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How to hire an adjunct biology instructor

Adjunct biology instructor hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring adjunct biology instructors in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire an adjunct biology instructor is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new adjunct biology instructor to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire an adjunct biology instructor, step by step

To hire an adjunct biology instructor, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a adjunct biology instructor:

Here's a step-by-step adjunct biology instructor hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an adjunct biology instructor job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new adjunct biology instructor
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an adjunct biology instructor do?

An adjunct biology instructor is an adjunct faculty member whose responsibility is to teach biology-related courses. Adjunct biology instructors are educators who are employed on a part-time or contractual basis. Typically, they teach prep or introductory undergraduate courses every semester for the entire academic year. The instructors conduct lectures and lab experiments and other activities. It is expected of them to maintain equipment, reagent inventories, and labs. They also provide assistance in developing and revising the necessary courses.

Learn more about the specifics of what an adjunct biology instructor does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The adjunct biology instructor hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect adjunct biology instructor also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    The following list breaks down different types of adjunct biology instructors and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Adjunct Biology InstructorDescriptionHourly rate
    Adjunct Biology InstructorPostsecondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and career and technical subjects beyond the high school level. They also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.$23-75
    Science Faculty MemberA science faculty member teaches the science subject and facilitates laboratory activities. They can work in elementary schools, high schools, and even colleges and universities... Show more$18-60
    Biology Faculty MemberA biology faculty member specializes in teaching biological science to students. Their responsibilities revolve around delivering effective classroom discussions, preparing lesson and coursework plans, creating learning materials such as presentations and handouts, conducting tests and examinations, organizing laboratory activities and practices, and assisting students in areas they find difficult... Show more$19-43
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Anatomy
    • Student Learning
    • General Biology
    • Learning Outcomes
    • Science Courses
    • Teaching Methodologies
    • Syllabus
    • Learning Environment
    • Biology Courses
    • Course Content
    • Lab Experiments
    • Course Objectives
    • Canvas
    • Zoology
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead and engage students in case study discussions regarding physiological scenarios.
    • Develop and implement class syllabus, complement and implement existing lecture and laboratory instructional materials.
    • Design research skills seminar to provide advanced training in technical laboratory skills to communication within the scientific community and the public.
    • Incorporate technology into the classroom via computers, word processing, Internet research, PowerPoint presentations and various problem solving exercises.
    • Present course information via Microsoft PowerPoint.
    • Introduce undergraduate students to concepts in intermediate microeconomics, money & banking, corporate finance and environmental economics.
    More adjunct biology instructor duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your adjunct biology instructor job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An adjunct biology instructor salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for an adjunct biology instructor in North Carolina may be lower than in California, and an entry-level adjunct biology instructor usually earns less than a senior-level adjunct biology instructor. Additionally, an adjunct biology instructor with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average adjunct biology instructor salary

    $86,786yearly

    $41.72 hourly rate

    Entry-level adjunct biology instructor salary
    $48,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 12, 2025

    Average adjunct biology instructor salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$139,190$67
    2New York$108,322$52
    3Washington$83,665$40
    4Georgia$75,381$36
    5Louisiana$75,227$36
    6Pennsylvania$70,656$34
    7Florida$69,681$34
    8Kansas$68,236$33
    9Iowa$67,153$32
    10Wyoming$66,832$32
    11Virginia$65,510$32
    12Illinois$64,680$31
    13Colorado$63,968$31
    14Texas$63,692$31
    15Tennessee$62,568$30
    16Ohio$61,448$30
    17South Carolina$60,849$29
    18North Carolina$59,068$28

    Average adjunct biology instructor salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Kern Community College District$111,299$53.518
    2Commonwealth$101,833$48.96
    3SUNY Morrisville$85,653$41.186
    4SUNY College at Old Westbury$85,625$41.1713
    5Health Alliance$84,613$40.685
    6Union University$83,008$39.9126
    7Point Loma Nazarene University$81,977$39.4136
    8Misericordia University$79,977$38.4536
    9UnityPoint Health$78,861$37.916
    10Eastern Oregon University$75,465$36.285
    11California Baptist University$71,646$34.457
    124CD Live$70,732$34.01
    13PSEA$69,999$33.6512
    14Renton Technical College$69,681$33.5035
    15LA State University Continuing$68,280$32.83349
    16Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College$67,637$32.5223
    17Widener University$67,627$32.5116
    18Central State University$66,876$32.1521
    19State College of Florida$64,986$31.24
    20Azusa Pacific University$64,378$30.95
  4. Writing an adjunct biology instructor job description

    An adjunct biology instructor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an adjunct biology instructor job description:

    Adjunct biology instructor job description example

    Drew University is seeking an Adjunct Instructor in the Biology Department to teach two Spring 2023 sections of Biology 160 (Diversity of Life). The classes will meet in person on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:10-1:15 and 10:25-11:30. The semester starts Jan 18th 2023 and finals are over May 10th 2023.

    Recommended Education and Experience

    • Candidates should have a Ph.D. in Biology or a related field, or significant experience in the field of organismal biology.
    • Previous experience teaching

    Application:

    To apply, submit the following materials:

    • Cover letter
    • CV/Resume
    • List of former classes taught
    • Contact information of 3 professional references

    Application review will be on a rolling basis as applications are submitted.

    About Drew University:

    Drew University, a Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts university, includes the College of Liberal Arts, the Drew Theological School and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Drew is located on a beautiful, wooded campus in Madison, New Jersey, a thriving small town close to New York City.

    It has a total enrollment of more than 2,200 students and has 136 full-time faculty members, 96% of whom hold the terminal degree in their field. The Theological and Caspersen schools offer master’s and doctoral degrees, and the College confers BA and BS degrees in 40 disciplines and offers 19 dual-degree programs.

    Drew’s one-of-a-kind, leading edge path to an undergraduate degree, Launch, ensures that every student graduates with a purpose, sought-after transferable skills, a network of mentors, and an experience-based résumé—guaranteed. Particularly noteworthy opportunities for undergraduates include the Charles A. Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE), the Drew Summer Science Institute (DSSI), the Center for Civic Engagement, as well as seven New York City semesters and several international study abroad programs.

    The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies offers a wide array of distinctive and flexible advanced degree programs designed to meet the needs of almost any busy schedule. All programs are based on Drew’s renowned commitment to faculty-student mentorship, opportunities for out-of-the-classroom experiential learning, and facilitating a robust intellectual community.

    The Theological School has a distinguished history rooted in the United Methodist Church. Today, it serves many denominations as a center for preparing clergy and leaders for service in the church and the world. Its focus on biblical and theological scholarship and social justice has made it a sought after destination for students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees.

    To enrich education through diversity, Drew University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

    Following federal and state requirements; a candidate must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States if selected for hire.

    These positions are subject to a background check.

  5. Post your job

    To find adjunct biology instructors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any adjunct biology instructors they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level adjunct biology instructors with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your adjunct biology instructor job on Zippia to find and recruit adjunct biology instructor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting adjunct biology instructors requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new adjunct biology instructor

    Once you've decided on a perfect adjunct biology instructor candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire an adjunct biology instructor?

Recruiting adjunct biology instructors involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

Adjunct biology instructors earn a median yearly salary is $86,786 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find adjunct biology instructors for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $23 and $75.

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