach Global Information Systems (GIS) and integrate geospatial or spatial analytic methods into anthropological, sociological, or interdisciplinary inquiry.
-
Demonstrated ability to teach anthropology and/or sociology at the postsecondary level.
-
Ability to teach academic writing or writing intensive interdisciplinary courses.
-
Experience teaching first generation, returning adult, culturally diverse, or non-traditional students.
-
Experience teaching at the postsecondary level and can demonstrate the ability to teach in person, online and hybrid courses.
Preferred Qualifications
-
Evidence of teaching excellence.
-
Ability to complement ANSO and IDSS program strengths.
-
Ability to teach two or more interdisciplinary social science topics—such as gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, social issues, interdisciplinary theory, social science theory, or career focused/applied coursework—in anthropology, sociology, or interdisciplinary studies contexts.
-
Ability to teach Geography, Global Studies, Latin American & Caribbean Studies, or elsewhere in Arts & Letters.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter, sample syllabi, unofficial transcripts, statement of teaching philosophy, and list of 3-4 references by May 20, 2026 for full consideration, although applications will be accepted until the position is filled. References will only be contacted prior to interviews.
See all 195+ Assistant Professor jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Assistant Professor roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as an Assistant Professor
Verify your DS-2019 category early
Professor and Research Scholar are distinct J-1 categories with different eligibility rules. Confirm which category your host institution intends to use before you accept an offer, since switching after DS-2019 issuance requires restarting the sponsorship process.
Check your home-country residency requirement
Some Assistant Professor roles, particularly those funded through government programs or in designated shortage fields, trigger the two-year home-country residency requirement. Confirm your 212(e) status directly with USCIS before committing to a position that requires long-term U.S. presence.
Target institutions with active J-1 sponsor relationships
Not every university has a standing agreement with a State Department-designated sponsor. Use Migrate Mate to filter Assistant Professor openings at institutions already set up to host J-1 exchange visitors, which cuts weeks off the sponsorship setup timeline.
Align your application materials to J-1 program objectives
The Professor category requires a clear exchange component, not just employment. Frame your cover letter and CV to highlight cross-cultural knowledge transfer, collaborative research with U.S. colleagues, and skills you'll bring back to your home country.
Negotiate DS-2019 issuance into your offer timeline
Ask human resources to confirm when they'll submit your information to their designated sponsor organization. DS-2019 processing adds time before you can schedule your consular interview, and tenure-track start dates rarely flex for administrative delays.
Prepare credential documentation before the offer stage
Designated sponsor organizations require official transcripts, degree certificates, and publication records to issue a DS-2019. Having certified copies of your doctoral credentials ready in advance prevents bottlenecks once your host institution initiates the sponsorship request.
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Find Assistant Professor JobsAssistant Professor J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Assistant Professor roles?
Most Assistant Professor positions fall under the J-1 Professor category, which is designed for academics coming to teach at accredited U.S. institutions. If your role is primarily research-focused with limited teaching duties, the Research Scholar category may apply instead. Your host institution's international office determines the appropriate category and submits your information to their designated sponsor organization accordingly.
Who issues the DS-2019 for an Assistant Professor J-1 visa?
The DS-2019 is issued by a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, not by the hiring university itself. The university acts as your host institution. The designated sponsor, which might be a consortium the university belongs to or an organization like IIE, is responsible for issuing the DS-2019, maintaining your SEVIS record, and monitoring compliance with J-1 program regulations throughout your exchange period.
How do I find Assistant Professor positions where the university is already set up for J-1 hosting?
Not all institutions have active sponsor relationships in place for academic hires. Migrate Mate lets you search Assistant Professor openings filtered by J-1 sponsorship alignment, so you can identify host institutions that are already equipped to support the category without building the infrastructure from scratch during your hiring process.
Does the two-year home-country residency requirement affect Assistant Professor J-1 holders?
It can. The two-year home-country physical presence requirement under INA Section 212(e) applies if your exchange is government-funded from either country, if you came from a country on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List, or if you received graduate medical training. If it applies, you must return home for two years before changing to certain visa statuses or applying for lawful permanent residence. USCIS determines whether your situation triggers the requirement.
Can an Assistant Professor on a J-1 visa bring dependents to the United States?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you or join you later on J-2 dependent status. J-2 holders may apply for work authorization through USCIS, though the authorization cannot be used to support you directly. Your designated sponsor organization lists dependents on a separate DS-2019 and includes them in your SEVIS record once you provide supporting documentation.
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