Can Junior Faculty in the Humanities and Social Sciences Achieve Career Stability and Job Satisfaction in Japan?

• In Event: Case studies in educational trajectories, professional development, job satisfaction and training

Proposal

【Research Background】
In Japan, where population decline is a critical issue, promoting fertility by helping individuals balance family life and careers is essential. However, this challenge is compounded by rising non-tenure-track positions in Japanese universities, driven by budget constraints. Many junior faculty members, especially those on short-term contracts, face job insecurity, which discourages them from starting families or taking maternity leave. This situation is particularly difficult for couples who are both junior faculty members, as securing permanent positions at the same university or within the same region is challenging, especially outside STEM fields. Against this backdrop, it becomes crucial to explore the career planning challenges faced by junior faculty and their level of job satisfaction, as well as the factors that influence these outcomes. Upon reviewing the literature, it was found that most studies focus on STEM fields and early career stages, leaving a gap in understanding long-term career development in the humanities and social sciences. Furthermore, little research has examined how marital status, family composition, and a partner's employment affect job satisfaction and career outcomes in these fields. This gap needs further exploration.

【Research Purpose】
This study aims to explore the career trajectories and job satisfaction of junior faculty members in the humanities and social sciences at Japanese universities, utilizing data from the "Junior Faculty Career and Job Satisfaction Survey (JFC-JSS)." Specifically, it examines how marital status, family structure, and a partner’s employment impact the likelihood of securing non-tenure-track and tenure-track positions. By analyzing career trajectories and job satisfaction at different stages, this study proposes national and institutional policy recommendations to enhance junior faculty's long-term career prospects and working conditions.

【Research Questions】
To achieve the research objectives, the following two research questions are addressed:
Q1: How do marital status, family structure, and a partner’s employment influence the likelihood of junior faculty members in the humanities and social sciences securing non-tenure-track and tenure-track positions, particularly in 2017, 2020, and 2023 after completing their PhDs?
Q2:What factors contribute to variations in job satisfaction among junior faculty members in the humanities and social sciences?

【Theoretical Background】
This study adopts a life course perspective, emphasizing the interaction between individual choices and institutional and environmental factors in shaping career development and job satisfaction among junior faculty members. Marital status, family structure, and a partner’s employment are key variables that affect career trajectories. The life course perspective not only examines individual actions within historical and social contexts but also explores how individuals are interconnected with broader networks, recognizing multiple trajectories in education, family, and work.

【Research Methodology】
This study uses three rounds of longitudinal data from the "Junior Faculty Career and Job Satisfaction Survey (JFC-JSS)" conducted in 2017, 2020, and 2023. The initial survey covered 8,922 doctoral students from 781 national, public, and private universities in Japan. Subsequent surveys focused on their career development as junior faculty. Valid responses were obtained from 7,672 junior faculty members across 261 Japanese universities who participated in all three rounds. This study employs a longitudinal comparative analysis to examine changes in career trajectories and factors influencing job satisfaction over time.

【Research Findings】
The study shows that marital status and family structure significantly impact the career trajectories of junior faculty members. Between 2017 and 2020, married women or those with young children (aged 0-3) were less likely to hold non-tenure-track positions. By 2023, however, this trend had reversed for married men, as those with young children were less likely to hold non-tenure-track positions. Regardless of gender, junior faculty members with young children in 2017 were less likely to secure tenure-track positions in both 2020 and 2023 compared to their peers without such family responsibilities. Additionally, faculty in tenure-track or tenured positions reported higher overall job satisfaction, particularly in terms of salary, than those in non-tenure-track roles. Interestingly, 60% of non-tenure-track faculty expressed satisfaction with administrative management, possibly due to their limited involvement in administrative duties.

【Conclusion】
By applying a life course perspective, this study demonstrates that marital status, family structure, and a partner’s employment significantly influence the career development of junior faculty members, particularly in terms of balancing career and family life. Many junior faculty members prioritize their careers, which indirectly contributes to Japan’s declining birth rate. Faculty in tenure-track or tenured positions report higher job satisfaction, especially regarding salary, while non-tenure-track faculty show greater satisfaction with administrative management, potentially due to their reduced involvement in administrative tasks.

【Research Limitations and Implications】
This study is limited to Japanese universities and focuses solely on junior faculty members in the humanities and social sciences. Future research should expand to include international comparisons and examine junior faculty members in STEAM fields to provide broader insights.

【Practical and Social Implications】
The findings of this study can help junior faculty members plan their career paths and challenge the traditional belief that non-tenure-track roles or having young children early in one’s career necessarily hinder academic success. The study suggests that university administrators, faculty, and policymakers should adopt more flexible perspectives on the career trajectories of junior faculty members, recognizing the potential of PhD holders in diverse professional roles. These insights could also inform the redesign of PhD programs to better align student goals with real-world career outcomes.

Authors

• Qiujing PAN, Yamanashi Gakuin University

• QUE Mingkun, Zhejiang Uinversity

• Noboru Miyoshi, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University