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Tenure Track information

See Virginia salary details

$42.1K

$79.4K

$133.8K

How much do tenure track jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for tenure track in Virginia is $79,370.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,500.00 and $90,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a tenure track?

Tenure track positions are academic jobs at colleges or universities that lead to a permanent and secure faculty appointment, known as tenure. These positions are typically offered to assistant professors with the expectation that, after a probationary period (usually 5-7 years), they will be evaluated for tenure based on their teaching, research, and service. Earning tenure provides job security and academic freedom, as well as opportunities for promotion to higher ranks such as associate or full professor.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a tenure track professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tenure Track Professor, you need an advanced degree (typically a PhD) in your field, a strong record of research, and demonstrated teaching ability. Familiarity with academic publishing platforms, learning management systems, and grant application processes is crucial. Outstanding communication, mentorship, and time management skills help you engage students, collaborate with colleagues, and balance research and teaching responsibilities. These skills and qualifications are vital for building a successful academic career, securing funding, and making impactful contributions to your institution and discipline.

What is the difference between Tenure Track vs Postdoctoral Researcher?

AspectTenure TrackPostdoctoral Researcher
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree, research experience, academic credentialsDoctoral degree, specialized research skills
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, research universitiesResearch labs, universities, research institutes
Employment StatusProbationary faculty position with potential for tenureTemporary, fixed-term research position
Career PathPath to professorship and academic tenurePostdoctoral training, research specialization

In summary, a Tenure Track position is a faculty role with the potential to achieve tenure and a permanent academic appointment, whereas a Postdoctoral Researcher is a temporary research-focused role aimed at gaining experience and specialization before pursuing faculty positions or other careers.

How hard is it to get a tenure track job?

Securing a tenure track position is competitive and typically requires a strong academic record, relevant research experience, and a doctoral degree in the field. Candidates often need to publish research, present at conferences, and demonstrate teaching ability to stand out in the hiring process.

What are tenure track jobs?

Tenure track jobs are academic positions, typically at universities or colleges, that lead to a permanent appointment called tenure. These roles usually involve a combination of teaching, research, and service, with candidates expected to demonstrate scholarly productivity over several years before achieving tenure approval.

What are some common challenges faced by new tenure track faculty during their first year?

New tenure track faculty often encounter challenges such as balancing teaching responsibilities with establishing a research agenda and publishing scholarly work. Adjusting to the expectations for service, such as committee work or student advising, can also be demanding. Navigating the academic culture, building professional networks, and managing time efficiently are crucial for long-term success. Proactively seeking mentorship and communicating regularly with department colleagues can help ease the transition.
What are popular job titles related to Tenure Track jobs in Virginia? For Tenure Track jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Tenure Track jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Tenure Track jobs in Virginia are:
Tenure Track jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tenure Track job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,370 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 23 days ago

George Mason University rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

125th of 617 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor
  • 10004205
  • Fairfax, VA
  • Instructional Faculty
  • Opening on: Jun 25 2026
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Department: Col of Humanities and Soc Science

Classification: 9-month Instructional Faculty

Job Category: Instructional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Department of Criminology, Law and Society is a top-ranked, award-winning, multidisciplinary unit that offers degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. We are ranked #10 in doctoral programs in criminology by US News and World Report (#1 in Virginia) and serve around 1,300 undergraduate majors. Our graduate programs balance theory, empirical research, and policy applications. Our undergraduate program has concentrations in law and society, criminal justice, and homeland security. The department embraces a wide range of methodological approaches and scholarship that contribute to a fairer, more socially just, and effective criminal legal system. More information on the department, its award-winning faculty, and its research centers and labs is available at https://cls.gmu.edu/.

About the Position:

The Tenure-Track Assistant Professor position strengthens the Department of Criminology, Law and Society's capacity and visibility in the growing area of cybercrime and artificial intelligence, while supporting the department's teaching, research, and enrollment goals. It will strengthen the department's core instructional and research capacity, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and advance the strategic priorities of the department, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and George Mason University.

Responsibilities:

  • Research: Maintain an active research agenda and publication record at a rate appropriate for eventual tenure and promotion at an R1 university.
  • Teaching: Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels (2-2 teaching load is standard); and mentor and supervise graduate student research.
  • Service: Provide service to the department, college, and university by participation in committees.

Required Qualifications:

  • Candidates must have a PhD in a relevant field (or if ABD, PhD to be awarded by mid-August 2027).
  • Successful candidates must show commitment to scholarly research and publishing in peer-reviewed outlets at the quality and pace expected of an R1 doctoral-level program within our discipline.
  • Candidates must be committed to teaching in a multidisciplinary environment and working with a diverse student population.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Terminal degree in a related field.
  • Active research agenda in any area(s) of criminology, criminal justice, and law and society. However, strong preference will be given to those with a research agenda related to cybercrime and cybervictimization, such as online interpersonal violence, online extremism/terrorism, economic cybercrime (e.g., online fraud, identity theft), cyber-enabled organized crime (e.g., illicit online marketplaces, cryptocurrency-related crime), cyber-policing, and online deviance and delinquent subcultures (e.g., incel forums, hacker/trolling communities).
  • Have the knowledge and skills to develop a robust record of scholarly research and developing record of demonstrated expertise in teaching.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/ by September 1, 2026. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide 1) a cover letter that details the candidate's research and teaching experience, 2) CV, and 3) up to two representative research articles or manuscripts. In addition, three letters of reference may be requested later in the search process. Inquiries about the position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair, Prof. Cynthia Lum (clum@gmu.edu).

Posting Open Date: June 25, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: September 1, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

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