Sessional Instructor: Neuroscience 411, BSc Neuroscience Program, Faculty of Science

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 8,000 - 12,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Calgary invites applications for a Sessional Instructor to teach Neuroscience 411 - Cellular and Systems Neuroscience for the Winter 2027 term. The appointee will handle all lectures and course coordination for a 1.0 HCE course, delivered in person.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in neuroscience or related field and have university teaching experience, strong communication skills, and a commitment to inclusive education.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in neuroscience, neurobiology, neurochemistry, or a related field.
• Experience teaching at the university level with ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for clear course materials and feedback.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and dynamic educational environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver course content for Neuroscience 411: Cellular and Systems Neuroscience.
• Design engaging lectures and discussions on neurochemistry and neural signaling.
• Provide feedback on assignments and exams to support student growth.
• Stay current with neuroscience research and integrate findings into materials.
• Mentor and advise students on academic and career paths in neuroscience.

Skills

University teaching experience

Strong written communication

Strong verbal communication

Inclusive teaching approach

Education

Ph.D. or terminal degree in neuroscience or related field

Job description

Description

Sessional Instructor: Neuroscience 411, BSc Neuroscience Program, Faculty of Science

The BSc Neuroscience Program within the Faculty of Science invites applications for a Sessional Instructor. The appointee will teach Neuroscience 411 - Cellular and Systems Neuroscience in the Winter 2027 term. This position will constitute a 1.0 HCE (Winter term course). The successful candidate will be responsible for all lectures and course coordination.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver comprehensive course content that covers the structure and function of the nervous system, with a particular emphasis on neurochemistry and intracellular signal transduction.
• Design and implement engaging lectures and discussions that explore mechanisms of neuronal communication and the functional organization of the nervous system at various levels.
• Foster a stimulating and interactive learning environment that encourages student participation, critical thinking, and hands‑on learning.
• Provide thorough and constructive feedback on student evaluation components (assignments, exams, etc.) supporting their academic and professional growth.
• Stay current with advancements in neuroscience, incorporating the latest research findings into course materials and discussions.
• Mentor and advise students, helping them navigate their academic and career paths in neuroscience.

NEUR 411 - Cellular and Systems Neuroscience

The selected instructor will guide students through an in-depth examination of the nervous system, focusing on neurochemistry, intracellular signal transduction, communication mechanisms, and the functional organization of the nervous system at both cellular and systems levels. Your expertise will help students understand the complexities of neuronal function and the sophisticated organization that underlies neural communication and overall nervous system operation.

Winter 2027 Term Dates: January 4 - April 30, 2027

Contract Start Date: December 1, 2026

Start of Classes: January 11, 2027

End of Classes: April 13, 2027

Delivery Mode: All course components will be delivered in person.

Lecture Schedule: TuTh 12:30-15:45

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in neuroscience, neurobiology, neurochemistry, or a related field.
• Prior experience teaching at the university level, with a strong track record of effectively communicating complex scientific concepts to diverse student audiences.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for making intricate material accessible and engaging.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and dynamic educational environment that supports and values diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

NOTE

• Applicants who have taught as a sessional instructor in the Faculty of Science within the past two years may opt to only submit a cover letter and current CV.
• Only those candidates chosen to proceed in the selection process will be contacted.
• A strong internal candidate has expressed interest in accepting this position.

Application Deadline

October 15, 2026.

BSc Honours in Neuroscience Program

The B.Sc. Neuroscience program is a multidisciplinary program offered by the Faculty of Science in conjunction with the Faculty of Arts (Department of Psychology), the Cummins School of Medicine (CSM), and the Hotchkiss Brain Research Institute (HBI). Embracing curiosity‑driven, discovery‑based, and hands‑on learning principles, the program offers a comprehensive “bench‑to‑bedside and molecule‑to‑behaviour” interdisciplinary neuroscience curriculum. Students are presented with opportunities to integrate fundamental and applied aspects of neuroscience with a research‑intensive training experience and ample opportunities to work with world‑class neuroscientists in their pursuit of the unknown. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.ucalgary.ca/bscneuro/

The University of Calgary has launched an institution‑wide Indigenous Strategy iiʼ taaʼpohʼtó committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding diversity EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([e-mail]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([e-mail]).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

The terms and conditions of this appointment, including salary, are governed by the collective agreement between the Faculty Association of the University of Calgary and the Governors of the University of Calgary. Detailed information is available here.

For a listing of all academic opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Academic Careers website. For more information about the Facultyof Science, click here.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest‑ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands‑on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start‑ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit‑based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous‑based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and policies at the University of Calgary.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders – in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world‑class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

With a growing urban Indigenous population of approximately 50,000 people, there are several Indigenous organizations and many events and ceremonies taking place in the city throughout the year.