Adjunct Faculty - Department of Biology

Working Title: Adjunct Faculty - Department of Biology

State Role Title: Instructional Faculty - Part Time

Position Type: Adjunct Faculty

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Science and Mathematics

Department: 100006 - Biology Department

Pay Band: N/A

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:  

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 10/19/2026

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Department of Biology at James Madison University invites applications for part-time Adjunct Instructors to teach Introductory Biology, Anatomy, and Physiology labs. We seek instructors who are committed to hands-on learning, laboratory safety, and high-quality undergraduate instruction. JMU's Introductory Biology labs are core requirements for students majoring in Biology, and the Anatomy and Physiology labs serve multiple majors and programs.

Our program uses a standardized curriculum and syllabus to ensure consistency and fairness across all sections. Course materials and laboratory experimental procedures will be provided to help guide instructors. Each lab section meets for 2 (Physiology) or 3 hours (Introductory Biology, Anatomy), including a pre-lab lecture to prepare students for the day's experiment.

Compensation varies depending on the number of hours the lab meets per week.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Teaching & Course Delivery
• Teach assigned laboratory sections under the supervision of the Academic Unit Head and Lab Coordinators.
• Maintain alignment with the shared curriculum and weekly lab schedule.
• Create an engaging, student-centered learning environment that supports both conceptual understanding and experimental technique.
• Meet weekly for lab prep meetings.

Student Engagement & Assessment
• Provide timely, constructive, rubric-based feedback.
• Submit final grades on time and issue student success alerts when appropriate.
• Collaborating with the Laboratory Coordinator and Department Chair to strengthen safety culture.

Professional Expectations
• Communicate regularly with Laboratory Coordinator.
• Maintain current subject-matter expertise and best practices in laboratory instruction.
• Uphold professional conduct, ethics, and all University policies.
• Coordinate instructional needs with the Laboratory Coordinator (lab setup and breakdown are handled by staff).

Qualifications:

Candidates must have:
• A Master's degree or Doctoral degree in Biology, Physiology, Anatomy, or a related field.
• Ability to teach undergraduate Introductory Biology, Anatomy, and/or Physiology.
• Commitment to following the common laboratory curriculum and schedule.
• Strong professional communication skills and commitment to laboratory safety.

Additional Posting Information:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning 10/19/2026. Please complete the online application and submit the following documents:
• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae

All materials should be submitted through the online application.

Questions may be directed to the JMU Biology Department Academic Unit Head at [email protected]

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or [email protected]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.