Postdoctoral Position Available – Metabolic Research at UC Berkeley

A postdoctoral position is available in the lab of Dr. Sona Kang in the Department of Metabolic Biology & Nutrition at UC Berkeley (https://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/faculty/sona-kang).

Our central goal is to uncover how intrinsic cellular pathways within adipose tissue coordinate systemic metabolic processes, with the ultimate vision of developing new therapeutic strategies to treat obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related metabolic diseases.

We combine cellular and animal models with molecular, biochemical, and various omics approaches to dissect the complex regulatory networks that define metabolic function.

We seek a highly motivated and collaborative individual with strong critical-thinking skills who excels in an intellectually stimulating research environment. Ph.D. candidates nearing graduation are welcome to apply.

Expertise in one or more of the following areas is required: molecular and cell biology, metabolic phenotyping in mouse models, or genome-wide profiling. The successful candidate will lead projects involving mouse metabolic studies, cell-based assays, and/or biochemical analyses.

Our recent publications:

1. JMJD8 Facilitates Hepatic Lipid Deposition and Metabolic Dysfunction. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2025
2. JMJD8 regulates adipocyte hypertrophy through the interaction with Perilipin 2. Diabetes. 2025
3. TET3 plays a critical role in white adipose development and diet-induced remodeling. Cell Reports. 2023
4. AIFM2 is required for high-intensity aerobic exercise by promoting glucose utilization. Diabetes. 2022
5. JMJD8 is a Novel Molecular Nexus Between Adipocyte-Intrinsic Inflammation and Insulin Resistance. Diabetes. 2021
6. A necessary role of DNMT3A in endurance exercise by suppressing ALDH1L1-mediated oxidative stress. EMBO, 2021
7. TET1 is a beige adipocyte–selective epigenetic suppressor of thermogenesis. Nat Commun. 2020
8. Functional role of DNA methylation in adipose biology. Diabetes 2019
9. TET2 facilitates PPARγ agonist–mediated gene regulation and insulin sensitization in adipocytes. Metabolism. 201*
10. Dnmt3a is an epigenetic mediator of adipose insulin resistance. eLife. 2017

TO APPLY

Interested applicants should directly e-mail Dr. Sona Kang at sonakanglab@gmail.com a single PDF file that includes cover letter and CV and names/contact information of at least three individuals for references.

Appointment

The initial appointment is for 24 months, with renewal based on performance and funding. This is a full-time appointment.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and based on UC Berkeley Postdoc salary scale. The annual salary range for this position will be determined by UC Berkeley guidelines https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-oct-2025-scales/t23.pdf. Generous benefits are included (http://vspa.berkeley.edu/postdocs).

Disciplines: Life Sciences, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Physiology, Endocrinology

Position Type: Full Time

Job Type: PhD Fellowship, Postdoc, Postdoc Fellowship

Organization Type: Academia