Cyprus

Academic Career Structure

Higher Education in Cyprus

There are three state universities in Cyprus, the University of Cyprus, the Open University of Cyprus and Cyprus University of Technology. In addition there are four smaller private higher education institutions.

The University of Cyprus is the largest and most influential, especially in the Social Sciences. It admitted the first cohort of students in 1992. All three universities are governed by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Career Curriculum

1. Ph.D. Candidate
2. Research Assistant/Teaching Assistant
3. Lecturer
4. Assistant Professor
5. Associate Professor
6. Full Professor

Requirements for Positions

To obtain a lectureship you must hold a Ph.D. degree and produce evidence of competence in university teaching and research.

The position of Assistant Professor requires a Ph.D. degree and at least three years of autonomous university teaching or research work. Furthermore, a certain publications record is expected.

The position of Associate Professor requires at least seven years of academic experience after the Ph.D. and a substantial publications record such as articles in international scientific journals, monographs or books produced by reputable academic publishers.

A professorship requires at least 11 years of experience and a significant contribution to university teaching and administration as well as international recognition of scientific work.

Promotion from one level to the next takes place by open competition or by internal upgrading/promotion. The post of lecturer is always filled by open competition. Promotion to Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Full Professor is done either in open competition after an open call or by internal upgrading. Internal promotion can be decided either by call from or application to a special committee. The decision to promote is taken through voting of the members of the faculty holding higher ranks (in the case of professors, the voting members will hold the same rank).

Research Career

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Barriers to Career Advancement

One of the main barriers to career advancement in Cyprus is the lack of opportunities. Although these are closly increasing it is quite common for aspiring scholars from Cyprus to go abroad to develop their career. Another barrier is that the university sector is very small. It can therefore be difficult to promote and develop a career without the right connections and alliances.

Job Security

Tenure is obtained at the rank of Associate Professor.

Contracts and Duties

Lecturers teach and carry out research.

Assistant professors teach and carry out research.

Associate professors teach, supervise the research of postgraduate students and carry out administrative tasks in the department.

Full professors have the same duties as associate professors and are also expected to play a large role in the expansion and further development of departments and research areas.

Sabbatical Opportunities

A number of academic staff, of any rank, can request sabbatical leave of one term every three academic years, or of a full academic year every six academic years.

Gross Salaries

Gross monthly salary levels from 2007

	Start	Average
PhD Candidate	--	--
Non-tenured Researcher	--	--
Lecturer (A12-A13)	--	--
Assistant Professor (A13-A14)	--	--
Associate Professor (A14-A15)	--	--
Full Professor (A15-A16)	--	--