The article is devoted to the understanding of transformation of the profession and mission of a university professor in a rapidly changing world. The crisis of the theory of human capital, the return on investment in higher education is increasingly challenged, which leads to the transformation of the university. The career trajectory of a professor has been formed for decades, requires large intellectual, social and labor investments, while the institute of higher education is in a state of constant reform. The university as an institution comes into conflict with the world of uncertainty. Instability runs counter to a long-term commitment to an academic career. The educational process is conservative in nature and is associated with the development of a complex socio-cultural environment. This requires the stability of institutions, and the context is exactly the opposite. Uncertainty is generated by a huge range of forms of agency, among which proprietary agents, such as artificial intelligence, will compete with the professor in the labor market. The article raises questions about the discrepancy between the university and the market of professions, the university and the competencies of graduates, the impact of entrepreneurship and digitalization on the profession, the refraction of the conflict between investment logic and the logic of culture in academic communities. Comparative analysis of statistical data and the situation in advanced countries and Russia shows that this process is universal. Consideration of the professor as a profession determines the possible ways of managing and leveling uncertainty. Liquid modernity makes the profession of a university professor out of proportion to the situation, at most, or radically transforms it, at least in professional, social, and ethical changes.