Postdoctoral / Research Scientist Position

Metabolic Stress Signaling and Metabolic Vulnerability in Metastatic Cancer

A NIH-funded Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Scientist position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Shengyu Yang at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Research Focus

Our laboratory investigates how metabolic stress signaling and mitochondrial metabolism regulate metastatic cancer progression. We seek to understand how nutrient stress and metabolic reprogramming enable cancer cells to survive, grow, and metastasize—and how these adaptations can be exploited to identify new therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Our recent work demonstrated that cystine limitation promotes pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis through metabolic reprogramming. Importantly, this metabolic adaptation exposes a lipid metabolism vulnerability that can be therapeutically targeted with lomitapide, an FDA-approved lipid-lowering drug.

Selected publications:

• Li et al., 2026, Nature Communications, PMID: 41476081
• Wang et al., 2022, Cancer Research, PMID: 35413105
• Lin et al., 2019, Cell Reports, PMID: 31509745
• Lin et al., 2019, EMBO Molecular Medicine, PMID: 31633874

  Research Approaches

  The project will employ a multidisciplinary combination of:

  • Biochemistry and cell biology
  • Metabolic and lipid metabolism studies
  • Genetically engineered mouse models
  • Orthotopic cancer and metastasis models
  • Patient-derived organoids and xenografts
  • Metabolomics and lipidomics
  • Metabolic flux analysis
  • Next-generation sequencing and related data analysis

    Qualifications

    Successful applicants will be highly motivated and intellectually curious scientists with a recent Ph.D. or equivalent degree and expertise in one or more of the following areas:

    • Biochemistry
    • Molecular or cell biology
    • Cancer biology or cancer metabolism
    • Metabolism or related biomedical sciences

      Experience with genetically engineered mouse models and/or next-generation sequencing data analysis is desirable but not required.

      Training and Career Development

      Members of the Yang laboratory will receive extensive training in cutting-edge approaches to cancer metabolism and metastasis, including:

      • Orthotopic lung and/or pancreatic cancer metastasis models
      • Metabolomics and lipidomics
      • Metabolic flux analysis
      • Genetically engineered cancer mouse models
      • Patient-derived models
      • Grant and manuscript writing
      • Scientific presentation
      • Teaching and mentoring

        We are committed to providing trainees with both rigorous scientific training and opportunities for professional and career development.

        Funding and Research Environment

        Research in the Yang laboratory is supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute, National Institute on Aging, and Department of Defense, providing a well-funded and collaborative environment for pursuing innovative research in cancer metabolism and metastasis.

        The Penn State College of Medicine is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a quiet and family-friendly community with relatively affordable living expenses and convenient access to major metropolitan areas, including Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and New York City.

        How to Apply

        Please send the following materials to Dr. Shengyu Yang at [email protected]:

        • Cover letter describing your research interests and career goals
        • Curriculum vitae (CV)
        • Contact information for three references