Job Description

Akita International University (AIU) Faculty of International Liberal Arts invites applications for a tenure-track position in Japanese and English Literature at the rank of Assistant Professor, ideally to start April 1, 2026 (and no later than Sept. 1, 2026).

Akita International University was founded in 2004 as Japan's first public university corporation. The university offers an all-English-medium education in international liberal arts designed to prepare its students for responsible leadership in a globalized age. In the most recent Times Higher Education (THE) ranking of Japanese Universities, out of more than 800 universities, AIU was ranked 10th overall, 2nd for its engagement, and 1st for the international environment, competing with the best universities in Japan. We are proud of this recognition of the quality of our programs, and we seek an individual who can contribute to ongoing excellence at AIU.

Located in Akita, Japan, the school operates on a semester calendar with an intensive winter program between semesters. All AIU students must spend one full academic year studying abroad; each year, roughly one-quarter of its students are from one of the schools 200 exchange partner institutions. This means that our classes typically have a wide international mix of students who study alongside our traditional degree-seeking Japanese students. The university serves about 900 undergraduates and approximately 60 graduate students. For more details about the school, visit the website at

At present, AIU offers an undergraduate curriculum with advanced programs in Global Business, Global Studies, and Global Connectivity, which seeks to integrate digital technologies and the humanities. We are searching for a liberally educated individual to join the Global Connectivity program with a passion for classroom teaching and scholarly research who can help develop and deliver coursework in Literature, with a preferred focus on Japanese Literature. The successful applicant will take over courses previously taught by a retiring faculty member and will have full responsibility for courses on Japanese Literature I: Modern Literature, Japanese Literature II: Postwar Identity in Literature, English Literature, and/or Creative Writing. The teaching load is 18 credits per year. Please note that all courses are taught in English at AIU.

As a Liberal Arts College, our principal endeavor is helping students develop critical thinking skills, global dispositions, and the capacity to bring multiple perspectives to bear in seeking solutions to the complex issues of our global and digitalized times. We seek candidates who possess the ability to foster disciplined inquiry and discussion among a very diverse student body. Additionally, as a small international liberal arts college that stresses the necessity of interdisciplinary work, we seek individuals who welcome close collaboration with colleagues across the range of the universitys programs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in a related field (If the PhD is expected, documentation of the anticipated date of conferral is required.)
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to teach at a high level in English
• Scholarly promise
• A commitment to liberal arts education and the AIU Mission Statement

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Teaching experience at the university level
• Scholarly achievement
• Experience working in multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environments
• Experience living or working in Japan and familiarity with Japanese culture

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach undergraduate courses in one or more of the areas indicated above. Specific teaching assignments will be determined in consultation with the program supervisor and in consideration of the successful candidates specific areas of expertise.
• Advise individual undergraduate students
• Engage in scholarly activities leading to presentation and publication
• Participate in service to the university, program, and community
• Collaborate with faculty and staff on program development

APPOINTMENT:

The initial appointment is based on a three-year, fixed-term contract, renewable up to two times. The position is tenure-track, with the first opportunity to apply for tenure typically occurring in the sixth year of employment. Salary is competitive within Japan and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Generous benefits are also included as part of the remuneration, including partial rent allowance, health insurance, and a research fund allowance.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Applications should be submitted by September 25th, 2025 (JST) deadline. The expected start date is April 1, 2026 (negotiable).

To be considered for the position, please complete the online application form and upload the following documents using the URL below. Please make sure to merge all the documents and files into a single PDF file and then submit this file through the Application Form. The order is as follows:

1. Letter of application / 2. Curriculum Vitae / 3. Statements of Teaching philosophy and teaching interests / 4. Statements of Research interests / 5. Syllabi for two courses that you do or could teach in the areas indicated in the list above / 6. Copies of up to three recent publications / 7. Names and email contact information for three current references

Application Form:

AIU Jobs and Vacancies:

Screening of applicants will begin immediately, and applications will be accepted until the 25th of September, 2025 (JST) . After the initial screening, short listed candidates will be invited to participate in online interviews. Finalists for the position will then be invited to AIU, at universitys expense, for an interview, a research presentation, a teaching demonstration, and a chance to see the campus and the community. International applicants are encouraged to apply.

AIU is an equal opportunity employer and strongly believes in the importance of diversity within its community and encourages applications from all under-represented groups, including ethnic and gender minorities, and female applicants.

Documents submitted in support of your application will only be used for the purpose of making a selection decision. Unfortunately, we are unable to return documents submitted as part of this process.

Faculty Search Committee

c/o Office of Faculty and Staff Support

Akita International University

Yuwa, Akita city 010-1292 JAPAN

Email: f-search2@aiu.ac.jp

TEL: +81-18-886-5929

Web:

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Job Tags

Full time, Fixed term contract, Work at office, Immediate start,

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