Indeed, one can be an assistant professor with a single publication! For example, a new hire is immediately given the rank of assistant professor because the person just completed a doctoral degree.

Now, the person is assistant prof tenure-track and the first four years will determine whether the person keeps that rank or saying bye and looking for another university.

The proposal does not meet the academic standards. House appointments to a professorship, even to an assistant professorship, are absolute exceptions. How do you want to prevail in the eyes of other colleagues, when it is known that there is only one publication, and not - at least - a second from a very different area? I got to know such academic docents in teacher education. These were old elementary school teachers who had got a doctorate. They could quote well textbooks - others had written. But they could not give a critical judgment and they have no knowledge about the level of running discussions regarding some fields of research. This is below under the standard level of exceptations of motivated students.

Commitment for consistent academic assignments via 'Teaching', 'Research' or 'Thesis Supervisor' is the real purpose of 'Higher Education' & consistent publication by faculty is one parameter that grade faculty on academic plateform.

In the USA, at community colleges.

It is not possible to become Assistant Professor or Senior Lecturer without publication. Minimum qualification criteria for AP or Senior Lecturer is necessary to published research papers and respective PG degree is required. It may vary from University to University.

I agree with J.M.Koli answer. You need research publication to rise academically

Many thanks to my respected colleagues, such as Dr. Hein Retter , Dr. Pankaj Tomar , Dr. Amir W. Al-Khafaji , Dr. J. M. Koli , Dr. Olayide Adetunji for your immense contributions to this discussion.

To be an assistant Professor you must have at least one publication.

If at the time of appointment you have some papers accepted and awaiting publication that would have been fine. But I wholeheartedly agree with all the other suggestions above.

Much thanks to Dr. Abderrahmane Khechekhouche and Dr. Kofi Agyekum for your contributions.

As far as I know, this is not the case in Greece. Also, nowadays, a single publication is not enough.

Regards

Thanks to my respected colleague, Dr. Aristidis Matsoukis for this insight. I know is happening that was why I ask the question.

In our country it is impossible and not allowed without single paper.

University system in Nigeria is predicated on three fundamental functions, i.e. Teaching, Research and Community service. The fundamental of academics is the contribution to knowledge majorly through research. Among the functions as highlighted above, research constitute the basis for high achievement of the other two. Back to the question, it is impossible to become a Senior Lecturer or Assistant Professor without having certain number of publications in form of books, journals, etc in Nigeria. You must also be a Ph. D holder.

Kayode Asaju

I find it reassuring to know that in a country as large as Nigeria, the requirements for the position of a professor, including an assistant professor, do not seem to differ internationally. Thank you very much.

Hein Retter

It is the same in Ghana as well Kayode

To my respected colleagues, I want appreciate for your unalloyed contributions, the like of Dr. Kofi Agyekum , Dr. Hein Retter , Dr. Aristidis Matsoukis

I consider that if it is normal, since the ideal is that all investigator, publish what it investigates, however, this is an altruistic work, in favor of sharing knowledge, if you are an academic totally prepared to teach, and proves it, must be Welcome to the faculty, since you have the ability to teach new students.

The simple answer is no, because not that you will have papers but you will have reasonable amount of quality papers before you might even get to lecturer one. Research and publications is the life wire of an academia.

Many thanks to Dr. Mrs. Imhade P. Okokpujie and Dr. @Ivan David Lozada Martinez for taking your time to contribute to this discussion. Cheers!

The simple answer is no, because to become a senior lecturer or reach the professorial cadre, you must have published quality papers in journals indexed in reputable data bases which had attracted relevant citations from academics in field and specialty.

I think we should distinguish a tutor, which some Universities also have, from Professors. Even though the concept of Professor is not common for all countries, I think it fundamentally entails research and not just teaching. In Nigeria, which some have commented above, the professorial grade belongs to a different job category from that of a tutor, who is also a teaching faculty.While one may be admitted into this the Professorial job category at the lower rungs with high academic performance without publication (Class of degree or Masters), promotion from Lecturer I in that category must involve meeting some minimum in publications, number of years of teaching, Conference attendance, and even Community service often evaluated through membership of committees or other external organization membership.Tutorship which is not very common in Nigeria could have a rank qualified as Senior or higher, but tutors, though of a teaching cadre are not professors and cannot be promoted as such since they belong to a different job category just like a non-academic staff in the University.

Its a NO. There are 3 categories in academics, 1.- RESEARCH, 2.- RESEARCH/TEACHING and 3.-TEACHING staff. All the 3 categories requires a good point on publication to be promoted.

I have a different angle to your question though am just a research student. Your appoint also depends on the discipline and university policy. For instance, with Social Work, a significant practice experience are considered for appointment as a faculty member though research papers and academic degree is the foremost requirement. But what defeats you is that, after completing the PhD you should have published some papers during the period of transition. I do not know how you will justify yourself for a Lecturer position without proven research skills.

Many thanks to my respected colleagues in person of Dr. Olugbenga Elemile , Dr. Okechukwu Ikeanyibe , Dr. Olumoyewa Dotun Atoyebi and Dr. Alhassan Abdullah for your immense contributions.

Thanks for the insight Alhassan

In Turkey, my university asks the candidates (assistant professor) to publish at least one article which is indexed in SCI, SSCI or AHCI, or 2 articles which are indexed in DOAJ, SCOPUS, ESCI etc. This is the minimum requirement to apply. But the jury decide wheather she/he is sufficient or not for that position by looking other academic efforts (such as workshop participation, conference papers etc.) in the CV.

Great for the input from Turkey Burcu

Many thanks to Dr. Kofi Agyekum , and Dr. Burcu Salgin. for your contributions.

NO. I don't think so

You are welcome Omolayo

You are welcome Omolayo M. Ikumapayi

Simply no!

“Pure teacher” is a category for exceptIonal candidates in teaching.

Assistant Professor is entry level may be accepted without publication.

One faculty known to me is promoted to 'Associate Professor' without,

1. 'Publication',

2. 'Thesis guidance at PG or Doctorate level

3. Lesser than 3 years of continuous service with 'University'

In 'India' many promotions by system is for those not absolutely following system & just buttering in system

@ Pankaj, interesting

It may be possible that someone has been appointed assistant professor without publication. This depends on the type of institution, the image and self-esteem of the university and its management. But it is nowhere the rule as far as I am following this discussion. And in many cases there is no publication available, but the candidate has provided credible evidence that such a publication - or several - will be available in the near future.

It depends on the roles in that particular country and university and whether you are in developed or developing country

In India, yes at college level but no at university level

Yes at college level but not at university level

A big no

I don't think so because there is always a eligibility criteria for the position of assistant professor or senior lecturer.

I think that our discussion has made it clear that the career jump to assistant professor without a research publication does not bring any advantages for both sides, even if in some cases this appears to be the case in the short term in an "emergency" personnel situation.

Not really.The need for publications is mandatory: it now deepens on number and quality of works.

Thanks so much my wonderful learned senior colleagues and co-scholars for your awesome contributions.

I agree with you @Zaid Jagun

Following

I strongly concur with Hein Retter

It is not possible.

I think it depends on the place. It is a quality metric for a PhD program that god teachers have high impact publishing. However, in many remote locations, where the country generally has infrastructural and other problems, the availability of doctors is low and in this way it is possible that those who do not yet have a consolidated career can act. How to demand doctors with high impact publications in warring countries? or devastated by recent natural disasters? those who have solid careers look for better, more structured places. It is not enough to act without any publication, it is necessary to seek resources to maintain projects and to develop research and science in these places, later.

following

Ample appreciations to all my respected senior and co-scholars for your invaluable contributions, I cannot but mentioned Dr. Gabriel Costa , Dr. Nirmala S.V.S.G

Yes it is possible.

For lecture minimum qualification is Master degree in the relevant discipline. Once appointed as lecturer, after fee years will be called senior lecturer. But basirc pay scale will remain the same.

For assistant professor the minimum qualification is PhD or lecturer with five years experience.

Research publications can increase markes and are helpful, but not mandatory.

The answer is simple: No. The minimum qualification is PhD! How can you gain PhD without a publication (3 quality publications are here the minimum requirement). You need a reasonable amount of quality papers before you might even get to lecturer

Following

Following

Perhaps it is or it was possible. But this is really an exception.

Agree@Hein

This is unlikely in most of the centers of study and universities.

Paul: It is possible. It depends on the university and the position. Some universities do hire PhD graduates without any publication at the Lecturer or Assistant Professor rank.

Thank you all for your insightful contributions , Dr. Paul Stock , Dr. Dariusz Prokopowicz , Dr. Kofi Agyekum , Dr. Hein Retter , Dr. Lygia Therese Budnik, and Dr. Nafees Mohammad .

In Nepal, many people are assistant professor without publication

No, you can not become an assistant professor

When you have enough pull (money, connections, etc.), anything is possible.

It's depends on University or Institutes but in most university and reputed college must required quality publication in Phd (2-3 good SCI publication ).

@ Dennis Mazur, This is not the right way, may be you can get the position from money or connections, but it is not achieved by the quality of yourself and you will never be satisfied

It is possible in a lot of Universities, specially in many developing countries base on certain norms set by the governing bodies. For instances, a governing body may set certain Criterias for Asat. Prof. as Masterd degree with this or that percentage you may be recruited if you have the right backgrounds and the grey areas of connections even though you may not have a paper. While it may not be the best benchmark performance, it does exists fortunately or unfortunately.

Without a single publication? I doubt its possibility!

Perhaps it has happened, in a special case. But it is'nt to recommend in general.

it is in house practice. But, generally not possible.

Thanks

I don't think it is possible

I agree it is not the right way. I only made the point that it can happen.

Ideally, you need to publish an article or research in a reputable, scopus-indexed journals to be considered as an Asst. Prof. But I do agree with Md. Saidur Rahaman , it is an in-house practice of some higher education institutions especially in the developing countries that badly needs full time professors in their institution.

In-house practice or survival mode of operation of the educational institution?

As far I know, in the field of molecular biology and biochemistry no one is accepted in a good University without presenting a list of published work. For me it was ( in the 1960, assistant professor ) 5 x in J. of Biological Chemistry, 1x in Annual Review of Biochemistry, 1x in Cancer Research and 2x in Biochem. Biophys, Res, Commun. and a few more as small reviews in books.

Good work Jean-Pierre. This a solid first step is defining a starting point for what should be considered essential for a position as Assistant Professor. But what is to be done in a developing country where few have any scientific publications, but the country wants to begin a scientific presence?

Denis Mazur I very well see your point. In such cases I would strongly advise good candidates to go to other countries as postdoctoral fellows where they could gain knowledge while publishing good work in good journals. In theory this should be sufficient. Unfortunately some of my postdocs coming from such countries claimed that in order to go back to their home country they also need to have a PhD in politics....

No more possible these days because of strict research appraisal norms

Paul: Yes, it is possible. My university does it. It actually happens a lot. But I work at a "Teaching" university. You must be a good teacher! Research is not very important at my university. However, if you aren't a good teacher, you won't last more than two years. Teaching is our top priority.

My advice is to apply at Teaching colleges and universities.

I totally agree with Paul.

Many architectural schools consider teaching or practice as criteria for appointments. In the context of US schools, you can look it up.

With certain exceptions, it is not possible to seek post of Asst. Prof. or senior lecturer in any good university or an educational institute.

I do not know anyone who teaches at the university and did not publish (or perform in arts - depending on the focus of the school).

What is being discussed in

1. “what is possible”

2. “what is typical (average)”

in a developing country developing science.

Teaching lecturers used to obtain in the past in some universities but no longer. The lecturer's work is teaching and research and the evidence for research is publication, there is no way to tell that research was carried out. In fact, the journal citation is even included in the assessment not just any journal. Many universities will not promote without papers. Besides, the results of Masters and doctorate theses are publishable so there must be publications.

Obianuju P. Umeji

Pedagogy and science are different areas of activity. Universities and state institutions controlling them make a big mistake by requiring articles from teachers. Often, this is just a scientific profanation - a good teacher is forced to do an unusual for him job, and a good scientist as professor can tell interestingly (and not always) only about what he does. For me, the definition of a course in theoretical physics ("Landay and Lifshitz" in 12 volumes) given by an unknown student sounds very important: This is a book that has not a single Lifshitz's thought and not a single Landau's word ...

In Medicine, there is still a place for the Teaching Professor whose main set of skills are displayed by the patient’s bedside teaching by direct example the following:

1. demonstrating bedside manner;

2. eliciting a bedside diagnosis through history-taking, physical examination;

3. delivering unpleasant news to the patient and his or her family.

I think it's an exception, not the rule, when someone becomes a professor without being able to present publications.

I think you are must publish paper

Paul: It is possible, especially if a new PhD graduate is hired at a Teaching university rather than a Research university. Totally possible. It has happened many times.

Its unthinkable.

It is indeed possible to become assistant professor or senior lecturer without single publication, particularly in least developed countries. Nonetheless, as a country transform into developed one, it is necessary for assistant professors and senior lecturers to have at least one publication. In Indonesia, universities are developed on three pillars, namely, teaching, research and community service. Accordingly, professors and lecturers are required to conduct research and publish their work.

It depends on which country or university you are working. If the university is research based then it is not possible to be an assistant professor without publication.

Without knowing the specifics, it is possible for certain universities to appoint lecturers without publications but with at least a masters qualification. These universities focus more on teaching rather than research. Their focus is on enrollment numbers and students feedback. There are lecturers with good publications but poor feedback from students and on this, these lecturers' employment contract may not be renewed.

No more possible under the present regulations of various universities.

At the same time, Assistant Professor or Senior Lecturer must realise that he (she) has to put up

research progress to judiciously 'earn' promotion. Ironically, teaching component get least importance in Universities

as compared with research performance.

Out of question to think of such promotion in universities because of strict completion to prove merit through research inputs.

It is sheer reality, I have experienced everywhere in selection committees as Head, Dean and Professor