University Lecturer in Japanese Studies

The University of Helsinki, Faculty of Humanities invites applications for the position of

UNIVERSITY LECTURER IN JAPANESE STUDIES

for a permanent appointment from 1 January 2027, or as agreed.

The Faculty of Humanities carries out research and teaching on Japanese culture, history and society as well as the Japanese language. The successful candidate will be a Japanese studies scholar with broad-based expertise. They must have a proven track record in key areas of Japanese studies, such as contemporary society, politics, contemporary history and culture. The appointee’s research and teaching are expected to incorporate a transnational perspective, placing Japan in a wider regional and global context. The position is in the Department of Cultures.

The appointee’s duties will include teaching in accordance with degree requirements at all levels of undergraduate and postgraduate study, as well as the supervision and examination of theses in Finnish, English and Swedish. Duties requiring strong collaboration skills include participating in the planning and development of teaching with other staff members in the department, degree programmes and disciplines. We also expect that the applicant will collaborate with teachers from other Faculty departments in developing teaching.

Moreover, the university lecturer in Japanese studies will conduct research in Japanese studies and actively support developing the field in general. In addition, the appointee is expected to actively apply for external research funding and to participate in the department’s and faculty’s administrative tasks related to teaching, research, and societal impact.

APPOINTMENT CRITERIA

According to the University of Helsinki Regulations, an appointee to a university lectureship must hold an applicable doctoral degree and be capable of providing high-quality, research-based teaching and supervising theses.

The assessment of applicant merits considers scholarly publications and other research outputs of scholarly value, teaching experience, pedagogical training, the ability to produce learning materials and other teaching merits. Demonstrable research and teaching experience in Japanese studies is expected.

Pursuant to the Government Decree on Universities (770/2009), appointees to teaching and research positions at the University must be proficient in the language in which they provide instruction, i.e., Finnish or Swedish. The language of instruction in this position is Finnish. To successfully attend to the duties of the position, the appointee must also have satisfactory skills in Swedish and good skills in English and Japanese. Applicants from a different language background or who have not been educated in Finnish or Swedish may be exempted from the requirement for Swedish skills without a separate application. Further information on language skills and the demonstration of language proficiency is available on the University website.

SALARY

We offer the opportunity to work in an inspiring, international and multidisciplinary environment. The salary will be based on levels 6–7 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal work performance. The appointee’s gross monthly salary will range average from about €4,500 to €4,900, depending on their merits and experience. The position includes a six-month trial period.

The University of Helsinki provides a range of staff benefits, including occupational health services, professional development opportunities, assistance with research project applications, and access to library and fitness facilities. Read more about career opportunities and benefits on our website.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications, together with the required attachments, must be submitted through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by clicking the link below. Current employees of the University of Helsinki must submit their applications through the SAP Fiori portal.

Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents as a single PDF file (see instructions):

• A concise cover letter
• A curriculum vitae
• A report (max. 5 pages) on the applicant’s teaching expertise and experience
• An informal report (max. 3 pages) on the applicant’s scholarly activities, including success in obtaining research funding and specialisation in Japanese studies
• A list of publications
  
  

All the above documents must be submitted in Finnish or English. Applicants should be aware that, after the application period closes, the appointment committee will invite the shortlisted candidates to attend an interview and to deliver a teaching demonstration.

The application deadline is 31st May 2026 (23:59 PM).
 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the position is available from Department Head Antti Korpisaari (antti.korpisaari@helsinki.fi). For enquiries about the recruitment process, please contact HR Specialist Harri Hamara (harri.hamara@helsinki.fi).

Read more about the University of Helsinki as an employer.