State whether the position is tenure track in the beginning of the job description. Tenure track refers to a job with the potential to gain tenure. A tenured professor can never be terminated without just cause. Tenure is typically granted after a three-year or five-year review period. Therefore, in the contract, a tenured track position comes with a three-year or five-year commitment with potential to gain tenure. If it's not tenure track, state the length of the contract. Non-tenured positions are typically year-to-year contracts.
Include degree requirements. Some jobs require a Ph.D., while other jobs only require a master's degree. Any tenure-track position, with an emphasis on research, usually requires a Ph.D. However, teaching positions for adjunct professorships can sometimes only require a master's degree.
Provide a broad description of the job stating whether the candidate must be well-versed in teaching, research or both. A research position would require a candidate to teach a lighter course load and produce more scholarly publications. However, a teaching position would require a professor to focus on teaching with no requirements for publication. Teaching jobs usually require the professor to teach entry-level undergraduate and graduate courses as well.
Create a section for teaching, describing what courses should be filled and what type of teaching philosophy a candidate should possess. Be sure to include teaching load. Teaching load is typically written with two numbers--the first indicating the fall semester's course load and the second indicating the spring semester's course load. For example, a 4-4 teaching load is eight total classes throughout the year.
Create a section for research describing the type of research and quantity of research the job requires. Provide a list of research areas the department is looking to fill.
Write a section on the service requirements the professor must fulfill. Academic jobs typically require junior professors to serve on various academic committees.
Close with a list of qualifications for the job. This can be quite specific and can include things like previous college teaching experience.