The academic rank just below an associate professor in universities or colleges is an assistant professor. This position is generally taken after earning a doctoral degree and sometimes after holding one or more postdoctoral researcher positions. In the United States, Canada, Japan, and South Korea, the assistant professor rank is commonly used.
When pursuing a career as an assistant professor, the educational path typically involves earning a bachelor’s degree, followed by graduate and eventually doctoral degree programs. The tenure track for an assistant professor usually begins when they are hired by a university or college, with an initial appointment for a probationary period where their teaching effectiveness, research productivity, and service to the institution are evaluated.
In academia, the traditional entry-level rank for faculty on the tenure track is the assistant professor position. Promotion to the rank of associate professor and later full professor signifies significant work in research, teaching, and other areas within the academic field.
It’s important to note that the academic ranks can vary by country, with different titles and responsibilities associated with each rank. The assistant professor rank is distinct from the associate professor position, with differences in tenure-track status depending on the institution’s policies.
For those interested in pursuing a career as an assistant professor, there are numerous job opportunities available. Websites like Glassdoor and Indeed list thousands of assistant professor positions in the United States, with varying requirements and locations for these roles.
In summary, the academic rank just below an associate professor in universities or colleges is the assistant professor position, which serves as an essential role in academia, contributing to teaching, research, and the overall academic community.
Sources:
- Assistant professor – Wikipedia
- How To Become an Assistant Professor | Indeed.com
- Academic ranks in the United States – Wikipedia
- List of academic ranks – Wikipedia
- Assistant Professor Jobs, Employment | Indeed.com
- Professor Assistant Jobs, Employment | Indeed.com
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