Current Postdoctoral Positions at Cornell University, USA (2026): Apply for Research Fellowships
Cornell University is one of the world's leading Ivy League research universities, attracting thousands of researchers from around the globe. Located in Ithaca, New York, with campuses in New York City and Doha, Qatar, Cornell offers exceptional postdoctoral opportunities across engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, agriculture, medicine, biology, economics, public policy, humanities, and social sciences.
Every year, Cornell recruits hundreds of postdoctoral researchers through faculty-led projects, university-wide fellowship programs, and externally funded research grants. Many positions welcome international applicants and offer competitive salaries, health insurance, retirement benefits, relocation support (for selected roles), and access to cutting-edge research facilities.
Why Choose Cornell University?
Cornell consistently ranks among the world's best research universities and is known for its collaborative, interdisciplinary research culture.
Benefits of Working at Cornell
Competitive postdoctoral salaries
Comprehensive health and dental insurance
Retirement savings plans
Paid vacation and holidays
Professional development workshops
Career mentoring
Access to advanced laboratories
Collaboration with internationally recognized faculty
Opportunities for independent research funding
1. Cornell Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
The Cornell Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship Program supports outstanding early-career scholars who contribute to academic excellence through innovative research.
Research Areas
Engineering
Computer Science
Biology
Agriculture
Humanities
Social Sciences
Physical Sciences
Public Policy
Fellowship Benefits
Competitive annual salary
Faculty mentorship
Professional development
Research support
Networking opportunities
Eligibility
Applicants should:
Hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree before the fellowship begins.
Demonstrate an excellent research record.
Meet the fellowship's eligibility criteria.
Application Deadline
Applications typically open in late summer and close in early autumn each year. Check the official fellowship page for the current cycle.
Official Information
https://provost.cornell.edu/academic-initiatives/postdoctoral-fellows/
ALSO APPLY: https://www.techlifebucket.com/2026/01/phd-fellowship-in-nuclear-organization.html
2. Cornell Careers – Postdoctoral Associate Positions
Cornell's central careers portal lists dozens of Postdoctoral Associate opportunities across multiple colleges and research centers.
Common Research Areas
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Plant Sciences
Veterinary Medicine
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Economics
Public Health
Environmental Science
Biomedical Engineering
Statistics
Application Deadline
Most positions remain Open Until Filled.
Apply Here
https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs?institution=Cornell
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3. Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR)
CCMR regularly hires postdoctoral researchers through federally funded research projects.
Research Areas
Nanotechnology
Materials Science
Physics
Chemistry
Electronic Materials
Quantum Materials
Benefits
Competitive salary
Advanced research facilities
Access to national laboratory collaborations
Deadline
Most positions are rolling recruitment.
Official Website
4. Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science
The College of Computing regularly recruits postdoctoral researchers.
Research Areas
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Robotics
Computer Vision
Cybersecurity
Human-Computer Interaction
Data Science
Eligibility
Applicants should have a PhD in Computer Science or a related field.
Deadline
Most positions remain open until filled.
Apply
5. Cornell Engineering Postdoctoral Research Positions
Cornell Engineering offers postdoctoral opportunities in numerous departments.
Available Fields
Aerospace Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Operations Research
Deadline
Applications are accepted throughout the year depending on funding availability.
Information
https://www.engineering.cornell.edu/
ALSO APPLY: https://www.techlifebucket.com/2025/12/assistant-professor-of-marine-biology.html
6. Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
CALS recruits postdoctoral scholars for agricultural and biological sciences research.
Research Areas
Plant Biology
Food Science
Animal Science
Microbiology
Biotechnology
Environmental Science
Genetics
Deadline
Open Until Filled.
Apply
7. Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability
The Atkinson Center supports interdisciplinary postdoctoral researchers addressing global sustainability challenges.
Research Topics
Climate Change
Renewable Energy
Sustainable Agriculture
Water Resources
Environmental Policy
Deadline
Annual fellowship competitions are announced on the official website.
Information
https://www.atkinson.cornell.edu/
8. Cornell Weill Medicine (New York City)
Cornell Weill Medicine recruits numerous postdoctoral associates each year.
Research Areas
Cancer Biology
Immunology
Neuroscience
Genetics
Biomedical Engineering
Molecular Biology
Precision Medicine
Deadline
Most research laboratories recruit throughout the year.
Apply
9. Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The world-renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology offers research fellowships in biodiversity and conservation.
Research Areas
Ecology
Conservation Biology
Wildlife Science
Data Science
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Deadline
Project-specific deadlines apply.
Official Information
https://www.birds.cornell.edu/
10. Department-Specific Faculty-Funded Postdoctoral Positions
Many Cornell faculty members recruit postdoctoral associates directly through research grants.
Popular Research Fields
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Economics
Sociology
Psychology
Public Policy
Biomedical Sciences
Statistics
Astronomy
Deadline
Most positions remain open until filled.
Applicants should regularly monitor the official Cornell careers portal.
ALSO APPLY: https://www.techlifebucket.com/2025/11/postdoctoral-fellowship-at-american.html
Major Research Areas at Cornell University
Cornell frequently hires postdoctoral researchers in:
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Robotics
Data Science
Computer Science
Biomedical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Materials Science
Agriculture
Plant Sciences
Veterinary Medicine
Food Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics
Economics
Public Health
Environmental Science
Climate Change
Sustainability
Genetics
Neuroscience
Salary and Benefits
Cornell University generally aligns postdoctoral salaries with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommendations and institutional policies.
Typical benefits include:
Competitive annual salary
Health insurance
Dental and vision coverage
Retirement plans
Paid vacation
Paid parental leave (where applicable)
Professional development support
Conference travel funding
Research training opportunities
Salary varies depending on funding source, department, and years of postdoctoral experience.
Eligibility Criteria
Most Cornell postdoctoral positions require:
A completed PhD or equivalent doctoral degree
Strong publication record
Excellent research experience
Strong communication skills
Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams
Relevant technical expertise for the advertised project
International applicants are welcome for many positions.
Required Documents
Applicants are typically asked to submit:
Updated CV
Cover Letter
Research Statement
Publication List
Contact information for three referees
Academic transcripts (if requested)
Writing samples (for selected humanities positions)
Application Deadlines Summary
| Position | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship | Annual competition (late summer/early autumn) |
| Cornell Careers Postdoctoral Positions | Open Until Filled |
| Cornell Engineering | Rolling recruitment |
| Cornell CALS | Open Until Filled |
| Cornell Computing | Open Until Filled |
| Cornell Weill Medicine | Rolling recruitment |
| Cornell Atkinson Center | Annual competition |
| Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Project-specific deadlines |
Because many positions are funded through research grants, recruitment occurs throughout the year.
How to Apply
Step 1
Visit Cornell University's official careers website.
Step 2
Search using keywords such as:
Postdoctoral Associate
Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Associate
Research Scientist
Step 3
Review the eligibility criteria and required qualifications.
Step 4
Prepare all required application documents.
Step 5
Submit your application through the official online portal before the deadline or as early as possible for rolling positions.
Official Application Links
Cornell Careers Portal
Academic Jobs Online (Cornell)
https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs?institution=Cornell
Cornell Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship
https://provost.cornell.edu/academic-initiatives/postdoctoral-fellows/
Cornell Engineering
https://www.engineering.cornell.edu/
Cornell Computing and Information Science
Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability
https://www.atkinson.cornell.edu/
Weill Cornell Medicine Careers
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
https://www.birds.cornell.edu/
Tips for a Successful Cornell Postdoctoral Application
Apply as early as possible for rolling positions.
Tailor your research statement to the faculty member or research group.
Highlight publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Demonstrate technical expertise relevant to the project.
Contact prospective faculty mentors when appropriate.
Request strong recommendation letters from researchers familiar with your work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can international researchers apply for Cornell postdoctoral positions?
Yes. Many Cornell postdoctoral positions are open to qualified international applicants, subject to visa and employment requirements.
Are Cornell postdoctoral positions fully funded?
Most positions are funded through research grants, institutional fellowships, or externally sponsored projects and include salary and employee benefits.
How long do Cornell postdoctoral appointments last?
Appointments are typically one to three years, depending on the research project and funding source.
Where can I find newly announced Cornell postdoctoral jobs?
The official Cornell Careers Portal and Academic Jobs Online listings are the most reliable sources for current vacancies.
Final Thoughts
Cornell University offers outstanding postdoctoral opportunities across a broad range of disciplines, from engineering and computer science to agriculture, medicine, environmental science, and the humanities. As an Ivy League institution with a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research, Cornell provides an ideal environment for early-career researchers to develop their expertise, collaborate with leading scholars, and contribute to impactful research.
Since many postdoctoral positions are filled on a rolling basis, candidates should monitor the official careers portal regularly, prepare their application materials in advance, and apply promptly when suitable opportunities are advertised.
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