Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for University Professor

🎯 Role Definition

A University Professor is an academic leader responsible for delivering high-quality instruction, developing and advancing innovative research programs, securing external funding, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, participating in curriculum design and assessment, and contributing to departmental, college, and university service. The role requires an established scholarly record, demonstrated teaching excellence, strong grant-writing and project management skills, and the ability to collaborate across disciplines to enhance institutional reputation, student success, and community engagement.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Postdoctoral Researcher with demonstrated teaching experience and publications.
Lecturer or Senior Instructor with a track record of curriculum development and student mentorship.
Research Scientist or Industry Principal Investigator transitioning to academia.

Advancement To:

Associate Professor (tenure-track promotion with demonstrated teaching, research, and service).
Full Professor (senior academic rank based on sustained excellence and leadership).
Department Chair, Program Director, or Center Director (administrative leadership roles).

Lateral Moves:

Research Center Director or Principal Investigator in interdisciplinary centers.
Senior Educational Developer or Curriculum Strategist.
Industry-academic partnership lead / Director of Sponsored Research.

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, deliver, and continuously improve undergraduate and graduate course curricula, incorporating evidence-based pedagogical practices, inclusive teaching strategies, and measurable learning outcomes to ensure high student achievement and retention.
Develop and sustain an active, externally funded research program that produces peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and scholarly outputs aligned with departmental priorities and national/international standards.
Prepare, submit, and manage competitive grant proposals to government agencies, foundations, and industry partners; administer awarded funds according to sponsor and institutional regulations, and report on project outcomes and budgets.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and undergraduate research assistants, including dissertation and thesis advising, professional development planning, and preparation for academic and industry careers.
Conduct rigorous scholarly inquiry using appropriate methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, experimental, computational, or mixed methods) and maintain ethical research practices, including IRB compliance and data management.
Teach large lecture courses, seminars, laboratories, and online/hybrid classes using learning management systems (LMS) and educational technologies to create engaging, accessible learning environments for diverse student populations.
Lead curriculum development and program assessment activities, aligning course offerings with accreditation standards, learning outcomes, and workforce needs while collecting and acting on assessment data to improve programs.
Serve on departmental, college, and university committees (e.g., hiring, promotion and tenure, curriculum, diversity and inclusion), contributing to governance, policy development, and strategic planning.
Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, industry stakeholders, government agencies, and other academic units to promote translational research, student internships, service learning, and regional impact.
Mentor junior faculty members and contribute to faculty development through peer review, co-teaching, and advising on research design, grant strategy, and teaching effectiveness.
Lead the creation and delivery of professional and continuing education programs, certificate offerings, and community outreach initiatives that generate visibility and revenue for the institution.
Advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of academic life by implementing culturally responsive pedagogy, supporting underrepresented students and scholars, and advancing inclusive hiring and retention practices.
Manage laboratory, studio, or research group operations, including safety compliance, equipment procurement, budgeting, and the supervision of technical and administrative staff.
Present research findings at national and international conferences, act as a peer reviewer for journals and funding agencies, and maintain an active scholarly network to raise the profile of the department and institution.
Use data-driven approaches to measure teaching effectiveness and student learning, incorporating formative and summative assessment, student feedback, and learning analytics to refine instruction and curricula.
Create and maintain an accessible, current professional portfolio (e.g., teaching dossier, CV, research website) that documents teaching evaluations, publications, grant history, and service contributions for promotion and external review.
Participate in student recruitment, admissions, and retention initiatives, including outreach to prospective students, evaluation of applications, and the development of scholarship or recruitment materials.
Teach and advise students on professional ethics, academic integrity, and responsible conduct of research; enforce institutional policies and model high standards of scholarship and academic honesty.
Contribute to department-level budgeting and resource allocation discussions, advocate for staffing and infrastructure needs, and identify external funding or philanthropic opportunities to support departmental priorities.
Collaborate with instructional designers and educational technologists to develop scalable, high-quality online courses and blended learning experiences that expand access and support lifelong learners.
Engage in interdisciplinary collaborations to develop new degree programs, joint appointments, grant partnerships, and innovative research initiatives that address complex societal challenges.
Maintain competency in emerging disciplinary knowledge, pedagogy, and technology through continuous professional development, attending workshops, and participating in academic networks.

Secondary Functions

Participate in community engagement and public scholarship activities, including public lectures, media interviews, and policy briefs to translate research impact beyond academia.
Advise student organizations, supervise capstone projects, and sponsor academic clubs to enhance co-curricular learning and leadership development.
Support departmental recruitment events, open houses, alumni outreach, and fundraising activities to strengthen donor relations and program visibility.
Coordinate accreditation documentation and respond to external program reviews and audits to ensure program quality and compliance.
Assist in the onboarding and orientation of new faculty and graduate students, including training on institutional systems, safety protocols, and teaching resources.
Lead or contribute to curriculum mapping and program redesign initiatives to meet evolving workforce demands and regulatory requirements.
Serve as an external examiner or committee member for graduate defenses at peer institutions and provide expert evaluations when requested.
Contribute to marketing copy, web content, and searchable scholarly profiles to enhance discoverability of faculty research and track record for SEO and public engagement.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven ability to design and deliver college-level and graduate-level curricula aligned with accreditation requirements and learning outcomes.
Research design and methodology expertise (experimental design, survey methods, statistical modeling, qualitative analysis, computational methods) relevant to the discipline.
Grant writing and sponsored research management: development of proposals, budget preparation, compliance, and reporting for federal, foundation, and industry awards.
Proficiency with learning management systems (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle) and educational technologies (Zoom, Panopto, online assessment tools) for hybrid/online teaching.
Advanced data analysis and statistical software skills (R, Python, SPSS, Stata, MATLAB) or discipline-specific research tools and lab techniques.
Experience supervising laboratories, studios, or research groups, including safety protocols, SOPs, and lab/acquisition budgeting processes.
Scholarly publishing and peer-review skills, including manuscript preparation, submission workflows, and editorial responsibilities.
Curriculum development tools and assessment frameworks knowledge (backward design, Bloom’s taxonomy, accreditation reporting).
Project management skills for multi-year research programs, including milestones, resource allocation, team coordination, and deliverable tracking.
Familiarity with intellectual property, technology transfer processes, commercialization pathways, and conflict-of-interest policies.
Experience with student assessment design, rubrics, learning analytics, and formative/summative evaluation techniques.
Knowledge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) best practices, universal design for learning (UDL), and culturally responsive teaching strategies.

Soft Skills

Exceptional oral and written communication skills for teaching, grant narratives, research dissemination, and stakeholder engagement.
Strong mentorship and coaching ability to support students, postdocs, and junior faculty in career development and scholarly success.
Collaborative mindset and demonstrated ability to build interdisciplinary teams and work across departments and external partners.
Strategic thinking and vision to shape research agendas, curriculum innovation, and long-term program growth.
Leadership and influence in committee work, program management, and academic decision-making.
Time management and prioritization to balance teaching, research, service, and administrative responsibilities.
Resilience and adaptability in response to evolving institutional priorities, funding landscapes, and pedagogical trends.
Ethical judgment and integrity in research, teaching, and interactions with students and colleagues.
Conflict resolution and negotiation skills to manage classroom dynamics, personnel issues, and collaborative disputes.
Networking and external engagement aptitude to cultivate donors, industry partners, and interdisciplinary collaborators.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Ph.D. or terminal degree in the relevant academic discipline (required for tenure-track and many lecturer roles).

Preferred Education:

Postdoctoral training or equivalent research experience; additional professional certifications in higher education pedagogy, instructional design, or leadership are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Discipline-specific fields (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Economics, Psychology, History, English, Education).
Interdisciplinary areas (e.g., Data Science, Environmental Studies, Public Health, Cognitive Science).
Education, Higher Education Administration, Curriculum & Instruction (for roles with heavy teaching or program leadership components).

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3–10+ years of combined postdoctoral/research and teaching experience depending on rank (assistant professor entry commonly 3–6 years post-PhD; associate/full professor require sustained record).

Preferred:

Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications, successful external grant funding, doctoral student supervision, and proven teaching effectiveness with evidence of positive student learning outcomes and course evaluations.
Experience in academic service and leadership, accreditation processes, industry partnerships, and public scholarship.