Adjunct Faculty, Forensics

About the University:

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a private, nonprofit university built around a clear idea: that STEM education should be accessible, innovative, and connected to the real world. Founded in 2001, HU has grown from a small startup campus into a vibrant academic community in the heart of downtown Harrisburg, with a reach that now extends well beyond Pennsylvania through online programs and international partnerships. Employees here join an institution young enough to move quickly and established enough to offer real stability and room to grow.

Mission-driven work. Every role at HU, whether in the classroom or behind the scenes, supports the same goal: making high-quality science and technology education accessible and affordable. Staff and faculty alike can point to specific ways their work shows up in a student's success, which is not something every employer can offer.

A culture built for change. HU operates like a young, agile institution rather than a large traditional university. Employees are encouraged to bring forward ideas, try new approaches, and work with emerging technology rather than waiting for it to trickle down through layers of bureaucracy.

Students at the center. Our students are the reason the university exists, and that shows in how faculty and staff talk about their work. People here take real pride in helping students succeed, not as a mission statement on a wall but as the daily measure of a job well done.

A genuinely inclusive community. HU is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to building a workplace where people from different backgrounds feel welcome, supported, and able to do their best work.

Room to grow. Employees are encouraged to keep learning and advancing, with opportunities to take on meaningful projects rather than staying in a narrow lane. For many people, that means a career here looks different five years in than it did on day one.

Join us at Harrisburg University, where your work helps shape the future of science, technology, and education!

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POSITION SUMMARY

The Adjunct Faculty, Forensics teaches advanced DNA profiling, interpretation, and reporting methods used in forensic investigations. The role prepares students to apply these methods with scientific rigor and evidentiary reliability, and in line with legal and ethical standards.

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KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Teach assigned courses in advanced forensic DNA analysis, including designing and delivering lectures, developing syllabi and learning outcomes, and creating resource guides that align with program standards and current scientific practice.
• Develop and update course materials for assigned forensic biology courses and complete course assessment.
• Supervise and mentor undergraduate students on forensic biology case study or research projects.
• Maintain current subject-matter expertise through scholarship, conferences, and professional practice.
• Attend department faculty meetings as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

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EXPECTATIONS OF ALL STAFF

• Advises the manager when: 
  • An assignment is not understood.   
  • An assignment conflicts with knowledge of the circumstances, current skills, or available time/resources.   
  • Obstacles to completing the assignment exist or are likely to occur.   
  • Opportunities to better complete or improve the assignment exist or may occur.   
• Understands and demonstrates our cultural expectations.

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MINIMUM ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Master's degree in forensic science or a closely related field required.
• Minimum of one year of relevant experience in forensic DNA analysis required.
• Prior undergraduate teaching experience required.
• Experience in DNA extraction, quantification, amplification, genotyping, and sequencing required.
• Experience with PCR/qPCR, genetic analyzers, and statistical genetic tools required.
• Experience in mixture interpretation, low template DNA analysis, next generation sequencing, and SNP analysis preferred.
• Experience with sequence alignment and analysis software preferred.
• Experience with a learning management system, such as Canvas, preferred.

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WORK HOURS

The university work week is Sunday through Saturday. Faculty schedules are based on assigned courses and may include day, evening, or weekend classes.