Description

The Faculty of Liberal Arts, Sophia University, invites applications for an open-rank position in modern Japanese literature. The ranks of Full and Associate Professor are tenured appointments whereas the Assistant Professor rank is a five-year tenure-track appointment. 

The successful applicant will teach courses in the Literature field in the undergraduate Comparative Culture Area, as well as in the Japanese Studies area in the Graduate Program in Global Studies. The ideal candidate should be able to teach a foundational course and an advanced seminar in modern Japanese literature, in addition to courses that reflect the candidate’s research focus. The successful candidate should also be prepared to teach a required writing-intensive undergraduate course in critical thinking and a university-wide general studies course, as needed. For the Graduate Program in Global Studies, the candidate will be responsible for offering a seminar relating to modern Japanese literature and for mentoring graduate students at the MA and PhD level. The language of instruction is English. Competence in Japanese language is required. The normal teaching load is four courses the first year, and five courses the next year, on a two-year rotation. Classes meet twice a week for one hundred minutes each. The appointment will be effective from April 1, 2027, and no later than September 21, 2027. 

Sophia University, located in central Tokyo, was founded in 1913 by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and is one of Japan’s leading private universities. The Faculty of Liberal Arts offers a comprehensive program in humanities, international business and economics, and social studies. In addition to our degree students, we host exchange students from leading universities overseas. We also staff the Graduate Program in Global Studies, which offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Global Studies and Japanese Studies, and an M.A. degree in International Business and Development Studies.

The chosen candidate is expected to fulfill educational, research, and administrative duties in the operation of the department, the faculty, and the university. Teaching and administrative locations are subject to change as determined by Sophia University Corporation. Salary and benefits are based on Sophia’s rules and regulations. The successful candidate is expected to seek external research grants. Sophia and the FLA are committed to promoting diversity.

Applications should include a cover letter (outlining academic background and research interests, teaching experience, and an explanation of your interest in being at Sophia University and living in Japan); a detailed curriculum vitae; one publication; the names and email addresses of three referees; and two sample syllabi, one for an introductory course on modern Japanese literature and the other for an advanced undergraduate literature seminar. 

Applications should be submitted online by January 19th, 2026 (Japan Standard Time). To start the process, please create an applicant account by accessing the link here: 

https://forms.office.com/r/udnLLsGRf9

For further information about our programs, please see:

Faculty of Liberal Arts:  https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/program/undergraduate_c/UG_LA/index.html

Graduate Program in Global Studies:  

https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/gpgs/

Requirements

We are seeking a literature specialist who can offer a range of courses on modern Japanese literature as part of a liberal arts program that serves an international, multicultural student body. We also welcome candidates who have additional research or pedagogical interests in related fields, such as comparative literature, Asian literature, media studies, etc. The candidate must have a Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Literature, East Asian Studies, Comparative Literature, or a similar degree at the time of application. Teaching experience is required. Professional and/or scholarly experience in Japan are assets.