Academic's associate at the lowest level (7)

I believe the answer is:

basally

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'at the lowest level' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'academic's associate' is the wordplay.
'academic's' becomes 'ba's'.
'associate' becomes 'ally' (ally is a kind of associate).
'bas'+'ally'='BASALLY'

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I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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