Adjunct Teaching - Biology - BIO 559R: Polar Ecology

Job Title: Adjunct Teaching- Biology- BIO 559R: Polar Ecology

Posting End Date:  March 5, 2026

*NOTE: Last day to apply is Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 11:59pm (MST)

Position Start Date: April 28, 2026

Required Degree: MS or PhD in ecology, biology, environmental science, or a closely related field, with relevant expertise (polar, alpine, boreal, soil, or field-based ecology strongly aligned).

The required degree must be completed by the start date. 

Experience:

• Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor students in experimental design and field methods.
• Significant field experience, including comfort supervising students in remote environments and managing dynamic field conditions.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills (multi-part logistics, gear, schedules, budgets, and coordination with external partners).
• Commitment to safety culture and risk management in field settings.
• Ability to work collaboratively with course faculty, staff, and teaching assistants.

Duties/Expectations:

Primary Responsibilities

1) Instruction and Course Delivery

• Teach BIO 559R content aligned with the syllabus (lectures, discussions, guided reading, and active-learning experiences).
• Provide instruction on polar ecological concepts and climate-related processes (e.g., polar amplification and related mechanisms), integrating current examples and scientific literature.
• Facilitate weekly learning activities and assignments (reading responses/reflections, participation, and discussions), maintaining high expectations and strong student support.

2) Student Research Project Mentoring

• Guide students in developing testable hypotheses and designing feasible field experiments within time and logistical constraints of a single field season.
• Coach students through proposal development (including materials lists and budgeting) and help translate project needs into practical field plans.
• Mentor multiple, diverse student projects (e.g., warming/soil community structure across elevation gradients; isostatic rebound and ecosystem transition; microplastics and soil communities; glacial recession chronosequences).

3) Field Expedition Leadership, Safety, and Daily Operations

• Lead the required week-long field expedition in Southeast Alaska, providing daily direction and oversight for fieldwork, lab/extraction work, and evening science programming.
• Run (or coordinate) daily field safety briefings; establish clear stop-work authority and promote a culture of shared responsibility, risk awareness, and respectful communication.
• Supervise field sampling, sample handling, and basic lab workflows (e.g., soil extractions; microscopy-based observation/identification/enumeration as appropriate).
• Coordinate student scientific communication during the field week (e.g., end-of-week public oral presentations to lodge visitors).

4) Logistics and Project Management (Pre-Trip and On-Site)

• Manage (or coordinate) field logistics essential to course delivery, which may include:
  • Working with lodge/operators and local partners; planning day-to-day transportation to field sites (e.g., boats), and coordinating access methods (e.g., ATV/OHV where applicable).
  • Organizing field gear/camping equipment and cargo shipments; ensuring communications plans (e.g., radios, satellite communicators) are in place.
  • Coordinating required training and compliance items connected to field activities (e.g., boat/ATV operations, camping systems, bear safety).
• Maintain a detailed field schedule and adapt plans in response to weather, safety constraints, and field conditions.

5) Assessment, Grading, and Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate student performance using the course grading structure (e.g., participation, reflections, proposal, field notebook/data collection, final report, and presentation).
• Provide timely feedback and document student progress throughout the term and field expedition.
• Submit required grades and course documentation by university deadlines.

6) Student Experience and Mentorship Culture

• Foster a supportive learning environment that emphasizes collaboration, leadership development, and inclusive participation (including strong mentorship for women and other students who benefit from visible role models in field biology).
• Represent the department professionally while modeling ethical field conduct, stewardship, and respectful engagement with people and place.

Documents Required at the Time of Application:

• CV
• Brief cover letter describing relevant teaching, field leadership, and project-management experience
• Mission Alignment Statement (instructions below)
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (if available): summaries of student evaluations, sample syllabus/lesson plan, or statement of teaching philosophy
• Names/contact information for 2–3 references (including at least one who can address teaching/mentoring and one who can address field leadership)

Note: Failure to attach the required documents may result in your application not being considered. 

This position requires the successful candidate to relocate and/or reside in Utah for the duration of their employment.

MISSION ALIGNMENT STATEMENT INSTRUCTIONS

If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

BYU is committed to hiring faculty members who enthusiastically embrace and energetically advance its unique mission. To this end, please include a one-page mission alignment statement as part of your application that addresses how you might, as a BYU faculty member: (1) live a life of loyalty to Jesus Christ and His restored Church and align yourself with doctrine and teachings declared by living prophets, seers, and revelators; (2) demonstrate intentionality in building faith in Jesus Christ and testimony of His restored gospel among students and others in the BYU community; and (3) teach your subject matter with the Spirit of God and strive to keep it “bathed in the light and color of the restored gospel” (Spencer W. Kimball).

If you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

Applicants who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include a one-page mission alignment statement that describes understanding of and commitment to the Mission of Brigham Young University and the AIMS of a BYU Education.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

All new employees who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be required to hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend. All employees are required to abide by the university's Honor Code and Dress & Grooming Standards. Preference is given to qualified candidates who are members in good standing of the affiliated church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Successful candidates are expected to support and contribute to the academic and religious missions of the university within the context of the principles and doctrines of the affiliated church.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.