TN Visa Research Assistant Professor Jobs
Research Assistant Professor roles qualify for TN visa sponsorship under USMCA when the position requires a master's degree or higher in a specialized academic field. Canadian citizens can apply at the border or a port of entry with a support letter from their employer; Mexican citizens need a consular appointment with the same documentation. University employers prepare a support letter outlining the role, your qualifications, and salary details.
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Position Information
Proposed Faculty Rank Assistant Professor (Lecturer)
Department 00127 - Physics and Astronomy
City Salt Lake City, UT
Track Non Tenure Track
New Position to Begin January 1, 2027
Details
The Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Utah invites applications for a career-line (non tenure-track) faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor (Lecturer). We seek a long-term colleague who will join our talented group of faculty. The position requires a graduate degree in physics or a related area.
The candidate should demonstrate a strong commitment to physics instruction that serves all students, the use of evidence-based instructional practices, and excellent communication, organization, and leadership skills. The position consists of standard teaching responsibilities equivalent to several departmental courses per year. The majority of these responsibilities will support the department’s core instructional mission through introductory and core physics courses, with opportunities potentially available to teach and/or develop other courses, such as primarily online, lab-based, or upper level courses. In addition, most career-line faculty actively participate in committees that promote student success, improved faculty teaching techniques, curriculum reform, and TA mentoring and coordination.
In this position, the successful candidate can take advantage of positive trends and opportunities to meet their professional goals. The University of Utah has experienced steady enrollment growth in recent years, drawing students from a broader geographic area. The Department of Physics & Astronomy has recently moved into a new, state-of-the-art building with modern teaching and research facilities. Membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) solidifies the University’s status as a top-tier research-intensive institution with a strong focus on student success.
This salaried (exempt) appointment within the career-line track does not include the possibility of tenure, but is expected to be a long-term appointment that is otherwise similar to tenure track appointments with various ranks (assistant, associate, and full professor), the eligibility to apply for external funding, service on committees (including in leadership roles), and participation in departmental governance. The initial appointment is envisioned to start as early as the Spring 2027 semester, preferably somewhat earlier to allow for ample preparation, will be for three years, and is expected to be renewed thereafter.
Application process and timeline: Please provide (i) a cover letter describing your interest in this particular opportunity; (ii) your complete academic curriculum vitae; and (iii) a statement describing your educational philosophy and experience, and your plans for implementing evidence-based instruction that serves all students and supports the achievement of their educational goals. Please also provide contact information for three (3) professional references and arrange for the reference letters to be submitted by November 1, 2026.
The review of applications will commence on September 14, 2026. Please apply by November 1, 2026 for priority review, though we will be accepting applications until the position is filled. If you have questions about this search, please direct them to the chair of the search committee, Prof. Daniel Wik (wik@astro.utah.edu).
Located in metropolitan Salt Lake City, a vibrant metropolitan area in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains with a multicultural population, and numerous cultural and family-oriented activities, the University of Utah is the state’s flagship research institution and emphasizes exceptional scholarship, quality teaching, and professional service. The university serves over 32,000 students from across the U.S. and the world with over 72 major subjects at the undergraduate level and more than 90 major fields of study at the graduate level, including law, dentistry, and medicine. Known for its proximity to exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities, such as world-class skiing, hiking, biking, camping, climbing, and breathtaking national and state parks, and for a diverse and growing economy, the University of Utah encourages an active, holistic lifestyle, innovation and collaborative thinking to engage students, faculty, and business leaders.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, and faculty from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and employment opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. All individuals, including those from historically underrepresented groups such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities, and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. 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.
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.
This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
Special Instructions for Candidates
Open Date 08/07/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Requisition Number PRN01557CF
Type Faculty
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding TN Visa Sponsorship as a Research Assistant Professor
Align your CV to specialty occupation standards
TN visa officers assess whether the role genuinely requires a master's or doctoral degree in a specific discipline. Structure your CV to foreground your research specialization, not just your institution and years of experience, so the credential-to-role match is immediately legible.
Target R1 and R2 universities with visa sponsorship experience
Research-intensive universities routinely sponsor work visas for postdoctoral and faculty-track hires. Focusing your search on R1 and R2 institutions shortens the time between offer and an employer experienced with visa sponsorship. These institutions are familiar with the documentation requirements for international hiring. For TN visa candidates from Canada, this means a support letter from your employer that you present at the U.S. port of entry; for Mexican nationals, the same support letter is submitted with your consulate application. Universities experienced with visa sponsorship can prepare these materials efficiently once an offer is made.
Request a formal offer letter before the border
Canadian applicants present their TN packet directly at a port of entry, so your offer letter must specify the title, duties, degree requirements, and employment period. A vague letter is the single most common reason CBP officers request additional documentation.
Clarify dual-intent risk with your department contact
TN status requires nonimmigrant intent, but many research roles sit alongside tenure-track pathways that imply permanent plans. Discuss this distinction with your department administrator before accepting an offer that includes language about long-term faculty progression.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsoring research institutions
Search Migrate Mate to identify universities and research organizations that have sponsored TN visa holders for Research Assistant Professor roles, so you can prioritize applications to employers already familiar with the filing requirements.
Confirm your Mexican TN documentation before your consular appointment
Mexican nationals attend a U.S. consular interview and must bring the DS-160, appointment confirmation, and a complete employer support letter. Missing or inconsistent documentation delays visa issuance and can push your start date past the academic term.
Research Assistant Professor TN Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Assistant Professor role qualify for TN visa status?
Yes, provided the position requires at minimum a master's degree in a directly related academic field. USCIS and CBP classify college and university professors under the TN's enumerated professional categories. If your role is titled 'Research Assistant Professor' but the duties are primarily laboratory technician work rather than faculty-level instruction or independent research, the qualifying analysis becomes more complex and your employer's offer letter must reflect the appropriate responsibilities.
How does the TN visa compare to the H-1B for Research Assistant Professor positions?
The TN visa has no annual lottery, no cap for Canadian citizens, and can be obtained at a port of entry in a single day for Canadians. The H-1B visa subjects applicants to a randomized lottery and a multi-month USCIS adjudication timeline. For Mexican nationals, TN has a 5,500-person annual limit, which still provides a more predictable path than the H-1B lottery. The tradeoff is that TN does not confer dual intent, so it's less compatible with a simultaneous green card application.
Can I switch from a postdoctoral fellowship to a Research Assistant Professor role on TN status?
Yes, but a new TN is required because the job title and duties change. You cannot simply transfer your existing TN to a different position. Your new employer must issue a fresh offer letter specifying the Research Assistant Professor title and the degree requirement, and Canadians can apply at the border while Mexicans must schedule a new consular appointment. Plan for at least a brief gap between your fellowship end date and your new start date to allow for processing.
Where can I find universities that actively sponsor TN visas for this role?
Migrate Mate is designed specifically for this search, letting you filter for Research Assistant Professor openings at institutions that sponsor TN visa holders. General academic job platforms don't filter by visa sponsorship type, which means you often apply before learning whether TN is even an option at that institution. Starting your search with sponsorship eligibility as a filter saves significant time.
What documentation does my university employer need to prepare for my TN application?
Your employer must provide a signed support letter on institutional letterhead that states your job title, a description of duties, the specific degree requirement for the role, and your anticipated start and end dates. For Canadian applicants, you present this support letter directly at the U.S. port of entry—no advance government filing is required. Mexican nationals submit the support letter as part of their visa application packet at a U.S. consulate. Your employer should also confirm your salary is reasonable for the role and geographic location.