No Full Time University Jobs?

9 comments

1. My experience: landed a new full-time uni job in Kansai this past April. Started looking for new positions between June – December 2021. I was only looking in Kansai, but only found + applied to 12 positions.

   I’d say you’re a bit early for many job postings for the April 2023 start. Things picked up in my search around August-November. I think I maybe saw only 1 or 2 before then.

2. >I know that there will be more job posts in the next 3 months but I am surprised there are so few currently. Does anyone know what is going on with the lack of Full time university jobs? Are all universities in Kanto switching to the part-time adjunct model like in America?

   I can’t speak for all of the universities in Kanto, but the three mid-tier universities that I’ve worked at in my little corner of Japan have all been relying more and more on part-time faculty in recent years, just as you suggested. As I’m sure you know, the population crisis and economy are causing enrollment numbers to stagnate, and things are only expected to get worse. Universities (like pretty much all businesses) are going into survival mode, so cost-cutting is the name of the game.

   From my experience, job postings don’t start really showing up until the fall. In the meantime, do whatever you can do network where you are currently teaching. Even just one good connection with the regular faculty there could lead to you being tipped off about upcoming postings (and also could likely make the difference between you being selected over totally unknown applicants).

   Also, while a master’s degree is good enough to get your foot in the door and even land full time work at some unis, you should really consider pursuing your PhD if a tenure track position is your ultimate goal. That obviously won’t happen overnight, so in the meantime continue to work on your publications. Most universities will allow part-time faculty to publish in university journals, which tend to have a far less rigorous review process than national/international organization journals. Aim to publish a couple a year on whatever research area you specialize in. Also, if you haven’t done so already, look up your local chapter of JALT and get involved. JALT is invaluable for networking.

   Try not to be discouraged. A few years ago I was where you are now. It took a lot of hustling, but I recently earned tenure at my university. Keep publishing and networking. When the right position comes up, you’ll be ready to jump on it.

   Edit: a word.

3. It’s a numbers game.

   The qualifications you shared above are the minimum requirements to be “considered” for a position, not necessarily the best candidate. A lot of it can be also contributed to timing and luck/chance.

   One of my positions was just on a whim after a workshop, where I met the professor in charge of the hiring committee. They were looking to fill a position when a teacher decided to move on. sent my CV from my phone on the spot, got an interview the following week, and the job a couple of days after. The irony of it was I wasn’t planning on going to the workshop originally.

   As u/Gold__top__junky mentioned, just continue to hustle, take up opportunities, and continue to network (even in the unlikeliest of settings).

4. IMO as an ‘English teacher’ with a coursework masters degree, one’s never going to be a true member of academic staff (or be anything more than a ‘tutor’).

   From my most recent university experience (law degree + related masters), the academics have PhDs and are established in either a technical or a philosophical field. That and they’ll be prolific publishers in areas of technical / philosophical significance (e.g. one law lecturer is a decorated female rights activist who has 500+ publications on improving criminal / family laws… she’s on TV regularly, contributing to public debate about law reform).

   Academic tenure is fading away, even for hardcore academics (e.g. a close friend got a university medal in pure maths and has a PhD in maths at one of the world’s top 50 unis… he publishes a lot of highly technical, geeky stuff that I wouldn’t understand). He’s a sub-dean of maths (i.e. takes on a large administrative load) but does not have tenure (in his 40’s with ~15+ years of experience and top notch academic honours).

   IMO the whole ‘get a master of TESOL and become a tenured professor’ tale is pretty much a myth. I’m sure some people get longer contracts and stuff, but (particularly with a temp visa), I suspect most unis aren’t gonna want to put gaijins with no PhD & 3 token publications about teaching English on their books as permanent staff when decorated scholars are battling for tenure.

5. >I know that there will be more job posts in the next 3 months but I am surprised there are so few currently.

   You just answered your own question. It’s mostly a matter of timing.

6. > I have been looking at jrec and jalt board everyday

   Also [JACET?](http://www.jacet.org/job-openings/)

   **EDIT:** and look at jrec _in japanese_–the english listings are far fewer, it’s not at all 1:1.

7. I am working at my second university job since April here in Kansai. Before I applied, I had an MA, JLPT N1, and 3 years of experience at a small private college and the minimum 3 token publications. I applied to just two places during the summer, interviewed with both and had 2 offers. I think it’s competitive but still easier in Kansai, and having experience and Japanese ability helps. I work a standard full time contract job with 10 Koma that pays 5 million yen a year with minimal extra duties. Plenty of jobs like this still in Kansai at least once you’re in the university racket

8. You can be a Nobel Laureate, yet Japanese universities will only offer you part-time gigs.

9. I know your preference is to work at a university, but have you considered a private JHS/HS? The pay is sometimes comparable, and the jobs are easier to get (including getting tenure).