Open Rank Professor or Lecturer in First-Year Writing Program

Position

Open Rank Professor or Lecturer in First-Year Writing Program

Department

Undergraduate

Position type

Full-time

Location    

Tokyo (City Campus in Sangen-jaya station / Hillside Center in Mizonokuchi station) or Kyoto (Fujinomori station)

Period

Desired Start Date: July 2027

TUJ full-time faculty contracts are for fixed terms and may be extended after a successful review. In accordance with university standards and Japanese law, successful full-time faculty are eligible for an indefinite contract after five years and a positive fourth year review.

Visa Requirement

Temple University Japan is able to sponsor a visa for this position.

Salary & Benefits

Subject to pay scale of this program and experience. Support is also offered for conferences, travel, and other research/creative related expenses. Annual bonuses may be possible.

OVERVIEW OF TUJ

Based in Philadelphia, Temple University is a public Carnegie-designated R1 research university, ranked in the top 50 public US universities by U.S. News and World Report for 2027. With approximately 30,000 students, Temple maintains a multi-campus system extending from Pennsylvania to Rome to Japan. 

Temple University Japan (TUJ) is the oldest and largest branch campus of a foreign university in Japan, offering a dynamic, multicultural academic environment in both Tokyo and its newly opened Kyoto campus. As part of Temple University in Philadelphia, TUJ delivers world-class, American-style education to a diverse student body representing over 70 countries. Between Fall 2020 and Fall 2026, undergraduate enrollment has tripled to over 4,000 students. The new Kyoto campus, launched in January 2025, expands TUJ’s reach into the Kansai region, offering innovative programs like the hybrid Master of Science in Communication Management. The Hillside Campus in Kawasaki, opened in Fall 2026, offers an immersive first year experience. With record-high undergraduate enrollment and a growing portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree programs, TUJ is a leader in international education in Asia and an exciting place to build your career in higher education.

In one of the most dynamic cities in the world, we offer fourteen full undergraduate majors ranging from Art to International Business to Psychology. Our faculty and staff are international, with more than 130 full-time faculty joined by experienced administrators and many part-time adjunct faculty from the professions, business, and the arts. TUJ holds classes in the fall and spring semesters (15 weeks) and over a well-enrolled 10-week summer semester. 

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

The First-Year Writing Program invites applications for open-rank professors or full-time lecturer positions in Tokyo and Kyoto to begin in fall 2027.

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate a strong record of student-centered teaching and innovative research. Experience teaching both native and non-native English-speaking students is an asset.

Successful candidates will be creative, possess excellent communication and teamwork skills, and be thoroughly knowledgeable about effective methods of teaching writing in higher education today. Successful candidates will demonstrate experience in developing curricula and instructional materials and mentoring new FYWP instructors. All TUJ faculty are expected to fulfill university service duties, particularly through participation in student engagement activities and faculty committees.

Assistant, Associate, or Full Professors will be expected to teach six 4-credit courses a year as well as engage in research and service. Successful candidates may teach courses relevant to their academic specialization as part of the institution’s broader General Education curriculum.

Full-time lecturers are expected to teach nine 4-credit courses a year.

Faculty members at TUJ teach a diverse student body from around the world. Candidates may be asked to teach traditional in-person classes, online classes, or Hyflex classes. The successful candidate will collaborate with the FYWP coordinator on yearly course offerings.

Qualifications & Experience

• Open Rank Professor: A PhD or EdD in Writing Studies, Rhetoric and Composition, Applied Linguistics, TESOL or a terminal degree in another closely related field. The successful candidate will have a solid record of scholarly publications suitable for their rank and an active research agenda.
• Lecturer: a master’s degree in writing studies, Rhetoric and Composition, Applied Linguistics, TESOL, or another closely related field.
• At least three years of successful experience teaching first-year composition or related courses;
• Knowledge of contemporary approaches to teaching academic writing and experience in effective classroom pedagogy;
• Experience and excellence in teaching; experience teaching in an American university setting is preferred.
  
• Commitment to students and their success
  
• Experience using educational technologies
• TUJ is an English-speaking workplace and classes are taught in English; fluency in English is required.

Application Process

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by November 30, 2026, will receive fullest consideration.

Required application materials to be submitted:

• A cover letter highlighting relevant experience and what appeals to you about the position
• A curriculum vitae with three references and their contact information
• A teaching portfolio that includes:
  

1. A statement of teaching philosophy
   
2. A sample syllabus
   
3. A summary of course evaluations
   
4. A list of courses previously taught, as well as a list of courses the candidate is qualified to teach
   

Only those applicants who make it past the initial review will be contacted.

Long-listed candidates will be asked to submit an introductory video addressing questions from the committee for further review.  

Temple University Japan is committed to equal opportunity employment, and to increase diversity and inclusivity in both its community and curricula. All qualified applicants shall receive full and equal consideration for employment. The university does not discriminate against candidates and employees because of their disability, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under the law. Candidates who can contribute to the institution's goals are strongly encouraged to apply.