Visiting Assistant Professor of Japanese

Located in Lewiston, Maine, Bates is internationally recognized as a leading liberal arts college. We are proud to offer a highly personalized education that centers on deep and sustained interactions among students, faculty, and community. We are engaging the forces — intellectual trends, demographic changes, and technology — that are transforming higher education and the world into which our students graduate.

The Program in Asian Studies at Bates College invites applications for a two-year position at the rank of Visiting Assistant Professor in Japanese (or Visiting Instructor depending on terminal degree), beginning July, 2025, and ending in June, 2027. We are looking for applicants with expertise in teaching Japanese language at all levels. The successful applicant will teach five courses each academic year, at least four of which will be language courses. Additional responsibilities include supervising a language assistant, contributing to co-curricular programming, and possible thesis advising. We are looking to hire a colleague with expertise in and a passion for language teaching, someone who will be able to welcome many students into our Japanese language program, build a strong foundation with them, and encourage them to continue on into their intermediate and advanced courses.

Bates students come from a variety of educational and socioeconomic backgrounds, and we are committed to each student’s success. Therefore, candidates should share evidence of their skills and experience supporting a diverse student body. This evidence may take the form of a separate, additional document or it may be integrated into the teaching statement. We encourage applications from individuals from historically marginalized groups and from those who may have followed non-traditional pathways to higher education due to societal, economic, or academic circumstances. Consideration of applications will begin February 9, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

Candidates must have completed a Doctorate (preferred) or Master’s Degree in Japanese Studies, Language Teaching, or a related field by the time of appointment. Candidates must have experience teaching Japanese language courses at all levels. Superior proficiency in Japanese and English is required.

Applicants should submit the following items:

1. A cover letter (no more than two pages)

2. A teaching statement (no more than two pages) that speaks to your commitment to inclusive, evidence-based pedagogy and your experience with teaching language courses. Please talk about your interest in working in a liberal arts environment that emphasizes close student-faculty interaction and how you can contribute to the Bates mission. Evidence of your skills and experience supporting a diverse student body may take the form of a separate, additional document or it may be integrated into the teaching statement.

3. A curriculum vitae, including the names of two recommenders (a t least one recommender should be able to speak to your expertise in Japanese language teaching)

4. Transcripts from your graduate institution(s)

Applicants invited for a first-round interview (to be conducted via Zoom) will be asked to submit two confidential letters of recommendation and sample course syllabi. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and verification of degree.

Bates College is committed to equal opportunity and to providing an educational and work environment free from discrimination. The college prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and other legally protected statuses in the recruitment and admission of its students, in the administration of its education policies and programs, or in the recruitment of its faculty and staff. Bates College adheres to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity laws and regulations. All college faculty, staff, students, contractors, visitors, and volunteers are responsible for understanding and complying with the Non-Discrimination Policy.

Inquiries concerning the college’s policies, compliance with applicable laws, statutes, and regulations (such as Title VII, Title IX, and ADA/Section 504), and complaints may be directed to the Title IX Officer, Gwen Lexow at 207-786-6445 or titleix@bates.edu.