Assistant Professor, Japanese (Modern or Contemporary) (TE)

The Department of East Asian Studies in the College of Humanities at the University of Arizona invites applications for an in-person tenure eligible position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Modern or Contemporary Japanese Studies. We seek a dynamic, interdisciplinary scholar whose innovative approaches to research and teaching complement and broaden existing departmental strengths in the anthropology, history, linguistics, literature, and religion of East Asia. The period of specialization is flexible, but preference will be given to those focusing on cultural studies of modern or contemporary Japan (from the 20th century to the present) or research that spans the conventional modern/contemporary boundary.

We especially welcome scholars whose research focuses on areas such as literature, translation studies, film and performing arts, visual culture, diasporic communities within and/or outside of Japan, and digital humanities, as well as global or transregional perspectives. Ph.D. in hand is required by the time of the appointment in August 2026.

Review of applications begins on November 11, 2025.

Alumni Jacquelynn and Bennett Dorrance have made a gift commitment of $5.4 million to endow the deanship of the University of Arizona College of Humanities to bring the humanities to the forefront of the University of Arizona’s life and mission through a continuous and fearless spirit of open inquiry: https://humanities.arizona.edu/about/fearless-inquiries-project.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

The successful candidate will maintain
an active research and publishing agenda, demonstrate excellence in teaching
and mentoring, and contribute to departmental, college, and university
initiatives for sustained growth and success. The successful candidate will be qualified to teach
graduate and undergraduate courses at all levels, and in all modalities (in-person,
hybrid, online). Teaching
responsibilities include two courses per semester, including upper-division
undergraduate and graduate courses in the candidate’s area of specialization,
as well as lower-division courses that contribute to the department’s General
education offerings in Japanese and East Asian Studies. Candidates will also be
expected to oversee undergraduate and graduate research projects and contribute
actively to undergraduate and graduate recruitment and advising. Successful
candidates will have opportunities to collaborate with the Center for East
Asian Studies (a Title VI National Resource Center), Center for Digital
Humanities, and related initiatives across campus. The department is especially
interested in candidates who are highly collaborative, exploratory, and whose promise of scholarly achievement will contribute to the ongoing excellence of our academic
community. The new hire will also have the ability to work effectively with the Department Head, faculty, staff, and students.

• Teach four 3-credit courses per academic
  year, including a combination of the teaching areas listed above, in
  consultation with the Department Head and based on departmental need.
• Maintain an active research agenda and
  record of publication commensurate with a Research I university.
• Actively
  recruit and assist in recruiting East Asian Studies majors and graduate
  students.
• Participate
  in Departmental and College-wide activities such as East Asian Studies
  Festival, Meet Your Major Fair, Study Abroad Fair, Language Fair,
  Convocation, Welcome Back receptions, Homecoming, study abroad programs,
  Commencement, and the Tucson Humanities Festival.
• Contribute to departmental, college, and
  university service priorities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Robust research skills.
• Demonstrated student-centered pedagogical
  knowledge; ability to serve the educational needs of students with a wide range of perspectives and experiences.
• Superior communication and collaboration
  skills.
• Ability to teach a variety of
  undergraduate and graduate courses related to modern or contemporary Japanese
  and/or East Asian societies.
• Demonstrated interest and potential in
  recruiting undergraduate students in the Japanese culture program, East
  Asian Studies majors, and graduate students.

• PhD (in hand at time of appointment)
  focusing on a field relevant to the criteria outlined above and in an East
  Asian context.
• Proficiency in English and Japanese.
• Demonstrated commitment to best practices
  in teaching and pedagogical leadership, including an ability to teach in
  all modalities (in person, hybrid, online).
• Evidence or promise of scholarly
  achievement aligned with the expectations of a Research I university.

• experience teaching courses related to Japanese modern or contemporary culture to a variety of students at an R1 institution.

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover Letter
• Up to 2 writing samples (less than 30 pages each) (combined into one attachment)
• Digital teaching portfolio, which will include:
  • A teaching philosophy statement; and a research statement (combined into one attachment)
  • A recruitment of undergraduate majors approach statement; and a course syllabus reflecting innovative teaching developed by the candidate (combined into one attachment)
  • Optional but beneficial components may include: two recent complete (quantitative and qualitative data) teaching evaluations, awards, recognitions, and certificates, community engagement, and recording of teaching (combined into one attachment)

Within a few business days after submitting your application you will receive an email asking you to provide contact information for 3 references, at least one who can speak to your teaching ability (do NOT click the “Submit” button until you have added all 3 references using the plus “+” sign button). Your references will then be requested to upload a letter of recommendation into the system. Once the 3 letters of recommendation have been uploaded, the application will be considered complete. Full consideration will be given to complete applications.