College-level summer teaching SSPI's Summer Science Program

Applicants will be screened as applications are received. For top consideration, apply by 2/20/2026.

SSP International, Inc. (SSPI) is an independent non‑profit that offers teens an exhilarating and inspiring immersion into hands‑on experimental science during its Summer Science Program. This summer, we are offering programs in astrophysics, bacterial genomics, biochemistry, and cell biology. In each program offering, 8 faculty and 36 participants form a supportive “living and learning community” over ~6 weeks (~5 for participants).

Each participant team completes an authentic research project, taking and analyzing original data. Afterward, they join a worldwide network of 4,200+ alumni of all ages. More information can be found .org.

The AD and AADs work with the four teaching and residential mentors (TARMs) on the academic side of the Summer Science Program experience. SSPI provides lecture slides, lab guides/slides, lab protocols, and overall program schedules for academic directors to optimize and customize to match their style and specific campus needs. The AD and AADs will oversee the academic and research portions of the program while ensuring participants are supported as they enter the world of research science.

Academic faculty will also attend weekly faculty meetings and contribute to the discussion of each participant’s academic and personal growth and/or accomplishments. They are also responsible for monitoring and supporting the social, emotional, and physical well‑being of the program participants. In cases of unsafe acts, behaviors, or conditions – all faculty have a responsibility to report to the SD and SSPI staff as soon as possible.

Outside of the summer requirements, the AD and AADs have a shared responsibility to complete letters of recommendation (when appropriate) for participants’ college applications.

Each AAD’s primary duties are to share the responsibilities of
1) mentoring participants and TARMs,
2) leading lecture and laboratory sessions,
3) preparing the laboratory or research spaces (during startup week and for each lab), and
4) bringing their expertise to the AD to support them in making research and curricular decisions.

In addition, the AD is the academic program lead, complemented by the Site Director (SD) on the residential‑life side, and shares responsibility with the SD in leading the supervision, mentoring, evaluation, and enculturation of the TARMs, AADs, and participants. The AD is responsible for making final decisions on academic and experimental decisions, including the academic schedule, under the guidance of SSPI staff.

Additionally, the AD is responsible for supervising any pre‑ and post‑program requirements such as laboratory or project setup and letters of recommendation.
To serve as an AD, at least one year of AAD experience is typically required.

We are currently hiring for our academic teams which includes our academic directors (PhD-holding) and teaching assistants (typically college‑age or recent graduates). We encourage you to share this posting widely.

• SSPI's required faculty training weekend for senior Summer Science Program faculty will be held April 17-19, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
  • SSPI will cover domestic travel to and from the meeting with the hotel stay and meals being provided or reimbursed in accordance with policy.
• Live on or adjacent to your assigned SSPI host campus (10+ locations across the US and Canada) for 6 weeks during Summer 2026 (June/July/August).
  • On‑campus accommodations are provided. Special requests for off‑campus housing for non‑local faculty must be made and approved in advance and will only be reimbursed up to the cost of on‑campus housing.
  • SSPI will also cover domestic travel to and from campus in addition to meals in accordance with policy.

Starting salaries for 2026 are $21,000 for Academic Directors (ADs) and $17,000 for Associate Academic Directors (AADs). To serve as an AD, at least one year of AAD experience is typically required.

ADs and AADs:

• Live on or near campus for 6 weeks, eat most meals with participants each day of the program, and…