Postdoctoral Position in Metabolism, Diabetes, Obesity and Quantitative Cell Biology

Teruel Laboratory, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY

The Teruel Lab studies how the timing and dynamics of hormonal and intracellular signals are decoded to control cell fate and metabolic physiology, with a focus on obesity and diabetes. A major area of interest is how circadian and endocrine rhythms shape metabolic adaptation across tissues.

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to investigate these questions in adipose tissue and pancreatic β-cells, integrating mechanistic studies in individual cells with tissue and whole-animal physiology.

The laboratory combines mouse metabolic physiology, quantitative live-cell imaging, advanced microscopy, molecular and cell biology, and quantitative image analysis.

Current Research Directions Several projects are available, including studies of:

• endocrine and neural regulation of adipose tissue remodeling and obesity
• pancreatic β-cell function, mass, and adaptation in diabetes
• tissue-specific mechanisms of insulin resistance
• signaling and cell-cycle mechanisms controlling adipocyte differentiation and pancreatic β-cell mass
• quantitative imaging of signaling dynamics and cell-state transitions

We are particularly interested in recruiting a scientist who would like to bridge mechanistic cell biology with in vivo metabolic physiology. Projects can range from mouse models of obesity and diabetes to live-cell imaging of signaling pathways in individual cells and will be shaped by the candidate’s background, interests, and long-term scientific goals.

Qualifications Candidates should have, or expect to receive soon, a PhD, MD/PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree in metabolism, physiology, endocrinology, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, diabetes research, or a related field. We are especially interested in scientists who are in the final year of their PhD or who have recently completed their doctoral training.

Strong candidates will have training in one or more of the following areas:

• mouse physiology, metabolic phenotyping, or metabolic disease models
• metabolism, diabetes, obesity, or endocrine biology
• quantitative microscopy, live-cell imaging, or image analysis
• molecular or cellular biology
• pancreatic islet, adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle, or related metabolic tissue biology
• quantitative analysis or computational approaches

Experience with mouse models of metabolism or metabolic physiology is highly desirable. Experience with quantitative microscopy, live-cell imaging, or image analysis is also highly desirable.

Training Environment The Teruel Laboratory is located in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and the Drukier Institute for Children’s Health at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. Postdoctoral fellows are encouraged to take intellectual ownership of their projects, develop new scientific directions, apply for fellowships and grants, present their work at national and international meetings, and build the foundation for an independent research program.

Selected Publications

Agas A*, Sharma S*, Narciso A, Saavedra LPJ, Wilson J, et al. Disrupted glucocorticoid rhythms selectively induce severe skeletal muscle insulin resistance and uncouple obesity from hepatic steatosis. Cell Reports. 2026;45(9):117926. DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117926.

Wilson J, Arzeno AS, Sharma S, Agas A, Lungstrum J, Teruel MN. Glucocorticoid rhythm disruption drives hyperinsulinaemia in mice through beta cell glucocorticoid receptor signalling. bioRxiv. 2026. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.06.03.730005v2

Tholen S, Patel R, Agas A, et al. Flattening of circadian glucocorticoid oscillations drives acute hyperinsulinemia and adipocyte hypertrophy. Cell Reports. 2022. PMID: 35767959.

Zhao ML, Rabiee A, Kovary KM, et al. Molecular competition in G1 controls when cells simultaneously commit to terminally differentiate and exit the cell cycle. Cell Reports. 2020. PMID: 32553172.

Bahrami-Nejad Z, Zhao ML, Tholen S, et al. A transcriptional circuit filters oscillating circadian hormonal inputs to regulate fat cell differentiation. Cell Metabolism. 2018. PMID: 29617644.

Salary and Benefits Salary is $75,812 or higher, depending on postdoctoral experience and in accordance with the Weill Cornell Medicine Postdoctoral Researcher Collective Bargaining Agreement. Comprehensive benefits are provided through Weill Cornell Medicine.

How to Apply Interested applicants should email Mary N. Teruel, PhD at mnt4002@med.cornell.edu with:

• a current CV
• a brief cover letter describing research background, scientific interests, and future goals
• contact information for three references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.