noun
associate professor
A mid-level academic rank in Japanese universities, above lecturer (講師) and below full professor (教授).
彼は今年、准教授に昇進した。
He was promoted to associate professor this year.
准教授の田中先生が講義を担当します。
Associate Professor Tanaka will be in charge of the lecture.
Compound of 准 (quasi-, associate) and 教授 (professor). The kanji 准 is used specifically for the academic rank, while 準 is a variant with similar meaning.