Lecturer - Biology

Washington University; Missouri; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis invites applications for two full-time Lecturers in Biology starting January 2, 2027. These nine-month, non-tenure track appointments focus on undergraduate education and teaching core courses.

Primary duties include teaching Principles of Biology I & II, advising, and service. Opportunities exist for curriculum development and pedagogical innovation; teaching-only track with possible promotion to Senior Lecturer and Teaching Professor.

Qualifications

• Education: A diploma, certification or degree is not required.
• Certifications/Professional Licenses: No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• Work Experience: No specific work experience is required for this position.
• Skills: Not applicable
• Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.
• Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in biology or a closely related field by the start date.
• Previous teaching experience at the college or university level is required.

Responsibilities

• Teach core courses Principles of Biology I and II; team-taught.
• Contribute to teaching lectures and introductory biology labs each semester.
• Duties equal to full-time teaching load including advising and service.
• Opportunity to participate in curriculum development and pedagogical innovation.
• Professional development and promotion considerations under university guidelines.

Education

Ph.D. in Biology

Teaching experience at college/university level

Job description

Location: ST. LOUIS, MO 63130

Position Summary

For full consideration, applications should be received by October 15, 2026. The Department of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis invites applications for two full-time Lecturer positions to join our teaching faculty beginning January 2, 2027. These are nine-month, non-tenure track appointments. The Biology Department is home to a distinguished community of faculty, educators, and scholars and has a longstanding commitment to excellence in undergraduate education. Our teaching faculty work with academically talented, intellectually curious, and highly engaged students drawn from across Washington University’s undergraduate programs. Initial appointments at the rank of Lecturer are renewed annually, with reappointment contingent upon successful annual evaluation and review. The Department of Biology has a strong record of retaining and promoting teaching-track faculty and views these positions as important long-term contributors to the Department’s educational mission. Lecturers who demonstrate sustained excellence in teaching and service may be considered for promotion to Senior Lecturer and Teaching Professor, following the University’s teaching-track promotion guidelines.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Successful candidates will join a collegial group of teaching-track faculty committed to excellence in undergraduate biology education. Primary teaching responsibilities will be within the Department’s core courses, Principles of Biology 1 and 2. These courses cover foundational biology content including the central dogma, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and evolution. These courses are team-taught and serve the biology major, biomedical engineering majors, and pre-health programs. Each position requires duties equivalent to a full-time teaching load, which is a combination of teaching, advising, plus department and university service. The individuals who fill each position will be expected to contribute to teaching both lecture sections and introductory biology lab sections each semester. Although the primary role will be teaching in the core course sequence for the first year, members of our teaching team are encouraged to contribute to other Biology Department courses that align departmental needs with their expertise and interests. Opportunities also exist to participate in curriculum development, pedagogical innovation, and other initiatives supporting undergraduate education. While these are both teaching-focused appointments and research productivity is not an expectation of the positions, teaching-track faculty are encouraged to engage in professional development and contribute to curricular and pedagogical innovation. Professional development, pedagogical innovation, and service are important considerations for promotion along the University’s promotion guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• Education: A diploma, certification or degree is not required.
• Certifications/Professional Licenses: No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• Work Experience: No specific work experience is required for this position.
• Skills: Not Applicable
• Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.
• Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in biology or a closely related field by the start date.
• Previous teaching experience at the college or university level is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy - Biology
• Certifications/Professional Licenses: No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
• Work Experience: No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
• Skills: Not Applicable

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request. All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Company Culture

Washington University in St. Louis' collective success is significantly attributed to the passion and outstanding efforts of our community. Our staff, faculty and trainees are committed to excellence and dedicated to carrying out our missions of research, teaching and patient care. WashU prides itself on being a place where people matter, and serious work is done. Our people work together in an inclusive community that celebrates diverse perspectives, collaboration and innovation. We are a community of individuals inspired to work together to develop big ideas and tackle challenging problems. We value the well-being of our people. WashU strives to create a positive employee experience where staff, faculty and trainees thrive, both personally and professionally. Our employees find meaning, connection and vitality in their work and life with a healthy work-life balance and support to learn, grow and make an impact at WashU, the community and the world.