Description

The Cornell Population Center (CPC) invites applicants for the Frank H.T. Rhodes Postdoctoral Fellowship. This position will be appointed for a one-year term from August 16, 2027, through August 15, 2028, but may be extended for a second year, dependent on satisfactory performance and available funding. Selection is based on scholarly potential in the broad substantive field of demography, ability to work in multi-disciplinary settings, and alignment of research interests with CPC faculty affiliates who can serve as mentors. Preference will be given to fellows with research interests in areas broadly related to the CPC’s four main areas: families & children; health behaviors & disparities; poverty, gender, & inequality; and immigration & diversity. We especially encourage applications from candidates whose research has significance for those countries on which the fellowship’s funder focuses – the United States, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Vietnam, South Africa, and Bermuda.

The Frank H. T. Rhodes Fellowships stand as a testament to the profound difference Frank Rhodes has made at Cornell by furthering scholarship and research in areas related to poverty alleviation, support for the elderly and disadvantaged children and youth, public health, and human rights. The postdoctoral program is designed to provide support through collaborations with faculty and to assist new scholars in launching their own programs of research.  Postdoctoral Associates devote most of their time to independent research but are expected to be actively involved in CPC activities and events. CPC offers an exciting intellectual environment for postdoctoral training in demography, with over 250 affiliated faculty, graduate students, and postdocs. See https://www.cpc.cornell.edu/ for more information about CPC.

Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in demography, economics, sociology, or another related social science discipline by August 16, 2027. 

Application Information: Interested applicants should submit a: 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vita, 3) research statement describing their research portfolio and the projects they plan on pursuing as a postdoctoral scholar, 4) a specific list of 2 to 3 CPC-affiliated faculty affiliates who could serve as potential mentors and with whom the candidate could engage in collaborative projects , 5) example of written work, and 6) three letters of recommendation. Applicants do not need to confirm the support of proposed mentors in advance of their submission. 

For full consideration, please apply by December 1, 2026.

Pay Range: $63,480 - $80,000 – The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
• Academic discipline
• Unique applicable skills.

Applications will be reviewed on December 01, 2026, and continue until a candidate is selected.

For questions regarding the position, please contact population@cornell.edu.

The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy was established in 2021 to tackle the most pressing policy challenges we face in the U.S. and globally. To advance this goal, we are hiring world-class research scholars and educators across a variety of disciplines who are oriented toward policy engagement and impact.