Detailed information

Ended

Date of update : 2024/06/04

End date of accepting applications : 2024/07/01

Work location : Chugoku district - Hiroshima

Date of publication : 2024/06/03

Writing Advisor

D124060088

National university

Hiroshima University

https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/wrc/

Research field : Humanities & Social Sciences - Linguistics | Natural Science - Unspecified | Others - Others - Any research field is fine with experience in advising on or teaching academic writing/scientific and technical writing. | Humanities & Social Sciences - English linguistics | Humanities & Social Sciences - Foreign language education

Researcher/Postdoc level : Contract employee - Nontenured - Non-tenure track - Probationary period present

Job description

Background of the recruitment and description of the project

The Hiroshima University (HU) Writing Center stands in a unique position among writing centers in Japan as it actively supports not only students but also faculty members in their academic writing. From 2016 to 2023, we established the Writing Advisor Fellowship Program to assist HU’s initiatives for enhancing its international competitiveness and reputation in global academic and educational fields by publishing more of its research results in English language journals and disseminating research outcomes to international audiences. The presence and contributions of the fellows are well received within the university.
In December 2023, HU was selected to be one of the Japanese institutions to receive support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports Science and Technology (MEXT) as part of the Program for Forming Japan's Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS). The project aims to improve, internationalize, and accelerate the real-world impact of research activities in collaboration with other universities, using a strategy centered on core strengths and distinctive research capabilities in specific fields.
Against this backdrop, HU Writing Center will upgrade the Writing Advisor Fellowship Program to a more secure "Writing Advisor" position. The Writing Advisor will mainly provide consultations to HU graduate students and faculty members on research writing in English. The Advisor will work collaboratively with the University Research Administrators and the Writing Center’s faculty members and independently, will plan, organize, and lead seminars and workshops related to academic writing and presentation skills. The position is ideal for someone who wishes to gain professional experience working with non-native English writers and speakers, focusing on academic/research writing at the tertiary level and above.
https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/wrc/news/83488
Work content and job description

[Writing advising and support]
1. To provide consultations on research writing in English, e.g. journal articles, proposals, conference presentations.
2. To facilitate writing groups for HU researchers.
3. To work as part of a team or independently to plan, organize, and lead seminars and workshops related to improving HU researchers’ academic writing ability.
4. To assist the Writing Center’s faculty members with training Writing Center tutors according to the College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA) guidelines.

[Research]
1. To use the data and experiences gained in the position for current or future research and present research outcomes at academic conferences and in journal articles.
2. To collect information about and analyze the standard operating procedures of writing centers at other universities with specific interest in how they can support and improve HU researchers’ academic writing. To analyze the data collected through services such as consultations and writing groups for self-evaluation and improvement of the Writing Center.

[Services for the URA (University Research Administrator) Division]
1. To contribute to internationalization of the URA Division by editing/proofing English language documents related to administration and research.
Assigned department

Existing departments

Writing Center

Job type

Researcher/Postdoc level

Research field

Humanities & Social Sciences - Linguistics
Natural Science - Unspecified
Others - Others
Any research field is fine with experience in advising on or teaching academic writing/scientific and technical writing.
Humanities & Social Sciences - English linguistics
Humanities & Social Sciences - Foreign language education

Wages

Annual Salary : 4 million yen ~

Working hours

Working hours :08:30-17:15

Break time :12:00-13:00

Holidays : Workdays are from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) in principle.
Annual paid leave (pro-rated from 20 days per 12 months for full-time employees; you will be given 10 days for your first 6-month contract period).

Overtime and other explanations : If you agree to the application of the Discretionary Labor System for Professional Work, you are deemed to work full-time for 7 hours and 45 minutes a day and 38 hours and 45 minutes a week (with flexibility in start/end time).

Application requirements

Qualifications

Education and Degree Requirements

Ph.D. / Doctor / Master
Description

[Essential Criteria]
1. Experience in advising on or teaching academic writing/scientific and technical writing
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
3. Master’s degree or above.
4. Publication(s) in academic journals or proceedings.
5. Proficiency in using MS Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
6. The ability to coordinate activities and events.
7. Presentation and public speaking skills.

[Desirable Criteria]
1. Writing tutor experience at a writing center or similar organization in a university.
2. Ability to communicate with researchers and administrative staff in basic Japanese.
3. Reviewing experience (especially for peer-reviewed journals).
4. A graduate degree (Master’s or higher) in the natural sciences, preferably with scientific and/or technical writing teaching experience. Ph. D. holder preferred.

Employment Type

Contract employee

Contract period

Nontenured - Non-tenure track

There will be an initial six-month probation period with the strong likelihood of extension to a total of 12 months, based on the Advisor’s performance and mutual agreement between the Advisor and the URA Division. The contract can be further extended upon negotiation. However, extension may not go beyond March 2029.

Probationary period present

There will be an initial six-month probation period with the strong likelihood of extension to a total of 12 months, based on the Advisor’s performance and mutual agreement between the Advisor and the URA Division.

Work location

739-8511 Hiroshima Higashi-Hiroshima 1-3-2 Kagamiyama

Compensation

Insurance

Employees' Health Insurance : available

Employees' Pension Insurance : available

Worker's accident insurance : available

Employment insurance : available
Supplementary explanation of compensation

- Roundtrip airfare to/from Higashi-Hiroshima (HIJ), based on university restrictions. (Economy tickets only. You must purchase the ticket yourself and will be reimbursed upon your arrival.)
- On-campus apartment with all utilities (heating/cooling, electricity, water, the Internet) and basic furnishings will be available for the Advisor during their initial year at HU. The Advisor will be required to pay monthly rent of about 64,000 yen.

Application Considerations

Considerations for conducting interviews (e.g., those who live far away, such as overseas)

Zoom interview

Number of hired

1 person(s)

Hiring date : 2024/10/01

Starting date : 2024/10/01

Job content supplemental explanation

Exact starting date is negotiable.

Application period

2024/06/03~2024/07/01 Deadline for receipt

Application Due Date: 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 1, 2024 (Japan time)
Application will be accepted only from the online form.

Application method

* Out of application period.

JREC-IN Portal web application

Not available

E-mail Application

Not available

Recruiting Institution's Web application system

Accept

1. Application will be accepted only from the following form: https://wrc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/WA2024
*Please fill in the blanks on the form.
2. Please upload a recently published journal manuscript or book chapter you have written onto the above form. The manuscript should include an abstract.

URL of this job posting