Visiting Lecturer/Assistant Professor of Biology

Start Date: The position is available to start August 17, 2026

Mission of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

The School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) prepares students to be scholars and professionals in their discipline by fostering scientific inquiry and critical thinking that promotes lifelong learning and problem-solving skills. 

We recognize that women and people of color are often less likely to apply to a position if they don’t match 100% of the job qualifications. Don’t let that be the reason you miss out on this opportunity! We encourage you to apply if you can demonstrate many of these skills and competencies. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Biology with a background in anatomy and physiology, ABD with expected completion date within 6 months of employment will be considered. A Ph.D. (or ABD) is required for the Assistant Professor level, candidates with a M.S. will be considered for a Lecturer position. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of, sensitivity to, and ability to work effectively with the educational needs of individuals and groups with a diverse range of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities.

• Experience with or knowledge of equitable and inclusive teaching practices. Evidence of understanding how racial, socioeconomic, academic, and cultural factors impact the educational process. 

• Ability to treat others with respect, civility, and courtesy, and to work honestly, effectively, and collegially with university employees, students, and the community.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with historically under-served and/or underrepresented populations, and first-generation college students.

• Ability or experience in the recruitment and/or retention of underrepresented students, including students of color.

• Commitment to professional development, scholarship, and service to the university and community.

• Demonstrated self-awareness of one's own cultural beliefs, perspectives, and privileges as a part of one's orientation towards teaching.

• Demonstrated decision-making that is informed by research, data, and theory and that leverages students' unique cultures, experiences, and background as strengths.

• Commitment to undergraduate laboratory instruction, including proficiency with physiology data collection software and experience with dissection of vertebrate animals and major organs.

Salary and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50,469-$63,086 for the Visiting Assistant Professor level or $42,535-$53,169 for the Lecturer level, commensurate with experience and education. In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For detailed benefits information please visit https://www.adams.edu/hr/benefits/ Opportunities for supplemental contracts may be available. 

How to Apply 

Application materials described below must be submitted through https://adams.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/ASU

Required Documents 

Completed applications should include the following:

• A detailed cover letter of application addressing teaching interest/experience as well as how professional interests and goals align with the Adams State vision and values. 

  • We encourage applicants to discuss their ability to teach the courses listed above

  • Additionally, we seek to learn how scholarly excellence is interwoven with their approach to service, teaching, mentoring, and affirming diverse perspectives.

• Teaching Statement: In addition to describing your approach to teaching in general, please address the following questions:

  • What do you feel are the best strategies for supporting students who have been historically marginalized in biology? 

  • What role should faculty play in student success?

• Unofficial photocopies of graduate transcripts. Official transcripts will be required at the time of hire.

• Four professional references: name, job title, and contact information (email, phone).

Questions and inquiries can be directed to:

Dr. David Bertolatus

dbertolatus@adams.edu

Priority consideration will be given to complete applications received by June 1, 2026.

Adams State University is a state-supported, regional comprehensive university located in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado and the city of Alamosa. As the state’s premier Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), over 50 percent of its undergraduate students represent racially diverse backgrounds. A high percentage of undergraduate students are first-generation and Pell eligible. The university offers undergraduate programs in the arts and humanities, physical and natural sciences, mechanical engineering, social sciences, kinesiology, fine arts, business, and nursing, and specializes in educator preparation in several disciplines. Adams State also offers graduate degrees in cultural resource management, public administration, music education, kinesiology, higher education administration and leadership, history, business (MBA), and educator programs, including counselor education; the university also has a doctoral (PhD) program in counselor education. The university has an active athletic program. The Adams State Grizzlies athletic teams compete under the auspices of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). 

The institution is committed to increasing the diversity of its professional staff and is actively seeking qualified applicants who have experiences, skills, and/or personal attributes that augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff. We are working to diversify our faculty and staff and especially encourage applications from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ community members, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented populations. We will give particular consideration to qualified applicants with experience in ethnically diverse settings; persons who possess varied language skills, a record of successful experience in engaging diverse communities/student populations; and job seekers who can contribute to equity, diversity, and inclusion through teaching, service, and scholarship. The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State’s purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community. 

About Us- Diversity & Inclusive Excellence 

Adams State University is committed to building and expanding the talent of its professional staff and actively seeks qualified applicants who bring unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and attributes that can augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff and can contribute to serving and preparing our students to engage and thrive in their learning, leadership, and service.

We strive to create a more representative workforce that mirrors the people who study, work, and lead our institution and welcome applications from candidates from all walks of life, especially members of communities who fall within state and federally protected classes such as: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.

We value qualified candidates, with varied language skills, who have a record of successful experience with varied communities and student populations, and who have a deep understanding of and commitment to the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the place we are situated in and the intersecting perspectives that define our university being a low-income, first-generation, and Hispanic-serving, rural anchor university. Therefore, we seek individuals committed to intentionally supporting students and colleagues who possess these characteristics through their teaching, service, and scholarship.

The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State’s purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.

Additional information about the university and the academic mission may be found at www.adams.edu/academics/
 

Disclosures:

In compliance with the Immigration Control Act of 1968 candidates for positions must provide proof of eligibility to work before an offer of employment can be made final.

Adams State University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors, and to protecting its funds, property and other assets. Well-informed hiring decisions contribute to this effort. Therefore, Adams State University has adopted a policy on background screening for its prospective, continuing, and returning employees as well as students in certain circumstances. Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check. The information received in response to a background check will be treated as confidential to the extent provided for by law.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Adams State University (ASU) may be directed to ASU's Office of Equal Opportunity, Director Ana Guevara, and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Support resources for sexual misconduct, ASU's  sexual misconduct policies, contact information for the Adams State University's Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX, as well as a detailed  procedure for filing a grievance due to discrimination on the basis of sex may be found online at  https://www.adams.edu/administration/oeo/reporting-sexual-harassment/.  These  procedures also describe the University's response to reports and/or complaints of sex discrimination or sexual harassment.  

Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, disability, and, as covered by law, veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation including transgender status and gender expression, marital status, and parental status.