Studies of the academic profession in Latin American countries reveal a professoriate characterized by the heterogeneity of its backgrounds and functions, fragmented in the scope if its work, and stratified in terms of social standing. Research results reported here, based on case studies of twelve universities in Chile, with a first round of fieldwork carried out in 2001-2002 and a second in 2007-2008, complement this picture by stressing the modeling influence of the research professor over the entire profession. Although a minority in Chilean universities, the profile of the research professor rules both in the domain of the ideals, discourse, and symbols, and in shaping the policies and regulations governing academic work.