Assistant Professor in Japanese at St. Olaf College 2026
Job Description
St. Olaf College, located in Northfield, Minnesota, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in Japanese within the Department of Asian Studies. The position will begin in August 2026 at the Assistant Professor level. This opportunity is ideal for educators committed to high-quality language instruction, cross-cultural learning, and contributing to a collaborative academic environment.
Organization Profile
Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a nationally recognized liberal arts institution with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff. Situated on a 300-acre residential campus in Northfield—just 45 minutes from Minneapolis and St. Paul—the college fosters academic excellence, inclusivity, and holistic student development.
The Asian Studies Department is a vibrant, interdisciplinary academic community. Faculty specialize in language, literature, religion, political science, and cultural studies. The department encourages interdisciplinary learning, off-campus programs, and strong faculty-student collaboration, all supported by active involvement in national and international academic networks such as AAS, ACTFL, ATJ, and ASIANetwork.
Job Title:
- Assistant Professor of Asian Studies – Japanese Language & Culture
- Employment Type: Full-Time | Tenure-Track
- Department Hiring: Asian Studies Department
- Location: St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, USA
Position Description
The successful candidate will:
- Teach Japanese language courses at all levels
- Teach one or two disciplinary courses in English, aligned with expertise (e.g., linguistics, film studies)
- Carry a teaching load of five courses per academic year
- Contribute to the Japanese Program through administrative and student-support roles such as:
- Coordinating with lab instructors and student tutors
- Organizing conversation tables and internships
- Supporting study-away opportunities
- Participating in departmental meetings and campus events
Salary Range:
$74,190 – $79,000 (commensurate with experience)
Qualifications
Required:
- Native or near-native fluency in Japanese and English
- Ph.D. in Japanese language/culture or a related field (ABD considered with clear graduation timeline)
Preferred:
- Teaching experience at the college level
- Commitment to inclusive teaching and developing students’ cross-cultural competencies
- Academic specialization in second language studies, media studies, linguistics, or related areas
How to Apply
Applicants for this opening should submit the following documents:
- Cover Letter explaining your qualifications and interest in the role
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Unofficial Graduate Transcripts
- Teaching Statement (2–3 pages):
- Outline of teaching philosophy and support for diverse learners
- Instructional methods and professional development
- Include a link to a 15-minute Japanese language teaching demo video
- Professional Statement (2–3 pages):
- Research interests and academic goals
- Contributions to the field and alignment with institutional values
- Writing Sample (max 30 pages):
- Published article, dissertation chapter, or current work
- Contact Information for 3 References:
- Letters will be requested by the committee at the interview stage
Review of applications begins: September 26, 2025
Finalist interviews expected: November 2025
For questions about the position, contact:
Ying Zhou, Search Committee Chair
Email: tt2026asianst@stolaf.edu
Important Notes
- The college values diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, research, and service
- St. Olaf is an Equal Opportunity Employer
- All offers of employment are subject to a background check
- Comprehensive benefits include:
- 9% retirement match
- Health savings contributions
- Up to 90% tuition reduction at partner institutions for dependents
- Generous time off policies
For application assistance:
Faculty Search: facultysearch@stolaf.edu | 507-786-3356
HR Staff: hrstaff@stolaf.edu | 507-786-3068
Important Link
Official Notification: Click Here
