News

The Graduate School of Arts and Letters at Tohoku University is recruiting for the following position.

Position

Title:	Associate Professor (female)
Affiliation:	The Graduate School of Arts and Letters, Global Humanities, Asian Culture and History, Department of Chinese Thought and Philosophy
Term of Employment:	Tenured (depending on research achievements and teaching experience, successful candidates may be hired as a tenure-track associate professor)
Location:	Graduate School of Arts and Letters, Kawauchi-Minami Campus, 27-1 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8576
Start Date:	April 1st, 2026

Job Description

Chinese philosophy, which is a field of study that relies on close analysis of written sources, seeks to explore specific aspects and distinctive features of these multifaceted cultures and map the points where they coincide with or diverge from cultures in other regions. Tracing the ways of thinking developed in the past, it strives to examine them in detail and reveal their historical significance both in the past and the present.

The successful candidate will be engaged in research and education related to Chinese thought and philosophy, and other duties within the University. The expected coursework requirements include advanced lectures, comprehensive seminars, advanced seminars, and dissertation guidance at the graduate level, as well as introduction, basic readings, special lectures, seminars, and graduation thesis guidance at the undergraduate level. This role is only open to female candidates.

For further details, including how to apply, please see here.

Qualifications

• Possess a doctoral degree (Ph.D.)
• Ability to teach, conduct research, and carry out duties within the university in Japanese
• Excellent reading skills in Chinese classical texts, and proficiency in modern Chinese
• Deep knowledge and accomplishments in the history of thought or philosophy in premodern or modern China.

How to Apply

Please send the following materials as a PDF via the JREC-IN site to apply:

1. Curriculum vitae (free format, photograph included)
   Please list your educational background starting from high school．Please be sure to include your e-mail address as well.
2. List of research achievements
   Include books, papers, oral presentations, research grants, and awards (any format is acceptable)
3. Three major research achievements and an abstract of each (approximately 200 words)
4. Summary of research and educational activities to date (about 500 words)
5. Research plan and aspirations regarding education after assuming the position (about 500 words)

Application Deadline: September 30, 2025

Renumeration

To be determined in accordance with Tohoku University's employment regulations. Allowances for transport, housing, and dependents may be provided depending on circumstances.

Estimated annual income: from 5,000,000 JPY to 8,000,000 JPY.

About the Graduate School

The Graduate School of Arts and Letters (GSAL) at Tohoku University traces its roots to the Faculty of Law and Letters, founded in 1922. Over the past century, it has nurtured generations of outstanding researchers and responsible members of society, grounded in the belief that the humanities and social sciences are vital for understanding humanity and addressing social challenges. In 2022, GSAL celebrated its 100th anniversary with the theme "the union of grounded knowledge and soaring sensibility," reflecting its commitment to both rigorous scholarship and creative insight. Upholding Tohoku University's open-door policy, GSAL continues to embrace diverse perspectives, including the launch of its first English-only graduate course for international students in 2023. Here, students and faculty grow together, fostering mutual respect and contributing to solutions for the world's complex problems.