Lecturer in the History of Japanese Art

Job title: Lecturer in the History of Japanese Art

Department: School of Arts

Contract Type: Permanent

Grade: 8

Location: Bloomsbury

Hours: 35 Hours Per Week (1 FTE)

SOAS University of London is the leading Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East.  SOAS University of London is positioned to play a leading role in reimagining higher education globally, with a new strategic plan in place as the basis for the renewal and revitalisation of the School which commits SOAS to both student responsiveness and research intensity. SOAS is moving towards a new model of international partnerships which is responsive to the transnational character of our global challenges.

About the Role

SOAS seeks to appoint a Lecturer (equiv. assistant professor) in the History of Japanese Arts, starting in September 2027. Supported by the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures (SISJAC), this full-time appointment will lead to further collaboration between SOAS and SISJAC in research and teaching and the development of this strategic partnership.

The post holder will contribute to both SOAS’s internationally recognised expertise in Asian art while also engaging closely with SISJAC’s dynamic scholarly research community and public programmes.

The appointee will carry out research and provide teaching and supervision in an area or areas of the arts and archaeology of Japan, complementing existing academic expertise at SISJAC and in School of Arts. The ideal candidate will have an expert knowledge of one or more areas, fields or sub-disciplines within Japan’s art history. The candidate will also be expected to bring a broader regional or global perspective to their research practice, for example, conceiving of the art history of the archipelago in terms of Silk Road Studies, East Asian Studies, global modernism, and/or the diaspora or museum practices, complementing other approaches in SISJAC and the School of Arts.

Candidates with expertise in any area of Japanese art history are welcome to apply.

You can find further information on the key criteria for the role in the Job Description and Person Specification, along with a full list of duties and responsibilities, which can be found on the SOAS website.

About the Department

The School of Arts is a world-leading centre for the study and research of visual and material arts, music and sound studies, curating and cultural industries of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and their global diasporas.

Part of the College of Humanities, it is home to the Department of History of Art and Archaeology and the Department of Music.

The School of Arts brings together scholars working in the arts and humanities of Asia, Africa and the Middle East and their diasporas, across disciplines including art history and archaeology, curating and museum studies, ethnomusicology, creative industries and screen studies. Providing an alternative to the Eurocentric framing of art and media analysis, and dedicated to decolonising and decentring the study of art, media and the cultural industries, the School of Arts blends theoretical rigour and research with practice—many of our academics are both active researchers and practitioners: musicians, curators, film makers and media producers.

What We Offer:

We are committed to providing a supportive and rewarding work environment. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive range of benefits designed to enhance your well-being and work-life balance:

• Generous Holiday Entitlement: Benefit from 44 days of holiday (30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and 5 closure days over Christmas and Easter) to ensure ample time for rest and relaxation.
• Flexible Working Arrangements: We recognise the importance of flexibility and offer options to help you manage your professional and personal commitments effectively.
• Generous occupational pension scheme: To provide financial security for your future
• Learning and Development: We are dedicated to your professional growth and development and offer diverse learning and development opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Health and Well-being Initiatives: Take advantage of our cycle to work scheme, eye tests, and season ticket loan to support your health and mobility.
• Enhanced Family Leave: We offer enhanced maternity, paternity & partner leave, and shared parental leave to support you during significant life events.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Access our confidential EAP for advice and support whenever needed.
• Discounted Gym Membership: Maintain your fitness with our discounted gym membership.

How to Apply: 

Please complete the online application form and upload your CV publications, and a supporting statement.
Closing date: 10 December 2026                              

Interviews to be held: W/C 18 January 2027

Use of AI

While AI tools can be beneficial, we value the personal touch and authenticity in job applications. We encourage you to highlight your unique experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, ensuring all information is accurate. Please use AI tools responsibly and with integrity throughout the application and selection process.

Further information

Please note that the application system does not currently have a save-and-return feature. To avoid losing any information, we strongly encourage you to complete and submit your application in one sitting. Make sure you have all necessary details ready before you begin.

Successful candidates will need to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK or have limited leave to remain in the UK and associated right to work for the duration of their employment with SOAS, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

If you have any questions or require any assistance with regard to the application process, please contact us via the HR Contact Form | SOAS

For information on how and why SOAS processes personal data about its job applicants, please read our Job Applicant Notice.

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates from working class, first generation Higher Education, Black, Asian, other minority ethnic and underrepresented groups from within the UK and beyond. All appointment decisions will be made on merit, following a fair and competitive process.