Professor is a senior professional title in higher education system, and holds teaching and scientific research jobs in universities or scientific research institutions. Professors' responsibilities include guiding graduate students, conducting teaching and research, and they need to have profound academic attainments and experience in their own fields. Doctor is a degree and the highest level. It needs to finish some research work and write a doctoral thesis.

Doctors also have a high academic level, and compared with professors, they still lack responsibility and experience. Professors rank higher than doctors.