"Instructor Pool Biology, Chemistry, and Physics - UC Berkeley Extension"

Position overview

Position title: Instructor (Non-Senate, Non-Tenure Track)

Salary range: The compensation model varies depending upon the course delivery format. For a synchronous Classroom (In-Person) or Live Online course, a reasonable estimate for this position is $2,750 - $6,800 total per course. For an asynchronous Start Anytime Online course, this position is paid $180 - $200 per final student course grade submitted each month; a reasonable estimate ranges from $900 - $20,000 total per course; and monthly payments typically begin within 6 months after the course start date. Instructor compensation is determined by course length, number of units, enrollment, budgetary considerations, and other factors.

Percent time: Part-time by agreement on a course-by-course basis.

Anticipated start: Some appointments may begin as early as the spring semester.

Review timeline: Applicants are considered for positions as needs arise; the existence of this applicant pool does not guarantee that a position is available. The applicant pool will remain in place for 9-12 months; those interested in remaining in the applicant pool beyond the advertised final closing date must reapply.

Position duration: Length of courses differs depending on the subject, level, format/schedule, and credits taught. For the fall/spring semesters, course length typically ranges from approximately 9 to 18 weeks. For the summer semester, course length typically ranges from approximately 7 to 9 weeks. For asynchronous online start anytime courses, agreement length typically ranges from 6-18 months. Further course agreements may be assigned based upon program needs, meritorious performance, and funding availability.

Application Window

Open date: October 6, 2025

Next review date: Monday, Jan 12, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Oct 5, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

UC Berkeley Extension (UNEX), the continuing education branch of the University of California, Berkeley, has been building bridges between UC Berkeley and the public since 1891. UNEX serves the professional and continuing education goals of thousands of people each year and plays an essential part of the University mission to: extend the research and scholarship of UC Berkeley to a global community; increase access to higher education for non-traditional, online, and international students; and improve the workforce. UC Berkeley Extension is a part of the division under the leadership of the Dean of Extended Education that also includes Berkeley Summer Sessions, Berkeley Study Abroad, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

UC Berkeley Extension invites applications for a pool of qualified, dynamic instructors with a commitment to undergraduate, professional, and continuing education in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics to teach one or more in-person and/or online courses each year for our Sciences, Mathematics, Biotechnology, and Health Sciences departments.

Courses are offered in-person and online.

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

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

Course Subjects

We are seeking qualified applicants who possess current subject matter expertise and/or teaching knowledge in (but not limited to) the following course subjects. 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
• Epidemiology
• 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 (Lecture/Lab: general human, Lecture Only: mammalian + systemic, cardiac + respiratory, exercise)
• Stem Cell Biology
• Toxicology
• Virology

Chemistry

• Chemistry for the Health Sciences
• General/Inorganic Chemistry I lecture and lab
• General/Inorganic Chemistry II lecture and lab
• Introduction to Chemistry
• Introduction to Organic 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

Other Science Subjects or Courses

(please specify on your Instructor Information Form)

Teaching Experience

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

General Duties

The department seeks candidates who can support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy. Specific duties and expectations will vary depending on the method of instruction including: Classroom (In-Person); Synchronous Live Online (Zoom); or Asynchronous Online (Start Anytime).

• For synchronous instruction (classroom or live online courses), duties include but are not limited to: syllabus development; assignment development; lesson planning for class meetings; preparing and submitting required texts and course materials; reviewing and updating Canvas course site; and delivering lectures, presentations, and learning activities for all required hours of instruction.
• For asynchronous instruction (start anytime online courses), duties include but are not limited to: reviewing the syllabus and pre-populated online course content; learning and utilizing Canvas classroom management tools; and requesting any training needs from the Program Director or Department Director.
• For all instruction (regardless of course format) duties include but are not limited to: completing required trainings as mandated by the UC Presidential policies; responding to student questions and learning needs in a timely manner; grading student assignments and posting final student grades to the instructor portal in a timely manner; utilizing University-approved course support platforms including the Canvas Learning Management System, Zoom, Instructor Portal, Google Workspace, etc.; reviewing and following University and departmental policies, logistics, and other guidelines as published on the departmental Instructional Resource Site; and responding to other requests from the Program Director or Department Director in a timely manner.

Biology Course Descriptions: Link

Chemistry and Physics Course Descriptions: Link

Clinical Laboratory Science Course Descriptions: Link

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Doctorate degree or equivalent international degree.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• U.S.A. Residency and U.S.A. Work Authorization: All work must be performed in the United States, whether in person or online. For applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents, a valid US work authorization is required for the duration of employment. Applicants should not expect the department to sponsor a work visa on their behalf.

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 creating syllabi, learning objectives, lectures/presentations, learning activities, assignments, assessments, exams, and quizzes.
• Ability to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information.
• Ability to support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy.
• 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 Workspace tools (email, calendar, docs, sheets, slides, etc).

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Instructor Information Form - Download the Instructor Information Form PDF to your computer desktop. Open the document using the Adobe Acrobat application. It is not recommended to use an internet PDF viewer or Google Docs to complete this form. Complete all six (6) pages, save, and upload the PDF form to your AP Recruit application.

Reference requirements

References are requested from candidates at the interviewing stage, and references are only contacted for finalists.