Cornell University
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PhD in Watershed Biogeochemistry and Methylmercury in the Peruvian Amazon Cornell University in United States
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Chemistry
Funding
Fully funded through teaching and research assistantships. Includes a competitive stipend for 5 years including summers, tuition waiver, and health insurance. Applicants are also encouraged to apply for external fellowships such as NSF GRFP, Simons Foundation, DOE, NOAA, NASA, and USDA.
Country
United States
University
Cornell University
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About this position
PhD opportunity at Cornell University in the Watershed Biogeochemistry in the Anthropocene Lab (Gerson Lab), led by PI Dr. Jacqueline Gerson, across the Dept. of Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE), Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), and Natural Resources (DNRE).
The project focuses on watershed biogeochemistry, methylmercury, mercury transport, and mercury methylation in waterbodies of the Peruvian Amazon. The research asks how mercury from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) transforms into toxic, bioaccumulative methylmercury, with the goal of building a more nuanced and globally representative understanding beyond Global North coal-combustion models.
Research activities include fieldwork in remote Amazon settings, lab analyses, lab experiments, modeling, publishing, and community engagement. The position is especially relevant for students interested in environmental science, chemistry, earth science, biology, and public health.
Funding: fully funded through teaching and research assistantships, with a competitive stipend for 5 years including summers, plus tuition waiver and health insurance. The post also encourages applicants to pursue external fellowships such as NSF GRFP, Simons Foundation, DOE, NOAA, NASA, and USDA awards.
Eligibility highlights: prior labwork, fieldwork, and data analysis experience; applicants from a range of majors are welcome; an M.S. by the start date is preferred, though B.A./B.S. candidates are considered. Desired traits include independence, comfort with remote/difficult travel, Spanish ability or willingness to learn, self-motivation, teamwork, cross-disciplinary interest, and commitment to inclusive culture. GRE is not required.
Location: Ithaca, New York, USA, with fieldwork in the Peruvian Amazon.
How to apply: email [email protected] to arrange a Zoom call and include the requested background statement plus CV, unofficial transcript, and three references.
Funding details
Fully funded through teaching and research assistantships. Includes a competitive stipend for 5 years including summers, tuition waiver, and health insurance. Applicants are also encouraged to apply for external fellowships such as NSF GRFP, Simons Foundation, DOE, NOAA, NASA, and USDA.
What's required
Previous experience with labwork, fieldwork, and data analysis is required. Students from a range of majors are encouraged to apply. An M.S. by the start date is preferred, but B.A./B.S. candidates are also considered. Desired qualities include willingness to work independently and travel in remote/difficult conditions, Spanish ability or willingness to learn, self-motivation, a collaborative team attitude, cross-disciplinary interest, and commitment to an inclusive culture.
How to apply
Email Jacqueline Gerson to arrange a Zoom call. In the email, briefly address your previous research and skills, your most rewarding research experience, why you want a PhD, the topics you want to pursue and why they matter, why you want to join the lab, and your post-PhD goals. Attach your CV, unofficial transcript, and contact information for three references.
More information can be found here
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