Southeast HERC

The Pacific Basin Research Center (PBRC) at Soka University of America (SUA), a premier liberal arts university in Orange County, California, is pleased to announce a call for applications for the John D. Montgomery Post-Doctoral Fellowship. The Fellowship is intended to support young scholars whose research and teaching emphasize human development in and connections among the peoples of the Pacific Basin, defined broadly to encompass Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.

This year’s fellowship will support the SUA Humanities concentration, which includes the disciplines of art history, history, literature, music history, philosophy, and religion. Preference will be given to candidates whose research and teaching interests engage one or more of these fields and/or regions within the Pacific Basin.

The Fellow will be expected to teach two courses in both fall and spring semesters (a 2-2 teaching load), comprising two sections of general education courses and two courses in the Humanities concentration, as assigned by the Dean of Faculty. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the PBRC and the Humanities concentration by participating in Center events, mentoring students, and conducting independent research.

Soka University of America is a private, four-year liberal arts college and graduate school in Aliso Viejo, California. SUA’s mission is to educate global citizens who contribute to a better world. Founded on the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights, and the dignity of life, SUA offers a nonsectarian curriculum open to students of all nationalities and beliefs. The university’s commitment to fostering global citizenship is reflected in its mandatory foreign language and study abroad programs, its interdisciplinary core curriculum, and its diverse student body, with about 50% of students hailing from international backgrounds. SUA has a 7:1 student to faculty ratio and an average class size of 12.

Candidates should demonstrate responsiveness toward and understanding of diverse student backgrounds and experiences. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to the university’s mission to develop global citizens. Having the ability and willingness to work collegially is essential, as is an understanding of an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum.

Benefits and Salary:

The successful candidate will receive a stipend of $60,000. All full-time faculty members are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.

Employment Eligibility:

Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. as a condition of employment and be no more than two years beyond earning their PhD. 

Employment is contingent upon the completion of a successful background check.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. In accordance with federal law, all new employees must complete Form I-9 on their first day of employment and provide documentation verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States. Acceptable documents are listed at:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents.

Application Instructions:

Please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Sample syllabus
• Two letters of reference 

Apply for the PBRC Post-Doctoral Fellowship (2026-2027) position

Review of applications will begin Friday, April 17, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.

For inquiries, e-mail: facultyrecruiting@soka.edu

For more information on this position and the University, please see our website at www.soka.edu or PBRC Program Coordinator Kayo Yoshikawa (kayoshikawa@soka.edu) and PBRC Director J P Kehlen (jkehlen@soka.edu).

Soka University of America is an equal opportunity employer.

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About Soka University of America

Founded on the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights, and the sanctity of life, Soka University of America is a secular, four-year liberal arts college and graduate school with a unique mission: to educate global citizens to contribute to a better world. Situated atop a ridge overlooking a 4,000-acre wilderness park, Soka is three miles from the Pacific Ocean, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego. The university's commitment to fostering global citizenship is reflected in its diverse student body, with 50% of students hailing from international backgrounds. This is further supported by mandatory second language and study abroad programs, and an interdisciplinary core curriculum. The curriculum is delivered in small, dynamic classes, maintaining a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 12.

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