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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Job Posting Title:
Postdoctoral Fellow, Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab, Cockrell School of Engineering
Hiring Department:
Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering
Position Open To:
All Applicants
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Earliest Start Date:
Immediately
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Sep 01, 2024
Location:
PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS
Job Details:
General Notes
This is a temporary training position that may be renewed annually, for a maximum of five years, based upon performance review, progress towards research goals, and continuation of funding.
As a top-10 engineering school with the No. 1 program in Texas, the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. With 11 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs, over 20 research centers and a faculty community that boasts one of the highest number of National Academy of Engineering members among U.S. universities, Texas Engineering has launched some of the nation’s most accomplished leaders and pioneered world-changing solutions in virtually every industry, from space exploration to energy to health care. Situated in the heart of Austin — named “America’s Coolest City” by Expedia and “The Best Place to Live in the U.S.” by U.S. News and World Report — the Cockrell School embodies the city’s innovative spirit. Major companies with Austin campuses, such as Dell, National Instruments, Apple, IBM, Samsung, Google, and many others, continue to recruit Cockrell School students at a remarkable rate, launching thousands of successful careers and developing Texas Engineers into industry leaders.
UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
- Retirement contributions
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Paid holidays
- Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered
Purpose
The Postdoctoral Fellow will conduct research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the area of mobile manipulation for handling material in nuclear and/or hazardous environments.
Responsibilities
- Carries out research in the area of applied robotics for use in extreme environments, particularly in the nuclear, oil & gas industries, and/or military applications though other application areas may be considered
- Co-authors peer-reviewed research
- Collaborates with other group members and Principal Investigator in defining the specific scope of research projects
- Performs other related duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field received within the past three (3) years, where the area of research is related to robotics or software for complex systems. Experience in the preparation of proposals and peer-reviewed technical papers. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and sponsors.
Preferred Qualifications
None
Salary Range
$70,000 + depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
- May work in an academic research environment
- May work in a laboratory environment
- May work in field environments
- May work with large robotic systems or autonomous vehicles
- Occasional work with hazardous materials (chemical, cryogenics, compressed gas, and radioactive materials)
Physics Tasks
- May work around standard office conditions
- Use of manual dexterity
- Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
- Letter of interest
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
- E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
- E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
- Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
- Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
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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.