Surgical Oncologist Jobs for OPT Students
Surgical Oncologist jobs on OPT require employer sponsorship, typically through H-1B 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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Get Access To All JobsDepartment Surgery - Surgical Oncology - 414020
Posting Open Date 08/26/2025
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Permanent Faculty
Working Title Surgical Oncologist Faculty Appointment
Appointment Type Open Rank
Vacancy ID FAC0005599
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Permanent
Hours per week 40
FTE 1
Position Location North Carolina, US
Proposed Start Date 01/01/2026
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.
One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.
University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events.
UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow’s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.
Position Summary
The Department of Surgery at the University of North Carolina is seeking applications for a full-time surgical oncologist to join our Division of Surgical Oncology.
The Division of Surgical Oncology is among the 9 clinical Divisions in the Department of Surgery. The Division currently includes 15 faculty members and 9 Advanced Practice Providers that provide a broad array of clinical services in order to provide the highest quality multidisciplinary care for our oncology patients. The Division is also actively involved in leading and contributing to our vast portfolio of clinical/translation research and educational missions, through our collaboration with the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. We are seeking candidates for an Open Rank faculty role, with rank determined based on credentials and scholarly achievements. This appointment may be offered as a fixed term, tenure/tenure track, or variable appointment at 0.5 to 1.0 FTE. Academic appointments will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience.
Clinical responsibilities will include participation in multidisciplinary care, tumor boards, and surgical support of oncology programs. Our Faculty are committed to delivering high quality clinical care that is of value to the patients of the UNC Healthcare system. This position is well-suited for a surgical oncologist with substantial interest and experience in clinical trials. This appointment will be appropriate for someone with a broad interest or flexible interest in multiple cancer types. Faculty members are expected to regularly participate in the education of medical students, residents, and fellows.
Individuals who exhibit exceptional skills and achievements may be considered for a leadership position within the Department of Surgery. Leadership roles are not guaranteed and are dependent upon the current needs of our surgical service lines.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Prospective candidates must be Board Certified/Board eligible in General Surgery and fellowship trained. Chosen candidates must either have a current North Carolina Medical License or be eligible for application. The selected candidate must be professional, team-oriented, and have the ability to interact well with colleagues inside and out of the Division of Surgical Oncology, in the Department of Surgery.
Candidates must have a desire to commit to all three missions of the Department and School of Medicine, including the clinical, education, and research missions. Candidates must be committed to delivering high quality clinical care that is of value to the patients of the UNC Healthcare system.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
This position will favor general surgical oncology expertise.
Experience teaching or mentoring medical students and residents is a plus.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.
Department Surgery - Surgical Oncology - 414020
Posting Open Date 08/26/2025
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Permanent Faculty
Working Title Surgical Oncologist Faculty Appointment
Appointment Type Open Rank
Vacancy ID FAC0005599
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Permanent
Hours per week 40
FTE 1
Position Location North Carolina, US
Proposed Start Date 01/01/2026
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.
One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.
University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events.
UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow’s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.
Position Summary
The Department of Surgery at the University of North Carolina is seeking applications for a full-time surgical oncologist to join our Division of Surgical Oncology.
The Division of Surgical Oncology is among the 9 clinical Divisions in the Department of Surgery. The Division currently includes 15 faculty members and 9 Advanced Practice Providers that provide a broad array of clinical services in order to provide the highest quality multidisciplinary care for our oncology patients. The Division is also actively involved in leading and contributing to our vast portfolio of clinical/translation research and educational missions, through our collaboration with the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. We are seeking candidates for an Open Rank faculty role, with rank determined based on credentials and scholarly achievements. This appointment may be offered as a fixed term, tenure/tenure track, or variable appointment at 0.5 to 1.0 FTE. Academic appointments will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience.
Clinical responsibilities will include participation in multidisciplinary care, tumor boards, and surgical support of oncology programs. Our Faculty are committed to delivering high quality clinical care that is of value to the patients of the UNC Healthcare system. This position is well-suited for a surgical oncologist with substantial interest and experience in clinical trials. This appointment will be appropriate for someone with a broad interest or flexible interest in multiple cancer types. Faculty members are expected to regularly participate in the education of medical students, residents, and fellows.
Individuals who exhibit exceptional skills and achievements may be considered for a leadership position within the Department of Surgery. Leadership roles are not guaranteed and are dependent upon the current needs of our surgical service lines.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Prospective candidates must be Board Certified/Board eligible in General Surgery and fellowship trained. Chosen candidates must either have a current North Carolina Medical License or be eligible for application. The selected candidate must be professional, team-oriented, and have the ability to interact well with colleagues inside and out of the Division of Surgical Oncology, in the Department of Surgery.
Candidates must have a desire to commit to all three missions of the Department and School of Medicine, including the clinical, education, and research missions. Candidates must be committed to delivering high quality clinical care that is of value to the patients of the UNC Healthcare system.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
This position will favor general surgical oncology expertise.
Experience teaching or mentoring medical students and residents is a plus.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.
How to Get Visa 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 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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