Instructor in Biology, Plant Biology

The Department of Biology at Oberlin College invites applications for a non-continuing adjunct instructor in the College of Arts and Sciences. Appointment to this position will be for one lecture and lab course in the fall 2026 semester. Founded in 1833, Oberlin is a private four-year, selective liberal arts college near Cleveland, Ohio and is also home to an outstanding Conservatory of Music. Together, the two divisions enroll approximately 2900 students. Oberlin College was the first college in the US to make interracial education and co-education central to its mission. The College continues to view a diverse, equitable and inclusive educational environment as essential to the excellence of its academic program. Among liberal arts colleges, Oberlin is a national leader in successfully placing graduates into PhD programs. The Oberlin Department of Biology includes 10 full-time tenure-track faculty whose research and teaching specialties span the breadth of the biological sciences. The department graduates approximately 50 majors per year. The incumbent will teach an upper-level lecture and laboratory Plant Biology course in fall 2026.

Other responsibilities include:

• Be available for helping students outside of the course nominally three hours per week.
• Maintain laboratory resources (specimens, models) as necessary for the course.
• Communicate and work with other faculty, including the department chair, as needed to develop and maintain the course.
• Keep inventory, order supplies and equipment pertaining to the course.
• Write student recommendation letters where appropriate.

Qualifications Among the qualifications required for appointment is a postgraduate professional or academic degree, e.g. Master's, Doctorate, etc. (in hand or expected by fall semester 2026). Candidates must demonstrate interest and potential excellence in undergraduate teaching. Successful teaching experience at the college level is desirable. Oberlin College is committed to student and faculty diversity, equity and inclusion. The incumbent will bring understanding of or experience working with underrepresented and diverse academic populations. Oberlin is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the excellence and diversity of the academic community through their research, teaching, and service. Oberlin College is committed to creating and sustaining a vibrant, welcoming community where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, and where every member has an equal opportunity to learn, work, and contribute based on their talents, skills, and merit. We value a campus environment that draws on a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and ideas to enrich education, scholarship, and daily interactions. The College adheres strictly to all applicable federal and state civil rights laws, including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the Equal Protection Clause, and related regulations. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic in employment, admissions, or educational programs. Hiring and advancement decisions are made based on qualifications, experience, and job-related criteria. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence, free inquiry, respectful dialogue, and equal opportunity under the law to apply. The Office for Institutional Equity plays a key role in supporting a fair, compliant, and inclusive workplace and learning environment for the entire Oberlin community.