Assistant Professor - Transpacific AI/Technology/Society Studies

The Ohio State University · Columbus

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Job Title:

Department:

Transnational World Language Studies

Transpacific AI/Technology/Society Studies

Rank: Tenure-Track Assistant Professor

Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures

College of Arts and Sciences

Position Overview

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at The Ohio State University invites applications for a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor position in Transnational World Language Studies in the area of Transpacific AI/Technology/Society Studies beginning August 15, 2027. We aim to hire a dynamic scholar who will contribute to the vibrant and collegial intellectual communities of our department by engaging with interdisciplinary research, innovative teaching, program development, community engagement, and service.

This is one of three tenure-track hires in Transnational World Language Studies, the other two being in the departments of Spanish and Portuguese and Slavic and East Europeans Languages and Cultures. We are also conducting searches for three Postdoctoral Scholar to Tenure-Track Assistant Professor positions in Humanities-based Interdisciplinary World Languages and Cultures in the departments of French and Italian, Germanic Languages and Literatures, and Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures.

In keeping with the department’s commitment to interdisciplinarity, we are especially interested in scholars who can contribute to the university’s AI Fluency Initiative (teaching) and the Arts and Humanities AI Humanities Institute (research) with expertise in East Asian Studies broadly defined. The successful candidate will examine the global flows of AI and related technologies in terms of their impact on society, the humanities, and the arts with special attention to the Transpacific region (East Asia, South East Asia, the Americas). Given that East Asia has fast become a hub and driver of open-source innovation in the AI sector, the successful candidate will be able to train graduate students and help build the toolkit of tomorrow’s alumni to include tech fluency, global media literacy, and intercultural competence in a Transpacific context.

The successful candidate will enhance and amplify the department’s strengths in media studies, digital humanities, performing arts, translation, and/or language pedagogy/linguistics. They will conduct qualitative research at the cutting edge of the fields of East Asian Studies in Transpacific contexts and of technology studies with disciplinary expertise in one or more of the following fields: East Asian Languages and Literatures, Comparative Literature, Asian American Studies, Digital Humanities, Media Studies, Communications, History of Science, Science/Technology/Society, Human-Inspired AI, Computational Media, Arts, and Cultures and/or related fields. They will offer undergraduate courses that combine hands-on experiential learning with critical reflection, collaborative teamwork, and leadership development to prepare undergraduate students for the job market of the future. They will offer graduate courses that critically examine the transformative impact of AI and related technologies on social communities, cultural practices, media, and forms of communication in the Transpacific region.

Successful candidates would be charged with conducting research and creating courses that engage their discipline beyond national borders from the perspective of intercultural competence and global fluency.

Partial startup for the Transnational World Language Studies tenure-track positions is funded by the Mellon Foundation grant “Global Fluency, Career Agility: Transforming World Languages at Ohio State.” The new hires will participate in the activities within the Department, be charged with creating new courses, and have designated faculty mentors who are engaged in research on topics relating to transnational world language education, global fluency and intercultural competence, and to their area of specialization.

Performance Objectives

• Research the social, cultural, artistic and/or linguistic impacts of new technologies in the Transpacific region.

• Straddle quantitative approaches to AI tools with qualitative assessments of their validity, ethical underpinnings, and social responsiveness and utility in comparative contexts.

• Advance the Mellon-funded Transforming World Languages at OSU initiative by collaborating with faculty and staff across disciplines, contributing to innovative programming, and creating new courses that strengthen students’ global fluency and intercultural competence.

• Be a campus-wide resource on Transpacific AI-related policies/governance as well as social and cultural impacts of AI for different AI research clusters at The Ohio State University.

• Develop and teach AI-related courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in order to regularly update and offer our EALL AI major course; to contribute to existing undergraduate AI certificates (e.g., AI, Art, and Creativity (in development), AI Language and Mind; AI Ethics and Society); to support offer Transpacific and Comparative AI-centric classes as well as mesh with the AI initiatives in the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design.

• Develop a faculty-led study abroad program centered around AI technology and its impacts in East Asia with non-Mellon funding.

• Offer AI-related professional development workshops for DEALL and other world languages faculty and graduate students.

• Connect with East Asian/Transpacific AI initiatives in universities across East Asia and the Americas.

Education and Experience Qualifications

Required:

• PhD in East Asian Languages and Literatures, Asian American Studies, Comparative Literature, Digital Humanities, Media Studies, Communications, History of Science, Science/Technology/Society, Computational Cultural Studies, Human-Inspired AI, Computational Media, Arts, and Cultures or related field required at time of appointment which is August 15, 2027. ABDs welcome to apply.
• Native or near-native fluency in at least one East Asian language (Chinese, Japanese, Korean)
• Candidates must demonstrate achievement or strong promise of scholarly success.

Desired:

• Experience in and/or commitment to public-facing or community engaged scholarship, teaching and/or service.

• Ability to customize AI tools for research and teaching

• Fluency in languages other than Chinese/Japanese/Korean spoken in the Transpacific region (e.g., Spanish, Portuguese, and South East Asian Languages)

• East Asian language teaching experience at the college level.

Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit your application via Workday. https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Assistant-Professor---Transpacific-AI-Technology-Society-Studies_R160474-2

Application period closes November 18, 2026.

Inquiries may be directed to Professor Pil Ho Kim (kim.2736@osu.edu).

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach up to FIVE individual documents in the Application Documents section. Please include the following:

• Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1-2 page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.

• Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research experience, teaching and mentoring experience, service, engagement, and publications.

• Attachment 3: Research Statement: Summary of your past research accomplishments, current work/research, and proposal for your future research plan as a faculty member.

• Attachment 4: Teaching Statement: A statement of your approaches, experience and philosophy regarding your teaching, learning, and mentoring.

• Attachment 5: A writing sample.

Candidates selected to move forward in the process will be asked to provide three letters of reference.

Additional Information:

The College

With more than 80 majors and 100 minors, the College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the university. The Arts and Sciences provides extraordinary opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The breadth and depth of knowledge in the college gives students and researchers the critical thinking and adaptability essential for a lifetime of success.

Department Information

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures (DEALL) in the College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University is one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States. It offers major and minor degrees in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean language and literature, as well as M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Japanese and Chinese with dissertations written in the areas of media studies, performing arts, literature, folklore, translation, linguistics, and language pedagogy. DEALL is committed to advancing knowledge of the languages, literatures, and cultures of East Asia and to maintaining its national and international reputation in research, education, and service.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

Grounded in Ohio State University’s Shared Values, our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression. Ohio State promotes a culture of work-life balance through institutionalized policies, programs, and resources that help faculty, staff, and their families thrive both professionally and personally.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and vibrant metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here.

Beyond its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. Additionally, there may be further requirements specific to the college or unit, which could include drug and health screenings, as well as faculty misconduct checks depending on the rank of the position.

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The Ohio State University believes in diversity in people and ideas. What Ohio State does matters. And how we do it matters. When we are at our best, we make a real difference to people. Our size, breadth, geography, history and standard of excellence position us to drive the future of higher education. We believe that the university should be a place where people can work and learn together in a safe environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. As such, finalists for any faculty position that carries tenure must sign an authorization and disclosure form, which will allow current or prior employer(s) to share information to the University regarding any findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against a candidate and/or any pending investigations related to alleged misconduct. Such information shall include findings and pending investigations with respect to sexual harassment, violence, or harassment; research misconduct; financial fraud or misconduct; foreign influence violations, grant misuse or misconduct; and/or any other type of finding or pending investigation relating to a candidate’s employer’s policies and rules governing faculty conduct that may reasonably be expected to affect a candidate’s appointment. If the University becomes aware of any past finding of misconduct or pending investigations that were not disclosed, Ohio State will treat that as a serious omission and reserves the right to rescind an offer or terminate employment.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.  A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability. 

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