Crossword Genius

Lecturer given important job, finds it's laborious and unrewarding (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

donkeywork

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'it's laborious and unrewarding' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'lecturer given important job' is the wordplay.
'lecturer' becomes 'don' (don can mean an academic).
'given' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'important' becomes 'key' (similar in meaning).
'job' becomes 'work' (synonyms).
'don'+'key'+'work'='DONKEYWORK'

'finds' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app