Job Description

The Department of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore seeks to fill a tenure-track position in Southeast Asian Contemporary History. The appointment is at the level of Assistant Professor. The Department is particularly interested in recruiting a scholar who will enjoy the opportunity of working in an area studies department.

The Department seeks applications from scholars who specialize in some of the following fields pertaining to the political history of Southeast Asia: anti-colonial and revolutionary movements; communism as ideology and praxis; politics and religion, especially Islam; nation-building projects. We are particularly interested in scholars whose work bridges domestic and international political movements, both before and after independence. The geographical focus of the position is Maritime Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore).

The successful applicant will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in their area(s) of specialization, as well as in some of the following areas: nationalism, regionalism, race and religion, and textual/visual/literary analysis (pertaining to historical research).

Candidates should have expertise in Southeast Asian languages relevant to their research.

The successful applicant will be expected to take up the position by July 2023.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit an application dossier consisting of the following:

• Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how your qualifications and plans fit into the long-term development and enhancement of the Department of Southeast Asian Studies (maximum 2 pages)
• Up to date Curriculum vitae
• Concise statement of your research trajectory thus far and publication plans (1-2 pages)
• Concise statement of your teaching experience, including in the field of Southeast Asian Studies (if any), as well as possible courses you are able to offer to raise the profile of the department (1-2 pages)
• Concise statement describing your personal qualities and experience in collaborative and leadership roles in academic projects and community engagements (1-2 pages)
• A list of three referees (names, contact details and applicant's relationship to them; only short-listed applicants will be invited to submit reference letters)

Candidates should submit all application materials online via the NUS Careers Portal by 31 October 2022, addressed to: Chair, Search Committee Department of Southeast Asian Studies Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences National University of Singapore

We will begin evaluating candidates immediately, but the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

Other Information

Remuneration will be internationally competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The successful candidate may also enjoy housing benefits, relocation allowance, and other benefits depending on the type and duration of appointment and citizenship.

Potential candidates are welcome to get in touch with the Chair of the Search Committee to answer any questions they may have at

Covid-19 Message

At NUS, the health and safety of our staff and students are one of our utmost priorities, and COVID-vaccination supports our commitment to ensure the safety of our community and to make NUS as safe and welcoming as possible. Many of our roles require a significant amount of physical interactions with students/staff/public members. Even for job roles that may be performed remotely, there will be instances where on-campus presence is required.

Taking into consideration the health and well-being of our staff and students and to better protect everyone in the campus, applicants are strongly encouraged to have themselves fully COVID-19 vaccinated to secure successful employment with NUS.

More Information

Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: Arts & Social Sciences

Department : Southeast Asian Studies

Employee Referral Eligible: No

Job requisition ID : 17386