Academic staff have the following main responsibilities:

• teaching staff: teaching and educating students or participating in the training of doctoral students;
• research staff: conducting research activities or participating in the training of doctoral students;
• research-and-teaching staff: conducting research activities, training and educating students or participating in the training of doctoral students.

A detailed job description for an academic teacher is provided by the rector of an HEI.

Academic teachers may perform their duties also outside of an HEI, in accordance with arrangements laid down in its working regulations. 

Performing duties of an academic teacher is considered an individual creative activity.

Academic staff are required to contribute to organisational tasks of their HEI and enhance their professional skills on a continuous basis.

Unlike for school education teachers, the legislation does not specify any initial training requirements or paths for academic teachers, nor is teacher training (a teaching qualification) required to hold positions available to academic teachers.