Open Rank Faculty Positions in Japanese Studies at the Center for Integrated Japanese Studies, Tohoku University

The Center for Integrated Japanese Studies at Tohoku University was founded to further the advancement of new directions in global Japanese Studies founded upon the principles of interdisciplinarity, inter- and transregionality, and creative collaboration. Bringing together scholars from around the world, the Center is dedicated to integration – of research within and outside of Japan, of scholarship on and of different regions, of diverse fields and disciplines, and of the sciences and the humanities – as an engine to power the development of Japanese Studies and as a guide map to its future.

As part of a major new initiative in the humanities and social sciences, Tohoku University seeks to fill three faculty positions in Japanese Studies. This initiative will involve multiple faculty hires over the next several years. We welcome applicants who work in any field of study on Japan within the humanities and social sciences. Special attention will be given to applicants whose goals and methodologies align with the Center’s tenets of interdisciplinarity and transregionality. Successful candidates will be appointed as tenured or tenure-track associate professors or tenure-track assistant professors.

The appointments are expected to begin on October 1, 2024. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to research and teaching from a perspective that situates Japan in the larger world and highlights a global perspective on Japanese Studies. Appointees will teach and advise in English at the undergraduate and graduate levels, teaching a typical load of three classes each semester (3/3). Service in the form of administrative roles in the Center or in editorial involvement in the Center’s journal and other publications are also part of the appointment. Preference will be given to candidates capable of and willing to join collaborative research projects with scholars in Japan and to those interested in conducting research using the rich archival collections at Tohoku University.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Japanese Studies or a closely related field by the time the appointment begins
• Native or near-native proficiency in both English and Japanese
• Robust research agenda in global Japanese Studies
• Strong commitments to research, advising, and teaching
• Evidence of potential for significant contributions to the Center, University, and wider field of Japanese Studies

Compensation

The annual salary for these appointments will be determined in accordance with Tohoku University’s Regulations on Employee Salary and will be based on length of experience and performance.

Allocation of Office and Laboratory Space

Successful candidates will be allocated an office and laboratory space on campus.

Accommodation

Successful candidates may be able to move into university accommodation if there are any vacancies on the date of appointment.

Welfare

Successful candidates will be enrolled as a member of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Mutual Aid Association which will provide health insurance and enroll them on the Employees’ Pension Scheme. Tohoku University will also provide employment insurance as well as industrial accident compensation insurance.

Submissions

Please submit the following materials to mail@.
Applications received by March 20, 2024 (in Japan) will receive full consideration.

1. A cover letter
2. A curriculum vitae
3. A completed resume (a standardized form has been created and is available for download from the link below)
   • https://cijs.oii.tohoku.ac.jp/media/files/call/resume_tu.xlsx  file_save
4. A writing sample representative of current or past research (max 20 pages)
5. A research statement and agenda summarizing past research and outlining future plans
6. Three letters of reference
7. A completed and signed 'Conduct Questionnaire' (available for download from the link below)
   • https://cijs.oii.tohoku.ac.jp/media/files/call/conduct_questionnaire_tu.pdf picture_as_pdf

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a teaching dossier, including a teaching statement, sample course materials, and student evaluation summaries. Candidates reaching the final round of the selection process will be invited to the Tohoku University campus.

Tohoku University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or other protected status.