Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Ph.D. Position Available

The Yang Lab is looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our team at Kansas State University (starting 2026). The position also provides opportunities for collaboration with colleagues at MIT, UPenn and Washington University in St. Louis, and Northwestern University.

What we are looking for

• Ph.D. in food science, chemistry, materials science, bioengineering, or a related field.

• Hands-on experience in food chemistry, biomaterials, delivery systems or AI for science.

• Strong experimental and problem-solving skills, with an interest in translational applications.

It’s a plus if you have

• A background in natural product chemistry, biodegradable polymers, or AI-assisted approaches in food/health sciences.

• Publications in reputable journals related to food chemistry, biomaterials, or delivery systems.

• Familiarity with both in vitro and in vivo studies on nutrient bioavailability or bioactive efficacy.

Compensation
Salary and benefits are competitive and will follow university standards, adjusted for qualifications and experience. 

PI and Lab Information:

Prof. Xin Yang will be joining Kansas State University as an Assistant Professor in 2026. He is currently a Postdoctoral Associate at MIT (Langer Lab/Jaklenec Group), where he works on nutrient delivery platforms, biodegradable polymers, and AI-powered discovery tools. His broader research vision is to advance the concept of Food as Medicine through three main directions:

1. Creating functional foods from agricultural byproducts.

2. Developing precision nutrition strategies by integrating AI and omics data.

3. Designing sustainable, food-safe polymers for nutrient delivery and packaging.

Members of the Yang Lab will be part of an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, working across food science, chemistry, materials science, and human health to develop innovative solutions with global impact.

How to apply
Please send a CV, a brief cover letter (research interests + career goals), and contact information for three references to Dr. Xin Yang (xin_yang@mit.edu) with the subject line: Postdoctoral Research Fellow Application – Food Science. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Graduate Student Positions (PhD/MS)

The Yang Lab at Kansas State University (starting in 2026) is recruiting highly motivated graduate students (PhD and MS) to join our interdisciplinary research team.

Research Areas
Students will have the opportunity to work on projects at the intersection of:

• Functional Foods – transforming agricultural byproducts (e.g., wine pomace, olive oil residues, grain byproducts) into health-promoting foods.

• Precision Nutrition – integrating food chemistry, metabolomics, microbiome, and artificial intelligence to design personalized dietary strategies.

• Sustainable Packaging Materials – developing biodegradable, food-safe polymers to replace single-use plastics and improve food system sustainability.

What you will gain

• Hands-on training in food chemistry, biomaterials, and advanced characterization methods.

• Experience working in a collaborative and international research environment.

• Opportunities to publish in high-impact journals and present at major conferences.

• Exposure to industry partnerships and entrepreneurship, with the chance to see your research translated into real-world applications.

Candidate Background
We welcome students with degrees in food science, chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, nutrition, or related fields. Previous lab research experience is helpful but not required—most importantly, we are looking for students who are curious, hardworking, and passionate about advancing food and health research.

Application
Interested students should send the following to Dr. Xin Yang (xinyang.academia@gmail.com):

1. A CV or résumé

2. A short statement of research interests and career goals

3. Academic transcripts (unofficial copies are fine for initial contact)

Please include “Graduate Student Application – Yang Lab” in the subject line.