Summary: Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC) at Umeå University invites applications for a two-year full-time postdoctoral scholarship funded by the Kempe Foundation (360,000 SEK per year, tax-free). The successful candidate will join the “4DWalls” project led by Assistant Professor Laura Bacete to investigate the dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana root cell walls through single-cell mapping and data integration.
Postdoctoral Scholarship in Plant Cell Wall Biology, Biophysics, and Spatial Transcriptomics, Umeå University, Sweden
Designation: Postdoctoral Fellow / Scholarship Holder
Quick Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University |
| Department | Department of Plant Physiology |
| Funding | Kempe Foundation (360,000 SEK/year, tax-free) |
| Duration | 2 Years (Full-time) |
| Expected Start | November 2026 (latest April 15, 2027) |
| Application Deadline | August 31, 2026 |
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Research Area: Plant Cell Wall Biology, Biophysics, and Spatial Transcriptomics. The project specifically integrates cell-wall mechanics (Brillouin microscopy), wall chemical composition (OPTIR spectroscopy), and spatial gene expression (Xenium in situ transcriptomics).
Location: Umeå, Sweden
Eligibility/Qualification:
- Education: A completed PhD (no later than at the time of the scholarship decision, preferably completed within the last three years) in Plant Biology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Computational Biology, or a related field.
- Core Requirements:
- Solid background in molecular and cell biology, including standard lab techniques.
- Experience analyzing large-scale biological datasets (e.g., transcriptomics or imaging data).
- Proficiency in at least one scripting language (Python, R, or equivalent).
- Very good written and oral English language skills.
- Merits (Preferred): Experience with plant model systems (Arabidopsis thaliana), quantitative microscopy, plant cell walls/mechanics, spatial transcriptomics, biological modeling, and science communication.
Job Description: You will join the “4DWalls” project to investigate how growing plant cells establish and respond to cell-wall states on short timescales, and how those states connect to cell-type-specific gene programs. Focusing on Arabidopsis thaliana roots, you will integrate three spatial measurement layers into a unified, time-resolved atlas of the root transition zone. You will develop expertise in transcriptomics and cross-layer integration pipelines, including RNA-seq analysis for marker selection and designing Xenium panels.
How to Apply: Applications must be submitted in English (preferably) or Swedish via Umeå University’s recruitment system, Varbi. The application must include:
- Cover Letter (1 page) detailing qualifications and interest.
- Curriculum Vitae with a full publication list.
- Research Statement (1 page) describing research interests and alignment with the project.
- Comprehensive Overview of Research Contributions (narrative CV, max 1000 words/2 pages) covering Knowledge Generation, Development of Individuals, Contributions to the Wider Research Community, and Broader Societal Impact.
- Educational Certificates (copy of doctoral degree and relevant qualifications).
- Optional: Additional relevant documents. (Contact details for two professional referees will be requested during a possible interview).
Last Date for Apply: 31 August 2026
