Assistant Teaching Professor, Japanese Cultural Studies (Non-Tenure-Track)

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title
Assistant Teaching Professor, Japanese Cultural Studies (Non-Tenure-Track)

Department
Asian Studies Program

Posting Number
F260102

Posting Link
https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/64251

Employer
State

Faculty Appointment Term
Term

Position Type
UUP Faculty

Bargaining Unit
08 – UUP

Posting Detail Information

Fiscal Year
2026-2027

Position Summary

The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, invites applications for a 10 month full-time, non-tenure-track qualified rank teaching positionin Japanese Cultural Studies. The appointment will be made in the Asian Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences. The position is designed for an educator whose primary professional commitment is undergraduate teaching, curriculum development, and student engagement, and who is interested in making a sustained contribution to this interdisciplinary program.

The position requires teaching up to four interdisciplinary courses per semester in humanities and/or social sciences. The successful candidate will teach established undergraduate courses as well as develop new courses that contribute to the Asian Studies curriculum. A particularly important responsibility will be teaching large-enrollment courses on Japanese anime and popular culture. Other courses include, but are not limited to, a survey of Asian literature and a first-year seminar on Japan Studies. The position is especially well suited to a candidate with demonstrated success teaching Japanese anime, manga, film, media, and other forms of Japanese popular culture to undergraduates, including students from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds.

The Assistant Teaching Professor will be responsible for sustaining and expanding the program’s undergraduate curriculum through effective, student-centered teaching and the development of new courses that prepare students for professional careers in Asia or with Asian businesses and communities. These courses could address topics such as Japanese media and popular culture, literature, history, urban societies, gender and sexuality, religion, politics, migration, labor, technology, food, and other subjects related to Asian Studies. We welcome candidates who can bring broad knowledge of Japanese culture to an interdisciplinary undergraduate curriculum and who are eager to develop courses that attract and serve students beyond the Asian Studies major.

This is a teaching-focused position with no research or publication obligation. We seek a colleague who regards undergraduate teaching and curriculum development as the central focus of their professional work and who is interested in making a long-term contribution as a teaching-focused faculty member. The three-year term appointment (academic-year obligation) offers an opportunity to develop an important role in the Asian Studies Program through excellent teaching, student mentoring, curricular innovation, and service to the program. The university is especially interested in candidates whose experience in teaching or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence.

Hiring will be for the spring 2027 semester. Candidates must have conferred a PhD in Asian Studies or a related field by the time of appointment and demonstrate experience and excellence teaching undergraduate courses in Japanese studies, cultural studies, or related fields. Particular consideration shall be given to candidates who have taught anime, popular culture, or related courses. Demonstrated success teaching large-enrollment undergraduate courses is strongly preferred. The candidate’s disciplinary training may be in Japanese Studies, Asian Studies, cultural studies, media studies, literature, history, or another related field.

Review of applications begins September 25, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

The following documents are required:

• Curriculum vitae
• A teaching portfolio which includes: a statement of teaching philosophy; two sample syllabi (including one for a course on Japanese anime); and a sample of course evaluations
• Cover letter: applicants should describe their experience teaching Japanese cultural studies to undergraduates, their experience with large-enrollment courses where applicable, and the ways in which their teaching and curricular interests would contribute to the Asian Studies Program at the University at Buffalo.

All application materials should be submitted via UB Jobs at this link: https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/64251 Application materials submitted directly to the posting contact will not be acknowledged and cannot be considered.

Learn more:

• Our benefits, where we prioritize your well-being and success to enhance every aspect of your life.
• Being a part of the University at Buffalo community.

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Asian Studies or a related field by the time of appointment
• Experience teaching undergraduate courses in Japanese studies, Japanese cultural studies, cultural studies, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated success teaching courses on anime, Japanese popular culture, or related subjects
• Demonstrated success teaching large-enrollment courses.

Prodig+
No

Executive Position
No

Physical Demands

Driving Requirements
This position will never drive a university owned vehicle.

Salary Range
Competitive

Additional Salary Information

Job Type
Full-Time

Campus
North Campus

Posting Alerts

Special Instructions Summary

Review of applications will begin September 25, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

The following documents are required:

• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching Portfolio
• Cover letter

All application materials should be submitted via UB Jobs. Application materials submitted directly to the posting contact will not be acknowledged and cannot be considered.

Additional Information

Is a background check required for this posting?
No

Background Check Notification

Contact Information

Contact’s Name
Walter Hakala

Contact’s Pronouns
he/him/his

Contact’s Title
Director, Asian Studies Program

Contact’s Email
walterha@buffalo.edu

Contact’s Phone
716-645-3419

Posting Dates

Posted
09/10/2026

Deadline for Applicants
Open Until Filled

Date to be filled
01/07/2027

References

Number of References Required
3

Reference Cutoff Date

Instructions to Applicant