OPT AI Research Engineer Jobs
AI Research Engineer roles sit at the intersection of machine learning research and production systems, making them one of the most competitive OPT job categories. Most positions require a master's or PhD and fall squarely within STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization to establish yourself in U.S. research teams.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Working Title: AI & Research Services Librarian
Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: JMU Libraries
Department: 100113 – Libraries
Pay Rate: Pay Range
Specify Range or Amount: $70,000 - $75,000
Beginning Review Date: 12/11/2026
About JMU:
Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.
JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The AI & Research Services Librarian will shape how faculty, students, and research teams engage with artificial intelligence (AI) in research and scholarly communication. This position is designed to help researchers not only use AI, but use it responsibly, ethically, and effectively.
Reporting to the Associate Dean of Research & Scholarly Communications, this position will contribute to the development of AI research support services at JMU Libraries. In addition to providing consultation and instruction support to faculty, staff, and students engaging in research, this position will also support professional development in the Libraries.
This AI & Research Services Librarian will join a team focused on research infrastructure and open scholarship and be a close collaborator with liaison librarians and technologists within the Libraries. The successful candidate will contribute to the Libraries’ ongoing AI strategy and advise on the current AI landscape, particularly as it affects the research enterprise in higher education.
The Libraries welcomes applicants who can demonstrate a commitment to building equitable and welcoming environments. We are committed to encouraging dialogue, cultivating a sense of belonging, and celebrating a broad range of life experiences and perspectives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Provide consultations, training, and outreach to students and researchers on the application of AI, specifically generative AI and machine learning, in various research contexts.
-
Provide guidance on best practices for AI implementation, including algorithmic transparency and accountability, data privacy, and bias and harm mitigation.
-
Collaborate with Libraries colleagues on AI features or systems assessment and their impact on Libraries’ services, mission, or values.
-
Contribute to AI professional development programs for Libraries employees to ensure consistent knowledge about AI technologies and better support our users.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
-
Master's degree.
-
Direct experience with artificial intelligence systems, including generative AI and machine learning, including an understanding of how open and commercial models and agents work, and a critical appreciation for their strengths and limitations.
-
Demonstrated commitment to staying current with emerging trends and developments in AI, federal policies, and digital scholarship.
-
Familiarity with the ethical, legal, environmental, and social implications of AI, particularly in research contexts.
-
Demonstrated ability to teach or develop instructional materials including workshops, tutorials, or course-integrated sessions.
-
Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders and communicate complex technology concepts to non-expert audiences.
-
Demonstrated commitment to building environments that are accessible and welcoming.
Additional Considerations:
-
Degree in library or information science, computer science, or a related field.
-
Working knowledge of LLM evaluation, local model installs, guardrails, agent deployment, MCP, and RAG concepts to scope and review projects.
-
Experience with programming languages and tools commonly used in AI, such as Python, R, markdown, and agent/MCP interfaces.
ADDITIONAL POSTING INFORMATION
JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area.
JMU offers excellent benefits which include paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave in addition to 19 paid holidays a year; affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System. We also offer a work-life balance and integration program that is designed to support and enhance the overall wellbeing of our employees and a tuition assistance program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO STATEMENT
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
INTRODUCTION
Working Title: AI & Research Services Librarian
Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: JMU Libraries
Department: 100113 – Libraries
Pay Rate: Pay Range
Specify Range or Amount: $70,000 - $75,000
Beginning Review Date: 12/11/2026
About JMU:
Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.
JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The AI & Research Services Librarian will shape how faculty, students, and research teams engage with artificial intelligence (AI) in research and scholarly communication. This position is designed to help researchers not only use AI, but use it responsibly, ethically, and effectively.
Reporting to the Associate Dean of Research & Scholarly Communications, this position will contribute to the development of AI research support services at JMU Libraries. In addition to providing consultation and instruction support to faculty, staff, and students engaging in research, this position will also support professional development in the Libraries.
This AI & Research Services Librarian will join a team focused on research infrastructure and open scholarship and be a close collaborator with liaison librarians and technologists within the Libraries. The successful candidate will contribute to the Libraries’ ongoing AI strategy and advise on the current AI landscape, particularly as it affects the research enterprise in higher education.
The Libraries welcomes applicants who can demonstrate a commitment to building equitable and welcoming environments. We are committed to encouraging dialogue, cultivating a sense of belonging, and celebrating a broad range of life experiences and perspectives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Provide consultations, training, and outreach to students and researchers on the application of AI, specifically generative AI and machine learning, in various research contexts.
-
Provide guidance on best practices for AI implementation, including algorithmic transparency and accountability, data privacy, and bias and harm mitigation.
-
Collaborate with Libraries colleagues on AI features or systems assessment and their impact on Libraries’ services, mission, or values.
-
Contribute to AI professional development programs for Libraries employees to ensure consistent knowledge about AI technologies and better support our users.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
-
Master's degree.
-
Direct experience with artificial intelligence systems, including generative AI and machine learning, including an understanding of how open and commercial models and agents work, and a critical appreciation for their strengths and limitations.
-
Demonstrated commitment to staying current with emerging trends and developments in AI, federal policies, and digital scholarship.
-
Familiarity with the ethical, legal, environmental, and social implications of AI, particularly in research contexts.
-
Demonstrated ability to teach or develop instructional materials including workshops, tutorials, or course-integrated sessions.
-
Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders and communicate complex technology concepts to non-expert audiences.
-
Demonstrated commitment to building environments that are accessible and welcoming.
Additional Considerations:
-
Degree in library or information science, computer science, or a related field.
-
Working knowledge of LLM evaluation, local model installs, guardrails, agent deployment, MCP, and RAG concepts to scope and review projects.
-
Experience with programming languages and tools commonly used in AI, such as Python, R, markdown, and agent/MCP interfaces.
ADDITIONAL POSTING INFORMATION
JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area.
JMU offers excellent benefits which include paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave in addition to 19 paid holidays a year; affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System. We also offer a work-life balance and integration program that is designed to support and enhance the overall wellbeing of our employees and a tuition assistance program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO STATEMENT
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
See all 540+ OPT AI Research Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT AI Research Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an AI Research Engineer
Lead with publications and research output
AI Research Engineer hiring managers review your publication record before your resume. List arXiv preprints, conference papers, and workshop contributions prominently. Even one accepted NeurIPS or ICML paper substantially separates you from candidates without published work.
Target STEM-designated roles explicitly
Confirm the role is classified under a STEM CIP code before applying. AI Research Engineer positions typically fall under Computer Science or Electrical Engineering codes, which qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond your initial 12 months.
Highlight your E-Verify employer requirement early
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be E-Verify enrolled. Raise this in early conversations to avoid investing weeks in an interview process with an employer who cannot legally support your extension.
Showcase production-ready research skills
Many labs distinguish researchers who only prototype from those who can deploy. Demonstrate PyTorch or JAX proficiency alongside systems experience. Candidates who bridge research and engineering compress the sponsorship risk employers perceive during OPT periods.
Build a public portfolio of reproducible work
Open-source implementations of your research, well-documented GitHub repositories, and Hugging Face model cards all serve as persistent proof of skill. Hiring teams at research-focused employers frequently review these before extending interview invitations to OPT candidates.
Apply before your OPT start date when possible
Research roles have long hiring cycles, often eight to twelve weeks from first contact to offer. Starting your search three to four months before authorization begins gives employers the runway they need to complete approvals before your start date.
AI Research Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do AI Research Engineer roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. AI Research Engineer positions are typically classified under Computer Science or Electrical Engineering CIP codes, both of which qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. You should confirm the specific CIP code on your I-20 matches a STEM-designated field and verify that the employer is E-Verify enrolled before accepting an offer.
How do employers typically view OPT candidates for research engineering roles?
Research-focused employers, including university labs, AI startups, and large technology companies, are generally more comfortable hiring OPT candidates than employers in other industries because they already manage visa sponsorship for international researchers regularly. Your research output, technical depth, and alignment with the team's focus area matter more than your visa status in most screening conversations.
Where can I find AI Research Engineer jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for visa-sponsored and OPT-friendly roles, so you're not sifting through postings from employers who won't support work authorization. Browsing AI Research Engineer listings on Migrate Mate surfaces positions where sponsorship is already confirmed, which saves significant time during a job search with tight authorization deadlines.
Can I work as an AI Research Engineer on post-completion OPT before my STEM extension is approved?
Yes. You can begin working as soon as your OPT EAD card is valid and your employment is in a role directly related to your degree. You apply for the STEM extension up to 90 days before your initial OPT expires, and USCIS provides a 180-day automatic extension while the application is pending, so your authorization remains continuous.
What does the mandatory training plan requirement mean for AI Research Engineer roles?
During the STEM OPT extension, your employer must complete Form I-983, which outlines how the role provides practical training connected to your degree. For AI Research Engineer positions this is usually straightforward since the work directly involves applying advanced machine learning and computer science skills. Your employer's designated representative signs the plan and is responsible for reporting any material changes to your DSO.