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

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

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

Posting Number
req22605

Department
East Asian Studies

Department Website Link
https://eas.arizona.edu/

Location
Main Campus

Address
Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

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.

Duties & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will maintainan active research and publishing agenda, demonstrate excellence in teachingand mentoring, and contribute to departmental, college, and universityinitiatives for sustained growth and success. The successful candidate will be qualified to teachgraduate and undergraduate courses at all levels, and in all modalities (in-person,hybrid, online). Teachingresponsibilities include two courses per semester, including upper-divisionundergraduate and graduate courses in the candidate’s area of specialization,as well as lower-division courses that contribute to the department’s GeneralEducation offerings in Japanese and East Asian Studies. Candidates will also beexpected to oversee undergraduate and graduate research projects and contributeactively to undergraduate and graduate recruitment and advising. Successfulcandidates will have opportunities to collaborate with the Center for EastAsian Studies (a Title VI National Resource Center), Center for DigitalHumanities, and related initiatives across campus. The department is especiallyinterested in candidates who are highly collaborative, exploratory, and whose promise of scholarly achievement will contribute to the ongoing excellence of our academiccommunity. 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Rank
Assistant Professor

Tenure Information
Tenure-Eligible (TE)

FLSA
Exempt

Full Time/Part Time
Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week
40

Job FTE
1.0

Work Calendar
Academic

Job Category
Faculty

Benefits Eligible
Yes – Full Benefits

Rate of Pay
DOE

Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies
1

Target Hire Date

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates
Susan McGee
susanmcgee@arizona.edu

Open Date
9/15/2025

Open Until Filled
Yes

Documents Needed to Apply
Curriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter, and Four Additional Documents

Special Instructions to Applicant
Please upload the required documents for full consideration (please do not type directly into the application system).

• 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.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.