Assistant professor is an academic rank just below the rank of an associate professor used in universities or colleges, mainly in the United States, Canada, Japan and South Korea.
This position is generally taken after earning a doctoral degree and sometimes after several years of holding one or more postdoctoral researcher positions.[1][2][3][4] It is below the position of associate professor at most universities and is equivalent to the rank of lecturer at most Commonwealth universities. In the United States, assistant professor is often the first position held in a tenure track, although it can also be a non-tenure track position. A typical professorship sequence is assistant professor, associate professor, and full professor in order. After seven years, if successful, assistant professors can get tenure and also get promotion to associate professor.[5]
There is high demand for vacant tenure-track assistant professor positions, often with hundreds of applicants. Less than 20% of doctoral graduates move onto a tenure-track assistant professor position after graduation.[citation needed]
Educational Qualifications for Assistant Professor in India
The candidate should have completed a post-graduate degree (Master’s degree) with 55% marks in aggregate in the relevant field or discipline from a recognized university.
UGC NET qualified
OR Ph.D. degree Holder with or without NET
The eligibility criteria, age limit, and educational qualifications may vary depending on the specific requirements of the university or institute where the position is available. It is advisable to check the official notification of the concerned university/institute for detailed information.
The table presents a broad overview of the traditional main systems, but there are universities that use a combination of those systems or other titles. Some universities in Commonwealth countries have also entirely adopted the North American system in place of the Commonwealth system.
| North American system | Commonwealth system |
|---|---|
| Professor (higher tier, including distinguished professor or equivalent) (available only in some positions) |
Professor |
| Professor | Reader (mainly UK) or associate professor (mainly Australia, NZ, South Africa, Southeast Asia, Ireland) |
| Associate professor | Senior lecturer |
| Assistant professor | Lecturer |
|
Academic ranks overview
| |
|---|---|
| Overview |
|
| North American system |
|
| Commonwealth system |
|
| Junior positions |
|
| Other positions |
|
