Biology Generalist - Adjunct Faculty

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 1,723,377 - 1,826,697; Part time

Job summary

Oakton College is seeking part-time biology instructors to teach across multiple courses including BIO 101 and BIO 240, with duties spanning syllabus construction, lecture preparation, and student assessment. Candidates should be available evenings and weekends and willing to teach online as needed.

Starting pay is $1,251 per LHE for non-doctoral faculty or $1,326 per LHE for faculty with doctorates, with advancement after two fall and spring semesters of teaching 3+ LHEs each semester.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in biology or biology education with 18 graduate hours in biology.
• Doctoral degree in biology or related field preferred.
• Teaching experience at educational institution is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Construct course syllabus aligned with course objectives and grading criteria.
• Prepare presentations and instructional materials for lectures and labs.
• Deliver instruction and meet courses at scheduled times.
• Consult with and evaluate students.
• Maintain records of student performance and attendance.

Skills

Teaching

Curriculum design

Student assessment

Education

Master's degree in biology (18 graduate hours)

Doctoral degree in biology or related field (preferred)

Job description

Job Description

Part‑time faculty are paid on a lecture hour equivalents (LHE) basis. For most courses the LHE is the same as a credit hour. For others the LHE represents additional work such as grading or teaching a laboratory section. All part‑time faculty start at the beginning pay rates, regardless of experience. For the 2026‑27 academic year the rates are $1,251/LHE for faculty without doctorates and $1,326/LHE for faculty with doctorates.

Part‑time faculty advance one step within the salary schedule with the successful completion of two fall & spring semesters where 3+ LHEs are taught each semester. Faculty are hired on a semester‑by‑semester basis and assignments are conditioned on sufficient enrollment. Once a course starts, the faculty member is expected to complete the course.

Essential Functions

• 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, 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, attendance, and other factors involved in grading students.
• Compliance with departmental and institutional policies and procedures, including 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, or Master's degree in biology education with at least 18 graduate hours in biology.

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 biology.
• Relevant work/research experience for a minimum of 2 years.

Additional Information

• Position is for a BIO generalist. Candidate could teach any of the following courses: BIO 101 Introduction to Life Sciences, BIO 104 Human Genetics, BIO 105 Human Genetics with a lab, BIO 109 Plants and Society, BIO 110 Sex, Gender and Health, BIO 112 Essentials of Nutrition, BIO 114 Basic Anatomy and Physiology, BIO 115 Animals and Society, BIO 116 Microbes and Society, BIO 121 General College Biology I, BIO 122 General College Biology II, BIO 240 Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Laboratory Research.
• Requires availability to teach in the evening and/or on weekends.
• Requires availability to teach on both the Des Plaines and Skokie campuses.
• Requires availability to teach online.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oakton College is an equal opportunity employer.

Application Instructions

Please submit a current resume, cover letter, and a list of at least three professional references with contact information. Oakton College conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law and in accordance with the Illinois Department of Human Rights Conviction Record Protection Act of March 2021.