Professor Job Description

What is the job description of a Professor? What are the duties and responsibilities of a Professor? What does a Professor do?

Job description of a Professor

A Professor is an academic rank at universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions, that often conducts original research and commonly teaches undergraduate, professional, or postgraduate courses in their fields of expertise.

In universities with graduate schools, professors may mentor and supervise graduate students conducting research for a thesis or dissertation. In many universities, professors take on senior managerial roles such as leading departments, research teams and institutes, and filling roles such as president, principal or vice-chancellor.

The role of professor may be more public-facing than that of more junior staff, and professors are expected to be national or international leaders in their field of expertise.

This Professor job description example includes the list of most important Professor duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Professor profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Professor Duties and Responsibilities

Professor job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Developing curricula and delivering course material.
  • Conducting research, fieldwork, and investigations, and writing up reports.
  • Publishing research, attending conferences, delivering presentations, and networking with others in the field.
  • Reviewing methods and teaching materials and making recommendations for improvement.
  • Assisting with student recruitment, interviews, and academic counseling sessions.
  • Contributing to the creation of an environment that promotes growth, equality, and freedom of speech.
  • Traveling to other universities or academic settings to participate in learning opportunities and gain experience.
  • Participating in committee, departmental, and faculty meetings.
  • Providing training and mentoring to teaching assistants and junior lecturers.

Professor Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Professor job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • A Ph.D. in the relevant field.
  • 3-10 years of experience teaching in an academic setting.
  • Published articles and proven experience as an academic.
  • Strong teaching and mentoring skills.
  • Willingness to work long hours, and travel frequently.
  • A growth mindset and excellent networking abilities.
  • Excellent presentation, and written and verbal communication skills.
  • A sound understanding of and passion for subject matter.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Professor starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Professor job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Professor may also reference it in preparation for the interview.