How do cells and tissues respond not only to the amount of a hormone, but also to its timing and dynamics? The Teruel Laboratory at Weill Cornell Medicine is seeking a postdoctoral associate to uncover how dynamic endocrine signals are decoded to regulate insulin action, metabolic adaptation, and communication among organs. A major focus is understanding how disruption of circadian glucocorticoid rhythms reprograms metabolism and contributes to obesity and diabetes.
The laboratory combines quantitative cell signaling, live-cell imaging, molecular biology, and integrative physiology to understand how the timing and dynamics of hormonal signals regulate metabolic cell states and tissue function. Current projects use glucocorticoid and insulin signaling as model systems, with opportunities spanning pancreatic islets, liver, adipose tissue, and other metabolic tissues.
Research questions include how endocrine rhythms are decoded by cells and tissues, how signaling responses differ across organs and between sexes, and how altered hormonal timing contributes to insulin resistance and metabolic disease.
We are particularly interested in recruiting a postdoctoral scientist who would like to bridge mechanistic analysis of cell signaling with physiological studies of metabolism. The successful candidate will develop a project aligned with the laboratory’s broader interests in dynamic cell signaling, endocrine timing, and metabolic adaptation. The project will be shaped by the candidate’s background, interests, and long-term scientific goals.
The laboratory uses physiological and genetic mouse models, quantitative live-cell imaging, metabolic phenotyping, molecular and biochemical approaches, tissue imaging, and computational data analysis. The specific combination of approaches will depend on the candidate’s project and expertise.
This position is well suited for a candidate who wants to develop an independent research direction at the interface of quantitative cell signaling, endocrine physiology, circadian regulation, metabolism, and disease. Previous experience in circadian biology is not required.
Selected Publications
Applicants may find the following publications helpful for learning more about the laboratory’s research:
- 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;27:854–868.e8. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2018.03.012.
- Tholen S, Patel R, Agas A, et al. Flattening of circadian glucocorticoid oscillations drives acute hyperinsulinemia and adipocyte hypertrophy. Cell Reports. 2022;39:111018. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111018.
- Agas A, Sharma S, Narciso A, et al. Disrupted glucocorticoid rhythms selectively induce severe skeletal muscle insulin resistance and uncouple obesity from hepatic steatosis. Cell Reports. 2026. In press.
- Wilson J, Arzeno A, Sharma S, Agas A, Lungstrum J, Teruel MN. The beta cell glucocorticoid receptor protects against hyperglycaemia by modulating insulin secretion during glucocorticoid rhythm disruption in mice. bioRxiv. 2026. doi:10.64898/2026.06.03.730005.
You Will Be Responsible for the following
- Design, conduct, and analyze research independently and collaboratively, following institutional policies and procedures.
- Maintain accurate research records and prepare data, figures, and statistical analyses.
- Contribute to manuscripts, abstracts, conference presentations, and fellowship or grant applications.
- Participate in laboratory operations and assist with training junior researchers, as appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must have a Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, metabolism, physiology, endocrinology, diabetes research, or a related field.
Applicants should have strong experimental or quantitative training in at least one relevant area, such as:
- Quantitative cell signaling
- Live-cell imaging or microscopy
- Mouse physiology or metabolic phenotyping
- Metabolism or endocrine biology
- Molecular or cellular biology
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to design experiments, analyze data quantitatively, communicate results clearly, and work independently within a collaborative research environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred candidates will have experience in one or more of the following:
- Quantitative cell signaling, live-cell imaging, biosensors, or microscopy
- Mouse physiology, metabolic phenotyping, or endocrine disease models
- Pancreatic islet, liver, adipose tissue, or related metabolic tissue biology
- Hormone signaling, insulin action, glucose homeostasis, or circadian regulation of metabolism
- Molecular, biochemical, histological, or omics approaches
- Immunofluorescence, western blotting, qPCR, RNA-seq, tissue morphometry, or image-based quantification
- Quantitative analysis using Python, R, MATLAB, ImageJ/Fiji, QuPath, Imaris, CellProfiler, GraphPad Prism, or related platforms
- Scientific writing and development of an independent research direction
Strong candidates with complementary expertise are encouraged to apply. Applicants are not expected to have prior experience in all of these areas.
Application Process
Interested applicants should send the following materials to Mary N. Teruel, Ph.D., at mnt4002@med.cornell.edu:
- A cover letter describing the applicant’s research experience, career goals, and interest in the position
- A current curriculum vitae
- Contact information for three references
- One representative first-author or major-contribution publication, preprint, or manuscript, if available
In the cover letter, applicants should briefly describe their most relevant research experience, the scientific questions that interest them, and how their expertise could contribute to a project involving dynamic cell signaling, endocrine timing, circadian regulation, or metabolic physiology.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Commitment to Diversity
Weill Cornell Medicine is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion among our faculty, staff, and students. We seek out individuals with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, and we work to create programs that support both our current employees and our recruitment efforts.
EEO Statement
Weill Cornell Medicine welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability, including persons associated with such a person, arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Appointment Term
One year with the possibility of renewal.
Starting Date
The preferred start date is as soon as possible, ideally in Fall 2026, with flexibility based on completion of the candidate’s current training obligations and visa processing, when applicable.
Location of Appointment
Weill Cornell Medicine Main Campus
New York, NY
Lab, Department, and Principal Investigator Websites
Teruel Laboratory:
https://maryteruellab.org
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine:
https://biochemistry.weill.cornell.edu
Mary N. Teruel, Ph.D.:
ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2854-3598
Google Scholar:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=g_uZDGYAAAAJ
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-n-teruel-093b4b2
Salary
The minimum starting salary is $75,812. Salary will comply with the Weill Cornell Medicine postdoctoral collective bargaining agreement and will be based on relevant experience.
Benefits
A summary of employee benefits can be found on the Weill Cornell Medicine Human Resources website:
https://careers.weill.cornell.edu/why-choose-us/benefits-compensation
Visa Options
Candidates applying for this position could be eligible for a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa or an H-1B temporary worker visa.
Union Membership
This position is covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement between Weill Cornell Medicine and the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, and its local union, Weill Cornell Medicine Postdocs United-UAW Local 4100.
Contact
- Biochemistry and Biophysics