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Assistant Associate Professor Jobs in Topeka, KS

Assistant Associate Professor information

See Topeka, KS salary details

$39.1K

$83.1K

$145.4K

How much do assistant associate professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant associate professor in Topeka, KS is $83,115.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,500.00 and $105,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an assistant associate professor?

An Assistant Associate Professor is a faculty member at a college or university who typically holds a tenure-track or tenured position, ranking between Assistant Professor and Associate Professor. However, the title 'Assistant Associate Professor' is uncommon and may be used differently depending on the institution. In most cases, an Assistant Professor is an entry-level position, while an Associate Professor is a mid-level position, often earned after several years of teaching, research, and service. The responsibilities generally include teaching, conducting research, publishing scholarly work, and participating in academic service. Advancement from Assistant to Associate Professor usually involves a rigorous evaluation of performance and contributions to the field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant associate professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Associate Professor, you need an advanced degree (typically a Ph.D.) in your field, a strong record of research, and teaching experience. Familiarity with learning management systems (such as Canvas or Blackboard), research databases, and academic publishing platforms is essential. Outstanding communication, mentorship, and organizational skills distinguish exceptional candidates in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial to delivering quality education, advancing research, and fostering student development within the academic environment.

What are some common challenges assistant associate professors face when balancing teaching, research, and service responsibilities?

Assistant Associate Professors often juggle multiple priorities, including developing engaging courses, advancing their research agendas, and fulfilling departmental or university service duties. Managing these responsibilities can be challenging, especially during early career stages when establishing a research profile is critical for promotion. Effective time management, clear communication with colleagues, and seeking mentorship can help navigate these demands. Many institutions offer professional development resources to support faculty in balancing these core areas successfully.

What is the difference between Assistant Associate Professor vs Lecturer?

AspectAssistant Associate ProfessorLecturer
Required credentialsDoctorate or terminal degree in fieldBachelor's or Master's degree, sometimes doctorate
Work environmentAcademic institutions, research, teachingPrimarily teaching, often non-tenure track
Employer and industry usageUniversities, colleges, research institutionsColleges, universities, vocational schools
Common search intentAcademic career progression, research rolesTeaching-focused positions, adjunct or full-time

The main difference between an Assistant Associate Professor and a Lecturer lies in their roles and career paths. Assistant Associate Professors typically hold a doctorate, engage in research, and aim for tenure, while Lecturers focus primarily on teaching without necessarily pursuing research or tenure. Understanding these distinctions helps candidates identify the right position based on their credentials and career goals.

What are popular job titles related to Assistant Associate Professor jobs in Topeka, KS? For Assistant Associate Professor jobs in Topeka, KS, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Assistant Associate Professor jobs in Topeka, KS look for? The top searched job categories for Assistant Associate Professor jobs in Topeka, KS are:
What cities near Topeka, KS are hiring for Assistant Associate Professor jobs? Cities near Topeka, KS with the most Assistant Associate Professor job openings:
Infographic showing various Assistant Associate Professor job openings in Topeka, KS as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,115 per year, or $40 per hour.

Associate Professor or Professor (Doctrinal)

Washburn University

Topeka, KS

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Associate Professor or Professor (Doctrinal)

Apply now Job no: 496172
Work type: Faculty Tenure Track
Location: Topeka
Categories: Law, Legal Studies, Forensics

Position Title: Associate Professor or Professor (Doctrinal)

Department: School of Law

Campus Location: Washburn University

Position Summary:

WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW invites applicants for a tenured/tenure-track position, beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year. We are especially interested in candidates who would teach constitutional law, administrative law, legislation, property, evidence, professional responsibility, or remedies. Washburn Law has a unitary tenure track with scholarship support including summer writing grants, year-round research assistants, and funding for travel to conferences. This nine-month tenured/tenure-track position is one of three open tenured/tenure-track positions in the School of Law.
We seek engaging candidates whose performance to date has demonstrated effectiveness in teaching, scholarship, and service or the potential for achievement in each of these job functions. Each selected candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to pursuing teaching excellence at Washburn University, including a dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage all learners.
The School of Law moved into its new, state-of-the-art building in July 2023. The building features classrooms equipped with up-to-date recording technology, including closed captioning; a green room recording studio; and beautiful trial and appellate courtrooms.
The Washburn campus is located blocks from the historic state capitol. Topeka features affordable housing; beautiful, historic neighborhoods with well-maintained parks; and a nationally recognized public library. It is also the home of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Site.

About Washburn University: 

Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of just over 7,000 students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.

Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation. In 2024, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For program.

Essential Functions:
The appointed hire will be responsible for fulfilling teaching expectations associated with a tenured/tenure-track professor appointment.
The appointed hire will be responsible for fulfilling scholarship expectations associated with a tenured/tenure-track professor appointment.
The appointed hire will be responsible for fulfilling service expectations associated with a tenured/tenure-track professor appointment.
Perform additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:
JD degree from an ABA-approved law school or international equivalent.
Demonstrated dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage all learners.
Demonstrated commitment to institutional service, whether university or practice related.
Demonstrated potential for scholarship.
Demonstrated dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage all learners.
Official educational transcripts required at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:
Record of practice, teaching, and/or scholarship in the areas of constitutional law, administrative law, legislation, property, evidence, professional responsibility, or remedies.

Special Instructions to Applicants:  Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and the names/addresses/phone numbers of three professional references through the Washburn University job portal at https://www.washburn.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/employment-opportunities/index.html.
If you have questions about the position, please contact Professor Michelle Ewert, Chair, Faculty Recruitment Committee, at michelle.ewert@washburn.edu.
Application Deadline:  Application review will begin as applications are received and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants can be assured of full consideration if submitted by August 31, 2026.
(All faculty appointments are contingent upon funding.)

Background Check Required

Advertised: 21 Jul 2026 Central Daylight Time
Applications close:

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