Physics Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
Physics visa sponsorship jobs in California span national laboratories, aerospace contractors, and research universities. Employers like Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Caltech, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory regularly hire international physicists. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the Bay Area are the primary hiring hubs, with demand concentrated in research, semiconductor technology, and defense sectors.
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Get Access To All JobsJob no: 562610
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: San Marcos
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Natural Sciences
Rank: Assistant Professor
Department: Physics
Starting Date: Fall 2027
Summary
California State University San Marcos has an opening for a tenure track assistant professor of physics to begin August 2027. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, engineering physics, or a closely related field with specialization in geophysics, continuum mechanics, fluid dynamics, rheology, soft condensed matter, structure of materials, granular materials or related areas. CSUSM values teaching undergraduates and involving them in research. The campus is located on a scenic hillside 15 miles east of the Pacific Ocean in the San Diego North County region, an area known for its temperate climate and growing technology industries. CSUSM offers a B.S. in Applied Physics and was a 2020 recipient of the APS Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education. We seek faculty candidates to help establish an applied mechanics track within an Applied Physics bachelor’s degree program.
Minimum Qualifications
- Applicants must possess a doctorate in Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, or a closely related field with specialization in geophysics, continuum mechanics, fluid dynamics, rheology, soft condensed matter, structure of materials, granular materials, or related areas.
- Applicants with ABD status will be considered and may be interviewed, but the applicant must possess the doctorate degree from an accredited university at the time of appointment for this position.
- Candidates must demonstrate teaching excellence, a commitment to exploring the use of research-based instructional practices, and an ability to teach courses across the undergraduate physics curriculum.
- Candidates must possess a record of published research commensurate with years of experience, and the ability to develop and sustain a research program involving undergraduates that will lead to original, peer-reviewed publications.
- Candidates must be able to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with departmental colleagues and in our campus community.
Preferred Qualifications
- Preference will be given to candidates who can contribute to developing and offering an applied mechanics track within an Applied Physics bachelor’s degree program.
- Preference will be given to candidates with experience with Finite Element Analysis and other techniques and software packages relevant to applied mechanics research and industry.
- Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated intercultural competence in teaching, research, and/or service.
Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $8,500 - $9,167 per month
CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,221 - $13,224 per month
Application Procedure
Click Apply Now to complete the CSUSM Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:
- Cover letter specifically addressing minimum and preferred qualifications (2 pages maximum).
- Curriculum vitae.
- Statement of teaching philosophy (2 pages maximum).
- Statement of research plans (2 pages maximum).
- Contact information for 3 references.
Additional Requirements
- Reprints of representative publications and works in process. (if applicable)
- Summary of student teaching evaluations with average GPA for each class taught. (if applicable)
- Copies of all graduate-level transcripts that include relevant course work. (if applicable)
Review of applications will begin November 20, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.
CSUSM is currently not sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment that are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the “Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.
CSUSM has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and was recently named one of the top 32 Colleges most friendly to junior faculty by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education. Visit Faculty Opportunities for more information.
California State University San Marcos is an Equal Opportunity Employer strongly committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the campus community. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation and veteran or military status.
Per the California State University’s Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is prohibited from hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. Working in the State of California is a condition of employment.
The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
This position is subject to employment verification, education verification, reference checks and criminal record checks. An offer of appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, including a criminal records check, and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act Notification can be found at Clery Act Notification.
Advertised: October 14, 2026 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:
Job no: 562610
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: San Marcos
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Natural Sciences
Rank: Assistant Professor
Department: Physics
Starting Date: Fall 2027
Summary
California State University San Marcos has an opening for a tenure track assistant professor of physics to begin August 2027. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, engineering physics, or a closely related field with specialization in geophysics, continuum mechanics, fluid dynamics, rheology, soft condensed matter, structure of materials, granular materials or related areas. CSUSM values teaching undergraduates and involving them in research. The campus is located on a scenic hillside 15 miles east of the Pacific Ocean in the San Diego North County region, an area known for its temperate climate and growing technology industries. CSUSM offers a B.S. in Applied Physics and was a 2020 recipient of the APS Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education. We seek faculty candidates to help establish an applied mechanics track within an Applied Physics bachelor’s degree program.
Minimum Qualifications
- Applicants must possess a doctorate in Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, or a closely related field with specialization in geophysics, continuum mechanics, fluid dynamics, rheology, soft condensed matter, structure of materials, granular materials, or related areas.
- Applicants with ABD status will be considered and may be interviewed, but the applicant must possess the doctorate degree from an accredited university at the time of appointment for this position.
- Candidates must demonstrate teaching excellence, a commitment to exploring the use of research-based instructional practices, and an ability to teach courses across the undergraduate physics curriculum.
- Candidates must possess a record of published research commensurate with years of experience, and the ability to develop and sustain a research program involving undergraduates that will lead to original, peer-reviewed publications.
- Candidates must be able to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with departmental colleagues and in our campus community.
Preferred Qualifications
- Preference will be given to candidates who can contribute to developing and offering an applied mechanics track within an Applied Physics bachelor’s degree program.
- Preference will be given to candidates with experience with Finite Element Analysis and other techniques and software packages relevant to applied mechanics research and industry.
- Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated intercultural competence in teaching, research, and/or service.
Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $8,500 - $9,167 per month
CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,221 - $13,224 per month
Application Procedure
Click Apply Now to complete the CSUSM Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:
- Cover letter specifically addressing minimum and preferred qualifications (2 pages maximum).
- Curriculum vitae.
- Statement of teaching philosophy (2 pages maximum).
- Statement of research plans (2 pages maximum).
- Contact information for 3 references.
Additional Requirements
- Reprints of representative publications and works in process. (if applicable)
- Summary of student teaching evaluations with average GPA for each class taught. (if applicable)
- Copies of all graduate-level transcripts that include relevant course work. (if applicable)
Review of applications will begin November 20, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.
CSUSM is currently not sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment that are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the “Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.
CSUSM has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and was recently named one of the top 32 Colleges most friendly to junior faculty by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education. Visit Faculty Opportunities for more information.
California State University San Marcos is an Equal Opportunity Employer strongly committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the campus community. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation and veteran or military status.
Per the California State University’s Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is prohibited from hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. Working in the State of California is a condition of employment.
The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
This position is subject to employment verification, education verification, reference checks and criminal record checks. An offer of appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, including a criminal records check, and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act Notification can be found at Clery Act Notification.
Advertised: October 14, 2026 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:
Physics Job Roles in California
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Search Physics Jobs in CaliforniaPhysics Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for physicists in California?
California's national laboratories are among the most active sponsors, including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Aerospace and defense employers such as Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Boeing also sponsor physics roles, particularly in Southern California. Semiconductor companies including Applied Materials and KLA sponsor physicists for materials and process research positions.
Which visa types are most common for physics roles in California?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa for physics roles in California, as most positions require at least a bachelor's degree in physics or a closely related field, satisfying the specialty occupation requirement. Postdoctoral researchers at universities frequently use J-1 visa exchange visitor status. Physicists with exceptional records of research achievement may qualify for the O-1A visa or employment-based green card categories such as EB-1A or EB-2 NIW.
Which cities in California have the most physics sponsorship jobs?
The San Francisco Bay Area leads, driven by national laboratories in Berkeley and Menlo Park, university research at UC Berkeley and Stanford, and semiconductor employers throughout Silicon Valley. Los Angeles and the surrounding region support significant demand through JPL in Pasadena, defense contractors in El Segundo and Torrance, and research institutions at UCLA and Caltech. San Diego also has a notable concentration in biophysics and photonics.
How to find physics visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters physics job listings to show only employers who sponsor visas, saving time spent researching individual company policies. You can search specifically for California-based physics roles spanning national laboratories, universities, and private sector employers. Because physics positions vary widely by specialization, filtering by subfield or employer type on Migrate Mate helps narrow results to roles that match your research background.
Are there state-specific considerations for physicists seeking visa sponsorship in California?
California's concentration of federally funded national laboratories means many physics positions are subject to security clearance requirements, which can restrict eligibility for some international candidates. Department of Energy facilities in particular often limit certain roles to U.S. persons. University postdoc positions offer more open access for international physicists. Prevailing wage determinations for physics roles in the Bay Area are among the highest in the country given regional cost of living, which employers must certify when filing H-1B Labor Condition Applications.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored physics jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.