何謂終身教席?

In English we called it a "Tenure".

In general, it only applies to the universities professors.

Consider a new assistant professor who enters the university by signing a 3-year contract. We can see if there is no special mistake, he can serve all 3 years but that does not guarantee he can serve after that. All depend on the teaching evaluation ( i.e. the comments from students in his classes using evaluation forms ), his research results ( counted by the no. of papers published in international journals ) and his own popularity in the field.Suppose he works excellently. He may get another 3 year contract with the situation continues .... or / until one day when the Department feels he should be kept there forever and his departure would be a great lost to the department and the university, a tenure post would be offered. Such post is simply a "permanent post". Only he signed it will he be able to serve in this university forever with dismissal under normal circumstances ( except criminal or disciplinary cases ). He will no longer feel pressure to strive for a permanent post, and he can launch his long-term plan more comfortably for further contribution. Such post is not a must even you serve many years. I can tell you the relationship with Panel Head, the origin of country of them could also affect the results. I have seen a professor seriving a U for 9 years time ( 3 x 3 years contracts ) but finally released. He has to move to North America for work with his family ( young kids ). For another one who is disliked by all students, he can stay forever for hisrelationship with the Panel Head is better! See, it is also dark!

Hope my answers can help you understanding more.

就我所知, 一些大學名教授, 若其學術地位崇高, 貢獻良多時, 就算是退休後, 大學仍然會保留他已往的工作間, 供他繼續做研究, 有時還會授課, 並有人工. 即大學 OFFER 他一個 終身教席.