What are the responsibilities and job description for the AY 2026-2027 - University Studies New Adjunct Faculty Pool position at Career Center at Portland State University?
Position Announcement
Position Details
Proposed Start Date 09/16/2026 Working Title AY 2026-2027 - University Studies New Adjunct Faculty Pool Department 222700 - UGE Univ Studies-General Ed Position Number D97734 Representation AP - AFT, Local 3571
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
University Studies (UNST) is the award winning, nationally-recognized, integrated, interdisciplinary general education program for Portland State University. UNST is guided by its vision, “challenging us to think holistically, care deeply, and engage courageously in imagining and co-creating a just world.” To that end, the program emphasizes reflective practice and student-centered learning in a caring community. University Studies collaborates widely across academic units at Portland State University, working with 40 academic departments and programs to deliver over 300 UNST-specific courses per term.
The program consists of four levels each with its own organizational structure: Freshman Inquiry, Sophomore Inquiry, Junior Clusters, and Senior Capstones.
Portland State’s 49-acre downtown campus is located in the heart of one of America’s most vibrant centers of culture, business and technology. We are recognized throughout the world for programs like Urban Planning, Social Work, and Environmental Studies that directly engage the community, and aim our students towards the creation of a better, more sustainable world.
Position Summary
University Studies Program collects new applications throughout the academic year to fill vacancies. Review of applications occurs as new sections or instructors are needed.
University Studies faculty model intellectual passion and curiosity because they believe in the fundamental aspiration of higher education to prepare people to improve the world.
Our faculty are inclusive, interdisciplinary, and practice inquiry-based pedagogy that:
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s Degree or equivalent.
All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027.
Preferred Qualifications
Terminal Degree.
Key Cultural Competencies
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 Adjuncts are paid per credit hour, and are hired on either a per term or an academic year basis, per the PSUFA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Application Instructions
Additional Information
Details about compensation and other components of the Portland State University Faculty Association Union (PSUFA) can be found at: https://www.pdx.edu/academic-affairs/academic-unions
Returning UNST Adjunct Faculty should contact University Studies for application instructions.
All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027.
Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No Background Check Required Yes
Search Details
Posting Close Date Projected Close Date for Posting Open Until Finalists Identified
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Required Documents
Position Details
Proposed Start Date 09/16/2026 Working Title AY 2026-2027 - University Studies New Adjunct Faculty Pool Department 222700 - UGE Univ Studies-General Ed Position Number D97734 Representation AP - AFT, Local 3571
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
University Studies (UNST) is the award winning, nationally-recognized, integrated, interdisciplinary general education program for Portland State University. UNST is guided by its vision, “challenging us to think holistically, care deeply, and engage courageously in imagining and co-creating a just world.” To that end, the program emphasizes reflective practice and student-centered learning in a caring community. University Studies collaborates widely across academic units at Portland State University, working with 40 academic departments and programs to deliver over 300 UNST-specific courses per term.
The program consists of four levels each with its own organizational structure: Freshman Inquiry, Sophomore Inquiry, Junior Clusters, and Senior Capstones.
Portland State’s 49-acre downtown campus is located in the heart of one of America’s most vibrant centers of culture, business and technology. We are recognized throughout the world for programs like Urban Planning, Social Work, and Environmental Studies that directly engage the community, and aim our students towards the creation of a better, more sustainable world.
Position Summary
University Studies Program collects new applications throughout the academic year to fill vacancies. Review of applications occurs as new sections or instructors are needed.
University Studies faculty model intellectual passion and curiosity because they believe in the fundamental aspiration of higher education to prepare people to improve the world.
Our faculty are inclusive, interdisciplinary, and practice inquiry-based pedagogy that:
- provokes students to build self-efficacy through relational learning across difference
- encourages a community of educators to practice engaged teaching for transformative learning
- advances civic engagement, reflective practice, and the scholarship of teaching and learning
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s Degree or equivalent.
All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027.
Preferred Qualifications
Terminal 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.
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 Adjuncts are paid per credit hour, and are hired on either a per term or an academic year basis, per the PSUFA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Application Instructions
Additional Information
Details about compensation and other components of the Portland State University Faculty Association Union (PSUFA) can be found at: https://www.pdx.edu/academic-affairs/academic-unions
Returning UNST Adjunct Faculty should contact University Studies for application instructions.
All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027.
Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No Background Check Required Yes
Search Details
Posting Close Date Projected Close Date for Posting Open Until Finalists Identified
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * What does it mean to have a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion? How have you demonstrated that commitment, and how would you develop and apply your commitment to create a classroom environment that is welcoming, inclusive and responsive to diverse points of view and learning styles)? Please limit your answer to 500 words. (Open Ended Question)
- * Please select which University Studies level you are interested in teaching. Please note that Senior Capstone courses are taught by invitation only since they require a proposal process.
- High School Senior Inquiry (may require earlier start date)
- Sophomore Inquiry
- Freshman Inquiry
- Senior Capstone
- * Based on your answer(s) to the question about which level you would like to teach. Please list no more than three(3) courses or themes for which you are interested in teaching AND your qualifications to teach that course or theme. You can view our courses and themes on our website. https://www.pdx.edu/university-studies (Open Ended Question)
- * Have you facilitated an online or hybrid (partially online) course? If so, what subject(s)? (Open Ended Question)
- * Have you facilitated a community-based learning project or course? If so, please describe briefly. (Open Ended Question)
- * Have you taught writing across the curriculum? If so, please describe briefly. (Open Ended Question)
- * Please list special studies, honors, offices held, special abilities, or other information you feel would be helpful in considering your application for employment. (Open Ended Question)
- * Which terms would you prefer to teach?
- Fall (late September-mid-December)
- Winter (January-March)
- Spring (April-June)
- Summer (June-August)
- * Please share the days and times you are available to teach during the terms you selected. (Open Ended Question)
Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Professional References