A two-year postdoctoral scholarship at UPSC (Sweden) on vascular cambium development 

We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with a keen interest in developmental biology on vascular development to work on a postdoctoral scholarship in Hannele Tuominen's group at Umeå Plant Science Centre. 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: 31 July 2024

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

Secondary growth of plants is formed by the meristematic tissues of the vascular cambium. While the regulation of cambial activity is increasingly understood, the mechanisms that regulate initiation of the vascular cambium are largely unknown. Vascular cambium is induced in the stem by formation and fusion of the fascicular cambium and the interfascicular cambium, the latter seemingly forming from completely undifferentiated cells. It is possible that signals from the primary vascular bundles are involved in initiation of the cambium but other factors, such as tissue mechanics, cannot be excluded.

We have previously conducted high-resolution transcriptomic analyses of stem tissues of aspen trees, which has resulted in identification of tissue-specific gene expression patterns and co-expression networks (Sundell et al., Plant Cell 29: 1585-1604; Jokipii-Lukkari S et al., New Phytologist 216:482-494). The current project aims to elucidate initiation of cambium in aspen trees with improved spatial resolution. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses will be performed in single cells and in specific tissues isolated by laser capture microdissection (LCM), accompanied by analysis of the mechanical properties in stem tissues initiating secondary growth.

Qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with a keen interest in developmental biology on vascular development. Successful candidates are expected to have a PhD degree in plant biology or related subject, experience in cell and molecular biology, bioinformatics, and a proven research track record. Prior experience in LCM and/or AFM is a merit.

The scholarship is for two years starting in September 1, 2024 or by agreement.

Application

Please send you application, including a personal letter, CV, and contact information of three references latest July 31, 2024, to Hannele.tuominen(at)slu.se.

Further information

For more information contact Hannele Tuominen (Hannele.tuominen(at)slu.se), Umeå Plant Science Centre, Dept of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden

https://www.upsc.se/hannele_tuominen

About the Research Environment at UPSC

The Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) 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, SLU and Umeå University. About 200 people from more than 40 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!