Goal for an assistant professor (6)
I believe the answer is:
tenure
'goal for an assistant professor' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for tenure that I've seen before include "The holding of office or land" , "Term for which to hold a position" , "Residence" , "Period holding office" , "(Right of) occupancy" .)