Vascular Surgeon Jobs for OPT Students
Vascular Surgeon jobs on OPT are available but competitive. Most positions are with hospital systems or academic medical centers that routinely sponsor J-1 and H-1B visas, making them familiar with work authorization. Your ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship training are your strongest assets during the OPT period.
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Department Surgery - Vascular - 414060
Posting Open Date 01/05/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Position Type Permanent Faculty
Working Title Vascular Surgeon
Appointment Type Open Rank
Vacancy ID FAC0005777
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Permanent
Hours per week 40
FTE 1
Position Location North Carolina, US
Proposed Start Date 05/04/2026
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 academic vascular surgeon to join our Division of Vascular Surgery. The Division of Vascular Surgery is among nine clinical Divisions in the Department of Surgery. The Division currently includes 12 faculty members (8 vascular surgeons and 4 podiatrists) who provide exceptional care to patients from across the state of North Carolina. The faculty member will be expected to perform clinical and research duties, along with the academic responsibilities of an educational institution.
The ideal candidate will have experience in all aspects of vascular surgery, including both open and endovascular surgery. This position is ideally suited for a new graduate seeking a supportive environment with strong mentorship, progressive clinical practice, and opportunities for academic and professional development. The selected candidate will be expected to work closely with the various multidisciplinary teams within the health care system to grow the surgical volume through referral networking with the assistance of the other vascular surgeons at UNC. Preference will be given to individuals who bring skills, interests, or qualifications to the current faculty in a complementary fashion. Individuals with a strong research interest are also encouraged to apply. Faculty members within the Division of Vascular Surgery must possess a desire to commit to all three missions of the department and school of medicine, including the clinical, education, and research missions.
Regarding the education mission, faculty members are expected to regularly participate in educating medical students, residents, and fellows. Regarding research, a commitment to any one of a broad array of research interests is desirable, including but not limited to clinical outcomes, health services, basic science, translational, ethics, education, or global surgery research.
Regarding the clinical mission, faculty members must be committed to delivering high quality clinical care that is of value to the patients of UNC. The selected candidate must be team-oriented and have the ability to interact well with colleagues inside and outside of the Division.
This position is being recruited as an open-rank, open-track appointment at an FTE between 0.5 FTE and 1.0 FTE. The appointment may also be offered as a fixed term track or tenure/tenure track appointment. The faculty member will be expected to perform both clinical and research duties, along with the academic responsibilities of an educational institution.
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
MD (or equivalent).
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
The candidate should have a specific interest in the management of peripheral arterial and venous disease, including intervention for complex acute and chronic DVT as well as deep venous insufficiency.
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 - Vascular - 414060
Posting Open Date 01/05/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Position Type Permanent Faculty
Working Title Vascular Surgeon
Appointment Type Open Rank
Vacancy ID FAC0005777
Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Permanent
Hours per week 40
FTE 1
Position Location North Carolina, US
Proposed Start Date 05/04/2026
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 academic vascular surgeon to join our Division of Vascular Surgery. The Division of Vascular Surgery is among nine clinical Divisions in the Department of Surgery. The Division currently includes 12 faculty members (8 vascular surgeons and 4 podiatrists) who provide exceptional care to patients from across the state of North Carolina. The faculty member will be expected to perform clinical and research duties, along with the academic responsibilities of an educational institution.
The ideal candidate will have experience in all aspects of vascular surgery, including both open and endovascular surgery. This position is ideally suited for a new graduate seeking a supportive environment with strong mentorship, progressive clinical practice, and opportunities for academic and professional development. The selected candidate will be expected to work closely with the various multidisciplinary teams within the health care system to grow the surgical volume through referral networking with the assistance of the other vascular surgeons at UNC. Preference will be given to individuals who bring skills, interests, or qualifications to the current faculty in a complementary fashion. Individuals with a strong research interest are also encouraged to apply. Faculty members within the Division of Vascular Surgery must possess a desire to commit to all three missions of the department and school of medicine, including the clinical, education, and research missions.
Regarding the education mission, faculty members are expected to regularly participate in educating medical students, residents, and fellows. Regarding research, a commitment to any one of a broad array of research interests is desirable, including but not limited to clinical outcomes, health services, basic science, translational, ethics, education, or global surgery research.
Regarding the clinical mission, faculty members must be committed to delivering high quality clinical care that is of value to the patients of UNC. The selected candidate must be team-oriented and have the ability to interact well with colleagues inside and outside of the Division.
This position is being recruited as an open-rank, open-track appointment at an FTE between 0.5 FTE and 1.0 FTE. The appointment may also be offered as a fixed term track or tenure/tenure track appointment. The faculty member will be expected to perform both clinical and research duties, along with the academic responsibilities of an educational institution.
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
MD (or equivalent).
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
The candidate should have a specific interest in the management of peripheral arterial and venous disease, including intervention for complex acute and chronic DVT as well as deep venous insufficiency.
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 Vascular Surgeon
Target academic medical centers and large hospital systems
Academic hospitals and major health systems sponsor foreign physicians regularly. They have established immigration legal teams, understand work authorization timelines, and are far less likely to reject your application over OPT status than a small private practice.
Apply before your OPT expires, not after
Vascular surgery hiring cycles run long. Board certification, credentialing, and contract negotiations can take months. Start your job search at least six months before your OPT end date so sponsorship paperwork can begin without a status gap.
Confirm your ACGME fellowship satisfies specialty occupation requirements
Vascular surgery requires a board-eligible or board-certified surgeon with specialized fellowship training. This degree-to-role match is exactly what USCIS looks for under specialty occupation. Document your fellowship credentials clearly in every application.
Address OPT status proactively in your cover letter
Hiring managers at hospitals appreciate directness. Briefly state your current OPT authorization, your OPT end date, and that you will require H-1B or J-1 sponsorship. Leaving it ambiguous creates friction that often kills otherwise strong candidacies.
Pursue J-1 waiver positions if you completed J-1 residency training
If your residency or fellowship was on a J-1 visa, Conrad 30 and federal agency waiver programs open employer-sponsored positions specifically for you. These roles often come with faster paths to permanent status than standard H-1B routes.
Get your medical credentials verified early in the process
ECFMG certification, state medical board licensure, and DEA registration all take time. Employers will not begin sponsorship paperwork until these are confirmed. Completing verification before you start interviewing removes a common bottleneck in vascular surgery hiring.
Vascular Surgeon jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Vascular Surgeon on OPT?
Yes, if your OPT is authorized in a field directly related to your medical degree. Vascular surgery is a specialty occupation requiring a medical degree and accredited fellowship training, which satisfies the degree-field connection USCIS requires for OPT employment. Your work must be with an employer who will eventually sponsor you for H-1B or another long-term status, since OPT authorization is temporary.
What visa do most hospitals use to sponsor Vascular Surgeons?
H-1B and J-1 are the two most common pathways. J-1 waivers through the Conrad 30 program are particularly common for physicians who completed J-1 residency or fellowship training and are willing to commit to underserved area service. H-1B sponsorship is standard at academic medical centers and large hospital systems that hire foreign physicians routinely. Browse current openings on Migrate Mate to identify which employers are actively hiring and sponsoring.
How does STEM OPT extension apply to Vascular Surgeons?
STEM OPT extension is available only to students who graduated from STEM-designated programs. Most U.S. MD and DO medical programs are not on the STEM designated program list, so the majority of vascular surgery graduates do not qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. If your degree came from a STEM-classified program such as a biomedical engineering doctorate, you may be eligible. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before relying on STEM OPT as part of your timeline.
How long does credentialing take, and does it affect my OPT clock?
Hospital credentialing typically takes 60 to 120 days after an offer is accepted. It does not pause or extend your OPT authorization period. If credentialing delays your start date past your OPT expiration, you will have an authorization gap. Coordinating your job search and offer acceptance timeline early, ideally allowing at least four to five months before your OPT end date, protects against this scenario.
Are Vascular Surgeon roles on OPT hard to find?
Positions exist, but they require targeting the right employers. Academic medical centers, Veterans Affairs hospitals, and large regional health systems are the most reliable sponsors for OPT physicians. Community hospitals and private practices are less predictable on sponsorship. Migrate Mate filters jobs by visa sponsorship willingness, which makes it easier to focus your search on employers already set up to hire F-1 OPT candidates.
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