The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability 2027 offers an exceptional opportunity for early-career scholars who are passionate about sustainability, rigorous academic research, and creating meaningful real-world impact.

Hosted by Cornell University, the fellowship brings together academic research and practical sustainability action by giving Fellows the opportunity to work with both a Cornell faculty mentor and a partnering external organization.

The program is designed for researchers who want to move beyond academic research alone and explore how rigorous scholarship can contribute to solutions for some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

Successful Fellows will become part of the Cornell Atkinson community and participate in the Sustainability Leadership Program, where they join a cohort of early-career scholars and receive specialized support in areas such as science communication, strategic career planning, and collaborative leadership.

Applications are now being invited for the 2027 Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability.

About the Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship is structured around the idea that sustainability research should connect strong academic scholarship with measurable impact in the real world.

Rather than focusing exclusively on traditional academic research, the fellowship encourages scholars to work across academic and external settings.

Each Fellow works with:

• A Cornell faculty mentor
• An external advisor
• A partnering external organization

This structure provides Fellows with an opportunity to connect their research with organizations and communities beyond the university.

The program welcomes research proposals from early-career scholars working within any of Cornell Atkinson’s four primary research areas.

Applicants are encouraged to develop projects that demonstrate both academic rigor and the potential to contribute to meaningful sustainability outcomes.

Fellowship Duration

The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship is a:

Three-year, 12-month appointment at Cornell University.

This means Fellows participate in a full-time postdoctoral appointment for three years, with each year structured as a 12-month appointment.

The three-year structure provides Fellows with sufficient time to:

• Develop their research
• Conduct rigorous investigations
• Work with their Cornell mentor
• Collaborate with external partners
• Produce research outputs
• Build professional networks
• Develop leadership skills
• Translate research into real-world impact

Fellowship Salary and Financial Support

Successful Fellows receive a competitive financial package.

Annual Salary

Fellows receive:

$65,000 per year

This salary is provided throughout the fellowship appointment.

Cornell Employee Benefits

Fellows will also receive:

Full Cornell employee benefits

These benefits are provided as part of the postdoctoral appointment and are in addition to the annual salary.

Research and Travel Funding

Each Fellow receives:

$12,000 per year

for research- and travel-related expenses.

This additional funding can support activities connected with the Fellow’s research and professional development, including eligible research expenses and travel associated with academic or professional activities.

Over three years, the research and travel allocation totals up to:

$36,000

in addition to the annual salary and employee benefits.

Residency and Location Requirements

An important requirement of the Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship is that Fellows must maintain their primary residence in Ithaca, New York, for the duration of their appointment.

Fellows must also spend the majority of their time on the Cornell University campus.

This requirement exists so that Fellows can fully participate in Cornell Atkinson activities, interact with their colleagues and mentors, and engage with the broader Cornell research community.

Remote and Hybrid Appointments

The program does not permit:

• Fully remote appointments
• Hybrid postdoctoral appointments

Applicants should therefore be prepared to relocate to or maintain their primary residence in Ithaca, New York, and participate substantially in on-campus activities.

This is an important consideration for applicants currently living outside Ithaca or outside the United States.

Sustainability Leadership Program

A major component of the Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship is participation in the Sustainability Leadership Program.

Through this program, Fellows become part of a cohort of early-career scholars working on sustainability-related research and challenges.

The program provides curated professional development in areas including:

Science Communication

Fellows receive support in communicating complex research to audiences beyond specialized academic communities.

Effective science communication can help researchers:

• Explain research clearly
• Reach policymakers and practitioners
• Engage communities
• Communicate with non-specialist audiences
• Increase the practical impact of research findings

Strategic Career Planning

Fellows receive guidance to help them think strategically about their professional development and future career paths.

Collaborative Leadership

The program also develops collaborative leadership skills, helping Fellows work effectively with researchers, institutions, organizations, and other stakeholders.

Research Focus and Sustainability

The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship invites research proposals from early-career scholars working within Cornell Atkinson’s four primary research areas.

Applicants should ensure that their proposed project aligns with at least one of the Center’s priority areas.

The program is particularly suited to scholars whose research can connect rigorous academic investigation with practical sustainability outcomes.

A strong proposal should demonstrate:

• A clearly defined research challenge
• Rigorous research methods
• A meaningful sustainability connection
• Potential real-world impact
• A strong academic foundation
• A clear relationship with the proposed Cornell advisor
• Meaningful engagement with an external partner

Academic and External Collaboration

One of the distinctive features of this fellowship is its dual-mentorship and partnership model.

Each proposed project requires both academic and external collaboration.

Applicants are asked to identify:

1. A proposed Cornell faculty advisor
2. A proposed external advisor
3. An external partner organization

This structure enables Fellows to connect university-based research with organizations working outside the traditional academic environment.

The external partner may provide an important pathway for translating research findings into practice, policy, innovation, organizational change, or other forms of real-world sustainability impact.

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship is intended for early-career scholars interested in sustainability research and real-world impact.

Applicants should be pursuing or have completed a PhD and must provide a known or anticipated month and year of PhD graduation in the application.

The program is particularly appropriate for researchers who:

• Are at the early stage of their research careers
• Have a strong research background
• Are developing an independent research agenda
• Want to work at the intersection of research and sustainability
• Are interested in translating research into real-world impact
• Can identify an appropriate Cornell faculty mentor
• Can establish a meaningful relationship with an external organization
• Are willing to work primarily on campus in Ithaca

Application Requirements

Applicants must complete the online application and submit the required materials by the deadline.

The application requires several important components.

1. Applicant Information

Applicants must provide:

• Full name
• Email address
• Current university or organization
• Project title

2. Project Abstract

Applicants must provide a clear summary of their proposed project.

The abstract should explain:

• The proposed research
• The methods that will be used
• The anticipated impact

The abstract has a strict limit of:

250 words maximum

Applicants should therefore make the abstract focused, clear, and informative.

3. Alignment With Cornell Atkinson Priority Areas

Applicants must indicate which of Cornell Atkinson’s priority research areas their project addresses.

The application allows applicants to select all applicable areas.

Applicants should carefully demonstrate how their proposed research aligns with the Center’s sustainability priorities.

4. Proposed Cornell Advisor

Applicants must identify a proposed Cornell faculty advisor.

The application requires:

• Cornell advisor’s name
• Cornell advisor’s email address

The proposed advisor should be appropriately positioned to provide academic mentorship relevant to the proposed research.

5. Proposed External Advisor

Applicants must also identify an external advisor.

The application requires:

• External advisor’s name
• External advisor’s email address

This reinforces the fellowship’s emphasis on connecting academic research with external expertise and real-world application.

6. External Partner Organization

Applicants must identify an:

External Partner Organization

The external partnership is an important component of the fellowship because Fellows are expected to work at the intersection of academic research and practical sustainability impact.

Applicants may also list additional external partners where applicable.

7. PhD Graduation Date

Applicants must provide their:

Month and year of PhD graduation

The application accepts either a known graduation date or an anticipated graduation date.

Applicants should provide accurate information based on their academic status.

8. Proposal Packet

Applicants must upload one PDF document containing the complete proposal packet.

The proposal packet must include:

• Applicant Background
• Description of Proposed Project
• Impact Statement
• Curriculum Vitae

Applicants should not upload these documents as separate attachments.

The application specifically requires them to be combined into a single PDF proposal packet.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must arrange for four recommendation letters to be submitted directly to Cornell Atkinson.

The four required recommenders are:

1. Proposed Cornell Advisor
2. Proposed External Advisor
3. PhD Advisor
4. One Other Recommender

All four letters must be submitted directly to:

atkinson-postdoc@cornell.edu

by the application deadline.

Applicants should contact their recommenders well in advance to ensure that the letters are submitted on time.

Recommendation Letter Deadline

All four recommendation letters must arrive by:

5 p.m. ET on October 20, 2026

Letters received after the application deadline will not be accepted.

Applicants should therefore not wait until the final day to contact their recommenders.

Application Deadline

The complete application must be submitted by:

October 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

This is the official application deadline for the 2027 Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Applicants should ensure that:

• The online application is completed
• The proposal packet is uploaded
• Required information is provided
• Four recommendation letters have been requested
• Recommendation letters are submitted directly to Cornell
• The application is submitted before the deadline

Important Application Rules

Applicants should pay close attention to the program’s submission requirements.

Applications Cannot Be Edited After Submission

The application form can be saved as a draft while applicants are working on it.

However, once the application has been submitted:

It cannot be edited.

Applicants should carefully review all information and attachments before submitting.

Late Applications

Late applications will not be reviewed.

The deadline is:

October 20, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET

Applicants should plan to submit before the final hours of the application period to avoid technical or administrative problems.

Incomplete Applications

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applicants should use the application requirements as a checklist to ensure that every required component has been addressed.

Suggested Application Preparation Checklist

Before submitting, applicants should confirm that they have completed the following:

• Applicant name
• Applicant email
• Current university or organization
• Project title
• 250-word project abstract
• Cornell Atkinson priority-area selection
• Proposed Cornell advisor
• Cornell advisor email
• Proposed external advisor
• External advisor email
• External partner organization
• Additional external partners, if applicable
• Month and year of PhD graduation
• Single PDF proposal packet
• Applicant background
• Proposed project description
• Impact statement
• Curriculum vitae
• Cornell advisor recommendation
• External advisor recommendation
• PhD advisor recommendation
• Fourth recommendation
• Final application review
• Application submitted before 5 p.m. ET on October 20, 2026

What Makes This Fellowship Different?

The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship stands out because it combines several dimensions of professional development and research.

Rather than providing only a traditional postdoctoral research appointment, the program connects Fellows with:

• Cornell academic mentorship
• External organizational collaboration
• Sustainability research
• Leadership development
• Science communication training
• Strategic career planning
• Collaborative leadership development
• Research and travel funding

This creates an environment in which early-career researchers can develop both as scholars and as leaders capable of translating research into meaningful action.

Real-World Impact and Sustainability

The fellowship is particularly suited to researchers who want their work to contribute to solutions beyond academic publications.

The combination of a Cornell faculty mentor and an external partner gives Fellows an opportunity to consider how research can influence:

• Policy
• Practice
• Innovation
• Organizations
• Communities
• Sustainability decision-making

Applicants should therefore think carefully about the practical significance of their research and clearly explain the potential impact in their proposal.

Professional Development Opportunities

In addition to conducting research, Fellows benefit from professional development through the Sustainability Leadership Program.

The program’s focus on science communication can help researchers become more effective communicators.

Strategic career planning can help Fellows make informed decisions about their future professional direction.

Collaborative leadership training can help researchers build the skills necessary to work across disciplines and sectors.

Together, these elements can help prepare Fellows for careers in:

• Academia
• Research
• Government
• Nonprofit organizations
• Industry
• Sustainability organizations
• Policy
• Science communication
• Other research and impact-oriented careers

Fellowship Location

The fellowship is based at:

Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

Fellows must maintain primary residency in Ithaca throughout the appointment and spend the majority of their time on campus.

Applicants who require a remote or hybrid arrangement should note that these arrangements are not permitted for Cornell Atkinson postdoctoral Fellows.Position Information

The fellowship is listed as:

Position: Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability

Requisition Number: 32295

Hiring Department: Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability

Application Deadline: October 20, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET

                                      Read Full Details HERE

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the official Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship application form and upload their complete proposal packet as one PDF.

Applicants must also ensure that all four required recommenders submit their letters directly to Cornell Atkinson before the deadline.

For questions about the fellowship or application form, applicants can contact:

atkinson-postdoc@cornell.edu

Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin preparing their proposal and contacting recommenders well before the deadline.

Important Deadline

October 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET

Both the application and all required recommendation letters must be submitted by the deadline.

Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

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Conclusion

The Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sustainability 2027 presents a significant opportunity for early-career scholars seeking to combine rigorous academic research with practical sustainability impact.

The three-year fellowship provides a $65,000 annual salary, full Cornell employee benefits, and $12,000 per year for research and travel expenses. Fellows also benefit from academic mentorship, external organizational collaboration, and professional development through the Sustainability Leadership Program.

The fellowship’s emphasis on science communication, strategic career planning, collaborative leadership, and real-world impact makes it particularly valuable for researchers who want to develop beyond traditional academic research and contribute to meaningful sustainability solutions.

Interested applicants should begin identifying their proposed Cornell faculty mentor and external partner, preparing their research proposal, and contacting their four recommenders as early as possible.

The application deadline is October 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET, and all required recommendation letters must also be received by that deadline.

Applicants should carefully review every requirement before submitting because late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed, and submitted applications cannot be edited.

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