OPT Professor Jobs
Professor roles on OPT require employers to file an H-1B visa or offer a cap-exempt position, since most tenure-track and full-time faculty jobs qualify as specialty occupations. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your field qualifies) shapes which positions and timelines are realistic.
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Title: Lecturer (Atmospheric Sciences)
Position Number: pending
Hiring Unit: Atmospheric Sciences, SOEST
Location: Manoa campus
Date Posted: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026
Salary Information: LA$2053 per credit hour
Full Time/Part Time: Part time
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary
Other Conditions:
The Department of Atmospheric Sciences seeks a part-time instructor for the Spring 2027 Semester. Non-tenure; temporary; part-time work as needed; and contingent upon student enrollment and availability of funding.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Teach two sections of the undergraduate laboratory course ATMO 101 Introduction to Weather and Climate Lab
- Work with current Department of Atmospheric Sciences Teaching Assistants teaching the other two sections to maintain/amend course syllabi as needed
- Mentor and assist students enrolled in the class
- Complete grades on a timely basis
Minimum Qualifications
1. Master's degree and 2 years of experience in Atmospheric Science, Meteorology or related field.
2. Expertise in basic weather and climate concepts
3. Teaching/Lecturing Skills
To Apply: Applications may be filed online on NeoGov. Documents include: (1) cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) name, addresses and contact information of three (3) professional references including e-mail address. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Note: If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.
Inquiries: Jennifer Griswold, 808-956-8775; metdept@hawaii.edu, Fax 956-2877
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
Description
Title: Lecturer (Atmospheric Sciences)
Position Number: pending
Hiring Unit: Atmospheric Sciences, SOEST
Location: Manoa campus
Date Posted: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026
Salary Information: LA$2053 per credit hour
Full Time/Part Time: Part time
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary
Other Conditions:
The Department of Atmospheric Sciences seeks a part-time instructor for the Spring 2027 Semester. Non-tenure; temporary; part-time work as needed; and contingent upon student enrollment and availability of funding.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Teach two sections of the undergraduate laboratory course ATMO 101 Introduction to Weather and Climate Lab
- Work with current Department of Atmospheric Sciences Teaching Assistants teaching the other two sections to maintain/amend course syllabi as needed
- Mentor and assist students enrolled in the class
- Complete grades on a timely basis
Minimum Qualifications
1. Master's degree and 2 years of experience in Atmospheric Science, Meteorology or related field.
2. Expertise in basic weather and climate concepts
3. Teaching/Lecturing Skills
To Apply: Applications may be filed online on NeoGov. Documents include: (1) cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) name, addresses and contact information of three (3) professional references including e-mail address. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Note: If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.
Inquiries: Jennifer Griswold, 808-956-8775; metdept@hawaii.edu, Fax 956-2877
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Professor
Target cap-exempt institutions first
Universities and nonprofit research institutions are cap-exempt H-1B visa employers, meaning they can sponsor you outside the lottery. This significantly improves your chances of securing long-term status after OPT without waiting for a favorable lottery result.
Apply during your first OPT year
Most faculty hiring cycles run from September through February for positions starting the following fall. Beginning your search in your first OPT year gives you time to line up a sponsoring offer before your authorization expires or requires extension.
Confirm your STEM extension eligibility early
STEM OPT adds 24 months if your degree is in a qualifying field. Many STEM-adjacent academic disciplines qualify, including biology, chemistry, computer science, and economics. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before assuming you're eligible.
Understand the specialty occupation standard
Professor roles almost universally qualify as specialty occupations because they require at minimum a master's or doctoral degree in a specific field. Your degree field must directly align with the subject you'll be teaching or researching for sponsorship to hold.
Ask about the hiring timeline before applying
Faculty search committees move slowly, often six to twelve months from application to offer. Knowing your OPT expiration date helps you assess whether the timeline is realistic and whether you need to negotiate a deferred start or rely on cap-gap protection.
Highlight research funding and grants in applications
Departments hiring on OPT weigh sponsorship costs against value. Candidates who arrive with external funding, active grants, or strong publication records reduce the perceived financial risk and make it easier for hiring committees to approve sponsorship internally.
Professor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Professor on OPT?
Yes. Professor roles qualify as specialty occupations and are eligible for OPT work authorization. Your position must directly relate to your degree field. Adjunct, visiting, and tenure-track appointments all count, provided the role requires the level of education your degree represents and your employer is willing to sponsor you for continued status afterward.
Do universities sponsor H-1B visas for Professors?
Most do, and universities have a structural advantage: they are cap-exempt H-1B employers. That means they can file an H-1B petition at any time of year without entering the lottery. This makes academic employers significantly more accessible for OPT students than private-sector companies subject to the annual 85,000-cap selection process.
How do I find Professor jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended platform for finding Professor roles with employers who sponsor OPT students. Academic job boards list postings broadly, but Migrate Mate filters specifically for sponsorship-willing employers, saving you the time of researching each institution's immigration history individually. Focus your search on research universities and federally funded research centers.
Does my degree field need to match the subject I'd be teaching?
Yes, and this matters for both OPT authorization and future H-1B sponsorship. USCIS requires that the role constitute a specialty occupation, meaning there must be a direct relationship between your degree field and the position. A PhD in economics teaching finance courses will generally satisfy this. A degree in literature supporting a computer science appointment typically will not.
What happens if my OPT expires before the faculty hiring process is complete?
Faculty searches routinely take longer than a single academic year. If your OPT expires mid-process, your options include applying for a STEM extension if eligible, entering cap-gap protection if your employer filed an H-1B before your OPT expired, or negotiating a deferred start date. Work closely with your DSO to understand which bridge applies to your situation.