OPT Assistant Professor Jobs
Assistant Professor roles are among the strongest OPT matches for international doctoral graduates. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations under F-1 OPT, and many universities are experienced H-1B visa and O-1 visa sponsors, giving you a clear path to extend work authorization beyond your initial OPT period.
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Get Access To All JobsDepartment:
SOM KC Psychiatry & Behavior Sciences
Position Title:
Assistant Professor - Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Onco-Psychiatry)
Job Family Group:
Academic
Job Description Summary:
The Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Kansas Medical Center provides high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered psychiatric care for medically complex patients, with a specialized focus on the behavioral health needs of individuals with cancer and other serious medical illnesses. Clinical responsibilities include the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of psychiatric and behavioral health conditions across inpatient and outpatient settings. The faculty member collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated behavioral health care that supports the comprehensive needs of patients and their families.
This faculty position is jointly employed by The University of Kansas Medical Center and The University of Kansas Health System. The corresponding Health System position is Consult Liaison Onco-Psychiatrist. Together, these appointments support the clinical, educational, research, and service missions of both institutions.
In addition to clinical responsibilities, the faculty member actively participates in the education and mentorship of learners through clinical supervision, teaching, and instruction. The individual also contributes to the academic mission of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences through scholarly activity, interdisciplinary collaboration, quality improvement initiatives, committee service, and other duties as assigned.
Job Duties Outlined:
- Provide evidence-based psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for oncology patients and their families.
- Deliver individual and group psychotherapy focused on coping, adjustment, anxiety, depression, grief, and quality of life.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary oncology teams in both inpatient and outpatient settings to support patient care and treatment planning.
- Participate in tumor boards, case conferences, and care planning as appropriate.
- Participate in the professional education of psychology interns in the APA-approved training program, practicum students, postdoctoral fellows, and medical trainees.
- Participate in departmental meetings, conferences, and faculty activities as permitted by clinical and academic responsibilities.
- Engage in scholarly activity and collaborative research opportunities within and outside the University of Kansas Medical Center.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Required Qualifications:
Education: Doctorate Degree in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from an APA or CPA accredited doctoral program.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community.
Certifications/Licenses:
- Licensed or licensable in the State of Kansas (primary) and Missouri by the time of the appointment
Work Experience:
- Completion of an APA approved clinical internship.
Preferred Qualifications:
Work Experience:
- One-year relevant post-doctoral experience with an oncology or health psychology focus.
Required Documents:
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter
If selected as a final candidate for this position, you may be required to complete the Association of American of Universities Representations and Warranties document and sign a release of records that will allow the University of Kansas Medical Center to conduct a further background check with former employers. A copy of the Representations and Warranties document can be found here.
Comprehensive Benefits Package:
Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available.
Employee Type:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
Department:
SOM KC Psychiatry & Behavior Sciences
Position Title:
Assistant Professor - Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Onco-Psychiatry)
Job Family Group:
Academic
Job Description Summary:
The Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Kansas Medical Center provides high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered psychiatric care for medically complex patients, with a specialized focus on the behavioral health needs of individuals with cancer and other serious medical illnesses. Clinical responsibilities include the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of psychiatric and behavioral health conditions across inpatient and outpatient settings. The faculty member collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated behavioral health care that supports the comprehensive needs of patients and their families.
This faculty position is jointly employed by The University of Kansas Medical Center and The University of Kansas Health System. The corresponding Health System position is Consult Liaison Onco-Psychiatrist. Together, these appointments support the clinical, educational, research, and service missions of both institutions.
In addition to clinical responsibilities, the faculty member actively participates in the education and mentorship of learners through clinical supervision, teaching, and instruction. The individual also contributes to the academic mission of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences through scholarly activity, interdisciplinary collaboration, quality improvement initiatives, committee service, and other duties as assigned.
Job Duties Outlined:
- Provide evidence-based psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for oncology patients and their families.
- Deliver individual and group psychotherapy focused on coping, adjustment, anxiety, depression, grief, and quality of life.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary oncology teams in both inpatient and outpatient settings to support patient care and treatment planning.
- Participate in tumor boards, case conferences, and care planning as appropriate.
- Participate in the professional education of psychology interns in the APA-approved training program, practicum students, postdoctoral fellows, and medical trainees.
- Participate in departmental meetings, conferences, and faculty activities as permitted by clinical and academic responsibilities.
- Engage in scholarly activity and collaborative research opportunities within and outside the University of Kansas Medical Center.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Required Qualifications:
Education: Doctorate Degree in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from an APA or CPA accredited doctoral program.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community.
Certifications/Licenses:
- Licensed or licensable in the State of Kansas (primary) and Missouri by the time of the appointment
Work Experience:
- Completion of an APA approved clinical internship.
Preferred Qualifications:
Work Experience:
- One-year relevant post-doctoral experience with an oncology or health psychology focus.
Required Documents:
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter
If selected as a final candidate for this position, you may be required to complete the Association of American of Universities Representations and Warranties document and sign a release of records that will allow the University of Kansas Medical Center to conduct a further background check with former employers. A copy of the Representations and Warranties document can be found here.
Comprehensive Benefits Package:
Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available.
Employee Type:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
See all 4,543+ OPT Assistant Professor Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Assistant Professor
Target R1 and R2 research universities first
Research-intensive universities file H-1B visa and O-1 petitions regularly and have dedicated international faculty offices. They're far more likely to sponsor work authorization than small liberal arts colleges or community colleges with limited HR infrastructure.
Apply before your OPT clock becomes a concern
Faculty hiring cycles run 12 to 18 months ahead of the start date. Applying early means your OPT expiration is less likely to overlap awkwardly with the offer timeline, reducing friction for the hiring committee and department chair.
Address work authorization directly in your cover letter
Briefly note that you're on F-1 OPT and will require H-1B or O-1 sponsorship. Framing it as a standard administrative step, not a complication, prevents it from surfacing as a surprise objection late in the hiring process.
Lean on your dissertation advisor and committee for endorsements
Faculty searches weigh letters of recommendation heavily. Advisors with strong reputations at the hiring institution can signal that sponsorship costs are worth it, especially when the field is competitive and your research profile is compelling.
Confirm your OPT STEM eligibility if your field qualifies
STEM OPT extension adds 24 months to your authorization period if your degree is in a qualifying field. Many STEM-adjacent disciplines qualify, including economics, statistics, and computer science, giving departments more runway before H-1B sponsorship is needed.
Prepare a clear one-page immigration timeline for offers
Once you receive an offer, provide HR with a concise document showing your OPT expiration date, cap-gap eligibility, and H-1B filing deadlines. Departments that understand the timeline move faster and make fewer administrative errors during sponsorship.
Assistant Professor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Assistant Professor on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Assistant Professor roles qualify as specialty occupations under F-1 OPT rules because they require at minimum a doctoral degree in a specific academic field. Your OPT EAD authorizes full-time employment, and a faculty appointment at a university counts as a valid OPT job. STEM OPT extension applies if your degree falls under a qualifying CIP code.
Do universities typically sponsor Assistant Professors for H-1B visas?
Most research universities and four-year colleges do sponsor Assistant Professors for H-1B or O-1 visas, and many have in-house immigration counsel or established relationships with immigration law firms. Smaller institutions or community colleges are less consistent. Checking a university's history of H-1B filings through public DOL disclosure data before applying is a practical first step.
Where can I find Assistant Professor jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists Assistant Professor positions from employers with verified histories of sponsoring international workers. Filtering by role and visa type lets you focus on universities that are realistically open to candidates on OPT, saving time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship hesitance late in the process.
What happens to my OPT if my academic job starts after my EAD expires?
If you have an H-1B petition filed on time, cap-gap protection automatically extends your OPT status through September 30 of that year. If the H-1B is selected and approved, your status transitions on October 1. If you're not eligible for H-1B cap-gap, your employment must begin and continue within your valid OPT window.
Does teaching count toward my OPT practical training requirement?
Yes, provided the teaching is directly related to your degree field. An Assistant Professor teaching courses in your discipline satisfies the OPT requirement that employment be in a job related to your major area of study. Research and service obligations that form part of a standard faculty appointment also count toward your authorized practical training activity.