Adjunct Faculty - Earth and Space Science (Undergraduate)

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose

Aurora University invites talented adjunct faculty who are passionate about teaching and learning to apply for this position. Adjunct faculty are qualified part-time instructors offered teaching opportunities based on course demand and staffing needs.

Essential Job Functions

Teaching Responsibilities

Aurora University is seeking qualified instructors to teach NSM-1400: Earth and Space Science. This is an in-person 16-week course at our Aurora campus starting January 12, 2026.

Available sections:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:40AM-11:45AM
• Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12:00PM-1:05PM

Course Description: NSM-1400: Earth and Space Science (4 semester hours)

This course includes an overview of those sciences that collectively seek to understand our dynamic Earth and its relationship to the larger universe. Includes material from the fields of geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy through which we examine the physical laws and natural processes that have helped to shape and change Earth and the universe around it. An introduction to astronomy will explore the universe and solar system, including basic cosmological principles, the life and death of stars, and the objects in our solar system.

Instructors will also be expected to hold weekly meetings with the course coordinator.

Essential Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• While a terminal degree is preferred, a master's degree in Earth Science, Physics, Astronomy, or a related field is required.
• College-level teaching experience preferred.
• Must be able to provide evidence that qualifications align with the minimums listed in our faculty qualifications policy.

Skills

The anticipated pay rate for this position is $1,100 per credit hour. This compensation is subject to change at the sole discretion of the university, based on institutional needs.

The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.