Postdoctoral Fellow - Department of Biological Sciences
Clemson University: College of Science: Biological Sciences
Location: LIFE SCIENCES BUILDING(001277) BLDG001277 FL01 RM159
Open Date: Sep 15, 2026
Description
The Seekatz lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Clemson University is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to work on projects investigating interactions between anaerobic gut microbes. Applicants with a desire to drive research projects related to the gut microbiota, with either experience in cultivation, genetics, and maintenance of anaerobic bacteria OR sequence-based analyses and bioinformatic skills, are encouraged to apply. The Seekatz lab aims to characterize interactions between commensal Clostridia in the gut microbiome. We aim to identify metabolic, physiological, and adaptive factors that influence the colonization of gut commensals, such as those belonging to the Lachnospiraceae family. We use a combination of sequencing, in vitro experiments, and mouse models to understand the role of the gut microbiota in health and disease. The candidate would be expected to contribute to a project that uses both lab and bioinformatic techniques to understand how commensal microbes interact with the host and their environment. Ideally, the candidate has experience in a related research area (anaerobic cultivation or bioinformatics) with enthusiasm for learning complementary methods to conduct research related to the gut microbiota. Importantly, the individual should have the ability to progress research projects independently, excellent interpersonal skills, and solid organizational / management abilities. The position is NIH-funded, for at least 12 months, with potential for extension. About Us: For more information about the Seekatz lab, please visit the BioSci website https://www.clemson.edu/science/academics/departments/biosci/about/profiles/aseekat. For more information about the department, please visit the website https://www.clemson.edu/science/academics/departments/biosci/. For more information about Clemson, please visit the website http://www.clemson.edu/.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. degree in Microbiology or a relevant field of study
- Peer-reviewed publications
Preferred:
- Solid understanding of various microbiological systems, with an emphasis on microbiome-based fields
- Strong troubleshooting/problem solving and analytical skills
- Strong laboratory skills, with evidence of comprehensive notetaking
- Experience with at least one of the following methods: mouse models of disease, including germ-free / gnotobiotic handling; hands-on experience in next-generation sequencing preparation and analyses (metagenomic, amplicon-based, genomic, etc); anaerobic microbiology; bacterial genetics and/or physiology
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Experience in project and data management
- Excellent oral / written communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work effectively to communicate findings/insights and meet commitments for deliverables
Application Instructions
For full consideration, applications should be submitted by September 30, 2026; however, the position will remain open until fulfilled.
Applicants should submit the following items via Interfolio at:
https://apply.interfolio.com/193639
(1) Cover Letter describing relevant research experience and motivation/interest in the posted position
(2) Curriculum Vitae
(3) Contact information (name, telephone number, and email address) for three professional references
For more information, please contact Anna Seekatz aseekat@clemson.edu.
For more information and to apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/193639
Clemson University is an EEO/AA employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to characteristics protected by applicable law including disability and protected veteran status.
Working at Clemson University
Clemson is a dynamic research university located in Upstate South Carolina at the center of the booming I-85 corridor between Charlotte, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga. One of the nation's most selective public research universities according to U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, Clemson University is the school of choice among top students in South Carolina and is increasingly competitive for the best students in the region and the nation. More than 17,100 students select from 70 undergraduate and 100 graduate degree programs through five academic colleges: Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Architecture, Arts and Humanities; Business and Behavioral Science; Engineering and Science; and Health, Education and Human Development.
Clemson's transformation into a leading research institution — currently attracting in excess of $140 million in externally funded research and sponsored program awards per year — is based upon an academic plan that identifies eight emphasis areas in which the University has opportunities to increase education and research, to align with South Carolina's economic development needs and to draw upon faculty strengths. Emphasis areas include automotive and transportation technology, advanced materials, biotechnology and biomedical sciences, leadership and entrepreneurship, sustainable environment, information and communication technology, family and community living, and general education.
Major economic development initiatives that have emerged from the academic plan include the Clemson International Center for Automotive Research — a 250-acre campus in Greenville, which has generated more than $225 million in public and private commitments in just four years; an advanced materials initiative at the Clemson Research Park, which includes a new LEED Silver-certified facility; and the South Carolina Health Sciences Collaborative — an initiative of the state's three research universities and major health-care systems.
As the state's land-grant university, Clemson reaches out to citizens, communities and businesses all over South Carolina. The Public Service Activities division includes the county-based Cooperative Extension Service, five off-campus research and education centers through the Clemson University Experiment Station and critical regulatory responsibilities for plant and animal health.
The University boasts a 1,400-acre campus on the shores of Lake Hartwell within view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Surrounding the campus are 18,000 acres of University farms and woodlands devoted to research. A warm campus environment, great weather and recreational activities offered by proximity to both the natural surroundings and large cities are part of the Clemson Experience.
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