PhD student

A PhD position is available in the Niittylä group at the Umeå Plant Science Center (UPSC) to study wood formation using hybrid aspen as the model system. The position is financed by the newly funded NovoNordisk Synergy Project CarbonTree, which is a collaboration between the Niittylä group, the Moritz group at the University of Copenhagen and the Mähönen group at the University of Helsinki. The PhD student will join the collaboration between the three research groups.

Last day to apply: 10 March 2025

Project description

Trees represent the single most important carbon sink on the planet. An incomplete mechanistic understanding of carbon sequestration to wood limits our ability to predict the capacity of trees to assimilate CO₂ and optimise the production of sustainable wood derived materials and fuels. CarbonTree will address this problem by investigating metabolic fluxes leading to wood formation using innovative sequencing and isotope techniques.

Qualifications

To be admitted for studies at third-cycle level the applicant is required to have completed a second-cycle level degree (Master), or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level, or have an equivalent education from overseas, or equivalent qualifications. The applicant should have a strong interest for plant biology, and a background in molecular biology and/or plant physiology. The successful candidate is expected to have good social skills and the ability to do research independently, as well as in a team. Furthermore, good oral and writing skills in English are essential qualifications.

Application

Please submit your application through SLU's electronic recruitment system ReachMee by clicking the "Apply" button at the bottom of this page: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=12257&rmlang=UK

Application deadline: 10 March 2025

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/

Contact

For more information contact Totte Niittylä (totte.niittyla(at)slu.se).

About the Research Environment at UPSC

The Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology at SLU, where the position will be located, 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.