Biology / Environmental Science - Adjunct Faculty

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 1,251 - 1,326; Part time

Job summary

Oakton College is seeking part-time biology faculty for the 2026‑27 academic year. The position pays on a lecture hour equivalent (LHE) basis, with rates of $1251/LHE (no doctorates) or $1326/LHE (doctorates).

Faculty advance after completing 2 fall and spring semesters with at least 3 LHEs taught per semester, and assignments depend on enrollment. Responsibilities include syllabus construction, delivery of lectures and labs, student evaluation, and maintaining records while adhering to

Qualifications

• Master's degree in biology or biology education with relevant work/research experience for at least 2 years.
• PhD preferred for certain biology disciplines is listed as preferred not required.

Responsibilities

• Create a course syllabus aligned with the generic syllabus and set course objectives, content, and grading criteria.
• Prepare lectures, presentations, and instructional materials for lectures and labs as appropriate.
• Deliver instruction and be prepared for scheduled courses and labs.
• Consult with and evaluate students.
• Maintain clear records on student performance and attendance as part of grading.
• Comply with departmental/institutional policies, submit midterm/final grades, maintain office hours, and follow the AFA contract.

Skills

Syllabus design

Lecture delivery

Student evaluation

Record keeping

Education

Master's degree in biology or biology education

Job description

Job Description

Part‑time faculty are paid on a lecture hour equivalent (LHE) basis. For most courses, the LHE is the same as a credit hour. For others, the LHE represents additional work for teaching the class, such as grading papers for Composition classes or teaching a class with a laboratory section (computers, languages, and the sciences); in those cases, the LHE represents a figure higher than the credit hour. All part‑time faculty start at the beginning pay rates, regardless of the level and type of experience obtained elsewhere. For the 2026‑27 academic year rates are $1251/LHE for faculty without doctorates and $1326/LHE for faculty with doctorates. Part‑time faculty advance one step within the salary schedule with the successful completion of 2 fall & spring semesters where 3+ LHEs are taught in each semester. Part‑time faculty are hired on a semester‑by‑semester basis. A reasonable effort is made to assure the assignment of courses to more senior part‑time faculty who are fully qualified by virtue of their education, training, work experience as related to current technology and pedagogical techniques, and who have had a history of successful performance at Oakton College. All assignments are conditioned on sufficient enrollment. Once a course starts, the part‑time faculty member is expected to complete the course.

Essential Functions of the Position

• Construction of a course syllabus, consistent with the generic course syllabus that stipulates course objectives, content, and grading criteria.
• Preparation of course presentations and instructional materials for lecture, and laboratory and clinical functions (as appropriate).
• Delivery of instruction, including being prepared for and meeting courses and laboratories (if appropriate) at scheduled times.
• Consultation with and evaluation of students.
• Maintenance of clear records on student performance, as well as any other factors such as attendance involved with the grading of students.
• Compliance with departmental and institutional policies and procedures including but not limited to submission of midterm and final grades, keeping office hours, and decisions regarding instructional matters such as texts, assignments, and grading standards; also adhering to provisions of the AFA contract.
• Compliance with institutional procedures.

Requirements

• Master's degree in biology, one of the biological sciences and relevant work/research experience for a minimum of 2 years, or Master’s degree in biology education with at least 18 graduate hours in biology, and relevant work/research experience for a minimum of 2 years.

Preferred

• Teaching experience at an educational institution.
• Doctoral degree in biology, one of the biological sciences, or biology education with at least 18 graduate hours in ecology, zoology, botany, evolution, restoration ecology, or environmental science courses.
• Masters degree in Biology with 18 or more graduate credit hours in ecology, zoology, botany, evolution, or environmental science courses.
• Masters degree in Zoology, Botany or Ecology.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oakton College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration.