Position Type: Staff Full-time

Hours per week: 37.5   

Weeks per year: 43

Work Schedule: August 15 to June 15 

Department Summary & Job Purpose:

Mount Holyoke College has an opening for a Laboratory Instructor in the Department of Biological Sciences, a 10-month, 37.5 hour/week position. The Department of Biological Sciences is a collegial group of faculty and staff who work together to deliver original, engaging courses that emphasize active learning and an inclusive teaching model. The successful candidate will be part of a team responsible for teaching laboratories in our large core courses and our small introductory courses and will help with equipment maintenance and laboratory prep.

Core Job Duties and Responsibilities: 

• The primary duties of each lab instructor will be to teach two lab sections in the fall semester in Bio 145: Introductory Biology OR Bio 230: Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology and in the spring semester in Bio 145: Introductory Biology OR Bio 200: How Organisms Develop OR Bio 328: Human Physiology. Courses may change with time and experience and changing curriculum. All three positions involve teaching small 12-14 student laboratory and discussion sections, organizing lab materials, grading, office hours, and attending lectures. Positions will involve some preparation for laboratories and responsibility for maintenance of shared departmental laboratory equipment and supplies.

Qualifications: Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree with a major in the biological sciences or, if the major is not in the biological sciences, a Master's degree or other similar experience that shows expertise in Biology.

Preferred Qualifications: Teaching experience is strongly desired, and a strong candidate will be a clear, accessible teacher and enthusiastic role model in the laboratory. They will have excellent writing, organizational, and planning skills, a strong background in the sciences, and the ability to reach a population of students that is diverse in every way. They should be able to take initiative and work independently in addition to working well in teams of other lab instructors and faculty members. Experience managing departmental equipment and supplies is not necessary, but applicants with such experience will be particularly well-suited for this job. Applicants with experience in solution preparation, molecular biology, mammalian cell culture, or plant biology will be preferred.

License/Certifications:

Compliance Requirements: 

Physical Demands: Physical demands/work type (Light work), Physical activity (stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, sufficient clarity of speech, employee talks in front of large groups of people on a daily basis, employee speaks with students and other faculty daily, hearing, repetitive motion, non-repetitive tasks), Visual acuity (Visual Acuity including color, depth perception and field vision.
• Visual Acuity - Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; working with microscopes and helping students to use microscopes; and extensive reading.
• The employee is required to perform extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines.
• Visual inspection and measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.
Employee is reading and correcting assignments, evaluating student writing, presentations, projects, research assignments, etc.
Employee operates office equipment and computers to perform essential duties and responsibilities.

Working Conditions: The employee works outside with no effective protection from the weather, wind, and humidity.
Hazardous:
Exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.
• Employee may sometimes wear safety attire when exposed to contaminants or hazardous conditions.
Employee works in laboratory environments with a wide range of hazardous materials.  

Background Checks:

Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment, supported by qualified
employees that will allow all of its students, faculty, staff and those associated with them to successfully
carry out the mission of the college. As a condition of employment, the College will conduct appropriate
background checks for all new hires. Mount Holyoke has designated the Office of Human Resources as
the office responsible for ensuring that background checks (CORI, SORI, Credit History, & Driver

Credential) are completed and utilized in the hiring process and Five College Office of Compliance and
Risk Management as the office responsible for facilitating background checks as articulated in this policy.

Special Instructions for Applicants: 

Apply online by application deadline. Application materials must include 1) a cover letter summarizing
interests and qualifications, 2) a complete resume or curriculum vitae, and 3) contact information for 3
professional references. 

Mount Holyoke College is a women’s college that is gender diverse. The College is committed to providing equal access and opportunity in employment and education to all employees and students. In compliance with state and federal law, Mount Holyoke College does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, genetic information, sex, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, ancestry, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state or local law. The College does not discriminate on the basis of gender in the recruitment and admission of students to its graduate program.

Mount Holyoke College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.