Sessional Instructor: Neuroscience 321, BSc Neuroscience Program

Description

The Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary invites applications for a Sessional Instructor. The appointee will teach Neuroscience 321 ¿ How the Brain Works in the Fall 2025 term. This position will constitute a 1.0 HCE. The successful candidate will be responsible for all lectures and course coordination.

Position Overview:
The selected instructor will guide students through an introduction to the fundamentals of brain function, focusing on molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience. This course is designed for students outside the Neuroscience program and emphasizes the biological basis of sensation, cognition, behavior, and neurological disease. The course aims to provide a foundational understanding of how the brain works, preparing students to appreciate neuroscience from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver detailed course content covering molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience. 
• Emphasize the biological mechanisms underlying sensation, cognition, behavior, and disease.
• Design and conduct engaging lectures and discussions that make neuroscience accessible to non-specialists. 
• Foster a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that promotes student engagement and critical thinking.
• Provide comprehensive feedback and support to students, assisting them in their academic development. 
• Stay up-to-date with the latest research and trends in neuroscience, incorporating contemporary findings into course materials and discussions. 
• Mentor and guide students in their academic journey, encouraging their interest in neuroscience.

Delivery Mode: All course components will be delivered in-person.

Fall 2025 Term Dates:

• Fall Term: Monday, August 25, 2025 ¿ Wednesday, December 24, 2025
• Contract Start Date: Friday, August 1, 2025
• Start of Classes: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
• End of Classes: Friday, December 5, 2025

Teaching Schedule: 

• NEUR 321 Lectures: Tu/TR 3:30pm ¿ 4:45pm
• NEUR 321 Room: TI 160

Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in neuroscience, neurobiology, cognitive science, or a related field.
• Prior teaching experience at the university level, with a proven ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for engaging and inspiring students. 
• Commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

BSc Honours in Neuroscience Program
The B.Sc. Neuroscience program is a multidisciplinary program offered by the Faculty of Science in conjunction with the Faculty of Arts (Department of Psychology), the Cummins School of Medicine (CSM), and the Hotchkiss Brain Research Institute (HBI). Embracing curiosity-driven, discovery-based, and hands-on learning principles, the program offers a comprehensive "bench-to-bedside and molecule-to-behaviour" interdisciplinary neuroscience curriculum. Students are presented with opportunities to integrate fundamental and applied aspects of neuroscience with a research-intensive training experience and ample opportunities to work with world-class neuroscientists in their pursuit of the unknown. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.ucalgary.ca/bscneuro/

How to apply:
Please apply on-line via the ¿Apply Now¿ link. A complete application should be submitted in a single pdf, and include the following:

Application package should include:

• Cover Letter
• Current CV
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness 
• Names and contact information for minimum of three (3) references (no letters required with the initial application)
   

References will ONLY be contacted should the candidate be selected for further consideration. 

Application Deadline: July 9, 2025

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

For a listing of all academic opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Academic Careers website. For more information about the Faculty of Science, click here. 

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.