项目介绍

2025年3月12日

The Department of Plant Biology offers a creative and stimulating international environment and is one of several departments that make up the ‘Uppsala BioCenter’. The department undertakes fundamental research on model organisms, agricultural crops, forest trees and bioenergy crops. Our main areas of research comprise the interaction of plants with microorganisms and other environmental stresses, plant growth and development, biotechnology and metabolic engineering, regulation of gene expression, population genetics, genome analysis, and the development of breeding systems. Species in use are model organisms such as Arabidopsis, Physcomitrella, tobacco, crops such as rapeseed, basket willow (Salix), potato, cereals, pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi/oomycetes. The department is responsible for basic and advanced courses in general and molecular genetics, cell biology, gene technology, plant physiology, plant breeding, plant biochemistry, biotechnology and molecular interactions between plants and pathogens. In addition, the department contributes to various courses together with other departments.

Uppsala, Sweden ́s fourth-biggest city, has two universities and with more than 50 000 students a vibrant student atmosphere. It is located in the Greater Stockholm area and has an excellent connection to the Stockholm-Arlanda international airport.

For more information about the department visit our webpage

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU here.

Plant developmental biology

Description:

A PhD position in plant regeneration is available in Professor Charles Melnyk’s group at the Swedish University of Agriculture (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden. Research in the Melnyk lab focuses on how plants regenerate tissues and successfully form plant to plant connections. The aim of this PhD position is to build upon recent discoveries made in plant regeneration (Kareem et al. 2024. BioRxiv; Feng et al. 2024, Nature Plants; Zhang et al. 2022, Current Biology) and apply these discoveries to better understand how, after wounding, plants exchange genetic information at the plant graft junction. The project will explore the molecular and cellular events that occur at the Arabidopsis graft junction during tissue fusion. The project will combine different methods in molecular biology, confocal microscopy and cell wall biology. We anticipate that this project will provide valuable insights into the role of cell fusion and cell wall modifications. Results from this project will contribute to establishing robust systems for plant hybrid formation. The PhD position is fully funded by a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council, and the successful applicant will work in the group of Charles Melnyk (https://melnyklab.com/) for four years.

Qualifications:

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a background in plant molecular biology, plant developmental biology, plant cell biology, or related subjects. Candidates should have an MSc degree or have completed four years of university-level education including one year at the MSc level. Prior experience with genetics, plants, transcriptomics, microscopy and molecular biology are assets. The PhD student should be a team player and enthusiastically drive a research project with strong initiative, creativity, and independent thinking. Excellent communication skills in both oral and written scientific English are expected. Candidates should have an ability to conduct independent research, take initiative, ask pertinent scientific questions, and interact well with other scientists and students.

Place of work:

Uppsala.

Forms for funding or employment:

Employment (4 years).

Starting date:

2025-09-01, or according to agreement.

Application:

Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2025-04-07.

Applications must include 1) a CV including publication list, 2) a description of research experiences with a letter of motivation and 3) contact information of two to three references.

To qualify for third-cycle (Doctoral) courses and study programmes, you must have a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification. Alternatively, you must have conducted a minimum of four years of full-time study, of which a minimum of one year at second-cycle level.

Applicants will be selected based on their written application and CV, degree project, copies of their degree certificate and transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution, two personal references, and knowledge of English. More information about the English language requirements can be found here: https://www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/application-admission-doctoral-studies/

Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, or equivalent, a transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution. Applicants who are not Swedish citizens need to submit an attested copy of their passport’s information page containing their photograph and personal details.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

Academic union representatives:

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Contact person

Charles Melnyk

Professor

firstname.lastname@slu.se

URL to this pagehttps://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=12435&rmlang=UK