Academic Associate

The School of Life Sciences (SOLS) invites applications to establish a pool of instructional Academic Associates for the Spring 2026 semester. Successful candidates will support online or in-person courses under the direction of SOLS faculty, evaluate student work, communicate regularly with students and the instructional team and assist students with mastery of course objectives. SOLS welcomes applications from candidates who align with the Arizona State University (ASU) Charter and are committed to excellence and student success.

Academic Associate positions are one semester (8 or 16 weeks), non-benefits-eligible, and fixed-term appointments with no tenure implications, not to exceed .40 full-time equivalency (FTE). Individuals hired must be available for the entire duration of the appointment (8 or 16 weeks). The number of courses is contingent upon needs, funding, and sufficient student enrollment. Individuals hired as Academic Associates may not hold multiple, non-benefits-eligible appointments at ASU. Salary is a flat rate based on FTE.

This recruitment is to establish a part-time hiring pool for temporary and semester appointments. Applications are considered for the current academic year only. Applicants who are not hired are encouraged to reapply for subsequent academic years.

About The School Of Life Sciences

SOLS is embedded within the larger community at ASU, a dynamic, progressive university dedicated to interdisciplinary collaborations, rethinking university education, and integrating excellence in research and teaching. The university has been ranked #1 for innovation by the US News & World Report for 10 years in a row. We invite you to learn more about SOLS by visiting https://sols.asu.edu.

SOLS is a broad, interdisciplinary community of undergraduates, M.S., and Ph.D. students, staff, and faculty members who are committed to transforming science, research, and education. We strive to make learning more accessible, inclusive, and impactful through innovations in teaching and connections to nationally recognized research and education programs.

About The College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national, and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large, curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.

About Arizona State University

ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.

Essential Functions

• Evaluate student work, including assigning grades and offering constructive feedback, as directed by lead faculty instructor.
• Maintain ongoing communication with the faculty instructor and instructional team throughout the course, which may include regular synchronous Zoom meetings during business hours.
• Meet synchronously (via Zoom) with students individually or in small groups as needed to assist with mastery of course content.
• Moderate discussion boards as needed.
• Assist with other course-related assignments and assessments as needed.
• Respond to student inquiries and/or forward student communication to the lead faculty instructor in a timely manner (within 24 business hours).
• Maintain a positive and supportive environment.
• Exhibit a willingness to request assistance in all aspects of the role as needed.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in biological sciences, microbiology, molecular and cellular biology, or related field at time of appointment
• Expertise in one or more of the following content areas:
• General biology
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Molecular biology
• Cell biology
• Developmental biology
• Evolutionary biology
• Neurobiology
• Animal physiology
• Animal behavior
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Conservation biology
• Ecology
• Bioethics
• Plant biology
• Computational life sciences
• History of science/biology/medicine

• Must be available for the entire duration of appointment (8 or 16 weeks), ensuring consistent commitment and participation in all duties and responsibilities.
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• Successful completion of coursework related to the content areas noted above
• At least one semester of mentored teaching at the university-level post-secondary or other adult education setting (e.g., tutoring, successful teaching online biological sciences courses, undergraduate teaching assistant)
• Demonstrated success in working with a variety of learners
• Experience working collaboratively in a team environment
• Experience using innovative technology, online instruction, and other synchronous and asynchronous distance learning modalities
• At least one semester experience using course learning management systems, such as Canvas or Blackboard, and remote communication tools (e.g. Zoom, FaceTime, etc.)
• Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students and communities to advance the principles of the ASU Charter