Assistant Professor, Academic Writing and Science Communication in an EFL Context

Starting date: 1st September, 2026 

Context

The University of Tokyo is Japan’s premier university. We are currently looking for a scholar with a commitment to high quality education to join our international team in the ALESS and ALESA programs. 

The ALESS (Active Learning of English for Science Students) and ALESA (for Student of the Arts) programs teach compulsory English academic writing courses at the University of Tokyo for science and humanities students, respectively (https://eng2.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/). In the case of ALESS, all first-year science students design and conduct a simple scientific experiment, which they then write up as an IMRD paper in English. Humanities students research a contentious topic, generally within a theme given by the instructor, and construct an argumentative essay in English. All ALESS and ALESA faculty also teach a class designed to improve their ability to engage fluently in oral discussion on academic topics in English. Courses in the ALESS and ALESA Programs are under constant development and improvement through collaboration among all faculty.  Classes have 15 students on average. 

Global Liberal Arts Courses (https://globe.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/globalliberalarts.html) were established in the spring of 2023 to provide more opportunities for the University of Tokyo students, including its exchange students, to study in English about some of the most pressing social issues facing the world today. 

Required Qualifications

Applicants should have a PhD in any area of the sciences or humanities, with a very high English proficiency level. Previous experience in science communication, teaching academic writing or English as a Foreign Language at the university level are an advantage. 

Summary of Responsibilities

The appointee will teach six 105-minute English classes for 1st-year students and one class in the appointee’s area of expertise to later-year students each week, and participate in curriculum development and regular program meetings. Applicants who also possess a very high proficiency in Japanese may be offered a role assisting management in exchange for a reduction of other duties.

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