OPT Teaching Assistant Jobs
Teaching Assistant roles are among the most OPT-accessible positions in the U.S., universities and colleges regularly hire international students with STEM or education backgrounds. Most TA positions qualify for standard 12-month OPT, and research-focused roles may support STEM OPT extension if your degree field aligns.
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Job Title:
Assistant Professor of Teaching
Department:
Arts and Sciences | Geography
Position Overview
The Department of Geography at The Ohio State University invites applications for an assistant professor of teaching position in support of our growing online and in-person Master’s in Geographic Information Science and Technology (MGIST). This is a five-year non-tenure track academic appointment with an expectation of renewal based on satisfactory performance. The position is subject to annual merit pay increases as well as promotion to associate professor of teaching and professor of teaching. The university provides a clear pathway for professional advancement for its teaching faculty and their home departments through its non-tenure track promotion process.
Performance Objectives
This position supports and advances Ohio State’s MGIST program —an online and in-person master’s degree designed for working professionals who wish to deepen their expertise in geographic information science and technology and further their careers in the rapidly growing field of geospatial science. The program’s flexible format enables students to complete coursework on their own schedule while engaging with cutting-edge topics in GIS and spatial science.
In addition to supporting the MGIST, this position may also contribute to the department’s in-person undergraduate and graduate offerings in GIS.
The successful candidate will teach 7–8 courses per academic year. Depending on departmental needs and the candidate’s background and interests, these courses may cover areas such as GIS foundations, cartography, remote sensing, spatial analysis and modeling, spatial databases, machine learning and artificial intelligence in GIS, software development and project management, and ethics and professionalism. Applicants may want to consult Ohio State’s AI Fluency initiative to better understand how AI is being used across campus.
The successful candidate must be comfortable designing and delivering rigorous and engaging course content in a mostly asynchronous online format and producing high-quality online instructional materials. Applicants should note that the MGIST serves a distinct student population of working professionals who are seeking graduate-level qualifications to advance their careers and who are very likely to return to professional practice. Our students bring substantial workplace experience, expect immediately applicable training, and value flexible, practice-oriented, and professionally relevant instruction.
Beyond teaching, the successful candidate will contribute to curriculum development and program assessment for GIS courses and may support recruitment as well as student mentoring in the MGIST program. The successful candidate will also be expected to serve on department committees and undertake other service activities in support of the MGIST.
We are hoping to hire for an Autumn 2027 start, although a Spring 2027 start date is also possible.
Education and Experience Requirements
Required:
- Ph.D. in Geographic Information Science (GIS), Remote Sensing, Computer Science, Geosciences, Environmental Science, or a closely related field by the start date of employment.
- Demonstrated record of excellence in teaching.
- Strong proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to student success, engagement, and support.
- Ability to effectively work with and mentor diverse student populations.
- Commitment to delivering high-quality instruction in both online and in-person learning environments.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to students with varying levels of experience and professional backgrounds.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute positively to a collaborative academic environment.
Desired:
- Experience teaching in an online learning environment.
- Experience designing and delivering courses in a primarily asynchronous online format.
- Demonstrated ability to develop high-quality digital instructional materials and online learning content.
- Experience utilizing educational technologies and learning management systems to support student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Ability to create accessible, engaging, and professionally relevant online learning experiences for diverse student populations.
- Relevant professional or industry experience in geospatial technologies, GIS, remote sensing, spatial data science, or related fields.
- Demonstrated ability to incorporate real-world applications, case studies, and industry best practices into course design and instruction.
- Experience connecting academic content to workforce needs and emerging trends in geospatial science and technology.
- Ability to bridge theory and practice through applied, career-focused instruction.
- Experience collaborating with industry, government, or community partners on geospatial projects and initiatives.
- Commitment to continuous innovation in teaching and curriculum development, including the integration of emerging technologies and industry-standard tools.
Additional Information
Ohio State offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package.
How to Apply
To be considered, please submit your application via Workday.
Application period closes October 30, 2026. Application materials submitted in Workday must include:
- Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1–2-page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.
- Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research training, teaching and mentoring experience, and service.
- Attachment 3: Teaching Statement: A statement of your teaching approaches, experience, and philosophy.
- Attachment 4: Relevant teaching evaluations (qualitative and/or quantitative).
- Attachment 5: Names and contact information for three references.
We will solicit letters of reference for shortlisted candidates.
Location:
Derby Hall (0025)
Position Type:
Regular
Scheduled Hours:
40
Shift:
First Shift
The Ohio State University believes in diversity in people and ideas. What Ohio State does matters. And how we do it matters. When we are at our best, we make a real difference to people. Our size, breadth, geography, history and standard of excellence position us to drive the future of higher education. We believe that the university should be a place where people can work and learn together in a safe environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. As such, finalists for any faculty position that carries tenure must sign an authorization and disclosure form, which will allow current or prior employer(s) to share information to the University regarding any findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against a candidate and/or any pending investigations related to alleged misconduct. Such information shall include findings and pending investigations with respect to sexual harassment, violence, or harassment; research misconduct; financial fraud or misconduct; foreign influence violations, grant misuse or misconduct; and/or any other type of finding or pending investigation relating to a candidate’s employer’s policies and rules governing faculty conduct that may reasonably be expected to affect a candidate’s appointment. If the University becomes aware of any past finding of misconduct or pending investigations that were not disclosed, Ohio State will treat that as a serious omission and reserves the right to rescind an offer or terminate employment.
Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.
Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Teaching Assistant
Target your own institution first
Your current or graduating university already knows your academic record and is familiar with OPT work authorization. Department administrators often prefer hiring from within, making internal TA postings your lowest-friction starting point.
Confirm your degree field supports the role
OPT must be directly related to your major. A TA position in your department is straightforward, but cross-departmental roles require you to document how the work connects to your field of study for DSO verification.
Ask about STEM OPT eligibility before accepting
If your degree is on the STEM designated degree program list, confirm whether the TA role qualifies for a 24-month extension. Research assistant and lab-based TA roles in STEM departments most often meet the practical training criteria.
Get your EAD card before your start date
You cannot begin work until USCIS issues your Employment Authorization Document. Apply for OPT at least 90 days before your intended start date and confirm your EAD arrival timeline with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Understand part-time versus full-time rules by status
Pre-completion OPT limits you to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Post-completion OPT allows full-time work. Clarify your enrollment status with your DSO before agreeing to a specific weekly hours commitment.
Document every employment detail for your DSO
Your DSO needs your employer name, job title, work location, and start date to update SEVIS. Missing or delayed reporting can jeopardize your OPT status, so report changes within the required 10-day window without exception.
Teaching Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Teaching Assistant jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, Teaching Assistant roles qualify for OPT as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. A TA role in your own department is almost always a clear match. Cross-departmental positions require documentation showing the connection between the work and your degree, which your DSO can help you establish.
Can a Teaching Assistant role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It can, if your degree is on the STEM designated degree program list and the TA role involves practical training in that field. Research-intensive TA positions in STEM departments, such as lab instruction or data analysis support, have the strongest case. Pure humanities or administrative TA work in a STEM department is less likely to qualify. Confirm with your DSO before relying on this pathway.
Where can I find Teaching Assistant jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Teaching Assistant openings from employers who are familiar with or actively open to OPT work authorization. Searching through Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for roles compatible with F-1 status, which saves time compared to sorting through general postings where OPT eligibility is unclear.
How many hours can I work as a Teaching Assistant on OPT?
Post-completion OPT allows full-time work with no weekly hour cap, which covers most TA contracts. Pre-completion OPT limits you to 20 hours per week while classes are in session, though you can work full-time during official school breaks. Confirm your enrollment status and OPT type with your DSO before finalizing your offer.
What happens to my OPT status if my Teaching Assistant contract ends early?
You must report any change in employment to your DSO within 10 days, including early contract termination. OPT does not require continuous employment, but you are subject to an unemployment limit of 90 days for standard OPT and 150 days cumulative for STEM OPT. Exceeding that limit without a new qualifying position jeopardizes your status.