Associate Professorship in Japanese Law and Society

About the Role:

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.

About You:

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.

Application process:

Information about the application process, as well as the full list of responsibilities and selection criteria can be obtained by clicking the apply button above

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.

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