Postdoctoral Scholar - Cell and Biological Systems

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This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Cell and Biological Systems in Hershey, PA is seeking a postdoctoral scholar position Dr. Shengyu Yang’s lab to study the role of metabolic stress signaling and metabolic vulnerability in metastatic cancer. Our goal is to reveal how the mitochondrial metabolism and nutrient stress controls metastatic progression through metabolic reprogramming. This project is built on our recent discoveries that showing that cystine limitation stress promote pancreatic cancer tumor growth and metastasis through metabolic reprogramming. The metabolic reprogramming that promote pancreatic cancer progression exposed a lipid metabolism vulnerability that could be targeted by lomitapide, an FDA approved lipid metabolism drug. Please see our publications for more information (Li et al, 2026, Nature Communications, PMID: 41476081; Wang et al, 2022, Cancer Res, PMID: 35413105; Lin et al, 2019, Cell Reports, PMID: 31509745; Lin et al, 2019, EMBO Mol Med, PMID: 31633874, ). Biochemistry, cell biology, genetically engineered mouse models and patient-derived organoids / xenografts will be employed in the study.

Successful applicants will be a highly motivated individual with a recent Ph.D. or equivalent degree and will have expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology, cancer metabolism or related fields.

Experience with genetically engineered mouse models and Next Generation Sequencing data analysis will be desirable but not required.

Individuals will benefit from trainings in orthotopic lung cancer and/or pancreatic cancer metastasis models, metabolomics/lipidomics, metabolic flux analysis and genetically-engineered cancer mouse models. There are also training opportunities in improving grant and manuscript writing skills, teaching, mentoring and presentation.

The research in Dr. Yang’s lab is funded by grants from the National Cancer Institute, National Institute on Aging and Department of Defense. Penn State College of Medicine Campus is located in Hershey, PA. Hershey is a quiet, family friendly town with affordable living expense and easy access to major metropolitan areas (e.g. Philadelphia, Washington DC, New York City).

Please attach and send cover letter, CV and contact information for three references to Dr. Shengyu Yang at sxy99@psu.edu

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

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