Skip to main content

Instructor Pool – Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences - UC Berkeley Extension

We are no longer accepting applications for this recruitment. Browse open recruitments

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $2,750–$6,800 per course, or $170–$200/student for an asynchronous online course. Instructor compensation is determined by course length, number of units, enrollment, budgetary considerations, and other factors.
Percent time: Part-time temporary appointments are offered on a course-by-course basis.
Anticipated start: Some appointments may begin as early as the summer semester.
Review timeline: Applicants are considered for positions as needs arise; the existence of this pool does not guarantee that a position is available.
Position duration: Appointment length is based upon course section schedule(s). Appointments may be renewable based on need, funding, and performance.

Position description

Job Type

Academic - Non-Tenure Track

Job Summary

UC Berkeley Extension, the professional and continuing education division at the University of California, Berkeley, invites applications for a pool of qualified instructors to teach in-person and online courses in the Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences.

UC Berkeley Extension seeks dynamic instructors with a commitment to undergraduate, professional and continuing education in biological, chemical, and physical sciences to lead one or more courses each year. The pool will remain in place for one calendar year; those interested in remaining in the pool beyond the final closing date must reapply. The number of these positions varies from semester to semester, depending on the needs of the department.

Courses are offered in-person and online.

  • Classroom instruction takes place in the San Francisco Bay Area (California, U.S.A.), including Alameda County, San Francisco County, and San Mateo County.
  • Online instruction is delivered through live lectures (Zoom) or asynchronously through our learning management system (Canvas).

Most classroom and live online lecture courses are offered in the evening and on the weekend (U.S.A. Pacific Time).

General Duties

We are seeking qualified applicants who possess current subject matter expertise and/or teaching knowledge in the following course subjects (but not limited to). For a complete list of courses and course descriptions, please refer to the departmental links below.

Biology

  • General Biology I lecture and lab (cell structure + function, prokaryotes, eukaryotes, metabolism, molecular genetics, classification, animal development, form + function)
  • Introductory Biology With Lab
  • General Biology II lecture and lab (fungi + plant development, population genetics, ecology, conservation, origin of life, evolution, classification)
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology of Aging
  • Biology of Human Cancer
  • Biostatistics
  • Cell Biology
  • Current Topics in the Biosciences
  • Developmental Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Genetics
  • Genomic or Personalized Medicine
  • Hematology
  • Human Anatomy/Neuroanatomy lecture and lab
  • Human Nutrition
  • Immunology
  • Kinesiology (Introduction to Kinesiology, Mechanical Kinesiology)
  • Medical Terminology
  • Microbiology/Infectious Disease (Microbiology lab, Medical Microbiology lecture, Principles of Infectious Disease lecture)
  • Molecular Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Parasitology
  • Pathophysiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology (A&P/Exercise/Kinesiology/Motor Skills)
  • Physiology (Lecture/Lab: general human, Lecture Only: mammalian + systemic, cardiac + respiratory)
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Toxicology
  • Virology

Chemistry

  • General/Inorganic Chemistry I lecture and lab
  • General/Inorganic Chemistry II lecture and lab
  • Introduction to Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry I lecture and lab
  • Organic Chemistry II lecture and lab
  • Quantitative Analysis: Applications in Clinical Chemistry

Physics

  • Concepts of Physics
  • General Physics I lecture and lab
  • General Physics II lecture and lab

Teaching Experience

  • Classroom Teaching Experience
  • Synchronous Online Teaching Experience (online lectures via Zoom)
  • Asynchronous Online Teaching Experience (via learning management system)
  • Experience as an Online Course Developer

Instructor duties include but are not limited to:

  • Complete mandatory training programs by deadlines established by UC Berkeley.
  • Complete required administrative tasks in a timely manner including: updating and submitting syllabi using approved syllabus template; communicating required texts and materials; and communicating classroom technology and support needs.
  • Make appropriate adjustments to continually improve the syllabus, curriculum and course materials. May be based upon programmatic and/or student feedback.
  • Prepare and deliver course materials, lectures/presentations, and design learning assessments.
  • Design interactive and motivational classroom activities to fully engage participants and to reinforce student learning.
  • Stay current within the subject, discipline or field of practice.
  • Use subject-matter expertise and leverage additional resources appropriately to enhance the curriculum.
  • Utilize course support platforms, including the Canvas Learning Management System and Zoom Pro (as applicable).
  • Communicate teaching objectives and specific learning outcomes to students, and clearly outline/explain the grading policies for the course.
  • Respond to student questions and learning needs in a timely manner.
  • Employ culturally competent and inclusive teaching methodologies in the classroom (including teaching non-native speakers and/or students with academic letters of accommodations for disabilities).
  • Evaluate student achievement of specific learning outcomes and assign grades.
  • Post final student grades to the transcript system within two weeks of course completion.
  • Handle student inquiries about final grades and consult with the Program Director/Manager as needed.
  • Retain student records according to University policies.
  • May be appointed by the department to serve as curriculum writer/course developer to write original online course curriculum and content. Collaborate with the academic department and instructional designer(s) on project deliverables and deadlines, including the online course design/roadmap, learning strategies/activities, and media production/recordings. May develop and provide raw original content for the following: the online course syllabus, learning objectives, lecture segments and scripts, reading assignments, assessments/assignments, discussion prompts, course midterm exam(s) or project(s), final exam(s) or project(s), student instructions, etc.

Benefits Summary

Access to UC Berkeley library stacks and online resources, free and discounted software, and professional development through LinkedIn Learning. Workers compensation and general liability insurance coverage, Medicare contributions, and mandatory Safe Harbor Defined Contribution Plan contributions (in lieu of Social Security).

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • Doctorate degree or equivalent international degree.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
  • All work must be performed in the United States, whether in person or online. For those who are not US citizens or permanent residents, a legal permit that allows work in the United States (such as a US visa that allows employment) is required by the start date of the position. Due to the part-time, temporary nature of instructor positions, UC Berkeley Extension is unable to provide visa/work permits.
Preferred qualifications
  • Doctorate degree or equivalent international degree in course subject or related area.
  • 3 or more years of professional or undergraduate-level teaching experience (as the primary instructor) in the course subject.
  • Experience teaching at a U.S. college/university institution.
  • Experience teaching and/or developing academic content for online courses.
  • Experience in course development, including creating original academic content such as syllabi, learning objectives, lectures/presentations/scripts, learning activities, assignments, assessments, exams, and quizzes.
  • Ability to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information.
  • Effective verbal/written communication and presentation skills (English).
  • Effective organizational skills with attention to detail.
  • Ability to collaborate with colleagues and work within a team environment.
  • Proficiency in (or willingness to learn) instructional and other technology, such as: Learning Management Systems (Canvas); lecture/presentation capture applications (Panopto); online video conferencing (Zoom); Microsoft Office (Word and PowerPoint); file sharing (Google drive or Dropbox); and Google tools (email, calendar, docs, sheets, slides, etc).

For course development projects only:

  • Ability to commit time to approximately 10-15 hours a week over 6-9 months (specific delivery schedule determined by mutual agreement).
  • Ability to participate in regular phone/video conferences M-F between 9am-5pm USA Pacific Time.
  • Experience and/or comfort with video and audio recording, including voice overs for videos and/or PowerPoint presentations.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Instructor Information Form - Please download and complete the following Instructor Information Form.
    -Select File, Download, Microsoft Word (.docx)
    -Find the downloaded document on your computer, open it in MS Word, and complete the information requested.
    -Save the document as a PDF (File, Save As, File Format, PDF).
    -Upload the PDF document to your AP Recruit application.

Reference requirements

References are requested from candidates in the Instructor Information Form and confirmed at the interviewing stage. References are only contacted for finalists.

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03731

Help contact: extension-jobs@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

San Francisco Bay Area, California, U.S.A.