Adjunct Laboratory Instructor, General & Organic Chemistry, Physical Sciences/Math Department

Adjunct Laboratory Instructor, General & Organic Chemistry, Physical Sciences/Math Department

The Department of Physical Sciences at Mount Saint Mary's University (Los Angeles) invites applications for an Adjunct Laboratory Instructors to teach General Chemistry and/or Organic Chemistry laboratory courses. We seek instructors who are committed to hands-on learning, laboratory safety, and high-quality undergraduate instruction.

About the Opportunity

MSMU's General and Organic Chemistry labs are core requirements for students majoring in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biology. All laboratory sections meet in person at the University's Chalon Campus on the Westside of Los Angeles.

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 guarantee foundational laboratory skills essential for success in higher-level coursework are understood. Each lab section meets for 4 hours, including a pre-lab lecture to prepare students for the day's experiment.

Compensation

$2,283.15 per teaching unit
Each laboratory section = 3 teaching units
Up to 9 units per semester

Responsibilities

Teaching & Course Delivery

• Teach assigned laboratory sections under the supervision of the Department Chair.
• Update and post the provided syllabus template and course timeline each semester.
• 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.

Student Engagement & Assessment

• Provide timely, constructive, rubric-based lab report feedback.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date grades in the LMS.
• Submit final grades on time and issue student success alerts when appropriate.
• If possible, attend the annual departmental assessment meeting and provide written data and feedback when teaching assessed courses.

Laboratory Safety

Instructors must 'model and enforce all institutional, departmental, and discipline-standard laboratory safety regulations at all times.' Expectations include:

• Delivering safety briefings at the start of each class.
• Ensuring proper PPE use (goggles, lab coats, gloves, etc.).
• Monitoring technique and correcting unsafe behavior immediately.
• Maintaining proper chemical storage, labeling, and housekeeping.
• Following emergency protocols and reporting all accidents, exposures, or near-misses promptly.
• Collaborating with the Laboratory Coordinator and Department Chair to strengthen safety culture.

Professional Expectations

• Communicate regularly with the Department Chair and 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).

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must have:

• A Master's degree, Doctoral degree, or doctoral candidacy in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Ability to teach undergraduate General and/or Organic Chemistry laboratory courses.
• Commitment to following the common laboratory curriculum and schedule.
• Experience using instructional technologies (e.g., LMS).
• Strong professional communication skills and commitment to laboratory safety.

Additional Information:

To apply, visit http://msmu.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=199582