The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University is recruiting two funded Ph.D. students to begin in Summer 2023 or Fall 2023 to work collaboratively with Prof. Damian E. Helbling and Prof. Matthew C. Reid on projects related to the fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the subsurface environment. The graduate student working with Prof. Helbling will be conducting laboratory experiments to: (i) elucidate the biotransformation pathways of polyfluoalkyl substances in bioreactors seeded with microbial communities derived from different subsurface environments, and (ii) characterize the sorption of polyfluoalkyl substances on different organic and mineral surfaces. The graduate student working with Prof. Reid will be conducting laboratory and field experiments with mesocosms that simulate wetland rhizosphere environments to study the fate and transformation of polyfluoalkyl substances during subsurface transport. Both graduate students will be joining a vibrant community of graduate students in the Environmental Processes focus area within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University.
The Environmental Processes faculty focus on advancing fundamental knowledge and developing sustainable technologies that can contribute to the paradigm shifts needed to face the most urgent environmental challenges facing human societies such as energy/resources crises and climate change. We train our students to develop the skills and ability to apply multi-disciplinary tools and more sustainable approaches for reducing detrimental environmental and health impacts resulting from chemical and biological contaminants. Graduates from our program pursue careers in academia, government, and industry.
Successful applicants will have a MS (preferred) or a BS in environmental engineering, environmental science, chemical engineering, chemistry, environmental chemistry, or a related field. Applicants should apply to the Ph.D. program (whether they will hold an MS or a BS degree at the time of matriculation) and submit a complete application through the Cornell graduate school website by February 1, 2023.
Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here: https://helbling.research.engineering.cornell.edu/prospective-student-faqs/
Along with being embedded within an Ivy League university, the College of Engineering at Cornell University is one of the world’s leading engineering and technical institutions, set within a deliberately broad-based and diverse university. We have a longstanding focus on teaching excellence and groundbreaking research, supported by exceptional laboratories and libraries. Our dynamic culture of innovation and our particular strength in cross-disciplinary collaboration are enhanced by the open, engaging interactions among the members of our community – faculty and students alike.
Ithaca, New York is home to spectacular waterfalls and lakes, organic farms and wineries, a thriving music and arts community, and an invigorating climate year-round. Located at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, the longest of the 11 Finger Lakes, Ithaca is consistently rated among the most livable cities in the United States. With more restaurants per capita then New York City, Ithaca has a bustling social scene with dozens of bars and restaurants, as well as music venues, theaters, and a farmers’ market that’s been named one of the best in the country by Zagat. Ithaca even has its own winery, Six Mile Creek Vineyard, which is one of 16 wineries, one cidery, one meadery, and four distilleries located along Cayuga Lake. The lake and the surrounding gorges offer great spots for outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, jogging, swimming, or simply taking in the beautiful scenery, which includes more than 100 waterfalls.