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University Professor: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Can you think critically and feel at home with complex ideas? Do you value research and passing along knowledge? Are you eager to teach and guide students? Then you may want to research a career as a university professor.
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Occupations in Alberta

University Professor

University professors work for degree-granting schools such as universities and colleges. They focus on teaching and service to their school, as well as research and professional practice.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

Educator, Instructor, Lecturer, Professor, Research Scientist

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 4121: University Professors

2006 NOC-S

  • E111: University Professors

2011 NOC

  • 4011: University professors and lecturers

2016 NOC

  • 4011: University professors and lecturers

2021 NOC

  • 41200: University professors and lecturers

2023 OaSIS

  • 41200.00: University professors and lecturers
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2025

University professors are scholars and educators. They are recognized for their teaching and research, as well as their creative or professional practice. They are evaluated regularly on their performance and output. University professor duties vary, but in general, they:

  • Plan and teach university courses, which includes preparing, administering, and marking student assignments and examinations
  • Conduct research, or create or perform works of art
  • Present their work in peer-reviewed venues such as journals, books, and galleries
  • Advise and mentor students regarding course and academic matters
  • Supervise graduate students
  • Represent their universities as speakers, guest lecturers, consultants, and resource personnel
  • Participate in university governance, which may include curriculum revision, academic planning, degree requirements, and faculty matters
  • Organize and coordinate curriculum and course schedules

Professors also may have other duties. For example, they may advise students about academic requirements and options. Or they may serve as peer evaluators for research outside of their own institution.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2025
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Depending on their field of study, professors work in offices, laboratories, studios, libraries, classrooms, or in the field. A professor may teach large classes, work with small groups in seminars and tutorials, or advise students one-on-one. They also may work with a wide range of academic and non-academic groups.

Professors work long hours when classes are in session, as teaching and supervision require a lot of time. They must be productive in their research or professional activities. They also must serve their departments, institutions, academic field, and communities. Typically, universities grant professors research and study leaves (sabbaticals) to assist in their research or practice.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
I
Investigative
This occupation
You
E
Enterprising
S
Social
This occupation
You

To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

University professors and lecturers
2023 OaSIS: 41200.00

Click or tap a personality type for its description.

  • 1
    Investigative

    Investigative jobs are about thinking deeply and solving problems. People in these jobs enjoy learning, asking questions, and doing research. They often study science, nature, or how things work. These jobs need a lot of thinking and often involve working with ideas instead of people. Examples include scientists, lab technicians, and researchers.

  • 2
    Enterprising

    Enterprising jobs are about leading, selling, or starting new projects. People in these jobs like to take charge, make decisions, and reach goals. They often work in business or politics. These jobs may involve some risk and require strong people skills. Examples include managers, salespeople, and entrepreneurs.

  • 3
    Social

    Social jobs are about helping and working with people. People in these jobs enjoy teaching, caring for others, or giving advice. They often work in schools, hospitals, or community centres. These jobs involve talking, listening, and supporting others. Examples include teachers, nurses, and counsellors.

Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.

Your Work Personalities

To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

University professors and lecturers
2023 OaSIS: 41200.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Inductive Reasoning
Verbal Ability
Information Ordering
Categorization Flexibility
Deductive Reasoning
Fluency of Ideas
Problem Identification
Written Comprehension
Written Expression

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Memorizing
Perceptual Speed
Pattern Organization Speed
Numerical Ability
Mathematical Reasoning
Multitasking
Pattern Identification
Spatial Orientation
Spatial Visualization
Selective Attention

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Stamina
Static Strength
Trunk Strength
Explosive Strength
Body Flexibility
Dynamic Strength
Gross Body Coordination
Gross Body Equilibrium
Multi-Limb Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
Rate Control
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Control of Settings
Finger Dexterity
Manual Dexterity
Multi-Signal Response
Reaction Time
Speed of Limb Movement

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Hearing Sensitivity
Speech Clarity
Peripheral Vision
Auditory Attention
Depth Perception
Far Vision
Glare Tolerance
Near Vision
Night Vision
Speech Recognition
Sound Localization
Colour Perception

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2025

University professors need:

  • A passion for learning and for sharing their knowledge with others
  • An aptitude for research, scholarship, or creative or professional practice in their discipline
  • Critical-thinking skills
  • Communication skills (written and verbal), including the ability to present complex, in-depth materials at their students’ level
  • Project and personnel-management skills

They should enjoy finding innovative ways to prepare teaching materials. They also should enjoy supervising students, evaluating their progress, and helping others.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

University professors and lecturers

2016 NOC: 4011

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 63 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 26, 2021 and Sep 11, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Prepare, administer and grade assigned work
Tasks: Teach one or more university subjects
Tasks: Serve on faculty committees dealing with research, budgets, curriculum planning and requirements and staffing
Tasks: Conduct research in field of specialization
Experience: 2 years to less than 3 years
Tasks: Direct research programs of graduate students
Tasks: Prepare special lectures and presentations for conferences and consultations
Tasks: Advise on research matters
Teach one or more university subjects
Financial benefits: As per collective agreement
Tasks: Prepare, administer and grade assigned work 28
Tasks: Teach one or more university subjects 27
Tasks: Serve on faculty committees dealing with research, budgets, curriculum planning and requirements and staffing 26
Tasks: Conduct research in field of specialization 19
Experience: 2 years to less than 3 years 18
Tasks: Direct research programs of graduate students 15
Tasks: Prepare special lectures and presentations for conferences and consultations 10
Tasks: Advise on research matters 10
Teach one or more university subjects 9
Financial benefits: As per collective agreement 9
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2025
  • Minimum Education 8+ years post-secondary

Almost all university professors have doctoral degrees. They usually hold 2 or more advanced degrees beyond the bachelor’s level, often obtained with distinction. They often have made outstanding and innovative contributions in their fields of study.

Students hoping to become university professors should have records of academic excellence throughout high school, undergraduate, and graduate programs (often honours programs). Most professors start as assistant professors. By the time they become professors, they usually have work experience in their fields.

They also need to have a strong record of research and publishing.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Athabasca University
Concordia University of Edmonton
Royal Roads University
University of Alberta
University of Calgary
University of Lethbridge
University of Portland
University of Waterloo - School of Optometry

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2025
  • Certification Not regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Becoming a university professor can involve years of study and experience in a chosen field. Graduates often must move from one post-secondary school to another to find permanent employment.

Assistant professors, associate professors, and full professors have similar duties. But they have different amounts of experience and achievement, prestige, and responsibility. A professor typically begins as an assistant. Within 3 to 5 years of full-time work, they are considered for tenure (permanent status). This means they have shown their potential to have a productive career. Their promotion to associate or full professorship involves a rigorous review of their accomplishments. This will be conducted by peers within the department and university, as well as outside the university.

With experience, university professors may:

  • Be appointed to sit on various committees or assume a position as chair or department head
  • Work as consultants for government, industry, or private businesses
  • Move into senior administrative academic positions such as dean of a faculty, or vice-president or president of a university
Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

University professors and lecturers
2016 NOC: 4011

99.7% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Look for Work

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Jobs and occupations are changing every day. It can be hard to know what the future of work looks like—but not impossible. Look at industries and sectors for possible inspiration, insights, and opportunities.
3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

University professors and lecturers
2021 NOC: 41200
Cool
Job Market
6,800
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list
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iStock.com/filadendron
OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

University professors and lecturers
2016 NOC: 4011
3.4%
Annual Growth
(Above average)
205
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Funding for some areas of research over others heavily influences employment for university professors. For example, if funders consider one area of research, such as environmental science, more essential to public knowledge than others, they will provide more funding for research in this area. This means more positions for university professors.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Jun 05, 2025

Salaries for entry-level university positions vary with:

  • Personal qualifications
  • Academic qualifications
  • Administrative responsibilities
  • The faculty and the university
  • The applicant’s research and publication record
Related High School Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Languages (other than English)
  • Science
  • Health, Recreation and Human Services
    • Human and Social Services
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Agriculture and Related Technologies
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Communications
  • Computer and Information Technology
  • Education and Library Studies
  • Engineering, Architecture and Related Studies
  • Environment, Forestry and Related Studies
  • Fine Arts and Performing Arts
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
  • Human Ecology, Fashion and Food Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Physical Education and Recreation
  • Humanities and Languages
  • Sciences
  • Social Sciences, Law and Religious Studies
  • Social, Community and Protective Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Association of Academic Staff University of Alberta (AASUA) website: www.aasua.ca

Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) website: https://www.caut.ca

Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations (CAFA) website: cafa-ab.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2025. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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