To become an assistant professor, one typically needs to have earned a doctoral degree and sometimes have held one or more postdoctoral researcher positions. Assistant professor is an academic rank just below the rank of an associate professor, usually found in universities or colleges in countries like the United States, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. Individuals in this role are integral members of the faculty who have demonstrated expertise in their field and made significant contributions to research and teaching.
Assistant professors are entry-level positions that may or may not become tenure-trackers or tenured. They usually have higher teaching loads compared to associate professors. The initial appointment for an assistant professor is often for a period of five years. On the other hand, an associate professorship is a tenure-track appointment where individuals need to show promise and achievement to potentially qualify for tenure within three to five years.
Overall, becoming an assistant professor involves earning a doctoral degree, gaining relevant experience through postdoctoral positions, demonstrating expertise in the field, and making significant contributions to research and teaching.
- Assistant professor Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster
- Assistant professor – Wikipedia
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