Pediatric Surgeon Jobs for OPT Students
Pediatric surgeon roles require board eligibility or certification, a completed fellowship, and an employer willing to sponsor H-1B after OPT. STEM OPT extension doesn't apply here, so your 12-month OPT window drives the hiring timeline. Academic medical centers and children's hospitals are your most realistic sponsorship targets.
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Get Access To All JobsTitle: Assistant/Associate/Professor - Pediatric Surgeon/Health Sciences Researcher
Appointment Type: Tenure Track Faculty
Department: IUSM - Surgery - Pediatric
Campus: IU School of Medicine Indianapolis
Position Summary:
Indiana University School of Medicine is seeking a Pediatric General Surgeon within the IUSM Department of Surgery. They will join a team of 9 Surgeons covering 3 hospitals in the urban and metro areas of Indianapolis. The Division offers and supports robust residency and fellowship programs. This role will be responsible for activities in a division which encompasses general pediatric surgery and trauma. Services specific to the Riley Children’s Hospital include, but are not limited to, the surgical management of general pediatric surgery conditions, surgical oncology, congenital anomalies, chest wall anomalies, gastrointestinal surgery, as well as minimally–invasive surgery. This position will include 40% research time for health science research toward pediatric surgery patient populations. Mentorship will be provided under Dr. Karl Bilimoria. Candidate’s should have experience and training in health sciences research as this is an expectation of the position. This is a full-time opportunity. Salary and academic rank will be commensurate with experience.
Department of Surgery:
The IUSM Department of Surgery is committed to the education and development of excellent surgical clinicians, incorporating the skills, knowledge, and competencies essential for providing a high standard of care to residents across the state of Indiana and beyond. Faculty educators in the Department of Surgery strive to advance surgical scientists and their research and aim to instill the leadership qualities that will empower graduates to excel in all practice settings.
Indiana University School of Medicine:
IUSM is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana.
IU Health:
IU Health is Indiana’s most comprehensive healthcare system (ranked No. 1 in the state by U.S. News & World Report). Our unique partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine, one of the nation’s leading medical schools, provides physicians opportunities in breakthrough research and high-quality patient care. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, with dozens of facilities statewide, IU Health is a regional leader in providing the right healthcare when and where it is needed.
Indianapolis:
Indianapolis is the capital and most populous city in the State of Indiana. It is growing economically thanks to a strong corporate base anchored by the life sciences. Indiana is home to one of the largest concentrations of health sciences companies in the nation. Indianapolis has a sophisticated blend of charm and culture with a wonderful balance of business and leisure. The growing residential base is supported by rich amenities and quality of life – the city possesses a variety of professional sports, arts venues, and outdoor recreation areas. Residents of this dynamic city, and surrounding suburbs, enjoy leading educational systems and top-ranked universities, paired with a diverse population. Indianapolis International Airport is a top-ranked international airport, being named “Best Airport in North America” by Airports Council International for many years. For additional information on life in Indy: https://faculty.medicine.iu.edu/relocation
Basic Qualifications:
- MD/DO or equivalent education
- Completion of Pediatric General Surgery Fellowship
- American Board of Surgery BC/BE
- Able to obtain IN licensure
- Experience and training in health sciences research is required
Department Contact for Questions:
Please direct questions about the process to:
Meghan Hutchinson
Human Resources Business Partner, Department of Surgery
mjhutchi@iu.edu
OR
Kristy Cartwright
Service Line Administrator, Pediatric Surgery
kcartwrigh@iuhealth.org
Please direct questions about the opportunity to:
Alan Ladd, MD
Division Chief, Pediatric Surgery
Department of Surgery
aladd@iupui.edu
Additional Qualifications:
Special Instructions:
Priority Application Review Deadline:
Expected Start Date:
Posting Number: IUSM-02229-2025
Title: Assistant/Associate/Professor - Pediatric Surgeon/Health Sciences Researcher
Appointment Type: Tenure Track Faculty
Department: IUSM - Surgery - Pediatric
Campus: IU School of Medicine Indianapolis
Position Summary:
Indiana University School of Medicine is seeking a Pediatric General Surgeon within the IUSM Department of Surgery. They will join a team of 9 Surgeons covering 3 hospitals in the urban and metro areas of Indianapolis. The Division offers and supports robust residency and fellowship programs. This role will be responsible for activities in a division which encompasses general pediatric surgery and trauma. Services specific to the Riley Children’s Hospital include, but are not limited to, the surgical management of general pediatric surgery conditions, surgical oncology, congenital anomalies, chest wall anomalies, gastrointestinal surgery, as well as minimally–invasive surgery. This position will include 40% research time for health science research toward pediatric surgery patient populations. Mentorship will be provided under Dr. Karl Bilimoria. Candidate’s should have experience and training in health sciences research as this is an expectation of the position. This is a full-time opportunity. Salary and academic rank will be commensurate with experience.
Department of Surgery:
The IUSM Department of Surgery is committed to the education and development of excellent surgical clinicians, incorporating the skills, knowledge, and competencies essential for providing a high standard of care to residents across the state of Indiana and beyond. Faculty educators in the Department of Surgery strive to advance surgical scientists and their research and aim to instill the leadership qualities that will empower graduates to excel in all practice settings.
Indiana University School of Medicine:
IUSM is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana.
IU Health:
IU Health is Indiana’s most comprehensive healthcare system (ranked No. 1 in the state by U.S. News & World Report). Our unique partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine, one of the nation’s leading medical schools, provides physicians opportunities in breakthrough research and high-quality patient care. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, with dozens of facilities statewide, IU Health is a regional leader in providing the right healthcare when and where it is needed.
Indianapolis:
Indianapolis is the capital and most populous city in the State of Indiana. It is growing economically thanks to a strong corporate base anchored by the life sciences. Indiana is home to one of the largest concentrations of health sciences companies in the nation. Indianapolis has a sophisticated blend of charm and culture with a wonderful balance of business and leisure. The growing residential base is supported by rich amenities and quality of life – the city possesses a variety of professional sports, arts venues, and outdoor recreation areas. Residents of this dynamic city, and surrounding suburbs, enjoy leading educational systems and top-ranked universities, paired with a diverse population. Indianapolis International Airport is a top-ranked international airport, being named “Best Airport in North America” by Airports Council International for many years. For additional information on life in Indy: https://faculty.medicine.iu.edu/relocation
Basic Qualifications:
- MD/DO or equivalent education
- Completion of Pediatric General Surgery Fellowship
- American Board of Surgery BC/BE
- Able to obtain IN licensure
- Experience and training in health sciences research is required
Department Contact for Questions:
Please direct questions about the process to:
Meghan Hutchinson
Human Resources Business Partner, Department of Surgery
mjhutchi@iu.edu
OR
Kristy Cartwright
Service Line Administrator, Pediatric Surgery
kcartwrigh@iuhealth.org
Please direct questions about the opportunity to:
Alan Ladd, MD
Division Chief, Pediatric Surgery
Department of Surgery
aladd@iupui.edu
Additional Qualifications:
Special Instructions:
Priority Application Review Deadline:
Expected Start Date:
Posting Number: IUSM-02229-2025
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Pediatric Surgeon Jobs
Verify your ECFMG certification before applying
ECFMG certification is a prerequisite for residency and fellowship licensure in the U.S. Confirm it's active and matches your legal name before submitting applications, since discrepancies delay credentialing and push back your OPT start date.
Target children's hospitals with GME programs
Academic children's hospitals that run graduate medical education programs file H-1B petitions routinely and have dedicated immigration teams. Prioritize institutions with active cap-exempt status, which lets them file H-1B petitions outside the annual lottery window.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before signing contracts
Your OPT EAD requires your employer to be E-Verify enrolled. Ask the hospital's HR department for their E-Verify company ID before you countersign any offer letter, not after, to avoid authorization gaps at your start date.
Use Migrate Mate to track employer H-1B filing history
Not every hospital publishes its sponsorship track record upfront. Use Migrate Mate to identify which academic medical centers have consistent H-1B petition histories for physician roles before you invest time in an application.
Request a J-1 waiver review if your visa history requires it
If you completed residency or fellowship on a J-1 visa, the two-year home residency requirement blocks H-1B transition. DOL and USCIS both process Conrad 30 waivers for physicians in underserved areas, and some children's hospitals in those areas actively recruit waiver-eligible candidates.
Pediatric Surgeon jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Pediatric Surgeon JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a pediatric surgeon on OPT before my H-1B is approved?
Yes, if your OPT EAD is valid and your employer is E-Verify enrolled, you can work during the period your H-1B petition is pending. Your employer should file before your EAD expires to trigger cap-gap protection if needed. Academic medical centers with cap-exempt status can file outside the lottery cycle, which gives more flexibility on timing.
Does STEM OPT apply to pediatric surgery roles?
No. STEM OPT extension requires your degree to be on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, which covers science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Medical degrees, including those leading to surgical specialties, are not on that list. You have a standard 12-month OPT window, which means your employer needs to move quickly on H-1B filing.
Which employer types are most likely to sponsor H-1B for pediatric surgeons?
Academic medical centers, children's hospitals affiliated with universities, and nonprofit hospital systems are your strongest options. Many qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers under INA Section 214(g)(5), meaning they can file petitions year-round without waiting for the annual lottery. You can browse employers with verified sponsorship history on Migrate Mate before applying.
What happens if my OPT expires before my fellowship program ends?
If your OPT EAD expires mid-fellowship, you lose authorization to work unless your employer has filed for a change of status or an H-1B petition is in process. Some J-1 physicians in this situation use their J-1 sponsoring institution to bridge the gap. Planning your OPT end date against your fellowship contract length at the offer stage prevents this problem.
How does the prevailing wage requirement affect pediatric surgeon hiring on OPT?
During OPT itself, there's no DOL prevailing wage requirement tied to your EAD. The prevailing wage requirement becomes relevant when your employer files the Labor Condition Application as part of your H-1B petition. You can look up the prevailing wage for your role and location using the OFLC Wage Search to understand what the employer will need to certify before filing.
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