The Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) is committed to understanding cultural, economic, political and social questions through the study of world regions in local, global and comparative contexts. OSGA delivers world leading, multi-disciplinary programmes of teaching and research across Africa, China, Latin America, the Middle East, Japan, Russia and Eastern Europe, and South Asia.

 

The Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA), in association with the Faculty of Law and St Antony’s College, wishes to appoint an Associate Professor in Japanese Law and Society. We invite applications from candidates with expertise in socio-legal studies of Japan, which may include (for example) environmental law, medical and technology law, human rights law, international law, civil and commercial law, administrative and constitutional law.

 

The post is offered on a full-time basis, available from 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The successful candidate will have an office for teaching and research in the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies, 27 Winchester Road, Oxford.

 

The post-holder will devote roughly 80% of their time to the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies Programme, OSGA; and 20% of their time to the Faculty of Law at the University of Oxford.

 

Appointments to Associate Professorships are confirmed as permanent on successful completion of a review during the first five years.  The successful candidate will be expected to teach and supervise at the undergraduate and graduate level and contribute to administration and examining. The post will be held in conjunction with a Governing Body Fellowship at St Antony’s College where the post-holder will act as a College Adviser for graduate students, and serve as a Trustee. They will engage actively in research, and contribute through publication to the School’s and University's international reputation for research excellence. Their role in the College will entail advising students, serving on committees, participating in its running as a College member and trustee.

 

The successful candidate will be expected to engage actively in research programmes of the School and the Faculty of Law to contribute through world-class publications to the University's international reputation for research excellence. Further responsibilities include contributing to the curricula and participating in the teaching and supervision of undergraduate and graduate students in Law and OSGA, under the direction of the Heads of Department, the Board of the Faculty of Law, and relevant Course Directors, proportionate to the balance of the role.

 

As a Governing Body Fellow of St Antony’s College, the candidate will be expected to act as student adviser, to participate in the College Committee system and in its Governing Body meetings.

 

You will have a doctorate in a relevant field, an outstanding programme of innovative research, a world-class portfolio on topics related to Japanese Law and Society as well as an excellent publication record with a primary focus on Japan, but preferably with comparative interests, commensurate with your career stage. Applicants who have not yet completed their PhD studies must have received the doctorate before 1 October 2025.

You will be fluent in Japanese language and possess the ability to work with primary/Japanese language source material.

Applications are particularly welcomed from women and Black and Minority Ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

 

The University is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions. Members of selection committees will be aware of the principles of equality of opportunity, fair selection and the risks of bias. There will be both female and male committee members wherever possible.

 

If, for any reason, a candidate has taken a career break or has had an atypical career and wishes to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognising that research output may be reduced as a result.

 

Information about the application process, as well as the full list of responsibilities and selection criteria can be obtained from the job description (Vacancy ID: 176357), via: Oxford University website.

If you would like to discuss this post and find out more about joining the academic community at Oxford, please contact Professor Hugh Whittaker, the Committee Chair, at hugh.whittaker@nissan.ox.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0) 1865 274575. All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence and will not form part of the selection decision.

 

The University of Oxford is committed to fostering an inclusive culture, which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected. We recognise that the broad range of experiences that a diverse staff and student body brings strengthens our research and enhances our teaching, and that in order for Oxford to remain a world-leading institution we must continue to provide a diverse, inclusive, fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

 

The University is a member of the Athena SWAN Charter to promote women in Science, Engineering, Technology and Medicine and the College supports the Race and Equality commitments made by the University. The University holds an Athena SWAN silver award at institutional level, and OSGA holds a bronze Athena Swan award, conferred in January 2022, to recognize good practice in promoting gender equality in higher education.

 

If you, as an applicant, require reasonable adjustments to be made in the interview process, please do reach out and discuss this with our HR team. We will do our best to facilitate and accommodate reasonable adjustments.

 

Applications from those at an early, mid, or advanced career stage are welcome.

 

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon (UK time) on Monday, 2nd December 2024.

Interviews are expected to be held in person in Oxford on Friday, 24th January 2025.