Position description:

A 2-year graduate research fellowship is available at Cornell University for a PhD student to study cold adaptation in two agriculturally relevant species: winter pea (Pisum sativum) and Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense). P. sativum is an important crop that can be grown for grain, forage, or as a cover crop, but it has variable winter survival in New York. Temperature fluctuations can disrupt processes of acclimation and deacclimation, leading to reduced survival and productivity. S. halepense is among the world’s worst invasive weeds. Northward expansion of this species is likely limited by the cold tolerance of its rhizomes. While populations can persist further north than the northern limit of rhizome survival, these populations are much smaller and rely on annual reproduction from seed. With increasing temperatures the species is expected to undergo significant range expansion including into New York. 

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The student will have the unique opportunity to rotate between three labs within Cornell’s School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS): the labs of Virginia Moore (Plant Breeding & Genetics), Toni DiTommaso (Soil & Crop Science), and Jian Hua (Plant Biology). Following an initial 8-week rotation period, the student will select an advisor/lab. The student will have autonomy to design specific projects; some potential projects include (but are not limited to):

• Identifying genetic mechanisms associated with freezing tolerance in P. sativum.

• Evaluating genetic diversity of cold tolerance of S. halepense across Hardiness Zone 4 (northern NY) to Zone 7 (Long Island), and in controlled environments.

• Developing growth chamber protocols with improved predictive ability for winter survival across diverse field conditions.

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Location: The student will be based on Cornell’s campus in Ithaca, NY and may conduct field research at other locations in New York State.

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Qualifications: B.Sc. or M.S. degree in agronomy, biology, plant science, or related field. Research experience in a laboratory, greenhouse and/or field setting.

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Application instructions: To apply for the fellowship, apply for admission to one of the following graduate programs at Cornell University: Plant Biology, Plant Breeding & Genetics, or Soil & Crop Science. The application deadline is on December 1. On your application, you should indicate your interest in being considered for this graduate fellowship. If you have any questions about the fellowship, please contact Virginia Moore (vm377@cornell.edu).