Assistant lecturer
Also known as: assistant lecturer in university, university assistant instructor, junior lecturer, lecturer’s assistant, assistant docent, adjunct assistant professor
About this occupation
Assistant lecturers share university or college lecturers' academic workload, specifically the provision of lectures to students. They prepare and teach classes, and meet with students privately regarding evaluation. They also combine their lecturing and other academic duties with conducting their own research in their field of study. Assistant lecturers occupy an autonomous, full-time position, despite what the subservience element in the occupation title may suggest.
A specialisation of higher education lecturer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- investigation research methods
- curriculum objectives
- develop course outline
- prepare lesson content
- provide teacher support
- cooperate with education professionals
- assess students
- provide lesson materials
- give constructive feedback
- apply scientific methods
- monitor developments in field of expertise
- perform scientific research
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Business Teachers, Postsecondary (O*NET 25-1011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as financial accounting, principles of marketing, and operations management.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional organizations and conferences.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Typical education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Investigative, Enterprising
Top skills: Speaking, Instructing, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Learning Strategies
US median pay: US$99,080 a year (2025), 82,150 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageExtremely important (4.6)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.1)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingVery important (4.0)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.9)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (3.8)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.8)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.4)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
- Management Analysts
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Law Teachers, Postsecondary
- Instructional Coordinators
- Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.