Lecturer​/Instructor - East Asian Languages and Cultures

Lecturer/Instructor - East Asian Languages and Cultures

Lecturer/Instructor in Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature & Culture

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a one-academic year Lecturer/Instructor position in Japanese literature and media. Reappointment may be possible based on departmental need, funding, and satisfactory performance review. The appointment will be a full-time, nine-month position with a teaching load of three courses in the Fall semester and three courses in the Spring semester.

These will include general education courses in Japanese and East Asian popular culture, surveys of modern and premodern Japanese literature, Japanese cinema, and advanced courses in the hire’s field of specialization. The target start date of the appointment is August 16, 2026. The budgeted salary for this position is $60,000. This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.

This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy.

Required Qualifications

• The research area is open, but training in modern and contemporary Japanese literature and media is required.
• Candidates with a PhD in hand in Japanese, comparative literature, East Asian languages & cultures or related fields, evidence of successful teaching and some research accomplishment will be considered as a Lecturer.
• Candidates who are ABD or hold a Master’s degree in Japanese, comparative literature, East Asian languages & cultures or related fields, and present evidence of successful teaching, will be considered as an Instructor.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in areas such as film and visual culture, transnational and postcolonial Asia, popular culture, game studies, and gender and sexuality, among others. Preference will be given to candidates with PhD or who are ABD.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on April 3, 2026
. To ensure full consideration, all required application materials must be submitted by the posted closing date.

To apply, create your candidate profile through the University of Illinois application login page at  and upload your application materials:

• CV, including contact information (or Interfolio ) for three professional references;
• Graduate transcripts;
• One representative writing sample
• A sample syllabus and teaching evaluations if available

Candidates may be contacted about soliciting letters of reference at a later point, after initial review of the files. Only applications submitted through the University of Illinois Job Board will be considered. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date, although no hiring decision will be made until after that date.

Inquiries about the position should be directed to Prof. Gian Piero Persiani, Search Chair  more information about the University of Illinois and the department, visit http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). .

For inquiries about application materials, email: lascollegehiring.

For questions regarding the application portal, please contact  or jobs.

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

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