STEM OPT Jobs in Kansas
F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Kansas are concentrated in agriculture technology, aerospace manufacturing, and energy engineering, with employers in Wichita, Overland Park, and the Kansas City metro actively filing E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT extensions for qualified international graduates.
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The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kansas seeks to fill a postdoctoral researcher position in computational and theoretical condensed matter physics. The postdoc will be co-supervised by Dr. Qunfei Zhou at the University of Kansas (KU) and Dr. Kirill Belashchenko at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).
Starting Date: Spring 2026, or as soon thereafter as the position can be filled (also negotiable).
Length of Appointment: The initial appointment would be for one year with the possibility of renewal annually for three subsequent years subject to review and to continued funding availability.
GENERAL DUTIES: The successful candidate will study exotic magnetic and topological states in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials by applying and developing advanced computational and theoretical approaches. The postdoc will work within a collaborated team of experimental and computational experts from KU and UNL.
Job Description
Job Duties:
- Conduct the computational and theoretical research on magnetic and topological properties in van der Waals materials using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, tight-binding and machine learning methods.
- Provide theoretical predictions to guide experiments, and atomic-scale physical understanding to experimental observations.
- Publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals.
- Presenting work at local and national/international scientific conferences.
Specific Job Duties (percentage of time)
- 90% – computational and theoretical research. Provide theory support to experiments. Documentation, presentation and publication of research results.
- 10% – Assist the faculty in guiding the group's graduate and undergraduate students.
Required Qualifications
Evaluation of the required qualifications and preferred qualifications will be made through (1) records of accomplishments entered in CV, (2) description of research and education experience provided in the application materials, (3) references, (4) publications as appropriate, and (5) the interview process.
- A Ph.D. in physics, materials science or a related field by date of appointment.
- Research experience in density functional theory (DFT) or tight-binding modeling of materials, as demonstrated in application materials.
NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD in hand. Appointments made without a diploma or certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an acting basis not to exceed 6 months.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in DFT or tight-binding modeling of materials, as evidenced in application materials.
- Previous work experience that required Python programming skills, as evidenced in application materials.
- Previous experience that required good communication skills, as evidenced in cover letter and other application materials.
Additional Candidate Instructions
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae (including publications list)
- At least two letters of recommendation
Application review begins Saturday, November 1, 2025, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.
Contact Information to Applicants
Qunfei Zhou (qunfei.zhou@ku.edu)
Advertised Salary Range
$58,656 commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Saturday November 1, 2025
Anticipated Start Date
Thursday January 1, 2026
Posting Information
- Posting ID: 31506BR
- Department: Physics and Astronomy
- Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
- Assignment: On-Site
- Reg/Temp: Regular
- Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
- Review Begins: 01-Nov-2025
Position Overview
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kansas seeks to fill a postdoctoral researcher position in computational and theoretical condensed matter physics. The postdoc will be co-supervised by Dr. Qunfei Zhou at the University of Kansas (KU) and Dr. Kirill Belashchenko at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).
Starting Date: Spring 2026, or as soon thereafter as the position can be filled (also negotiable).
Length of Appointment: The initial appointment would be for one year with the possibility of renewal annually for three subsequent years subject to review and to continued funding availability.
GENERAL DUTIES: The successful candidate will study exotic magnetic and topological states in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials by applying and developing advanced computational and theoretical approaches. The postdoc will work within a collaborated team of experimental and computational experts from KU and UNL.
Job Description
Job Duties:
- Conduct the computational and theoretical research on magnetic and topological properties in van der Waals materials using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, tight-binding and machine learning methods.
- Provide theoretical predictions to guide experiments, and atomic-scale physical understanding to experimental observations.
- Publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals.
- Presenting work at local and national/international scientific conferences.
Specific Job Duties (percentage of time)
- 90% – computational and theoretical research. Provide theory support to experiments. Documentation, presentation and publication of research results.
- 10% – Assist the faculty in guiding the group's graduate and undergraduate students.
Required Qualifications
Evaluation of the required qualifications and preferred qualifications will be made through (1) records of accomplishments entered in CV, (2) description of research and education experience provided in the application materials, (3) references, (4) publications as appropriate, and (5) the interview process.
- A Ph.D. in physics, materials science or a related field by date of appointment.
- Research experience in density functional theory (DFT) or tight-binding modeling of materials, as demonstrated in application materials.
NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD in hand. Appointments made without a diploma or certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an acting basis not to exceed 6 months.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in DFT or tight-binding modeling of materials, as evidenced in application materials.
- Previous work experience that required Python programming skills, as evidenced in application materials.
- Previous experience that required good communication skills, as evidenced in cover letter and other application materials.
Additional Candidate Instructions
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae (including publications list)
- At least two letters of recommendation
Application review begins Saturday, November 1, 2025, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.
Contact Information to Applicants
Qunfei Zhou (qunfei.zhou@ku.edu)
Advertised Salary Range
$58,656 commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Saturday November 1, 2025
Anticipated Start Date
Thursday January 1, 2026
Posting Information
- Posting ID: 31506BR
- Department: Physics and Astronomy
- Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
- Assignment: On-Site
- Reg/Temp: Regular
- Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
- Review Begins: 01-Nov-2025
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in Kansas
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Kansas
Verify your degree qualifies before applying
STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree program appearing on the STEM-designated programs list maintained by USCIS. Confirm your field of study classification before targeting Kansas employers, since a misclassified degree will block your extension application entirely.
Target Kansas employers enrolled in E-Verify
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before USCIS can approve a STEM OPT extension. Filter your search to companies in Wichita's aerospace corridor and Overland Park's tech sector that already participate, so you don't lose time after an offer.
Search STEM OPT sponsorship jobs through Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to find Kansas employers with verified STEM OPT sponsorship history. The platform surfaces DOL Labor Condition Application filing data by employer, so you can see which companies in Kansas have actually sponsored international STEM graduates.
File your I-983 training plan early
Your employer must co-sign Form I-983 with specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree before USCIS reviews your extension. Start this with your DSO and hiring manager at least 90 days before your OPT end date to avoid a gap in work authorization.
Use O*NET to confirm your role meets STEM criteria
Not every engineering or technical title qualifies automatically. Look up your exact job classification in O*NET to confirm the occupation aligns with your STEM degree field, which is the standard USCIS adjudicators apply when reviewing STEM OPT extension petitions.
See all 280+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Kansas
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Kansas: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Kansas sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Aerospace and defense manufacturing in Wichita leads F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Kansas, followed by agricultural technology companies in the central and western parts of the state and information technology employers concentrated in the Overland Park and Kansas City metro areas. Energy engineering and advanced manufacturing also generate consistent sponsorship activity for STEM graduates.
Which cities in Kansas have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Overland Park and the Kansas City metro area on the eastern border have the highest density of F-1 STEM OPT sponsoring employers, particularly in software development and data analytics. Wichita is the second major hub, driven by aerospace and aviation manufacturing. Lawrence and Manhattan see sponsorship activity tied to university-affiliated research and agtech employers.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Kansas?
Roles that qualify must require the direct application of a STEM-designated degree. In Kansas, that commonly includes software engineers, data analysts, aerospace engineers, electrical engineers, agricultural scientists, and environmental engineers. The job title alone doesn't determine eligibility; the actual duties must connect to the academic field on your STEM-designated program list, which USCIS evaluates through Form I-983.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Kansas?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search. It filters Kansas employers by verified STEM OPT and E-Verify status using DOL filing data, so you're not guessing which companies will support an extension. You can search by city, industry, and occupation to identify employers in Wichita or Overland Park who have a documented history of sponsoring F-1 STEM OPT workers.
Are there any Kansas-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Kansas does not impose state-level work authorization requirements beyond federal rules, but employers in regulated industries like aviation manufacturing and agricultural biotechnology often require additional background clearances that can extend hiring timelines. STEM OPT students in Kansas should also confirm their DSO at their Kansas institution has SEVIS reporting capabilities current with USCIS requirements, since reporting delays can affect extension approvals.