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:

• Cover letter
• CV, including contact information (or Interfolio ID) 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 at [email protected] . For more information about the University of Illinois and the department, visit .

For inquiries about application materials, email: [email protected] .

For questions regarding the application portal, please contact 217-333-2137 or [email protected] .

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.

Founded in 1867 as Illinois's flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university's legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career - along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.

Faculty Recruitment

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [email protected] .

Requisition ID : 1035483

Job Category : Faculty

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