Tenured profs, often

PHDS

They might spend years researching before earning these letters after their name, commonly seen in academia beyond teaching roles. Think of the credential, not the job title.

"Tenured profs, often" hints at the answer "PHDS" because most tenured professors hold doctoral degrees, commonly called PhDs. The clue plays on the idea that tenure-track faculty typically have this credential, making it a shorthand for academics in crosswords. It’s a straightforward abbreviation reference rather than a pun or wordplay.