Visiting Assistant Professor of Japanese Linguistics
Title of Academic Position: Visiting Assistant Professor
Academic Department: East Asian Languages and Literatures
Name of College: Arts and Sciences
Position Overview
Position: Japanese Linguistics
Rank: Visiting Assistant Professor
Language requirements: English, Japanese
Sponsorship may be available (e.g., J-1)
The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures (DEALL) at The Ohio State University invites applications for a Visiting Assistant Professor position in Japanese linguistics. We seek candidates whose research focuses on interactional linguistics—such as sociolinguistics, pragmatics, or discourse analysis—with a strong quantitative background (e.g., AI, large language models, statistics), and who have the ability to teach undergraduate General Education courses on Japanese culture as well as graduate-level courses in Japanese linguistics. Native or near-native fluency in both English and Japanese is required.
Performance Objectives:
- Teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels (e.g., Elements of Japanese Culture, Introduction to Japanese Linguistics, and other Japanese language/linguistics courses)
- Conducts research focusing on interactional linguistics, such as sociolinguistics, pragmatics, or discourse analysis, with a strong quantitative background (e.g., use of AI, large language models, and/or statistics, etc.)
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring a student body with many different backgrounds at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
- Provides analytical and quantitative training to help students approach and understand Japanese interactions through language data
- Actively contributes to cross-disciplinary research and is able to utilize media resources such as manga, animé, and video games (e.g., encouraged to engage with and leverage the internationally renowned manga collection at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum; expected to contribute to the university-level AI Fluency Initiative and the proposed Arts & Humanities AI Institute, and to foster synergy with other programs within DEALL and across campus, e.g., East Asian Studies, Linguistics, Film/Media Studies, Popular Culture Studies, Game Studies, Psychology, Cognitive Sciences, Translation and Interpreting, and so on)
- Contributes to the department in service and committee work as assigned
Education and Experience Requirements
Required:
- PhD in Japanese linguistics or a related field in hand by August 15, 2026
- Specialization in one or more areas of Japanese pragmatics, sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, conversation analysis, corpus linguistics, media language, or related fields
- Ability to provide analytical and quantitative training to help students approach and understand Japanese interactions through language data
- Native or near-native fluency in both English and Japanese
Desired:
- College level teaching experience
- Ability to utilize media resources such as manga, animé, and video games
- Ability to contribute to the university-level AI Fluency Initiative and the proposed Arts & Humanities AI Institute
- Ability to foster synergy with other programs within DEALL and across campus
Additional Information
The offer for this position will be based on internal equity and the candidate's qualifications. Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting from your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package.
How to Apply
To be considered, please submit your application electronically via Workday
https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Visiting-Assistant-Professor_R139961-1
. Application materials must include: (1) a cover letter; (2) curriculum vitae including the names and email addresses of three references; (3) a statement of research interests; (4) a statement of teaching and mentoring; and (5) a research sample (no more than 50 pages).
You will be presented with the opportunity to attach up to FIVE documents in the Application Documents section. Please include the following:
· Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1-2 page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.
· Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research experience, teaching and mentoring experience, service, and publications. A section of your CV should include a list of all courses you have taught and the names and email addresses of three references.
· Attachment 3: A Research Statement: The research statement is a summary of your past research accomplishments, current work/research, and proposal for your future research plans as a faculty member.
· Attachment 4: A Teaching and Mentoring Statement: The teaching and mentoring statement is a statement of your approaches, experience and philosophy regarding your teaching, learning, and mentoring.
· Attachment 5: A writing sample (up to 50 pages).
References: List the names and email address of three references in your CV.
Following submission of your application materials in Workday, you will be sent an email from Ohio State Human Resources (HR) with instructions to provide names and contact information for three reference letter providers. It is imperative for you to respond to the Ohio State HR solicitation promptly in order to initiate the process for the submission of the letters of recommendation by your references.
For candidates who advance to a round of ZOOM interviews, we reserve the right to request additional materials (dissertations, book manuscripts, teaching evaluations, etc.). Candidates who advance to the status of finalists will be invited to present their research and teaching virtually.
Application closes: January 9, 2026 (Friday)
The position will begin August 15, 2026. Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Mineharu Nakayama (Japanese Search Committee Chair) at
nakayama.1@osu.edu .
The College:
With more than 80 majors and 100 minors, the College of Arts and Sciences is the
academic heart of the university. The Arts and Sciences provides extraordinary
opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The breadth and depth of knowledge in the college gives
students and researchers the critical thinking and adaptability essential for a lifetime of
success.
Department Information:
The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures (DEALL) in the College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University is one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States. It offers undergraduate degrees in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language and literature. The graduate program offers the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in both Chinese and Japanese in the disciplines of literature, linguistics, and language pedagogy. DEALL's undergraduate language programs offer one of the most extensive and diverse curricula in the country. They include innovative programs such as the Individualized Track and the Intensive Track language programs. DEALL faculty also teach many courses in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean literature, linguistics, folklore, culture, and film. The mission of the Department is to advance and disseminate knowledge of the languages, literatures, and cultures of East Asia. The Department comprises faculty members whose work ranges across several areas of inquiry; three geographical and cultural regions of East Asia, namely, China, Japan, and Korea; and various periods of history. The Department is committed to maintaining and enhancing its national and international reputation in research, education, and professional service.
The University:
Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.
Grounded in Ohio State University’s Shared Values, our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.
Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.
The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established central resources to focus on offering support to new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual career partner consultation, potential employer and/or employment opportunity identification, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are available. More information about dual career and faculty recruitment can be found here.
In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. Ohio State is a member of the Michigan, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania & West Virginia HERC.
Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government
as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. Beyond its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State
Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI.
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. Additionally, there may be further requirements specific to the college or unit, which could include drug and health screenings, as well as faculty misconduct checks depending on the rank of the position.
About Columbus:
The Ohio State University campus is located in Columbus, the capital city of Ohio. Columbus is the Midwest’s fastest-growing city and the nation’s 14th largest city. Columbus offers a diverse array of welcoming neighborhoods and a vibrant arts and culture scene. Additional information about all that the Columbus area has to offer is available at
https://visit.osu.edu/experience.
