The Campbell lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Clemson University is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to work on an NSF funded interdisciplinary project investigating theory and mechanisms of microbiome functional redundancy in relation to substrate complexity in a variety of ecosystems (aquatic, soil, host-associated). Applicants with a desire to drive research projects combining ecological theory with bioinformatics of large data sets (metagenomes, metatranscriptomes, metabolomes) and that have experience in bioinformatics and statistical analyses are encouraged to apply at http://apply.interfolio.com/117802.
The objectives of this five-year project are to investigate the functional redundancy of microbes in a variety of ecosystems that range in habitat complexity by using experimental research, theoretical modelling, and novel computational methods. The goals of this project are to develop rules that govern the relationship between complexity, functional redundancy, and ecosystem health. Besides working with Barb Campbell, the postdoctoral fellow will have extensive opportunities to also work with four other faculty at Clemson involved in this interdisciplinary project, including Feng Luo (School of Computing, deep-learning), Sharon Bewick (Biological Sciences, ecological modeling), Anna Seekatz (Biological Sciences, gut microbiomes/metabolomics) and Vidya Suseela (Plant and Environmental Sciences, rhizosphere metabolomics). Ideally, the candidate has experience in a related research area (microbial ecology or bioinformatics) with enthusiasm for learning and using complementary methods to conduct research. Importantly, the individual should have excellent interpersonal skills, solid organizational / management abilities, and the ability to conduct research projects independently.