Responsibilities:
* Teaching: This is the primary responsibility, often involving a heavier teaching load than tenure-track faculty. They may teach introductory or large-enrollment courses, labs, or specific sections within a larger course.
* Course Development: They might be involved in developing new courses or updating existing ones. However, the extent of this involvement often depends on the institution and the specific contract.
* Student Mentoring: They may provide advising and mentoring to students, though typically less extensively than tenure-track faculty. This might include advising on course selection or academic plans.
* Service: Similar to tenure-track faculty, they may contribute to departmental or university service, but the expectation is generally less demanding. This could involve committee work, advising student organizations, or participating in departmental events.
* Research (Variable): Some non-tenure-track positions include a research component, often smaller in scope than what's expected of tenure-track faculty. This might involve collaborating on existing projects or pursuing smaller, self-funded research projects. Many positions, however, have little or no expectation of research output.
Career Prospects:
The career prospects for non-tenure-track assistant professors are significantly different from those in tenure-track positions. There's generally no path to tenure or promotion to a higher academic rank within the same institution. This doesn't mean there's no career progression, but it will look different:
* Limited Advancement Within the Institution: While some institutions may offer promotion to senior lecturer or similar titles, these rarely come with the same prestige, salary increases, or responsibilities as tenure-track promotion. Advancement generally requires moving to a different institution.
* Contract Renewals: Many non-tenure-track positions are temporary, with contracts renewed annually or for a fixed term (e.g., 3-5 years). Renewal depends on factors like student evaluations, teaching effectiveness, and departmental needs. Job security is less certain than with a tenure-track position.
* Lateral Movement: They might seek similar positions at other institutions, potentially with better pay or benefits. This can be a way to build experience and establish a more secure career path.
* Transition to Other Roles: After accumulating experience and demonstrating skills, some move into roles outside academia, such as:
* Educational administration: Working in a dean's office, a registrar's office, or a similar administrative role.
* Instructional design: Developing educational materials and courses for online learning platforms or traditional settings.
* Industry: Applying their expertise in a corporate or government setting.
* Continuing Education: Pursuing a doctoral degree can open doors to more senior positions, possibly even tenure-track positions in some cases, though this is not guaranteed and is often a significant personal investment.
In summary, non-tenure-track assistant professors play a crucial role in higher education by providing instruction and mentoring students. However, their career paths tend to be less stable and less focused on research than tenure-track positions. They often require greater adaptability and a willingness to consider options both inside and outside of academia for long-term career growth.