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Working at UPSC

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.

Postdoc (2 years) in plant genomics with a focus on transposable elements

The Department of Plant Physiology at Umeå University that is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre seeks to fill one postdoctoral position who will work in Nathaniel Street’s research group on a project aimed at understanding shoot meristem patterning. The employment is full-time for two years with access as soon as possible or according to agreement.

Last day to apply: 11 February 2026

Project description and working tasks

Con-TEki investigates the role of transposable elements (TEs) as drivers of regulatory innovation in conifers (Norway spruce and Scots pine), contrasting outcomes with an angiosperm (aspen). The project combines genomic, epigenomic and 3D chromatin profiling (ATAC-Seq, easySHARE-Seq, ChIP-Seq, Micro-C/Hi-C, BS-Seq/EM-Seq), massively parallel enhancer assays (ATAC-STARR-seq), and comparative/bayesian/deep-learning analyses, with functional validation in spruce via CRISPR-Cas9 and nanoparticle delivery.

Read more …

Postdoctoral position in wood formation

The Wood Cell Wall Architecture group at the Umeå Plant Science Center (Sweden) is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to identify and characterise novel cellular components that control and coordinate the development of secondary cell walls in growing trees. The project revolves around partially redundant, poorly understood gene families acting in wood formation. Specifically, the successful applicant will drive a multi-target gene-editing screen in Populus to pierce redundancy and reveal secondary cell wall phenotypes, followed by mechanistic characterisation of candidate genes through in situ microscopy/microspectroscopy, cell wall biochemistry and proximity-labelling proteomics.

Beyond this core framework, I will provide space and support for the chosen applicant to develop their own research ideas, using new data or lines from a similar screen previously performed in Arabidopsis. Being in a newly set-up group, the chosen applicant will face some additional work in establishing routines, but will in return have considerable influence on the direction of the group’s research.

Last day to apply: 27 February 2026

Read more …

A two-year postdoctoral scholarship in forest tree genomics and population genetics

Umeå Plant Science Center is offering a 2-year postdoctoral scholarship in the newly established McEvoy Lab to study the genomics of forest trees with a focus on evolution and adaptation using computational approaches. We seek a candidate with strong computational aptitude and an interest in developing and applying innovative approaches to forest genomics. The postdoc is going to be placed at the Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, which is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre. 

Last day to apply: 28 February 2026

Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC) is a research centre in Umeå, Sweden where research of both basic and strategic importance is conducted on all organization levels of the plant with a common goal to understand the plant as a complex organism in dynamic interaction with its environment.

Project description

The primary project involves identifying selective sweeps in multiple forest tree species maintained in genetic conservation units across Europe. This is an opportunity for a first author paper in population genomics, working with well-established European colleagues and a broad international audience. SNPs filtered from target-capture sequence data are ready and available for analyses. The role provides access to a high-performance computing cluster and bioinformatic support where needed.

Read more …

PhD position in plant science

The Department of Plant Physiology at Umeå University that is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre invites applicants for a PhD position in plant science to join the research group of Stephan Wenkel. The expected starting date is 1st May 2026 or according to agreement.

Last day to apply: 31 March 2026

Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC) is one of the strongest research environments for basic plant research in Europe. Research at UPSC covers a wide range of disciplines in plant biology including ecology, computational biology, genetics, physiology, biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology.

Project description

This doctoral project investigates the molecular mechanisms that govern plant development, with a particular focus on symmetry breaking processes in tomato flowers. Symmetry breaking is a fundamental biological phenomenon in which initially symmetrical structures transform into complex and specialized forms. This process is essential for the development of multicellular organisms and plays a key role in shaping the remarkable diversity observed across plant and animal species. The project combines experimental and computational approaches, making use of advanced techniques such as genomics, proteomics, genome editing and protein engineering. A central aim will be to identify and characterize the molecular regulators, including microproteins, that control flower development. The PhD student will work at the interface of live cell imaging, mathematical modelling, and functional genomics, receiving experimentally testable predictions generated by state-of-the-art predictive models. These predictions will be rigorously validated using advanced molecular tools and genome engineering approaches to uncover the regulatory mechanisms underlying development.

Read more …

Do you want to do a project or exam work at UPSC?

You can find more information about possible project or exam works (Master thesis) at the Umeå Plant Science Centre here:

https://www.upsc.se/undergraduate/1430-undergraduate-education.html
It is also possible to do your Master or Bachelor thesis at the Umeå Plant Science Centre. Please contact the leader of the group you would like to work with directly. You can find a list with all group leaders here:

UPSC group leaders: https://www.upsc.se/research/research-groups.html
UPSC associated group leaders: https://www.upsc.se/research/associated-research-groups.html

Coming Events

    February

    • Feb 16
      Departmental meeting fysbot (UmU) (APT möte)Mon. 16 Feb, 2026 (10:00 - 11:00)
    • Feb 16
      UPSC Monday Seminar 2026Mon. 16 Feb, 2026 (15:00 - 16:00)
    • Feb 19
      UPSC Welcome Meeting for Newcomers_Feb2026Thu. 19 Feb, 2026 (14:00 - 15:00)
    • Feb 23
      Departmental meeting genfys (SLU) (APT möte)Mon. 23 Feb, 2026 (10:00 - 11:00)
    • Feb 23
      UPSC Council Meeting March 2026Mon. 23 Feb, 2026 (13:00 - 15:00)
    Show Full Calendar
Contact information
Anne Honsel
Communications Officer
Umeå Plant Science Centre
info@upsc.se
+46 70 285 6657
Visiting Address
KBC-building
Linnaeus väg 6
Campus Umeå
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