Indiana University Is Hiring A Professor of Modern Korean Studies and Director of the Institute for Korean Studies

The following is a detailed job posting for a distinguished faculty position at Indiana University-Bloomington in Korean Studies, emphasizing leadership, research excellence, and academic contribution.

📝 Posting Details

🔹 Position Overview

Title: Korea Foundation Professor of Modern Korean Studies and Director of the Institute for Korean Studies

Appointment Status: Tenure-track

Department: IU Bloomington East Asian Languages & Cultures

Location: Bloomington, Indiana

🎯 Position Summary

Indiana University-Bloomington's Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies (HLS) invites applications for the prestigious Korea Foundation Professor of Modern Korean Studies and Director of the Institute for Korean Studies, starting August 1, 2026. This endowed professorship, generously funded by the Korea Foundation, is fully integrated within HLS's renowned Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC).

We seek candidates with a blend of disciplinary rigor and area studies expertise to analyze contemporary Korea's real-world challenges and their domestic and global impacts. The successful candidate will also spearhead the Institute for Korean Studies (IKS), established in 2015 as a vibrant hub for Korean studies in the Midwest, supported by grants from prominent foundations.

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to HLS’s leadership in international research and teaching. The department’s interdisciplinary approach, with faculty strengths spanning social sciences, humanities, and languages, provides an ideal environment for innovative research and community engagement.

🎓 Qualifications & Requirements

Basic Qualifications

• PhD or terminal doctorate in social sciences, humanities, or interdisciplinary fields related to Korean studies.
• Active research involving Korean-language sources.
• Native or near-native fluency in Korean and English.
• Current rank of full or associate professor at the time of appointment.
• Willingness to undergo evaluation for hire with tenure considerations.

Additional Qualifications

• Proven success in grant writing and fundraising.
• Strong track record in institutional service, community building, and leadership.

🤝 Department Contacts & Inquiries

Questions regarding the position, the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, or the Institute for Korean Studies may be directed to:

Professor Seung-kyung Kim
Email: sk84@iu.edu

For technical application questions:

Zac Muller, Assistant Director for Faculty Relations
Email: zmuller@iu.edu

💼 Application Process & Requirements

To be considered, applicants must submit:

• A letter of interest
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• At least one major publication
• A sample syllabus of a course previously offered
• Course evaluations
• Contact information for three references (letters to be requested later)

All materials should be submitted via the PeopleAdmin application portal.

Deadline for full consideration: November 1, 2025

📝 Additional Information

Applicants will be required to disclose any pending investigations or findings of sexual or professional misconduct before an offer can be finalized. Indiana University Bloomington maintains strict policies in these areas and evaluates all disclosures carefully.

🔥 Important Dates

• Preferred Consideration Date: November 1, 2025
• Expected Start Date: August 1, 2026
• Posting Number: IU-101339-2025