Job Description

• Do you have a PhD and demonstratable expertise in Japanese Studies?
• Can you build positive and supportive relationships and work part of a team?
• Have you got a record of successful teaching, specifically in Japanese language and culture?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting for a Pūkenga - Lecturer or Pūkenga Matua - Senior Lecturer in Japanese on a permanent, full-time basis.

The role is situated in the Asian Languages and Cultures Programme of Te Kura o Ngā Reo me ngā Tikanga-ā-iwi - School of Languages and Cultures and involves responsibility for teaching and researching in Japanese Studies.

We are excited to welcome a scholar expert in Japanese Studies to the Asian Languages and Cultures Programme. The successful candidate will teach into the Japanese major in the Bachelor of Arts and will also be expected to contribute to the School’s other offerings in Intercultural Communication, Translation Studies, Global Studies and Asian Studies.

Key requirements:

• Demonstrated research expertise in Japanese Studies.
• A record of successful teaching in Japanese language and culture.
• An ability to teach into Intercultural Communication and Translation Studies.
• An existing record of published academic research.
• The ability to build positive and supportive relationships with colleagues and work as part of a team, as well as taking on individual responsibilities.
• The role will also involve developing courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, with support from other colleagues in the School, as well as supervising postgraduate students.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

You will be motivated by a passion for Japanese language and culture and a desire to teach and research in this field. You will join a School committed to the role that languages and cultures play in global society. You will have the opportunity to develop a community of scholars, students and wider networks in Japanese Studies and more broadly.

An engaged scholar and educator, you will be self-motivated and self-organised, working with a high degree of autonomy, and will support the collegiality and cooperative work of the Programme.

The successful candidates will:

• Have demonstrable expertise in Japanese Studies and a relevant PhD.
• Demonstrate a track record of, and ongoing commitment to, scholarly publication.
• Be able to teach Japanese language and culture effectively at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• Be able to contribute to course offerings in Intercultural Communication and Translation Studies.
• Demonstrate the ability to work collegially, contribute effectively to the administration of the Programme, and support our Programme and University obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Click the below links to see further information, including salary details. If these links are not available, click 'apply' to view them on the University careers page.

Pūkenga | Lecturer

Pūkenga Matua | Senior Lecturer

Close date for vacancy: 01 February 2026.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role, please contact Pouakorangi - Programme Director, Dr Luo Hui (luo.hui@vuw.ac.nz).

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter. Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application and understand that if they do not have a current, relevant visa, they will need to secure this independently.

Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here.

Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise