Postdoctoral Position in Craniofacial Research (University of Southern California)

A postdoctoral position is available immediately in Professor Yang Chai’s laboratory at the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology (CCMB) at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. We are interested in the regulation of developmental patterning, organogenesis, stem cells and regenerative medicine. Our studies seek to define molecular mechanisms governing both normal and abnormal craniofacial development, providing scientific rationales for future therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat craniofacial birth defects, as well as stem cell-based craniofacial regenerative medicine.

CCMB is located on the Health Sciences Campus of USC, which provides a vibrant, highly collaborative and interactive research environment. Postdocs will participate in weekly seminars with other researchers who are interested in developmental biology and stem cells in tissue regeneration. There are ample cross-training opportunities in areas such as bioinformatics, biomedical engineering and translational medicine. Postdocs will also have opportunities to collaborate with experts nationally and internationally.

The candidate must have a PhD and be experienced with molecular and developmental biology. Our research projects are supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH. To apply, please send your C.V. and three letters of recommendation to Yang Chai (c/o Ms. Stephanie Jones sjones99@usc.edu and ychai@usc.edu). EOE/AA

Some of our recent publications:

• Zhang M, Feng J, Guo T, Meng L, Pei F, Gao L, Yang Y, Ho TV, Chai Y. Canonical BAF chromatin remodeling complex specifies stem cell fate via cell-type-specific co-factor recruitment. Nat Commun. 2026 Mar 3;17(1):3361. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-70038-6.
• Feng J, Janečková E, Guo T, Ziaei H, Zhang M, Geng JJ, Cha S, Araujo-Villalba A, Liu M, Ho TV, Chai Y. (2025) High-resolution spatial transcriptomics and cell lineage analysis reveal spatiotemporal cell fate determination during craniofacial development. Nat Commun. 2025 May 12;16(1):4396. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59206-2.
• Pei F, Guo T, Zhang M, Ma L, Jing J, Feng J, Ho TV, Wen Q, Chai Y. (2024) FGF signaling modulates mechanotransduction/WNT signaling in progenitors during tooth root development. Bone Res. 2024 Jun 24;12(1):37. doi: 10.1038/s41413-024-00345-5.
• Guo T, Pei F, Zhang M, Yamada T, Feng J, Jing J, Ho TV, Chai Y. (2024) Vascular architecture regulates mesenchymal stromal cell heterogeneity via P53-PDGF signaling in the mouse incisor. Cell Stem Cell. 2024 Jun 6;31(6):904-920.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.04.011. Epub 2024 May 3.
• Yu M, Ma L, Yuan Y, Ye X, Montagne A, He J, Ho TV, Wu Y, Zhao Z, Sta Maria N, Jacobs R, Urata M, Wang H, Zlokovic BV, Chen JF, Chai Y. (2021) Cranial Suture Regeneration Mitigates Skull and Neurocognitive Defects in Craniosynostosis. Cell. 2021 Jan 7;184(1):243-256.e18. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.11.037.

For other available positions at CCMB, please check here. Current openings include assistant professor, postdoctoral researchers, and lab technicians.