ABOUT ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY:
Our Vision: To be the preeminent Catholic University in Canada, known as a centre of academic excellence providing a vibrant and engaged student experience that prepares authentic leaders committed to the service of others.
Our Mission: Open to all and grounded in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, St. Mary’s University educates the whole person to inspire and empower tomorrows engaged, global citizens for the future.
Our Values: As a Catholic community, we value being Welcoming and Serving of all, Academic Excellence and Faith.
As an independent Catholic university in Canada, with a strong emphasis on liberal arts and sciences, St. Mary’s University prepares its students to live with integrity, compassion and confidence while embodying a compassionate commitment to ethics, social justice, and respect for diversity of opinion and belief. St. Mary’s is focused on developing the whole person: mind, body and spirit. For more information about St. Mary’s and our Strategic Plan, visit https://stmu.ca/ and https://stmu.ca/about-us/strategic-plan/
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY:
St. Mary's University invites applications for sessional instructors for one or more of the following courses in the Fall and Winter 2026-2027 semesters (Sept 2026 – Apr 2027). The workload for these positions includes revising and teaching (In-person) lectures, setting and grading assignments and exams, availability for consultation with students, teaching labs and grading lab assignments and lab exams. Previous teaching materials for each of these courses will be provided.
Fall 2026 (September – December)
- BIOL 313: Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (1 lecture section: Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00 – 11:15)
- BIOL 451: Conservation Biology (1 lecture section: Tuesdays & Thursdays 13:00 – 14:15)
Winter 2027 (January – April)
- BIOL 315: Biostatistics (1 lecture section: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 – 9:45)
- BIOL 315: Biostatistics (2 lab sections: Tuesdays & Thursdays 13:00 – 14:15 and 14:30 – 15:45)
For Biostatistics, one person teaching the lecture and both laboratoriess is preferred.
- BIOL 417: Tropical Ecology (1 lecture section: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:15)
- BIOL 417: Tropical Ecology (1 lab section: BLOCK WEEK only)
Tropical Ecology is a field study course in Belize and requires international travel; travel cost is covered for the lecturer and lab instructor of this course
QUALIFICATIONS
- For lectures a PhD, for lab instruction an MSc, in biology or closely related field. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in teaching excellence at the undergraduate level.
- Ability to work together with other faculty including the laboratory co-ordinator to provide quality instruction and safe, effective laboratory experiences as part of the defined course curriculum.
- For lecture positions, ability to independently revise and update course materials, to organize delivery of an appropriate and up-to-date course in the discipline.
- For lectures, ability to support the laboratory instructor through collaboration and consultation.
- For laboratories, ability to work together with the course instructor and the laboratory co-ordinator to deliver safe, effective laboratory experiences as part of the defined course curriculum.
- Availability in-person and electronically to students for assistance and consultation; defined office hours are not required if the instructor is available through appointment.
- For Biostatistics laboratories, mastery of R is required.
VALUES & ATTRIBUTES:
- Alignment with institution values and strategic plan pillars.
- Upholding core competencies associated with the institution’s four pillars.
- Ability to promote, or at least respect, the institution’s Catholic mission and identity
- Ability to foster equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as Truth and Reconciliation.
WHAT WE OFFER:
As a part of the St. Mary’s University community, eligible employees received a comprehensive compensation and total rewards package that includes, but is not limited to, a group benefits package, health spending account, RRSP matching, and generous paid time off. For more information on our offerings visit
https://stmu.ca/careers/.
OUR COMMITMENTS:
St. Mary’s University is committed to Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation. Our land acknowledgement and Indigenous initiatives information can be found at https://stmu.ca/campus-life/indigenous-initiatives/. St. Mary’s University is an equal opportunity institution. We hire on the basis of merit and are passionate about building and sustaining an equitable and welcoming campus environment where diversity in all areas is celebrated and valued. If you require support services or accommodations during any stage of the recruitment process, please include this in your application. All requests will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
APPLICATIONS:
Please email application packages to Human Resources at [email protected] in one .pdf formatted document with the Subject Line of: “Sessional Instructor, Biology”. All applicants must submit a cover letter (indicating clearly for which course(s) the applicant wishes to be considered), resumé, and contact information of three most recent supervisors and/or written letters of recommendation. Previous employees should submit an updated resume and updated credentials if applicable. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently legally authorized to work in Canada will be given priority. We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those applicants being interviewed will be contacted. No phone calls please.
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- On-site gym
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
