Job Description

Primary instructors have full responsibility for teaching an established course that is part of the regular undergraduate curriculum, developed in collaboration with the home department and Summer Session, which is offered based on departmental and student needs.

Summer Quarter and September Term courses are drawn from the undergraduate curriculum of the College. They are presented in an intensive, condensed format, for a total of 27 contact hours over the course of three to eight weeks. There is no reading or exam period for summer quarter courses; final exams are given during the last class session. Classes are not held on June 19 (Juneteenth), July 3 (observance of Independence Day), or September 7 (Labor Day), all of which are University holidays.

All instructors must coordinate with their co-instructors and teaching assistants, where applicable.

Our instructional employment webpage contains the list of course offerings for which we have openings, as well as more information about our policies and processes: https://summer.uchicago.edu/summer-employment/

Your cover letter should address a specific course that is listed on the Instructional Employment page as seeking instructors, as well as your qualifications to teach that course; without this, your application will not be considered. Courses will be listed and the page will be updated, as needed.

The links below provide descriptions of the Summer Quarter and September Term programs; please see individual course listings for course dates, meeting times, and other details.

https://summer.uchicago.edu/undergraduates/make-the-most-of-summer/explore-undergraduate-courses/

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Doctoral degree preferred
• Prior teaching experience at the university or four-year college level required; familiarity with UChicago pedagogical practices, style, and curriculum preferred
• Previous experience working in an intensive summer program preferred, but not required
• Candidates whose University of Chicago affiliation will end before the start of summer quarter (such as graduate students planning to graduate in the spring) will need to apply as external applicants; contact summersession@uchicago.edu for more information.

All hires must be approved by the Offices of the College Dean and Provost, are conditional on having authorization to work in the United States, and are also contingent on successful completion of a background check.

Instructors of remotely taught courses must be in the United States when teaching for the program, specifically in California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, or Wisconsin for tax purposes. Remote instructors must be able to perform their responsibilities from a remote location, and their remote work arrangements are their responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, an adequate internet connection and an adequate working space.

External candidates hired for this position will hold an appropriate title based on their status and affiliation at the time of appointment. For candidates hired as lecturers, t he terms and conditions of employment for this position are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the University and Service Employees International Union. The per-course salary for academic year 2026–27 will be at least $9,193. This position is not benefits-eligible.

Application Instructions

1. Visit our Summer Quarter page to learn more about the programs and their current course offerings, particularly those in which we have openings, as listed on our instructional employment page Make sure that you are available to teach during the scheduled dates and times posted for the course before you apply.
2. Submit your application through the University of Chicago’s Interfolio website upload your cover letter, CV, and reference contact information for a current or previous teaching supervisor and/or department chair.

Review of applications will begin March 26, 2026 and continue until all positions are filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.