Postdoctoral scholarship (2 years) within Plant Developmental Biology

Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC) is one of Europe's strongest research environments for basic plant research. Research at UPSC covers a wide range of disciplines in plant biology, including ecology, genetics, physiology, biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology (see http://www.upsc.se ). The postdoctoral scholarship will be placed at the Department of Plant Physiology, part of Umeå Plant Science Centre. Our common goal is to understand the ability of plants to adapt and acclimate to a changing world. 

We seek a highly motivated candidate for the project “Understanding the Role of the CSN5B subunit during Adventitious Root Development” in Professor Catherine Bellini's research group. 

The Kempe foundation funds this two-year postdoctoral scholarship. The scholarship amounts to 360 000 SEK per year. The scholarship is not subject to tax. The Kempe foundation also funds 100 000 SEK for running costs. The PI covers the project's additional running costs.

The scholarship refers to full-time studies for two years, starting 1 May 2025 or according to agreement.

Project description

Plants exhibit a regenerative capacity widely exploited in agriculture, where elite genotypes are vegetatively propagated via stem cuttings. This method is economically significant for forest trees as a cost-effective way to propagate elite clones. A critical factor for successful propagation is the development of adventitious roots (AR). We have identified regulatory genes controlling AR development, which function at the intersection of light and three major plant hormone signaling pathways in Arabidopsis. These genes include subunits of the evolutionarily conserved COP9 signalosome (CSN) complex, essential for protein degradation. CSN plays crucial roles in the cell cycle and cell fate control in both animals and plants. This project focuses on understanding the role of subunit 5 of the CSN complex, which is involved in protein degradation and hormone signaling pathways. In Arabidopsis, subunit 5 (CSN5) is duplicated. While CSN5A's function is well-established, CSN5B's role remains unclear. We recently identified proteins interacting with CSN5B, and this project aims to confirm these interactions and analyze their function in the context of AR development.

Qualifications

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 organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Doctoral degree, or equivalent, should be in in plant genetics, plant molecular biology, or plant developmental biology. 

Strong experience in plant genetics, standard molecular biology techniques, protein biochemistry, plant physiology and developmental biology is required. Excellent oral and writing skills in English are required. Meriting criteria are good knowledge of cell biology and confocal microscopy. 

The postdoctoral scholar is expected to have good social skills and the ability to function well independently and in a team. We value creativity and the ability to communicate and take initiative.

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 registered via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system Varbi and submitted by the deadline 17 February 2025. 

The application should contain: 

1. A personal letter, max two pages that describes your qualifications, research interests, and motivation for the application.
2. CV with complete publication list
3. Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained.
4. Verified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
5. Copy of doctoral thesis,
6. The contact information of two referees, submitted during a possible interview.
7. Other documents wished to be claimed. 
    

Further information can be obtained from Pr. Catherine Bellini (catherine.bellini@umu.se)

We look forward to receiving your application!