The Swedish university of agricultural sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.
SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.
The Swedish university of agricultural sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.
SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.
Department of Plant Biology
A Post-doctoral position is available at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala to investigate how plants regenerate wounded tissues. In particular, this project will investigate how after cutting, grafted plants fuse tissues and connect their vasculature across the graft junction.
Research Environment
The Post-doc position is funded by the Wallenberg foundation, and the successful applicant will work in the group of Charles Melnyk for an initial period of two years. The department is located in the recently built Uppsala BioCenter at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Uppsala is a lively university city, conveniently located close to Stockholm (40 minutes by train) and Stockholm’s main international airport (25 minutes by train).
Duties
Plant grafting is a widely used techinque in horticulture to improve yields and introduce disease resistance, but we have little idea how mechanistically plants graft. The aim of this Post-doc is to build upon recent discoveries made in grafting (Melnyk et al. 2015. Current Biology. 25(10):1306-18) and to understand the mechanism by which plants fuse tissues and connect the vasculature at a cut surface. The project will use a combination of forward and reverse genetics to build upon recently obtained transcriptomics data. The project will include several international collaborators and will focus on understanding the role of hormones, cell wall modifications, plasmodesmata and mechanical force to ultimately better understand how plants regenerate tissues.
Qualifications
Candidates should have a PhD in plant developmental biology, plant genetics, plant molecular biology or related topics. As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most. Prior work with genetics, transcriptomics, microscopy and molecular biology are assets. Experience with techniques that require micro-manipulation such as grafting, tissue culture or meristem dissection would be valuable. Strong English skills are required, as are an ability to conduct independent research, take initiative, ask pertinent scientific questions, and interact with other scientists.
A demonstration of previous scientific output is also highly desirable, such as a first author or joint-first author published paper.
Working conditions
- Place of work: Uppsala
- Form of employment: Two-year full time position
- Extent: 100%
- Starting date: Summer 2017
Application
- SLU welcomes your application marked with Ref no. SLU ua 2017.2.5.1-921 .
- Please submit your application to the Registrar of SLU, P.O. Box 7070, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than March 31, 2017.
- Applications must contain (1) CV with full publication list, (2) a description of research experiences, (3) a statement of scientific interests as well as (4) contact information of two to three referees.
Picture credit: Swedish university of agricultural sciences