What are the responsibilities and job description for the Biology, Adjunct Faculty position at University of Saint Joseph?
The University of Saint Joseph, founded by the Sisters of Mercy, provides a rigorous liberal arts and professional education for a diverse student population in an inclusive environment that encourages strong ethical values, personal integrity, and a sense of responsibility to the needs of society.
The University has been recognized as a top national university in Connecticut by U.S. News & World Report's Best College Rankings including being the #1 Connecticut University in "Top Performers on Social Mobility," #2 Connecticut University in "Best Value Schools," and #3 Connecticut University in "Best National Universities."
Ideally situated midway between Boston and New York City, the beautiful 90-acre Olmsted-designed campus is one mile from West Hartford's thriving downtown, and provides an array of cultural events, occasions for spiritual development, and fitness and recreational options. The University also has an active presence outside our campus, reaching into the surrounding community through internships, community service projects, new programs, and partnerships.
At the University of Saint Joseph, our mission statement profoundly resonates with our faculty and staff and serves as the foundation upon which our employment policy is built. We seek to attract, develop, and retain individuals who are committed to our mission. We are committed to providing an environment where diverse talents, perspectives, experiences and contributions are recognized, and one that promotes the "growth of the whole person" with resources that enable employees to meet professional and personal life needs.
Job Description:
The University of Saint Joseph invites qualified applicants to serve as part-time adjunct faculty within the Biology Department. The department is actively recruiting several adjuncts for the Fall 2026 semester for faculty to teach one or more sections of General Biology Laboratory. These laboratory courses meet in person once per week for two hours and include topics such as microscopy, graphing using Excel, enzymes, polymerase chain reaction, and gel electrophoresis.
Interested candidates need to have availability from either 1 – 3 p.m. or 3 – 5 p.m. on either Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays.
The Biology Department in the School of Arts, Sciences, Business and Education offers both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biology. In addition to serving Biology majors, the department provides service courses for Nursing, Nutrition, Health Science, Biochemistry, and Exercise Science majors. Faculty in the department are actively involved in mentoring research, and tailor degree electives to specific career focuses such as healthcare, environmental science, and biomedical science.
Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
- Teach 2-6 credits designated as contact time with the students.
- Prepare pre-lab lectures, projects, homework, assessments, and other student assignments that align with the course syllabus.
- Grade all student assignments in a timely manner. Provide appropriate feedback to students to promote academic success.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours; Adjunct must be available a minimum of one additional hour per week, either in-person or virtually, to provide support to students.
- Attend program/department meetings as requested.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the current methods and practices for teaching college-level courses; present qualified and clear instruction related to the course subject.
- Learn and utilize technology offered at USJ to facilitate teaching.
- Meet all designated class periods in the semester as dictated by the academic calendar.
- Submit mid-semester and final grades to the Registrar's Office within required time-frames, leave all course records with the department chairperson upon completion of the course.
- Provide a supportive atmosphere for student success.
Qualifications:
- Master's degree or higher in the scientific discipline of Biology or related field when teaching undergraduate courses. Degrees must be from a regionally accredited institution.
- Cultural competency to work with diverse student and/or employee population.
- Commitment to the University of Saint Joseph mission.
- Prior teaching experience strongly preferred.
Additional Information:
- Teaching assignments are part-time, on a semester basis only and are dependent on student enrollment and department need.
- Regular attendance is an essential job function as it demonstrates dependability towards the performance of job duties.
Adjunct rates per 2-credit lab course:
Non-Terminal Degree/0-6 Credits Teaching Experience = $2000
Terminal Degree/0-6 Credits Teaching Experience = $2133
Non-Terminal Degree/7 Credits Teaching Experience = $2267
Terminal Degree/7 Credits Teaching Experience = $2467
Application Instructions:
If interested in this position, please apply and upload a CV/resume and brief cover letter (one page or less).
In your cover letter please briefly discuss subject area strengths, interests, and any applicable teaching experience, and your availability as it pertains to the advertised courses.
The Department Chairperson will review your application. If there is an opening in a subject area you are qualified to teach, the department will contact you directly to discuss the specific opportunity. Thank you for your interest in joining the University of Saint Joseph as adjunct faculty.