Job Description

Title of Position: Postdoctoral associate, exercise immunology

Department and School: Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine

Anticipated Appointment Dates: Fall 2026 to Fall 2028

Email: kent.langston@yale.edu

Website: https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/langston/(Link is external)

Introduction

The Langston Lab is recruiting a highly motivated postdoctoral associate with a strong background in immunobiology and/or biomedical engineering. We are a collaborative, interdisciplinary team defining the cellular and molecular features of exercise-induced inflammatory responses in youth and during aging. We aim to understand how immune cells sense exercise and regulate its benefits with the long-term goal of designing exercise-inspired interventions to combat age-associated inflammation to improve healthspan. Toward these aims, we apply a complement of wet and dry lab techniques to analyze mouse models and human donor-derived samples.

Our previous work showed that many of the beneficial effects of exercise, such as enhanced performance, depend on proper control of muscle inflammation, in particular interferon-gamma (Langston et al., 2023, Science Immunology). Such control is mediated by timely accrual of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in skeletal muscle. In a recent follow-up study, we showed that muscle inflammatory responses to acute exercise are initiated by mesenchymal stromal cells, which adopt an immunomodulatory program in response to altered tissue stiffness sensed by the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 (Langston et al., 2026, Nature Immunology). This mechanism also promotes timely inflammatory and myogenic responses to acute muscle injury and is associated with age-related inflammation. For more information on the conceptual framework for our projects, please read our recently published perspective article (Langston et al., 2024, Cell Metabolism).

Overview of the Position

Education: 

The candidate will benefit from a structured educational program at Yale, including weekly Research in Progress and Grand Rounds organized by the Department of Pathology as well as regular seminars and symposia organized and hosted by Y-Age and other Yale research centers. The position will provide opportunities to present research at national and international scientific meetings, fostering both scientific education and professional growth.

Training: 

The candidate will gain experience with mouse models of acute and chronic exercise as well as other standard techniques, including but not limited to the following: multicolor flow cytometry, cell transfections and transductions, bioinformatic analyses of a variety of “omics” datasets. Training in critical interpretation and communication of scientific data will also be provided.

Mentoring: 

Trainees will have frequent formal and informal meetings with Dr. Langston, in addition to regular interactions with colleagues in the lab, Y-Age, and Pathology. Dr. Langston will work with trainees to create a Professional Development Plan tailored to individual needs and long-term career goals. 

Location: 

The Langston Lab is at 310 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510. In Spring 2026, the lab will move to a newly renovated space dedicated to Y-Age, located on the second floor of Lauder Hall.

Duration: 

Postdoctoral appointments are for a minimum of one year with the possibility of extension. 

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with experience, starting at $68,500 per year. For more information on postdoctoral compensation, please visit  https://postdocs.yale.edu/postdocs/being-a-postdoc-at-yale/postdoctoral…

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biological sciences, biomedical engineering, or a related field is required.
• Candidates must have prior experience (minimum 3 years) working in a research lab and exceptional organizational skills. Prior experience working with mice and/or human samples is strongly desired, but not a requirement.
• Candidates with backgrounds in mechanobiology, biomedical engineering, or quantitative biology are particularly encouraged to apply.

Process to Apply

• The deadline to apply to the position is July 1, 2026.
• Attach your CV and a cover letter stating your motivation for pursuing the opportunity, your research interests and experience, and your formal qualifications. The CV should include the contact information of 2-3 referees.
• Please contact Dr. Langston at kent.langston@yale.edu, and include “Postdoctoral Associate” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.