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 Laura Bacete´s research group.
Last day to apply: 31 August 2026
Project description
We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral fellow to join the “4DWalls: Exploring the Dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana Root Cell Walls Through Single Cell Mapping” project at the Plant Cell Wall Dynamics Lab, led by Assistant Professor Laura Bacete.
The project investigates how growing plant cells establish and respond to defined cell-wall states on short timescales, and how those states connect to cell-type-specific gene programmes. Focusing on Arabidopsis thaliana roots, the postdoctoral scholarship holder will attempt to integrate three spatial measurement layers: cell-wall mechanics (Brillouin microscopy), wall chemical composition (OPTIR spectroscopy), and spatial gene Xenium in situ transcriptomics); into a unified, time-resolved atlas of the root transition zone.
As a postdoctoral scholarship holder, you will have the opportunity to develop and advance expertise in transcriptomics and data integration. Through the project you will be able to expand your knowledge in areas such as RNA-seq analysis for marker selection, coordination of chemical mapping, designing Xenium panels through a national infrastructure, and also cultivate a deep understanding of how to build cross-layer integration pipelines. The group has an established Brillouin microscope and existing protocols for quantitative wall-mechanics measurements in plant tissues, providing a stable experimental foundation for the project.
The appointed scholarship holder will receive full support from the PI to apply for independent postdoctoral grants if desired, and will follow an individual development plan crafted together with the PI.
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.
Requirements
- A PhD in Plant Biology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Computational Biology, or a related field.
- Solid background in molecular and cell biology, including experience with standard laboratory techniques.
- Experience in the analysis of large-scale biological datasets (e.g. transcriptomics or imaging data) and proficiency in at least one scripting language (Python, R, or equivalent).
- Very good written and oral English language skills.
Merits
- Experience with plant model systems, in particular Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Familiarity with quantitative microscopy techniques (confocal, FLIM, or equivalent).
- Experience from research with plant cell walls, including biochemical or structural analyses.
- Knowledge of plant cell mechanics or biophysical approaches to measure mechanical properties of biological materials.
- Experience with spatial transcriptomics, in situ sequencing, or single-cell genomics.
- Skills in biological modelling, biostatistics, or image analysis pipelines.
- Involvement in science communication, outreach, or community organisation within an academic setting.
On a personal level, the postdoctoral scholar is expected to be organised and reliable. You should also function well both independently and within a team, and of course take part in nurturing the collaborative culture of learning within the research group.
Application
The application should be written in English (preferably) or Swedish and attached documents should be in Word or PDF format. The application should be submitted by the deadline August 31, 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-in-plant-cell-wall-biology-biophysics-and-spatial-transcriptomics_946316/.
We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional capacity, or cultural background.
The application must contain:
- Cover Letter (1 page): Detail your qualifications and explain your interest in this position.
- Curriculum Vitae with Full Publication List.
- Research Statement (1 page): Describe your research interests and how they relate to the project’s themes. Highlight how your current knowledge, skills and previous experience align with the objectives of the project.
- Comprehensive Overview of Research Contributions: This should be a narrative CV based on the ”Resumé for Researchers” by the Royal Society, encompassing the following four modules (maximum 1000 words/2 pages for the four modules, but it can be shorter):
- Knowledge Generation Contributions: Outline how you've contributed to new ideas, research communication, and significant achievements in your field.
- Development of Individuals: Highlight your role in mentoring, teaching, and collaborative work, emphasizing your impact on team success and individual development.
- Contributions to the Wider Research Community: Describe your involvement in activities beyond your own research, such as editorial work, committee participation, and efforts to enhance research culture and integrity.
- Broader Societal Impact: Explain your engagement in activities that extend the impact of your research to society, industry, and policy-making, including public engagement and knowledge exchange.
- Educational Certificates: Copy of doctoral degree and any other relevant academic qualifications.
- Additional Relevant Documents (optional).
Contact details for two professional referees should be provided during a possible interview.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Laura Bacete(
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!