noun
assistant professor; associate professor
A formal academic title used in Japanese educational institutions, roughly equivalent to assistant or associate professor. The exact rank depends on the institution's system.
彼は今年、助教諭から准教授に昇進した。
He was promoted from assistant professor to associate professor this year.
助教諭として大学で教鞭をとっている。
I teach at a university as an assistant professor.
助教 is a more recent title for assistant professor, distinct from 助教諭 which may be used in some older systems or specific institutions.
Compound of 助 (assistant) + 教諭 (instructor/teacher). The term is used in the Japanese educational system for a rank below full professor.