Sessional Instructor - Basic Microbiology
School of Health Sciences
Faculty of Human and Health Sciences
The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) invites applications for a sessional instructor in the School of Health Sciences, with a proposed start date of August 1, 2026. As an institution committed to the fostering of an inclusive and transformative learning environment, UNBC values high quality and growth in both teaching and scholarship.
The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, preparing, and delivering the Fall 2026
(September semester) course, Basic Microbiology HHSC 110-3. This course will be delivered in an online, synchronous format once per week in a 3-hour block on Tuesdays from 8:30am until 11:30am whichincludes both lecture and laboratory instruction. Applicants must be available to teach during the scheduled block. This will be the first delivery of this course at UNBC and, therefore, the compensation for this position includes time to prepare the content and delivery without the availability of pre-existing teaching materials.
As described in the UNBC calendar, this course presents the basic principles of microbiology with an emphasis on the relevance of these principles to human health. A survey of the major types of
microorganisms and a discussion on how they are classified and identified is addressed. An introduction to virology and bacterial metabolism, including environmental factors which affect microbial growth and survival, is presented.
Candidates must hold a masters or doctoral degree in microbiology or a directly relevant discipline and must present evidence of the following:
- Demonstrated teaching excellence at the undergraduate level in both lecture and labroratory environments, to be reflected in a teaching summary statement, which highlights the candidate’s teaching philosophy, experience with course and curriculum review and/or development, examples of effective use of classroom technology, any experience with experiential learning, and other relevant achievements in teaching. Previous experience teaching fully online labs is deemed highly favorable.
- Commitment to UNBC values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as it pertains to service, teaching, and scholarly research, including a demonstrated ability to make learning accessible and inclusive for a diverse student population.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Employment Equity
The University of Northern British Columbia is fully committed to creating and maintaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that is accessible to all. We are devoted to ensuring a welcoming, safe, and inclusive campus free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination. This commitment is woven into our motto and mission. In the Dakelh language, UNBC’s motto ‘En Cha Huná translates to “he/she/they also live” and means respect for all living things. Through the respect for all living things, we are able to grow and learn better together, each bringing our own unique individual differences and contributions to inspire leaders for tomorrow by influencing the world today.
Employment equity requires that we remove barriers and overcome both direct and indirect discrimination. In this way, the pool of excellent candidates increases substantially. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person
About the University and its Community
Since its founding in 1990, the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has emerged as one of Canada’s best small research-intensive universities, with a passion for teaching, discovery, people, and the North. UNBC’s excellence is derived from community-inspired research, hands-on learning, and alumni who are leading change around the world.
Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have walked gently on the diverse traditional territories where the University of Northern British Columbia community is grateful to live, work, learn, and play. We are committed to building and nurturing relationships with Indigenous peoples, we acknowledge their traditional lands, and we thank them for their hospitality. UNBC’s largest campus in Prince George is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, in the spectacular landscape near the geographic centre of beautiful British Columbia.
UNBC’s three regional campuses are located in Quesnel, Fort St. John, and Terrace. The South-Central campus in Quesnel is situated on the traditional territory of the Lhtako Dené (Red Bluff Band), Nazko, Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation (Kluskus Band), and Esdilagh First Nations (formerly Alexandria Band). Lhtako, Nazko, and Lhoosk’uz are Dakelh First Nations, and Esdilagh is a member of the Tsilhqot’in Nation. The Peace River-Liard campus in Fort St. John is situated on the traditional territory of the Doig River, Blueberry River and Halfway River First Nations. They are the Dunne-Za people. The Northwest campus in Terrace is situated on traditional Ts’msyen (Tsimshian) territory of the Kitsumkalum and Kitselas First Nations. It includes a satellite campus in the coastal community of Prince Rupert.
UNBC consistently ranks in the top three in its category in the annual Maclean’s university rankings. UNBC also recently placed among the top five per cent of higher education institutions worldwide by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
With a diverse student population, the University is friendly, inclusive, and supportive. Prince George is a city of ~74,000 people with impressive cultural, educational, and recreational amenities. For more information about living and working in Prince George, please refer to http://www.unbc.ca/experience and https://moveupprincegeorge.ca. Make your mark with this leading post-secondary institution.
Salary
The salary for Part-Time Sessional Instructors is determined on the basis of Semester Contact Hour (SCH) at a rate of $3,231.53 per SCH.
Please refer to the UNBC Faculty Association Collective Agreement (Appendix 48B) for more compensation information.
To Apply
The University of Northern British Columbia is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from the four designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities) as well as the LGBTQ2S+ communities and individuals with intersectional identities.
Applicants should forward their curriculum vitae and the names and addresses of three references (including telephone, fax, and email information) to:
Dr. Luke Harris, Chair – School of Health Sciences
[email protected]
(250) 960-5109
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact UNBC Health & Wellbeing at [email protected]. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We thank all applicants for their interest in UNBC however, only those applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Applications received on or before 4 August 2026, will receive full consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
