Professor

Position Title

Professor

Alternate Titles

Educator, faculty

Job Description

At the undergraduate and graduate levels, professors instruct students in academic topics. Some professors also carry out their own research and write and publish academic books and papers.

Education and Training Description

University professors typically need a doctoral degree in the field in which they plan to teach and perform research. Universities often also prefer candidates who have completed 1–2 years of relevant experience as a postdoctoral researcher at a university or other research institution. For some specialties or for part-time positions, colleges and universities may hire candidates with a master’s degree or those who are doctoral-degree candidates.

The hydropower industry requires professors who teach and research in a wide variety of different fields across engineering, social sciences, and economic disciplines. Only a few colleges have hydropower-specific programs, so most professors teaching or researching hydropower topics have a broader expertise (e.g., civil engineering, hydrology, and fluid dynamics) with a specialty or interest in hydropower. Colleges and universities with existing hydropower programs or course offerings may prefer candidates with prior relevant hydropower work or research experience. Professors focusing on hydropower could develop experience and skills in disciplines such as fluid mechanics, electrical engineering, material sciences, environmental sciences, energy policy, and others.

Entry-level professors are typically hired in an assistant professor position. With more teaching experience and research that leads to impactful published books and papers, a professor can be promoted to a tenured professor, who provides greater job security at a college or university. Other advancement opportunities can come with more impactful publications. Advancement at smaller colleges may be related primarily to teaching and hands-on hydropower experience instead of research experience.

Job Profile

Full-time professors specialize in a specific academic subject or field, teaching and conducting research within a college or university department. Professors may teach one or more courses, conduct research or experiments, publish original research, apply for grants to fund their research, and/or supervise undergraduate and graduate researchers and teaching assistants within that department. Adjunct professors are part-time professors hired with the primary focus on teaching students instead of conducting research.

Professors with an interest or expertise in hydropower may incorporate hydropower topics, such as fluid mechanics, hydrology, and mechanical or electrical system design, into coursework at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They may conduct their own hydropower research with the aid of undergraduate or graduate research assistants. Some professors also advise undergraduate or graduate students conducting their own hydropower research. Because energy engineering is an interdisciplinary field of study, a few universities may allow professors to work across departments, teaching interdisciplinary courses on hydropower-associated engineering, environmental science, policy, business, economics, law, and social sciences.

Professors typically:

• Develop curriculum for introductory through advanced courses in a field of the professor’s expertise
• Teach, test, and assess students on basic principles of physics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, energy, electricity, or other relevant topics related to hydropower
• Train career-level professionals to increase knowledge about subjects including hydropower systems, environmental issues, structural and electrical component manufacturing, construction, operations, and maintenance
• Advise students on class selection and provide information on possible career paths
• Provide student research opportunities and internships
• Perform research with students, such as developing innovative ways to improve system design and performance
• Apply for grants and other sources of funding to perform research
• Write reports, publish, and disseminate findings.

Job Skills

Professors typically need:

• Critical-thinking skills. To conduct original research and design experiments, full-time professors need to analyze information logically.
• Problem-solving skills. Professors must think creatively and holistically to create their own research questions and design ways to answer those questions.
• Interpersonal skills. Professors need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees.
• Communication skills. Professors need excellent communication skills to instruct and edify students creatively and clearly on the simple and complicated concepts associated with the subject. Professors need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis.
• Speaking skills. Professors need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students.

More Information

For more information on teaching jobs, see: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Professor.

Resources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Career and Technical Education Teachers