What is the rank of assistant professor? - (Feb/03/2009 )

I am a little bit confused with assistant professor and associate professor. I guess the latter is higher than the former. Is that right? I have done post doc for almost 3 years, do you think it is Ok for applying for an assistant professor in a University? Can anybody give me a rank of the academic position?

Thanks

OK, I got this from internet

Academic rank in Australia and New Zealand

Professor - Level E appointments, equivalent to Chair Professor in certain area in the North American universities.
Associate Professor and/or Reader - Level D appointments, equivalent to Professor in North American universities.
Senior Lecturer - Level C appointments, equivalent to Associate Professor in North American universities.
Lecturer - Level B appointments, equivalent to Assistant Professor in North American universities.
Associate or Assistant Lecturer, Senior Tutor, Tutor - Level A appointments.

So, I guess assistant professor is eauivalent to Lecture. I guess it is worth applying.

Any other comments? I appreciate it.

OK, I found more

Tenured and Tenure-Track Positions These full-time faculty members engage in both undergraduate and graduate teaching, mentoring, research, and service. Only faculty in these positions are eligible for tenure.

Assistant professor--- an introductory level professor. A position generally taken after receiving Ph.D. and/or completing a post doctoral fellowship. After 4-8 years, assistant professors will be either tenured or dismissed from the university.

Associate professor--- a mid-level, usually tenured, professor.

Professor (sometimes referred to as "full professor")-- a senior, tenured professor.

Distinguished professor / Endowed chair (e.g., "the John Q. Smith Professor of Physics")--- An honorary position in which a full professor's salary is increased by being tied to an endowment derived from the university, private individuals, firms, or foundations.

Professor emeritus/emerita-- is an honorary title bestowed on retired faculty members.

Anybody can tell me if it is "OK" to apply for an assistant profesor in a university after 3 years post-doc?

haiyan on Feb 4 2009, 04:58 AM said:

of course you can. look at what you wrote about assistant professor.

Do you have >1 year of teaching experience?

Minnie Mouse on Feb 4 2009, 12:45 PM said:

No, that is the big problem as I was always asked about this question. That's why I want to find a place to strat teaching or at least get some teaching experience. When I was doing post-doc in Australia, I was in mechanical engineering department, which is totally different from my background (materials engineering). So, I got no teaching experience there. Now, I am working in an institute in France. I even need to learn French,not to say teaching although this time my research is my background.

sigh...

haiyan on Feb 4 2009, 10:58 AM said:

Yeh, for sure. It helps if you have some good connections and good papers too.

scolix on Feb 5 2009, 08:30 AM said:

well, I already applied this position.Hope I will success...

haiyan on Feb 6 2009, 10:43 AM said:

Good Luck !!!