Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability

Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability

Created through the generous support of David and Patricia Atkinson, the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability enables transdisciplinary and translational research that advances sustainability to create a healthy and resilient future. By supporting research across all of Cornell’s colleges and schools and partnering with governmental, non‑governmental, and private entities, the Cornell Atkinson Center directly supports the radical collaboration necessary to transform knowledge to action.

The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for recipients to engage at the nexus of highly rigorous academic research and real impact in sustainability. Fellows work with both a Cornell faculty mentor and a partnering external organization. Through the Sustainability Leadership Program, Fellows join a cohort of early‑career scholars that receives curated support in science communication, strategic career planning, and collaborative leadership.

We invite research proposals from early‑career scholars in any of Cornell Atkinson’s four primary research areas.

• July 15, 2025: Application portal opens
• October 20, 2025: Completed applications due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
• Early January 2026: Applicant notifications
• June 1 – September 1, 2026: Fellowship start dates

• Up to four Postdoctoral Fellows are selected each year.
• Fellowships are three‑year, 12‑month appointments at Cornell University. Second‑ and third‑year support is contingent upon satisfactory progress in the first and second years, respectively, and the availability of funding.
• Fellowships provide a salary of $65,000 per year
  , full Cornell University employee benefits, and $12,000 per year for research‑ and travel‑related expenses. This is the set hiring salary for Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellows.
• Start date for the fellowship is flexible between June 1 and September 1, 2026.
• Field work and site visits are typical components of research. Fellows must have primary residency in Ithaca, New York to participate in Cornell Atkinson Center activities.
• Professional development support is provided via the Sustainability Leadership Program (SLP). Fellows complete a minimum of two long (approx. two‑day, in‑person) and four short (one‑to‑two‑hour, online) workshops during each year of their appointment.
• Additional support is provided by the Office of Postdoctoral Studies.

• Applicants must have received their Ph.D. in a field relevant to the proposed research by the start of the fellowship, but no earlier than two years prior to the start date (for this application cycle, no earlier than May 1, 2024).
• All applicants meeting the requirements are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants requiring visa sponsorship will be referred to Cornell International Services for guidance.
• Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellows are full‑time, non‑faculty, benefits‑eligible staff at Cornell University. Policies that govern employment at Cornell University apply.
• The fellowship is designed to attract new scholars to Cornell. Current Cornell graduate students and postdoctoral fellows may apply if all eligibility requirements are met and the proposed research with a new faculty mentor departs from or expands significantly on current research.

• The application process opened on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
• The Final date to receive applications is Monday, October 20, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Late applications will not advance to the next round of review.
• Applicant materials are submitted via the online portal.
• Guidelines about required materials are provided below; we encourage you to read them carefully before beginning your application.

• Project Abstract (maximum 250 words):
  Summarize your proposed project, methods, and anticipated impact clearly and concisely.
• Applicant Background (maximum 250 words):
  Briefly describe your doctoral research and future career goals, explaining how the fellowship will enhance your career in sustainability research and impact.
• Description of Proposed Project (maximum 1,000 words):
  …