1937- 1943 served as honorary director of the Cenozoic research office of the Central Geological Survey and special member of the Resources Committee.
1949 ——1952, Director of the Compilation Bureau of China Academy of Sciences.
1953 ——1956 Director of vertebrate paleontology Research Office of China Academy of Sciences.
1957 ——1979, director of the institute of vertebrate paleontology and paleoanthropology, Chinese academy of sciences; Curator of Beijing Museum of Natural History.
Yang is one of the founders of the Chinese Paleontological Society, and was elected as the chairman for three times. He served as the chairman of geological society of china twice,
Yang's work has been highly praised by scientific circles at home and abroad. 1948 was elected as an academician of academia sinica, and 1955 was elected as a member of the department of biogeography of China Academy of Sciences. 1956 was elected honorary member of vertebrate paleontology society in North America, foreign member of Moscow Natural History Association in Soviet Union, and 1975 was elected member of Linnaeus Society in Britain.
Yang is an active advocate and organizer of China Natural Museum. Beijing museum of natural history has been the curator since its establishment (1959).
In addition, he has served as a professor in Peking University, Beijing Normal University, Southwest Associated University and Chongqing University, and as a professor and president of Northwest University. He is also a representative of 1-5 China People's Congress and a member of the Standing Committee of Jiu San Society.