For the third time in a row, UPSC is inviting Early Career Plant Scientists to visit Umeå and present their research. The goal is to motivate talented young scientists to move to Umeå and start a postdoc at UPSC. The feedback from previous participants was very positive, encouraging the organisation of a third symposium, this time in a slightly revised format. It will take place on the 26th and 27th of March 2025, with applications accepted until the 7th of January.
Many people outside of Sweden might not have heard about Umeå. Located in the North of Sweden, one might think it is at “the end of the world”, but the city offers great opportunities for research and easy access to stunning wilderness and outdoor adventures. Umeå hosts two universities, a university hospital and a growing life science and biotech scene. As part of both universities, UPSC is centrally located on the Umeå campus and offers excellent opportunities for plant scientists.
“We want to highlight the exceptional research environment here at UPSC and showcase our cutting-edge scientific projects and infrastructure”, says Stephan Wenkel, one of the three organisers of the symposium. “Our goal is to foster connections with young scientists and show them why UPSC is such a unique and inspiring place to work. We have a very supportive and collaborative environment here at UPSC, and Umeå is a great place to live.”
Great opportunity for young scientists to expand their network
One reason why UPSC focuses on early career researchers is that the Swedish system primarily allows the hiring of postdocs up to three years after their PhD. Exceptions are made for circumstances like parental leave, military service, or health-related interruptions, which extend eligibility and ensure fair opportunities for all candidates. However, the main reason is that early career researchers bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a strong drive to advance their fields.
“By connecting with young researchers early in their career, we can support their growth while benefiting from their creativity and enthusiasm, which are crucial for pushing the boundaries of plant science,” explains Laura Bacete, who has organised the previous two symposia. “For the invited candidates, this is a unique opportunity to expand their network with the scientific community, building connections that could be valuable throughout their careers - maybe not right away but in unexpected ways later on.”
Participants will receive constructive feedback on their research, helping them refine their ideas and approaches. New this time is that several UPSC group leaders will also showcase their work, encouraging participants to explore a wider range of potential research collaborations. The presentations will be followed by interactive sessions where postdocs and group leaders can engage in one-on-one meetings based on mutual interest.
More dynamic and inclusive new format
“In the past, applicants were asked to name specific group leaders they were interested in working with, which we realised could limit their exposure to the broader research environment and unintentionally favour well-established group leaders,” says Stephan Wenkel. “We think that this new approach is more dynamic and inclusive, and we hope that we can better match the research interests of the applicants and the UPSC group leaders.”
Besides stimulating scientific exchange and interaction, the programme also offers a grant-writing workshop led by Umeå University’s Research Support Office to inform about funding opportunities for postdocs. Additionally, social activities will provide the opportunity to network with researchers and staff from UPSC in a more informal environment and to hear more about postdoc life in Umeå.
“Postdoc is an incredible career stage: you’ve gained valuable knowledge and skills from your previous work, and now you have the chance to build on that foundation while learning new techniques and exploring new ideas,” adds Kelly Swarts, the third organiser of the upcoming symposium. “It is important to find a research question that one feels passionate about, but equally crucial is the relationship between the candidate and the supervisor. That is why we want to give time to get to know each other.”
The application for the symposium is still open until Tuesday, the 7th of January. Besides their CV and references, applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate in their cover letters how their expertise and interests align with the UPSC research landscape. Once the application closes, an evaluation committee will review all applications, select the most promising candidates, and invite them to the symposium in March. All applicants will be notified at the beginning of February 2025.
More information about the UPSC Symposium for Early Career Plant Scientists
For questions regarding the symposium, please contact:
Laura Bacete, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University
Email:
https://www.upsc.se/laura_bacete
Kelly Swarts, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Email:
https://www.upsc.se/kelly_swarts
Stephan Wenkel, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University
Email:
https://www.upsc.se/stephan_wenkel