Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Japanese Literature, Culture, and Media

Industry: Advancement

Company: University of Minnesota

The Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor who is a specialist in modern or contemporary Japanese media, literature, and culture. Priority will be given to completed applications received by November 15, 2024.

The Department welcomes applicants whose research in modern or contemporary Japanese media, film, popular culture, literature, and/or critical theory demonstrates expertise in one or more of the following fields: media theory, literary studies, critical theory in a global context, comparative East Asian popular culture, the environmental humanities including study of the nonhuman world, diaspora and migration studies, disability studies, visual culture, or related fields. The candidate will teach a 2-2 course load and advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students.

Appointment will be 100% time over the nine-month academic year, starting August 25, 2025. Appointment will be at the rank of tenure-track assistant professor consistent with collegiate and University policy. Advanced ABDs will be considered, but PhD must be in hand at job start. Salary is competitive and will depend on the candidate’s qualifications and experience, consistent with school, college, and university policy. This position is eligible for the University of Minnesota’s standard benefits package available to benefits-eligible faculty and academic staff.

Applicants are expected to have an active research and/or creative program and contribute to service in the department, college, university, and field. The faculty member will teach a 2-2 load. The faculty member will teach undergraduate courses and graduate seminars in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and mentor students in our MA in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and our PhD in Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures and Media.

Faculty in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies in the College of Liberal Arts are expected to maintain an active program of scholarly research; develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses; advise students; and contribute service appropriate for the rank of appointment to the department, college, University, and profession.

This position is subject to the Board of Regents Policy: Faculty Tenure , the Administrative Procedure: Procedures for Reviewing Candidates for Tenure and/or Promotion: Tenure-Track and Tenured Faculty , and additional policies and procedures.

The Standards for Promotion and Tenure in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies are available here .

Information on faculty workload guidelines and principles in the College of Liberal Arts is available here.

Qualifications

A Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in East Asian Studies, Japanese Studies, Comparative Literature, Media Studies or related field is required. Native or near-native fluency in English and Japanese is also required.

Candidates will be evaluated according to (a) overall quality of their academic preparation and scholarly work, (b) relevance of their scholarly research and research trajectory to the department’s academic priorities and fields of inquiry, (c) evidence of commitment to teaching, (d) strength of recommendations, (e) commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

About the Department

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution . CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

The Benefits of Working at the U

How To Apply

To be considered for this position, please click the APPLY button and follow the instructions. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A complete application contains all of the following:

(1) a cover letter describing your interest in the position, your research and teaching interests, and your qualifications and experience;

(2) your curriculum vitae, which should include the names of three references who may be contacted directly by the search committee to provide letters of recommendation;

(3) a writing sample, which must be attached as an additional document through your “My Activities” page;

(4) a one-page research statement including a summary of the applicant’s expected research trajectory.

Candidates who advance to the second round will submit three letters of recommendation, a second writing sample, and teaching evaluations if available. The position is open until filled, but priority will be given to completed applications received by November 15, 2024 . The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. If you have any questions about the position, please contact the chair of the search committee, Professor Christine Marran, marran@umn.edu.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).