Professor

Alternate Titles

Educator and faculty member.

Brief 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 Level Description

University professors typically need a doctoral degree in the field in which they plan to teach and perform research. Research-focused 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, maritime academies, and universities may hire candidates with a master’s degree or those who are doctoral candidates. 

The marine energy industry requires professors who teach and research in a wide variety of different fields across engineering, social sciences, and economic disciplines. Very few colleges and universities have marine energy-specific programs, so most professors teaching or researching marine energy topics have a broader expertise (such as in civil engineering, hydromechanics, or fluid dynamics) with a specialty or interest in marine energy. The few colleges and universities with marine energy programs or course offerings may prefer candidates with prior relevant marine energy work or research experience. Professors with an interest in marine energy could develop experience and skills in disciplines such as fluid mechanics, electrical engineering, material sciences, environmental sciences, energy policy, and others. While not specifically focused on marine energy, maritime academies prepare students to work in the broader marine and offshore industry. Marine maritime academies typically hire professors with prior work experience in the marine industry.

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 the role of tenured professor, which 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 marine energy experience instead of research experience.

Job Profile

Full-time professors specialize in a specific academic subject or field, teaching and conducting research within a maritime academy, 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, or supervise undergraduate and graduate researchers and teaching assistants. Adjunct professors are part-time professors hired with a primary focus on teaching students instead of conducting research.

There are very few professors who work explicitly in the marine energy field, although this career path may grow as the marine energy industry grows. Currently, most professors who have an interest in marine energy or conduct marine energy research teach courses within a broader academic discipline, incorporating marine energy information into their courses. 

A small subset of professors focus principally on marine energy research and coursework. These professors teach marine hydrodynamics, marine systems and controls, marine structures, principles of naval architecture, or other relevant courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They also conduct their own marine energy research with the aid of undergraduate or graduate research assistants. Some professors may also advise undergraduate or graduate students conducting their own marine energy research. As energy engineering is an interdisciplinary field of study, a few universities may allow professors to work across departments, teaching interdisciplinary courses on marine energy-associated engineering, environmental science, policy, business, oceanography, economics, law, and social sciences. 

Professors in the marine energy space typically:

• Develop curriculum for introductory to advanced courses in a field of their expertise
• Teach, test, and assess students on basic principles of physics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, energy, electricity, and other relevant topics related to marine energy
• Train career-level professionals to increase knowledge about subjects including marine energy systems, environmental issues, structural and electrical components 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 innovative ways to improve system design and performance
• Apply for grants and other sources of funding to perform innovative 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 on the simple and complicated concepts associated with the subject creatively and clearly. 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, Job Opportunities, etc.

For more information on teaching jobs, see: 

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Professor.

Resources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Career and Technical Education Teachers