JOIN US

We foster diversity in the workplace and encourage any interested individual of all stages (including postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate students) and all backgrounds (including animal science, embryology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics) to join our group. Please review the requirements and expectations to see if this lab is a good fit for you.


Postdoctoral fellows

Postdoctoral research associate openings are currently available at Duan Lab.

Application process: Candidates should email your application to Dr. Duan, including:

  • A cover letter: your current position and research experience, and why you are interested in this lab
  • Your updated CV, names of 3 references.
  • Research statement: a summary of your current and future research interests

Submitted documents will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The qualified applicants will be contacted for a 30 min to 1 hour Zoom discussion. At this stage, you will also ask your references to send us letters.

You will be invited for a formal interview process if we think you are a good fit. This will be a full-day on-site interview including a lab/campus tour (COVID Update: via Zoom teleconference). You will give a 1-hour research seminar and have one-on-one discussions with Ellie and other faculty, post-docs, and graduate students. This visit (in person or virtual) will also be an opportunity for you to assess if this lab will be a good fit for you and your overall happiness and research productivities in the next few years.

We will collect the feedback from everyone you meet and make the decision to either give you an offer or ask you to keep looking for other opportunities. If the offer is accepted, we will work with you on the hiring process, including the proposed starting date, salary, benefits, postdoc personal development plan, visa (if needed), and anything you will need for a successful career trajectory.


Prospective Graduate students

For prospective students, we are unable to accept you directly, you are encouraged to apply directly to M.S./Ph.D. programs at Cornell University. However, you are encouraged to make a connection with any faculty members to discuss your interest in studying before applying.

Criteria for selection to the Field of Animal Science: https://cals.cornell.edu/education/degrees-programs/graduate-field-animal-science

Interested individuals should forward the following documents to Dr. Duan:

  • CV, including a list of publications/presentations (if any) and a list of relevant technical skills, names of 2 references.
  • Unofficial transcripts (bachelor and/or master degree)
  • Up to a 2-page statement of research experience, research interests, and goals.

Submitted documents will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The qualified applicants will be contacted for further discussions and set up a time for a Zoom conference. This will take 30 minutes to 1 hour and will allow you to have a one-on-one discussion with Ellie on anything related to your submitted package.

Cornell University Grad School: https://gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/

Field of Animal Science: https://cals.cornell.edu/education/degrees-programs/graduate-field-animal-science


Undergraduate students

Current undergraduate students at Cornell University are more than welcome to reach out if you are interested in our research and would like to apply for an undergraduate research assistant, please forward the following documents to Dr. Duan:

  • CV, including your research experience if any, relevant courses you took, your GPA, awards, and relevant skills
  • Names of 2 references (can be professors you have took their classes)

Submitted documents will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The qualified applicants will be contacted for further discussions and set up a time for a lab visit (or a Zoom conference). This will allow you to have a one-on-one discussion with Ellie and others in the lab.

The successful candidate will be provided a proposed starting date, research project, and background readings.