Postdoctoral position (2 years) available at UPSC, Umeå University

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

A postdoctoral position is available at the Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (www.upsc.se); a stimulating research environment at Umeå University. We are looking for a highly motivated candidate to work within the project “The role of the GUN1 protein during the greening process”. 

One of the most dramatic challenges in the life of a plant occurs when the seedling emerges from the soil and exposure to light triggers expression of genes required for establishment of photosynthesis. Signals from the plastids play a major part in controlling this dangerous process through a negative GUN1-mediated retrograde signal which restricts chloroplast development by regulating the transcription of several critical transcription factors linked to light response, photomorphogenesis, and chloroplast development. Within this project we will investigate the mechanisms behind the regulation of the GUN1 protein itself  during the greening process. 

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organisations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area. Postdoctoral fellows who are to teach or supervise must have taken relevant courses in teaching and learning in higher education.

The successful candidate will have a PhD degree, or equivalent, in molecular biology or biochemistry.

The candidate should have extensive laboratory experience with molecular and biochemical methods. Experience with plants and plant cell lines as experimental systems is an advantage. An ability to work independently as well as in a team, and good skills in the English language, are essential.

The employment is full-time and is limited to 24 months. Starting date according to agreement.

The application should contain (1) a cover letter (2) CV with full publication list and copies of the relevant degree certificates (3) a description of your research experiences (4) a description of your scientific interests.

Contact information for two referees should be provided during a possible interview.

Last application date is 18 March, 2024. You apply via our e-recruitment system. Apply by pressing the button at the bottom of the page.

If you have any questions, please contact Professor Åsa Strand: [email protected]