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Associate Professor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Professor information

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$43.5K

$102.4K

$142.5K

How much do associate professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate professor in the United States is $102,431.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $126,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

Associate Professors often juggle multiple responsibilities, including conducting research, teaching courses, mentoring students, and participating in departmental or university service. Balancing these can be challenging, especially when research expectations remain high while teaching loads and committee work increase after promotion. Successful Associate Professors typically develop strong time-management skills, collaborate with colleagues to share best practices, and seek mentorship or support from their academic community. Proactive planning and clear communication with department leadership can also help manage these competing demands.

What is the difference between Associate Professor vs Assistant Professor?

AspectAssociate ProfessorAssistant Professor
Required CredentialsDoctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent), significant research and teaching experienceDoctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent), typically early in academic career
Work EnvironmentUniversity faculty, involved in teaching, research, and serviceUniversity faculty, primarily focused on teaching and beginning research
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, research universitiesHigher education institutions, research universities

In summary, an Associate Professor is a more senior academic role with extensive research and teaching experience, while an Assistant Professor is an entry-level faculty position focused on developing research and teaching skills.

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

To thrive as an Associate Professor, you need advanced subject matter expertise, a doctoral degree in your field, and a record of research and scholarly publication. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), academic databases, and research software is typically required. Strong communication, mentorship, and organizational skills help foster student engagement and productive collegial relationships. These competencies are essential for effective teaching, impactful research, and meaningful contributions to academic communities.

What is an associate professor?

An associate professor teaches at a college or university campus and ranks below a full professor. As an associate professor, you still perform the primary job duties of a full professor, such as interacting with students, grading classroom assignments, assisting students with study techniques, and developing lesson plans. You may also spend part of your career working on research projects and writing articles for academic journals.

Do you need a PhD to be an associate professor?

Yes, most academic institutions require an associate professor to hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree. This qualification demonstrates expertise in the field and is typically necessary for tenure-track faculty positions at universities. Additional requirements may include teaching experience, research publications, and service contributions.
What cities are hiring for Associate Professor jobs? Cities with the most Associate Professor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs? The most popular types of Professor jobs are:
What states have the most Associate Professor jobs? States with the most job openings for Associate Professor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Associate Professor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,431 per year, or $49.2 per hour.

Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 16 hours ago


East Carolina University rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 32 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

411th of 616 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Posting Details
Position Information
Job Title
Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor
Position Number
957502
Vacancy Open to
All Candidates
Department
EHH BSOM Anatomy and Cell Biology
Department Homepage
https://anatomy-cellbiology.ecu.edu
Advertising Department
ANATOMY & CELL BIOLOGY
Division
ECU Health/BSOM
Classification Title
Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor
Working Title
Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor
Number of Vacancies
2
Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
1.0
Full Time or Part Time
Full Time
Anticipated Recruitment Range. Salary offered may be outside of this range as impacted by budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications.
Commensurate with Qualifications
Position Location (City)
Greenville
Position Type
Faculty (Teaching)
Job Category
Faculty (Teaching)
Organizational Unit Overview
The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology is dedicated to the discovery, development, and promotion of biomedical knowledge involving cell biology and the anatomical sciences. We aim to improve human health through innovative educational programs and excellence in research. The Department also aims to foster a dynamic and varied learning community. The Department is located in the Brody Medical Sciences Building on the Health Science Campus of East Carolina University. Our faculty are actively involved in research areas that include cellular metabolism, reproductive biology, muscle biology, and neuroscience. The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology also has an active role in training graduate students.
Our former students now hold prestigious postdoctoral, faculty, and professional positions throughout the world. In addition to our graduate program, we provide instruction to medical, nursing, physical therapy, and physician assistant students. ECU is located in the coastal region of North Carolina in Greenville. Greenville offers a growing, vibrant college-town atmosphere, a temperate climate, and outstanding cultural and outdoor recreational opportunities, along with affordable costs of living (https://www.greenvillenc.gov/). ECU is a member of the University of North Carolina System, a multi-campus university dedicated to serving our state and its people through world-class teaching, research and scholarship, and outreach and service.
Job Duties
The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University (ECU) has positions open to hire four full-time faculty members. The position will have a 12-month fixed-term, Tenure-Track, or Tenured appointment term and will be filled by a Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, or Associate Professor, depending on the candidate's academic qualifications. The Department currently has established research programs in cellular metabolism, reproductive biology, muscle biology, and neuroscience. The Department seeks to expand its research portfolio into additional and complementary areas of molecular and cell biology, including programs focused on understanding the cellular and molecular bases of chronic health conditions and/or human disease.
A variety of experimental approaches, encompassing in vivo, in vitro, and in silico models, will be considered. Candidates are expected to develop and maintain a productive externally funded research program. In addition to research, the successful candidate is expected to contribute to the Department's teaching mission in biomedical sciences in both the graduate and medical schools. The teaching will consist of classroom teaching and potentially lab-based teaching. The successful candidate will also serve as a mentor for undergraduate and graduate students. Finally, the successful candidate is expected to contribute to departmental and university service. Generous laboratory space and competitive start-up packages are available for this position. For additional information or informal inquiries, please either contact Department Chair Dr. Espen Spangenburg (spangenburge14@ecu.edu) and/or Search Chair Dr. Alessandro Didonna (didonnaal21@ecu.edu).
Contingent upon the availability of funds
Minimum Education/Experience
PhD (or equivalent degree) in Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related field.
Hiring at the Assistant Professor rank will be considered for exceptional applicants who exhibit a program of scholarship that has professional recognition (e.g., publications and potential for obtaining extramural funding).
The successful candidate at the Associate Professor level must have current external funding.
All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation
None
Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education
None
Special Instructions to Applicant
To be considered for this position, applicants need to submit a cover letter, CV, list of 3 references, a statement of their research plan, and a statement of teaching philosophy. These will be uploaded in the documents section of the application. For additional information or informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Espen Spangenburg, Department Chair, and/or Search Chair Dr. Alessandro Didonna.
At the time of employment, three original letters of reference, official transcripts, a criminal background check, and proper documentation of identity and employability are required. Please be aware that if selected for an interview, an automatic e-mail will be sent to the individuals entered by the applicant in the References Section of the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system. Letters of reference submitted via the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system will be verified and considered towards meeting this requirement.
Additional Instructions to Applicant
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.
Unless otherwise identified in the applicable job posting and consistent with University policy, the University will principally employ individuals who reside in the State of North Carolina to the greatest extent practicable. As such, most positions at East Carolina University require employees to live and work in North Carolina (or live within a reasonable daily commuting distance from their duty station) after hire. Candidates should be prepared to relocate within a reasonable, agreed-upon time after an offer of employment has been made and accepted to meet this requirement.
Job Open Date
06/13/2025
Open Until Filled
Yes
Job Close Date - Positions will be posted until 11:59 p.m. EST on this date. If no closing date is indicated, the position may close at any time after the initial screening date.
Initial Screening Begins
07/14/2025
Rank Level
Associate Professor, Assistant Professor
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting
https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/86198
Nondiscrimination Statement
East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.
Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.
Eligibility for Employment
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity
If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.

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About East Carolina University

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ECU is the state’s leader and national trailblazer in distance education. Whether you want to finish what you started or start something new, East Carolina University offers more than 100 online degree and certificate programs in business, health care, education, technology, and other areas to give you the options you need to meet your objectives.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Greenville, NC, US

Year founded

1907