The International Studies and Languages Division of the Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences at Pepperdine University invites applications for a full-time visiting faculty appointment in Japanese Studies to begin August 1, 2027. The position requires teaching four in-person courses per semester at our campus in Malibu, California. Courses to be taught will primarily be Japanese language (first through third semesters), but may also include cultural content courses. Successful applicants will have native or near-native fluency in both Japanese and English. Applicants should be able to demonstrate prior effective teaching of Japanese language at all levels. Successful candidates will contribute to the building and maintenance of the Asian Studies program. A Ph.D. is strongly preferred, although applicants with an M.A. will be considered. Applications from persons who can contribute to the diversity of the University’s faculty and community are highly desired.
Pepperdine’s undergraduate Seaver College is a residential liberal arts college of approximately 3,500 students situated in Malibu, California. Successful applicants must have an active commitment to the Christian mission of the University and reflect on their willingness to support the mission of Seaver College in their application materials.
Applicants should provide the following materials: 1) a cover letter, 2) a curriculum vitae, 3) a response to the University’s Christian mission 4) transcripts of all graduate work (copies are acceptable during the application process; official transcripts will be required for selected applicants), and 5) names and contact information for three references (the same individuals who will provide a Confidential Letter of Recommendation or Evaluation if the candidate proceeds with interviews).
Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds. Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.
Review of applicants will begin on November 9, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Please address any inquiries regarding the position to the chair of the search committee:
Dr George A. Carlsen (george.carlsen@pepperdine.edu)
Divisional Dean of International Studies and Languages
Seaver College, Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
The salary for this appointment will range from $72,500 to $77,000 and reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this faculty appointment. Actual salary may vary based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant, as well as market conditions. In addition to salary, Pepperdine offers a robust suite of employee benefits.
Application Instructions
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
A letter of application
A curriculum vitae
Three current letters of reference. All letters should be specific to the position and completed within one year prior to the date of submission. The name and email address for each individual providing a letter of recommendation is required when submitting an application.
Transcripts of all graduate work (Unofficial copies are acceptable for the application; however, official transcripts may be required for selected applicants.)
Scholarly/Creative Agenda. The statement should outline applicants’ short- and long-term objectives and goals for their research and/or creative activities. Candidates should reflect on currently published or presented work(s) as a foundation for the statement. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
Teaching statement. The teaching statement should reflect on the candidate’s values, beliefs, and goals regarding the teaching and learning process and any pedagogical practices used or envisioned to achieve these goals. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
Response to Mission. Pepperdine University’s mission statement declares that we are a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Religiously affiliated with the churches of Christ, Pepperdine pursues the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. In pursuit of its mission, Pepperdine reserves the right to recruit and hire persons who richly embrace the goals and Christian mission of the University.
At Seaver College, the undergraduate college of letters, arts, and science at Pepperdine, our faith calls us to uphold the highest standards of academic and scholarly excellence. To achieve this goal, the college’s mission statement affirms that we are a Christian college where each student is a person of infinite dignity and their total development is centered at the heart of our educational enterprise. Arising from our faith, we commit to pursue truth relentlessly in all disciplines, fully confident that it has nothing to fear from investigation.
Candidates should thoughtfully reflect on the Christian missions of Pepperdine University and Seaver College and address the following areas in their response.
- A consistent pattern of support for generally accepted Christian values and the mission of Pepperdine University.
- Active participation in a community of faith.
- Either current practice or vision for integrating faith and learning in the classroom.
A background check is required as a condition of employment. Depending on the position, the search committee may request that additional materials accompany the application (e.g., prior teaching evaluations, portfolio of scholarly work, etc.)
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.
Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and reserves the right to seek, hire and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.
