OPT Surgical Oncologist Jobs
Surgical Oncologist jobs on OPT require employer sponsorship, typically through H-1B visa or O-1 visas after your OPT period ends. Most positions are at academic medical centers or NCI-designated cancer programs. Your STEM OPT extension does not apply to MD-track roles, so timeline planning matters early.
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Position Information
Position/Rank Breast Surgical Oncologist - Assistant Professor/DOQ
Department 02444 - ONCOLOGY DIVISION
City Salt Lake City, UT
Track Non Tenure Track
New Position to Begin Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled
Details
The Division of Surgical Oncology in the Department of Surgery at the University of Utah’s Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, in partnership with the Huntsman Cancer Institute, is seeking a full-time Breast Surgical Oncologist to join the section of four surgeons in the Division of Surgical Oncology. While the position may begin at the Assistant Professor level, candidates of any rank will be considered, provided they have completed a fellowship in breast surgery. A strong commitment to clinical trials and translational research, in alignment with our academic mission, is essential. The successful candidate should be enthusiastic about assuming leadership roles, driving quality improvement, and contributing to clinical program development. Our institution prides itself on a well-established, multidisciplinary clinical and research team dedicated to the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, and we are eager to add a collaborative breast surgeon who will help further advance the regional growth and national reputation of our program. General surgery call is not expected, and the rich environment of collaborative medicine in an NCI designated cancer center offers faculty an amazing environment to thrive and practice.
Interested applicants should apply here: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/208611
For additional information, please contact Cindy Matsen, MD, MSCI, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, cindy.matsen@hsc.utah.edu
Please also include Joanna Purcell, joanna.purcell@hci.utah.edu
The University of Utah Health (U of U Health) is a patient focused center distinguished by collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. The U of U Health values candidates who are committed to fostering and furthering the culture of compassion, collaboration, innovation, accountability, acceptance, integrity, quality, and trust that is integral to our mission.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Information
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.
Notice
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
Special Instructions for Candidates
Open Date 09/01/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Requisition Number PRN04112F
Type Faculty
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Surgical Oncologist
Target Academic Medical Centers First
Academic hospitals and NCI-designated cancer centers have established immigration infrastructure and routinely sponsor H-1B visas for surgical oncology fellows and attendings. Independent private practices rarely have the legal resources to navigate sponsorship for international physicians.
Align Your OPT Timeline With Fellowship Completion
Surgical oncology fellowships typically end in June or July. Your OPT authorization must remain valid through that transition. Confirm your OPT end date against your fellowship graduation date and file for any extensions well before the 90-day unemployment clock becomes a concern.
Confirm ECFMG Certification Before Applying
Employers sponsoring international surgical oncologists expect active ECFMG certification and an unrestricted state medical license. Gaps in either will stall sponsorship paperwork. Verify your certification status and any pending state licensing steps before initiating visa discussions with a prospective employer.
Raise Sponsorship Before the Offer Stage
Surgical oncology hiring moves through department chairs and recruitment committees. Asking about visa sponsorship late in the process wastes time for both sides. Confirm the institution sponsors H-1B or J-1 visa waiver positions early, ideally during the initial faculty recruitment call.
Understand the J-1 Waiver Pathway
Many international surgical oncologists complete residency or fellowship on J-1 status, which requires a two-year home residency after training. Conrad 30 and interested government agency waivers can eliminate that requirement. Identify whether a waiver route applies to your situation before committing to a specific employer.
Use Migrate Mate to Filter for Sponsoring Employers
Not every hospital advertising surgical oncology roles will sponsor visas. Migrate Mate filters specifically for employers with active sponsorship history, so you spend your limited OPT time on positions where authorization is a realistic outcome, not an afterthought.
Surgical Oncologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Surgical Oncologist on OPT?
Yes, if your OPT authorization is active and the position is directly related to your field of study. For surgical oncologists, this typically means your degree must align with medicine or a clinical specialty. OPT is short-term authorization, so most employers will need to sponsor an H-1B or O-1 visa before your OPT period expires.
Does a Surgical Oncologist role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
No. STEM OPT extensions apply only to degrees in STEM-designated fields listed on the DHS STEM OPT hub list. MD programs are not on that list. Surgical oncologists on OPT have a 12-month authorization period with no STEM extension available, which makes early sponsorship conversations with employers especially important.
What visa options exist after OPT for a Surgical Oncologist?
The most common paths are H-1B cap-subject sponsorship, H-1B cap-exempt sponsorship through a qualifying nonprofit hospital or academic medical center, J-1 waiver programs like Conrad 30, and O-1A for physicians with documented extraordinary ability. Cap-exempt H-1B is particularly valuable because it bypasses the annual lottery and can be filed at any time.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor surgical oncologists on OPT?
Academic medical centers affiliated with research universities, NCI-designated cancer centers, and large nonprofit health systems are the most consistent sponsors. Institutions like these maintain dedicated immigration teams and have established processes for H-1B and J-1 waiver sponsorship. You can browse employers with verified sponsorship history on Migrate Mate rather than guessing from job postings alone.
How early should I start the sponsorship process as a surgical oncology OPT student?
At least six to nine months before your OPT end date. H-1B cap-subject petitions have an April 1 filing window for an October 1 start date, so missing that window can leave you without status for months. Cap-exempt filings have more flexibility, but employer legal review, credentialing, and state licensing verification all take time.