The Department of Modern Languages in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at DePaul University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Japanese, beginning in Fall 2027.
DePaul’s interdisciplinary Japanese Studies program offers a major and a curriculum that integrates advanced Japanese-language study with area studies courses in Japanese culture, literature, history, religion, art, politics, and related fields.
The successful candidate will serve as Director of the Japanese Studies Program and coordinate the Japanese-language curriculum. Teaching responsibilities will include Japanese-language courses at all levels; courses in Japanese linguistics, translation, Foreign Languages Across the Curriculum (FLAC), culture, and literature; and teaching in the First-Year and Liberal Studies Programs.The candidate will be expected to maintain a rigorous and productive research agenda leading to peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and other scholarly contributions appropriate to the candidate’s field. Additional responsibilities will include supervising study-abroad and international internship programs; serving as the content-area advisor for the Japanese concentration in World Language Education in the College of Education; advising students; contributing to curriculum development and program growth; and providing leadership for community-engaged initiatives with local educational, cultural, and business organizations.
● Ph.D. in Japanese linguistics, second-language acquisition, language pedagogy, Japanese literature, or a closely related field.
● Demonstrated excellence in teaching and experience teaching Japanese language at multiple levels in a college or university setting.
● A record of, or clear potential for, scholarly research leading to publications and conference presentations.
● A record of, or clear potential for, service to the university, the profession, and relevant academic organizations
● Evidence of the ability to contribute to program growth, curricular innovation, student advising, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
● Near-native or native proficiency in Japanese and English to carry out the teaching, advising, and administrative responsibilities of the position.
1.A cover letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and relevant experience.
2.A curriculum vitae
3.A statement of teaching philosophy*.
4.A statement describing the applicant’s research agenda*.
5.Three letters of recommendation
* Applicants may also submit evidence of effective teaching, including student teaching evaluations, awards and sample syllabi, and evidence of research, including scholarly works such as peer-reviewed journal articles, dissertation chapters, etc.
Reviews of eligible applicants will begin on November 1, 2026, and continue until the position has been filled. Only complete applications will be considered. Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Nobuko Chikamatsu, Chair of the Search Committee, at nchikama@depaul.edu
General Compensation/Benefits Statement
DePaul University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the qualifications, education, experience, and training of the selected candidate, the scope and responsibilities of the position, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.
DePaul University offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, and tuition benefit. Further information regarding benefits can be found here: https://offices.depaul.edu/human-resources/benefits/Pages/default.aspx
About DePaul University's Academic Calendar
Except for the College of Law, DePaul University operates on a quarter system. Classes in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters are 11 weeks in length (including finals week) and Summer courses, in two sessions, are typically 5 weeks in length. The College of Law operates on the semester system. Classes in the Fall and Spring semesters are 16 weeks in length (including finals week) and it offers a Summer Session of 7 weeks (including final exams).
DePaul University is an Equal Opportunity employer with a strong commitment to hiring for our mission and diversifying our faculty and staff. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion (except where religion is a bona fide occupational qualification for the job), national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by law.
DePaul University and Our Mission
As an innovative Catholic, Vincentian university anchored in the global city of Chicago, DePaul supports the integral human development of its students. The university does so through its commitment to outstanding teaching, academic excellence, real-world experience, and community engagement. DePaul prepares its graduates to be successful in their chosen fields and agents of transformation throughout their lives.
Guided by an ethic of Vincentian personalism and professionalism, DePaul passionately upholds the dignity of all members of its diverse, multi-faith, and inclusive community. Through education, creative endeavors, and research, the university addresses the great questions of our day, promoting peaceful, just, and equitable solutions to social and environmental challenges. Since its founding in 1898, DePaul University has remained dedicated to making education accessible to all, with special attention to including underserved and underrepresented communities.
Comprised of ten colleges and schools, offering 130+ undergraduate majors and 170+ graduate programs, DePaul’s faculty challenges its students to analyze and solve real-world problems with rigor and innovation.
As an urban faith-based institution with a diverse student body, DePaul is committed to growing and maintaining a faculty dedicated to advancing the Vincentian mission through research, teaching, and service. DePaul upholds a fair and equitable recruitment, interview, and hiring process where supporting diverse populations and academic excellence are compatible goals. Our vibrant and diverse faculty is supported through academic and professional development resources. Successful candidates thrive and are at home in an environment where diverse cultures and identities, ideas, backgrounds, and experiences are welcomed and supported.
