Adjunct Instructor 2026-2027

Career Center at Portland State University; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 33,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

Portland State University’s Toulan School of Urban Studies & Planning invites adjunct instructors for the 2026-2027 year to teach Active Transportation Planning (Fall 2026), Visual Communications for Planning (Winter 2027), and Urban Transportation Planning (Spring 2027) in Portland, Oregon. Minimum qualifications: a graduate degree in the field (Masters or equivalent) with three years of professional experience, or current Ph.D.

candidate in Urban Studies; Doctorate preferred.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in the subject (Masters or equivalent) and three years professional experience, or current Ph.D. candidate in Urban Studies.

Responsibilities

• Teach adjunct courses: Active Transportation Planning (Fall 2026), Visual Communications for Planning (Winter 2027), Urban Transportation Planning (Spring 2027).
• Contribute to student learning and engagement in a university setting.
• Maintain professional standards and participate in department activities as needed.

Skills

Professional experience

Education

Graduate degree in Urban Studies or related field

Job description

Position Announcement

Position Details

Proposed Start Date 09/16/2026
Working Title Adjunct Instructor 2026-2027
Department 310400 - USP Urban Studies & Planning
Position Number D97709
Representation AP - AFT, Local 3571

Position Summary

The Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning offers programs for future-focused, problem-solving undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students who want to begin or extend their careers in community service. The Toulan School’s location in the heart of downtown Portland, Oregon affords students the unique opportunity to learn from, influence, analyze and share the urban innovations for which Portland and the Pacific Northwest are known. Undergraduate and graduate students engage directly with Portland-area non-profit organizations, business and governmental agencies and private sector firms, gaining practical experience and real-world understanding of the complexity and challenges of creating socially just and sustainable metropolitan regions.

The school offers a doctorate in urban studies, and undergraduate degrees in community, urban studies, and planning, and two masters degrees: a Masters in urban studies, and a Masters in urban and regional planning. We also participate in university-wide certificate programs in energy, food systems, transportation, urban design, real estate development, and applied demography.

https://www.pdx.edu/urban-studies-planning/

We are seeking adjunct instructors for the 2026-2027 academic year who are qualified to teach the following courses:

• Active Transportation Planning (USP 4/511) Fall 2026
• Visual Communications for Planning (USP 573) Winter 2027
• Urban Transportation Planning (USP 544) Spring 2027

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to [e-mail]. The list of available courses may be updated over the coming months.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduate degree in the subject (Masters or equivalent) and three years professional experience, or current Ph.D. candidate in Urban Studies.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctorate degree.

Key Cultural Competencies

• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Required Professional Standards of Conduct

At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct which are available at www.pdx.edu/hr/professional-standards-conduct.

Compensation

The starting rate is $1,445 per credit per PSUFA collective bargaining agreement.

Application Instructions

Additional Information

A background check is required for adjunct faculty who have not taught in the department during a previous academic year. Candidates for courses planned for in-person or hybrid delivery will be expected to be present in Portland for campus-based instruction.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• Statement of Teaching Interest
• Link to professional websites, news articles, etc
• Professional References