What does an assistant professor do?
An assistant professor is an entry-level position who teaches in a university, conducts research, and assists senior professors. Assistant professors supervise undergraduate and graduate students at the same time provide professors and department heads with feedback on the progress of their students. To be effective in teaching and mentoring students, assistant professors must possess strong communication skills with advanced knowledge of their field. They must also have a Ph. D degree in the relevant academic discipline as well as teaching experience in a university setting.
Assistant professor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real assistant professor resumes:
- Lead outreach to community and statewide stakeholders in the PPCC entrepreneurship program.
- Used blackboard online to manage students tests, grade papers and assign materials.
- Develop courses in immunology and research ethics, and develop super laboratory courses in cellular physiology and molecular biology.
- Conduct research using molecular biology, genetics, histochemistry, cell biology, biochemistry.
- Chair psychology and sociology departments, teach psychology classes, revise student practicum program, establish outreach mechanisms to reach alternative students
- Serve as professor for humanities and sociology.
- Advise freshman students on their course selection.
- Serve as an evaluator for MBA capstone projects.
- Conduct scientific research on the genetics of cell division.
- Used blackboard for online courses and translate courses from Spanish to English.
- Develop flow charts to help students learn histology and cardiovascular anatomy of the cat.
- Conduct research with graduate students on oil shale chemistry as an alternative energy source.
- Provide instruction in math, English, essay writing, and general study skills.
- Develop, market, and integrate into the college a new certificate program in entrepreneurship.
- Assist in teaching a 1st grade class in essential math, reading, and writing skills
Assistant professor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Assistant Professors are proficient in Patients, Public Health, and Pediatrics. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Assistant Professors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 17%
Managed patients in several community and outreach programs given in rural unit areas regularly sponsored by the Allied Medical Sciences Department
- Public Health, 6%
Conducted survey research, data analysis using quantitative and mixed methodologies in public health research.
- Pediatrics, 5%
Provided classroom, clinical and laboratory instruction in the areas of Medical/Surgical, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Pediatrics and Community Health nursing.
- Curriculum Development, 4%
Led program administration, designed and implemented instructional aspects of cardiovascular technology program including curriculum development, personnel management and program coordination
- Research Projects, 4%
Supervised the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, including coordinating research projects personnel and ensuring availability of equipment and supplies.
- Professional Development, 4%
Recruited, evaluated and developed program staff - trained in pedagogy, program administration and fostered professional development opportunities.
Most assistant professors use their skills in "patients," "public health," and "pediatrics" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential assistant professor responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for an assistant professor to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "postsecondary teachers need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees." Additionally, an assistant professor resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "displayed excellent interpersonal communication by providing feedback to students and faculty about project and course performance. "
Speaking skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling assistant professor duties is speaking skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students." According to an assistant professor resume, here's how assistant professors can utilize speaking skills in their job responsibilities: "presented and presided over sessions at several regional sociology conferences, including the southern sociological society and mid-south southern sociological society. "
Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of assistant professors is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday assistant professor duties, as "postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed course content, created online tasks, developed writing intensive assignments. "
The three companies that hire the most assistant professors are:
- University of Rochester253 assistant professors jobs
- University of Pennsylvania119 assistant professors jobs
- Columbia University in the City of New York102 assistant professors jobs
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Assistant professor vs. Faculty
A faculty member is an individual whose primary responsibility is to provide teaching and research to students in colleges and universities. Faculties must work with colleagues to design a curriculum to keep up with the changes in the discipline. They help their students choose majors and mentor them by way of face-to-face or electronic means. They also keep up their communication with alumni to assist with employment searches or career changes.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between assistant professors and faculty. For instance, assistant professor responsibilities require skills such as "pediatrics," "psychiatry," "nih," and "genetics." Whereas a faculty is skilled in "philosophy," "student learning," "scholarship," and "professional work." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that faculties earn slightly differ from assistant professors. In particular, faculties are 2.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an assistant professor. Additionally, they're 14.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Assistant professor vs. Faculty member
A faculty member is responsible for teaching students a wide range of both vocational and academic subjects. As a faculty member, you will teach and impart knowledge to your students and help them with the learning process and knowledge application. Some of the duties that you will perform include collaborating with colleagues in modifying the curriculum, counseling them about learning difficulties, life choices, and personal problems, and writing recommendations to aid students to secure internships or jobs. You will also participate in activities of professional associations to advance research and standards in the field.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that assistant professor responsibilities requires skills like "patients," "pediatrics," "research projects," and "social work." But a faculty member might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "public speaking," "general education," "student learning," and "advisory boards."
On average, faculty members earn a higher salary than assistant professors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, faculty members earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $143,955. Whereas assistant professors have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $102,255.faculty members earn similar levels of education than assistant professors in general. They're 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 14.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for assistant professors in the next 3-5 years?
Assistant professor vs. Health and physical education teacher
Health And Physical Education Teachers help young people lead healthy lifestyles. They organize games and challenges that promote physical activity for children and young adults.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an assistant professor is likely to be skilled in "patients," "public health," "pediatrics," and "curriculum development," while a typical health and physical education teacher is skilled in "classroom management," "physical education curriculum," "k-12," and "school health."
Health and physical education teachers earn the best pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $50,131. Assistant professors earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $102,255.Most health and physical education teachers achieve a lower degree level compared to assistant professors. For example, they're 6.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 24.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Assistant professor vs. Instructor, adjunct faculty
An adjunct faculty member works in a state university or college. They typically work on a part-time or contractual basis. Although they work in a university, they have limited responsibilities compared to those who work as a regular instructor, but they still need appropriate work etiquette and a love of teaching and working with students. Like any other instructor, they develop learning material, conduct lectures, prepare exams, and assess students' grades.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between assistant professors and instructors, adjunct faculty, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an assistant professor might have more use for skills like "patients," "public health," "pediatrics," and "research projects." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of instructors, adjunct faculty require skills like "student learning," "course syllabus," "learning outcomes," and "learning environment. "
In general, instructors, adjunct faculty earn the most working in the education industry, with an average salary of $54,888. The highest-paying industry for an assistant professor is the government industry.The average resume of instructors, adjunct faculty showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to assistant professors. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 5.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 18.5%.Types of assistant professor
Updated January 8, 2025











