noun
assistant professor
An academic rank in Japanese universities, roughly equivalent to assistant professor in the US system. Not to be confused with 助手 (research associate) or 准教授 (associate professor).
彼は今年、助教から准教授に昇進した。
He was promoted from assistant professor to associate professor this year.
助教として研究室を運営している。
I manage the lab as an assistant professor.
教授 is full professor, the highest rank.
Compound of 助 (assistant) and 教 (teaching), reflecting the role of assisting in education and research.