Adjunct Professor Jobs in Bangladesh: Roles, Qualifications & Opportunities

🎓 What is an Adjunct Professor?

The term adjunct professor refers to a part-time academic instructor employed on a non-tenure-track, contractual basis to teach one or more courses at a college or university. This position, often called 'adjunct faculty' or 'visiting lecturer' interchangeably, provides flexibility for both institutions and educators. Adjunct professors typically do not receive full-time benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, or research funding, and their contracts renew semester by semester based on enrollment and performance.

In Bangladesh, adjunct professor roles have grown since the 1990s with the expansion of private higher education institutions. Bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC) oversee standards, but private universities such as BRAC University, North South University (NSU), and American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) heavily rely on adjuncts to meet rising student demand amid limited full-time faculty. This setup allows industry professionals and retired academics to contribute expertise without full commitment.

Historically, adjunct positions originated in the United States during the mid-20th century to address faculty shortages cost-effectively, a model adopted globally including in South Asia. In Bangladesh, they bridge gaps in specialized subjects amid rapid enrollment growth—over 2 million students in higher education by 2023.

Roles and Responsibilities of Adjunct Professors

Adjunct professors primarily focus on teaching, delivering lectures, conducting tutorials, and assessing student work. They prepare syllabi aligned with university guidelines, hold office hours for mentoring, and may proctor exams. Unlike full-time roles, administrative duties like committee work are minimal.

• Teaching undergraduate or postgraduate courses in their specialty
• Grading assignments, quizzes, and final exams promptly
• Providing feedback to enhance student learning outcomes
• Integrating modern teaching tools like online platforms
• Occasionally guest lecturing or supervising projects

In Bangladesh, adjuncts adapt to large class sizes (often 50-100 students) and diverse cultural contexts, emphasizing practical skills amid evolving curricula.

📋 Required Qualifications, Experience, and Skills

To secure adjunct professor jobs in Bangladesh, candidates need strong academic credentials. Required academic qualifications typically include a PhD in the relevant field from a recognized university, though a Master's degree (MPhil or equivalent) with proven teaching experience is acceptable for entry-level courses.

Research focus or expertise needed centers on the subject area, demonstrated through publications in refereed journals or conference presentations. Institutions value candidates who can apply theoretical knowledge practically.

Preferred experience encompasses 3-5 years of teaching at university level, securing research grants, or professional industry roles. For example, engineering adjuncts often come from local tech firms.

Essential skills and competencies include:

• Superior communication and presentation abilities
• Curriculum design and innovative pedagogy
• Student mentoring and conflict resolution
• Proficiency in English (medium of instruction in many privates) and digital tools like LMS
• Adaptability to Bangladesh's dynamic academic environment

🌍 Adjunct Professors in the Bangladesh Higher Education Landscape

Bangladesh's higher education sector faces challenges like political unrest impacting campuses, as seen in recent protests. Despite this, demand for adjunct professor jobs remains high due to demographic pressures and market expansion trends projected for 2026. Salaries range from 20,000 to 60,000 Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) per 3-credit course, varying by institution prestige and location—higher in Dhaka.

Private universities dominate adjunct hiring, offering flexibility amid public sector rigidity. Actionable advice: Network at UGC seminars, update profiles on academic portals, and highlight local relevance in applications. For CV tips, refer to our guide on how to write a winning academic CV.

Key Definitions

Tenure-track

A pathway to permanent full-time faculty status after probation, involving research, teaching, and service evaluations—unlike adjunct roles.

University Grants Commission (UGC)

The statutory body regulating public and private universities in Bangladesh, setting quality standards for faculty appointments.

Learning Management System (LMS)

Online platforms like Moodle used for course delivery, assignments, and student interaction.

Next Steps for Adjunct Professor Jobs

Ready to pursue adjunct professor jobs? Browse opportunities in higher-ed-jobs/faculty and university jobs. Gain insights from higher-ed career advice, including paths to lecturer jobs. Institutions can post a job to attract top talent.