UPSC is a highly dynamic institute with around 200 employees, 30 principal investigators and about 10 associated principal investigators. Approximately half of our staff is non-Swedish and the working language is English. We recruit researchers from all over the world. More than 40 nations are represented at UPSC. Post-doctoral fellows have the most diverse nationalities, but also our PIs, graduate and undergraduate students represent many different nations.
Are you interested in joining us? Please have a look below for currently open job opportunities. You are also always welcome to contact our principal investigators directly if you are interested in working with them.
A PhD position is available in Susan McEvoy's research group at Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC). The PhD student is going to be placed at the Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, that is part of UPSC.
Last day to apply: 15 May 2026
Project description
As forests increasingly face challenges brought on by a rapidly changing environment, it is important to address these problems from multiple angles. There is growing awareness of the potential usefulness of genetic data in forest management, but much is unknown about the genomics of non-model plant species like many forest trees.
The McEvoy Lab draws from a variety of new approaches to develop a better understanding of how genomic diversity is distributed in forest tree species, how it has evolved, and implications for the future. Methods range from:
- studying genomic characteristics that drive genome evolution
- examining variation critical for survival and fitness, such as enhanced disease resistance
- assessing and characterizing genetic diversity and population dynamics
- demonstrating how this information can be used to help inform conservation or breeding programs
A postdoctoral scholarship is available at the Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre: a stimulating research environment at Umeå University. We are looking for a highly motivated candidate for Åsa Strand´s research group, where the research will focus on the regulation of nuclear encoded photosynthesis genes.
Last day to apply: 1 June 2026
Project description
In this project we will investigate whether GOLDEN2-Like2 (GLK2) acts as a pioneer transcription factor that unlocks chromatin at photosynthesis-associated loci, thereby enabling full activation of gene expression during plant greening. The establishment of photosynthesis during plant greening requires a large‑scale reorganization of cellular metabolism and a coordinated activation of photosynthesis‑associated nuclear genes (PhANGs).
Previous research from Åsa Strand’s research group has revealed a dynamic histone code at these loci, characterized by a developmental shift from the repressive H3K27me3 mark to the activating H3K27ac mark. The purpose of this project is to test our hypothesis that GLK2 acts as a pioneer transcription factor by assessing GLK2 occupancy at inaccessible chromatin regions, the biophysical properties of GLK2–DNA interactions using single‑molecule C‑Trap force spectroscopy, and the functional consequences of changes in GLK2 activity in planta. By uncovering the mechanisms by which GLK2 regulates chromatin dynamics in response to metabolic transitions such as establishment of photosynthesis, we aim to advance fundamental understanding of plant development and regulation of chromatin compaction.
The Department of Plant Physiology seeks a Senior Staff Scientist in Bioinformatics. The position is full-time and permanent with starting date during September 2026, or according to agreement. A probationary period of up to 6 months may be applied.
Last day to apply: 15 June 2026
Description and tasks
The bioinformatic support group of UPSC (UPSCb) supports researchers at UPSC with bioinformatic analysis, and interpreting large datasets from metabolomic, proteomic, or genomic experiments. The goal is to get maximum information from the datasets in collaboration with the individual researchers. The projects can be small (e.g. mRNA sequencing) and take a few hours to complete or very extensive, spanning over several years. The group currently consists of five staff scientists, all of whom have a PhD in Bioinformatics or a related discipline.
Your role as a Senior Staff Scientist will be to lead and develop the UPSCb support group. You will be responsible for the professional development of the group and the individuals in your team, both as bioinformaticians and as coworkers. You will have strategic responsibility for the platform, so it is important to closely follow the field's development.
The department is also hosting other similar groups that support researchers from other departments, as well as a large group of bioinformatics researchers and PhD students. Together with the research groups, about 30 biotechnicians work at the centre. Your role will also be to coordinate local bioinformatics seminars and workshops in cooperation with Nathaniel Street, Professor in Plant Bioinformatics.
https://www.upsc.se/undergraduate/1430-undergraduate-education.html
UPSC group leaders: https://www.upsc.se/research/research-groups.html
UPSC associated group leaders: https://www.upsc.se/research/associated-research-groups.html