Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability

The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability supports early-career researchers whose work addresses Cornell Atkinson’s sustainability priorities. Fellows conduct rigorous, impact-oriented research with a PI-eligible Cornell faculty mentor and an adviser from an external organization.

Appointments are based at Cornell University in Ithaca, where fellows join a cohort and participate in professional development through the Sustainability Leadership Program. Projects may include fieldwork, but fellows must keep their primary residence in Ithaca and spend most of their time on campus.

Benefits & funding

Three-year, 12-month appointment; second- and third-year support depends on satisfactory progress and available funding.
Salary of $65,000 per year plus full Cornell University employee benefits.
$12,000 per year for research- and travel-related expenses.
Professional development in science communication, career strategy, collaborative leadership, and cross-sector work.

Eligibility

Applicants must earn a PhD relevant to the proposed research by the fellowship start and no earlier than May 1, 2025.
Cornell PhD graduates and current Cornell postdocs are not eligible.
The proposal must align with at least one priority area: climate risk, energy transitions, food security, or One Health.
Applicants must secure one PI-eligible Cornell faculty mentor who is a Cornell Atkinson Faculty Fellow and one external adviser from a governmental, nongovernmental, or private-sector organization; another university cannot serve as the external partner.
Fellows must maintain primary residence in Ithaca, New York, and work primarily on campus; hybrid and remote appointments are not allowed.
Applicants of any nationality may apply, and successful applicants who need visa sponsorship will be referred to Cornell International Services.

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Residence required
USA
Education required
PhD Enrolled · PhD

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Application process

1
Confirm eligibility and secure an eligible Cornell faculty mentor and external partner adviser before applying.
2
Prepare a 250-word project abstract and one PDF containing a 250-word applicant background, a project description of up to 1,000 words, an impact statement of up to 300 words, and a CV.
3
Submit the online form by October 20, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET.
4
Arrange four professional recommendation letters from the Cornell mentor, external adviser, doctoral adviser, and one additional reference; recommenders email them separately by the same deadline.

Program timeline

Application form opens.
July 8, 2026
Information session #1.
August 5, 2026, 3 p.m. ET
Information session #2.
September 10, 2026, noon ET
Applications and recommendation letters due.
October 20, 2026, 5 p.m. ET
Applicants notified.
January 2027
Flexible fellowship start window.
June 1–September 1, 2027