PhD project opportunity – Up to 5 years, fully funded

Do you want to uncover how plants sense their environment and defend themselves?

What’s the project about?

Plants can’t run from danger, but their cell walls act as powerful sentinels. This PhD will explore how changes in cell wall structure trigger plant defence responses. Using state-of-the-art microscopy and an optogenetic toolkit, you’ll study how nanoscale shifts in cell walls shape plant resistance.

Your work will connect molecular-scale mechanisms to whole-plant interactions, tackling some of the biggest mysteries in plant biology.

Why join us?

Be part of the Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), one of Europe’s leading research environments in plant biology.

• Gain expertise in cutting-edge technologies, from live-cell imaging to bioinformatics and synthetic biology.

• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of experts in plant defence, microscopy, and biophysics.

• Contribute to fundamental discoveries with potential to reshape how we understand plant resilience.

What we’re looking for:

We’re seeking a motivated, curious researcher with a background in Biology, Biotechnology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Agronomy, or related fields. Ideal candidates will have:

• Experience in cell and molecular biology techniques.

• An interest in tackling challenging questions with new approaches.

• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Experience with microscopy, computational biology, or working with model plants (e.g., Arabidopsis) is a bonus—but not essential.

Apply here!

The essentials:

📍 Location: Plant Cell Wall Dynamics Lab – Umeå University, Sweden

📆 Start: Spring 2025 (or as agreed)

⏳ Application deadline: 9 January 2025

How to apply:

Submit your application through Varbi. Include:

1. A 2-page motivation letter

2. A 1-page research statement

3. Your CV and academic transcripts

Questions? Contact Laura Bacete at laura.bacete@umu.se