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 Nathaniel Street´s research group, where the goal is to investigates the role of transposable elements (TEs) as drivers of regulatory innovation in conifers (Norway spruce and Scots pine).
Last day to apply: 3 July 2026
Project description
Establishing robust single-cell methods in technically challenging plant systems represents a central challenge in modern plant genomics. While single-cell and single-nucleus sequencing approaches have transformed research in model organisms, their application in conifers remains limited due to challenges associated with tissue structure, nuclei isolation and sensitivity to inhibitory compounds.
This project aims to develop and optimise experimental workflows for single-nucleus sequencing in Norway spruce and Scots pine, including the isolation of high-quality nuclei and the establishment of reproducible protocols for library preparation and sequencing.
The project builds on a recently developed microfluidic platform available through collaboration with the research group of Johan Henriksson (Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University), providing a unique opportunity to work with an emerging technology and adapt it to plant systems where standard solutions are not effective.
The data generated will complement existing genomic datasets and enable analysis of gene regulation at cell-type resolution. The project places particular emphasis on ensuring high data quality and developing robust methods that can be applied in future studies of conifer systems.
Within this framework, the scholarship offers strong opportunities to develop advanced expertise in experimental molecular biology, method optimisation and sequencing data quality control within an interdisciplinary setting. This project is particularly suited to candidates with a strong interest in experimental method development and optimisation.
The postdoctoral scholarship holder will have the opportunity to:
- Develop and optimise protocols for nuclei isolation from technically challenging plant tissues
- Establish and refine library preparation workflows for single-nucleus RNA sequencing and chromatin accessibility assays
- Systematically evaluate and improve data quality, signal-to-noise ratios and reproducibility in experimental workflows
- Identify critical steps in workflows and implement optimisations to maximise yield and data quality
- Gain experience in interpreting sequencing data and performing quality control in close collaboration with computational researchers
- Actively participant in an interdisciplinary environment with strong interaction between experimental and computational approaches
Qualification
To qualify as a postdoctoral scholarship holder, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the decision about scholarship recipient.
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 before 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.
Doctoral degree should be within molecular biology, genetics or a related subject.
Additional requirements are:
- Demonstrated, hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques, particularly nucleic acid work and sequencing library preparation
- Experience in developing, adapting or optimising experimental protocols
- Experience with high-throughput sequencing approaches (e.g. RNA-seq, ATAC-seq or related methods)
- Ability to critically assess data quality and identify sources of variation in experimental data
- Ability to document and reproduce experimental workflows in a rigorous manner
- Good communication skills in English, both written and spoken
Meriting criteria are:
- Experience with single-cell or single-nucleus methodologies
- Experience working with plant material, particularly woody or technically challenging tissues
- Experience with microfluidics or advanced library preparation technologies
- Experience with sequencing data quality control and basic downstream analysis
We are looking for candidates who
- Can perform experiments with a high level of precision and quality
- Can independently identify and solve technical challenges in the laboratory
- Can apply a systematic approach to method development and optimisation
- Thrives in a research environment where experimental development is central
Application
The application should be written in English or Swedish and attached documents should be in Word or PDF format. The application should be submitted by the deadline July 3, 2026 by registering via the Umeå University’s e-recruitment system Varbi: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/postdoctoral-scholarships/postdoctoral-scholarship-2-years-within-plant-molecular-biology_935213/.
A full application should include:
- A cover letter (max 2 pages) describing your experience in experimental method development and how it relates to the project
- Curriculum vitae (CV) including publication list
- Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation of expected completion date
- Contact details for 2–3 persons willing to act as references.
- Any additional documents the applicant wishes to include
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Nathaniel Street (
About the Research Environment at UPSC
The Department of Plant Physiology at Umeå University, where the position will be located, is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC). UPSC is a centre of excellence for experimental plant research and forest biotechnology in Northern Sweden. Our mission is to perform excellent and innovative basic research and generate knowledge that benefits forestry, agriculture, environment and society. We work across a wide range of disciplines in plant science reaching from cell biology to ecophysiology and from basic research to industrial applications. Our common goal is to understand the plants’ ability to grow, adapt and acclimate to a changing world and how we can breed better plants.
UPSC belongs to two universities, Umeå University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). About 200 people from more than 45 different nationalities work here. We host some 30 principal investigators, and our researchers have access to state-of-the-art analytical platforms, unique tree germplasm resources and plant growth facilities. We strive for a collaborative work environment and support our scientists throughout all career stages by providing professional training opportunities and individual career mentoring.
Umeå has a strong postdoc community organised in the Umeå Postdoc Society (UPS). UPS fosters networking amongst postdocs, organises social and career development events and works towards improving the postdoc experience in Umeå. Check out their website https://umeapostdocs.com/ and do not hesitate to get in contact with them!
About Umeå University
Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 41,500 students and about 4,600 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.
Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a workplace
We look forward to receiving your application!