J-1 Visa Teaching Assistant Jobs
Teaching Assistant positions in the U.S. are accessible to exchange visitors through the J-1 visa, typically under the Professor, Research Scholar, or Teacher program category depending on your role and institution. Designated sponsors issue the DS-2019 and manage program compliance. Securing a host institution that coordinates J-1 sponsorship is the first step toward a placement.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar - School of Information Science
Requisition Number: DU15126
Department Name: 8M300: Center for Instructional Communication
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Salary Range: $50,000 / year
Type of Position: Temporary
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education
Ph.D. in Communication or a related area.
Required Related Experience
NA
Required License/Registration/Certification
NA
Physical Requirements
Present in a classroom; regular use of computer
Shift
Per course schedule
Job Summary
The School of Information Science (SIS) in the College of Communication and Information at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar in Communication with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027.
Qualifications/Responsibilities: Duties include teaching up to eight courses in the academic year and working with a faculty mentor on a special project during the summer months. Courses will include required courses for undergraduates in composition and communication (CIS 110 Composition and Communication I, CIS 111 Composition and Communication II, CIS 112 Accelerated Composition and Communication, as well as business communication (CIS 300 Strategic Business and Professional Communication).
Each course has a course coordinator who develops the base course syllabus and Canvas shell for use by all instructors. Additionally, ICR has a Program Coordinator who helps support all faculty.
The twelve-month contract begins January 1, 2027, and ends December 31, 2027; the contract may be renewed for one additional year. A Ph.D. in Communication or a related area, earned within the past two years, is required by the time the appointment begins. Teaching experience, especially in writing-intensive courses, is preferred.
Application: To apply, please complete this application and include the following attachments: A letter of application (attach as cover letter), a curriculum vita, evidence of teaching excellence (attach as specific request 1), and contact information for three references (attach as specific request 2). Please note that references will not be contacted without prior consent. Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Questions regarding the position may be directed to the Assistant Director of the School, Dr. Will Buntin, will.buntin@uky.edu.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
Teaching experience, especially in writing-intensive courses, is preferred.
Deadline to Apply: 11/30/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Job Title: Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar - School of Information Science
Requisition Number: DU15126
Department Name: 8M300: Center for Instructional Communication
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Salary Range: $50,000 / year
Type of Position: Temporary
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education
Ph.D. in Communication or a related area.
Required Related Experience
NA
Required License/Registration/Certification
NA
Physical Requirements
Present in a classroom; regular use of computer
Shift
Per course schedule
Job Summary
The School of Information Science (SIS) in the College of Communication and Information at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar in Communication with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027.
Qualifications/Responsibilities: Duties include teaching up to eight courses in the academic year and working with a faculty mentor on a special project during the summer months. Courses will include required courses for undergraduates in composition and communication (CIS 110 Composition and Communication I, CIS 111 Composition and Communication II, CIS 112 Accelerated Composition and Communication, as well as business communication (CIS 300 Strategic Business and Professional Communication).
Each course has a course coordinator who develops the base course syllabus and Canvas shell for use by all instructors. Additionally, ICR has a Program Coordinator who helps support all faculty.
The twelve-month contract begins January 1, 2027, and ends December 31, 2027; the contract may be renewed for one additional year. A Ph.D. in Communication or a related area, earned within the past two years, is required by the time the appointment begins. Teaching experience, especially in writing-intensive courses, is preferred.
Application: To apply, please complete this application and include the following attachments: A letter of application (attach as cover letter), a curriculum vita, evidence of teaching excellence (attach as specific request 1), and contact information for three references (attach as specific request 2). Please note that references will not be contacted without prior consent. Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Questions regarding the position may be directed to the Assistant Director of the School, Dr. Will Buntin, will.buntin@uky.edu.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
Teaching experience, especially in writing-intensive courses, is preferred.
Deadline to Apply: 11/30/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Teaching Assistant
Confirm your J-1 category before applying
Teaching Assistant roles span multiple J-1 visa categories. K-12 classroom support falls under Teacher, while university-level TA positions typically qualify under Professor or Research Scholar. Clarifying your category upfront shapes which designated sponsors can issue your DS-2019.
Document your subject-matter credentials precisely
Designated sponsors require proof that your academic background directly matches the subject you will assist with. Transcripts, diplomas, and any teaching certifications should be translated and evaluated before you approach host institutions or sponsors.
Target universities with existing sponsor relationships
Host institutions that regularly appoint J-1 exchange visitors already have established relationships with designated sponsors and internal processes for issuing DS-2019 forms. Use Migrate Mate to identify employers with a documented history of hosting J-1 exchange visitors in educational roles.
Negotiate your training plan before the DS-2019 is issued
The program plan you agree with your host institution becomes the basis for your DS-2019 and governs your entire exchange. Ambiguous role descriptions cause delays at the sponsor review stage, so get the duties, schedule, and supervision structure defined in writing first.
Check whether your country triggers the two-year rule
If your home country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, or your program is government-funded, you may face a two-year home residency requirement before switching to H-1B visa or permanent residence. Confirm this before accepting a position, not after your program ends.
Verify the host's E-Verify enrollment for post-program work
J-1 holders are not work-authorized beyond their program end date without a separate status change. If the host institution wants to employ you afterward in a different capacity, confirm through E-Verify and USCIS that they can support the appropriate follow-on visa category.
Teaching Assistant J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Teaching Assistant roles?
It depends on the setting and your career stage. University TA positions typically fall under the Professor or Research Scholar category if you hold an advanced degree and are contributing to academic or research activities. K-12 classroom teaching assistant roles fall under the Teacher category. The host institution and designated sponsor determine the correct category based on your duties and qualifications, not the job title alone.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Teaching Assistant?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your employer. The host institution, such as a university or school district, is where you work. The designated sponsor, which may be an organization like IIE or Cultural Vistas, issues your DS-2019, monitors program compliance, and serves as your official point of contact with the State Department throughout your exchange.
How do I find host institutions that support J-1 Teaching Assistant placements?
Search for universities, community colleges, and school districts that have an established international exchange program and a history of hosting J-1 exchange visitors in academic roles. Migrate Mate lets you filter U.S. employers by their record of hosting international exchange visitors, which makes it faster to identify institutions already set up to work within the J-1 framework rather than starting from scratch with an employer unfamiliar with the process.
Does a J-1 Teaching Assistant position count toward future H-1B eligibility?
J-1 status itself does not create H-1B eligibility, but the U.S. work experience and institutional relationships you build during your exchange can strengthen a future H-1B petition. The critical variable is whether your home country or funding source triggers the two-year home residency requirement. If it does, you must fulfill that requirement or obtain a waiver before you can change to H-1B or most other visa categories.
Can my host institution extend my J-1 program if my Teaching Assistant contract is renewed?
Extensions are possible but not automatic. The host institution must request an extension through the designated sponsor before your current DS-2019 expires, and the extension must remain within the maximum program duration allowed for your J-1 category. Professor and Research Scholar programs allow up to five years. The sponsor reviews whether the continued role still meets exchange visitor program objectives before approving any extension.