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Associate Professor Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Professor information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$45.4K

$106.9K

$148.7K

How much do associate professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate professor in Riverside, CA is $106,863.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,400.00 and $131,500.00 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.
More about Associate Professor jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Professor jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Professor jobs in Riverside, CA? For Associate Professor jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Professor jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Professor jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Associate Professor jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Associate Professor job openings:
Associate Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Professor job openings in Riverside, CA 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 $106,863 per year, or $51.4 per hour.

Department of Physics - Assistant/Associate Professor, Tenure Track

La Sierra University

Riverside, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description


The Department of Physics invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position to begin on one of two possible starting dates as follows: January 1, 2027 or July 1, 2027, at assistant professor or associate professor rank. Applicants must meet the University's requirements for faculty rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, including a terminal degree earned in the field, and demonstrate a clear potential for excellence in teaching and research. Candidates near the completion of a terminal degree will also be considered.
The successful applicant will be responsible for teaching about 2-3 lecture courses and 1-2 lab courses per quarter, conducting original research, advising, and serving on various committees on campus. Candidates with expertise in any area of physics or biophysics are encouraged to apply, with preference given to those who can teach upper division biophysics courses.
While full-faculty are paid throughout the 12 months of the year, the appointment is for the 9-months academic year. Initially, the primary responsibilities will be focused on teaching lower division service courses with their associated labs. It is expected that over time the teaching load will adjust to include upper division physics or biophysics courses, as needed. Other responsibilities will be to conduct original research while involving undergraduate students and participating in committee service as part of the shared governance model of La Sierra University.
The successful candidate will 1) effectively teach a variety of physics and biophysics courses to a diverse student body, promoting both accessibility and high achievement, 2) successfully interact with students in a lab setting and in office hours, 3) supervise student lab assistants, 4) involve students in research while teaching them skills to be successful independent and creative thinkers who can contribute to the scientific community, and 5) regularly attend departmental faculty meetings, school meetings, and school/university committees. This position does not require applying for external grants for funding research, but it is encouraged.
Qualifications
Candidates are required to have a PhD in physics, biophysics, or a related field. Significant teaching experience at the undergraduate level is desired, including both lower division service courses and upper division major courses. Post-doctoral experience with a track record of sustainable original research is preferred. To be considered for the rank of associate professor, a candidate must have a teaching and research record lasting at least five years, including at least two publications as primary author. Preference will be given to candidates who are Seventh-day Adventist.
Salary Wage Range: $70,304 to $78,501 plus generous benefits:
Assistant professor - PhD $70,304
Associate professor - PhD $71,872 - $78,501
Benefits include:
  • Comprehensive health coverage
  • Tuition Assistance (spouse and dependent eligibility)
  • FSA, Pet Insurance, Legal Services, Identity Protections Services, and more!

Apply