Postdoctoral scholarship (2 years) in Plant Cell Wall Biology, Biophysics, and Spatial Transcriptomics

We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral fellow to join the “4DWalls: Exploring the Dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana Root Cell Walls Through Single Cell Mapping” project at the Plant Cell Wall Dynamics Lab, led by Assistant Professor Laura Bacete.

About the role

The project investigates how growing plant cells establish and respond to defined cell-wall states on short timescales, and how those states connect to cell-type-specific gene programmes. Focusing on Arabidopsis thaliana roots, the postdoctoral scholarship holder will integrate three spatial measurement layers—cell-wall mechanics (Brillouin microscopy), wall chemical composition (OPTIR spectroscopy), and spatial gene Xenium in situ transcriptomics—into a unified, time-resolved atlas of the root transition zone.

You will develop expertise in transcriptomics and data integration, including RNA-seq analysis for marker selection, coordination of chemical mapping, designing Xenium panels through a national infrastructure, and building cross-layer integration pipelines. The group has an established Brillouin microscope and existing protocols for quantitative wall-mechanics measurements in plant tissues, providing a stable experimental foundation.

The appointed scholarship holder will receive full support from the PI to apply for independent postdoctoral grants if desired, and will follow an individual development plan crafted together with the PI.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification must be fulfilled no later than the time of the decision about the scholarship recipient. Priority will be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree no later than three years prior, though exceptions may be made for special reasons such as illness, parental leave, or military service.

Requirements

• PhD in Plant Biology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Computational Biology, or a related field.
• Solid background in molecular and cell biology, including experience with standard laboratory techniques.
• Experience in the analysis of large-scale biological datasets (e.g., transcriptomics or imaging data) and proficiency in at least one scripting language (Python, R, or equivalent).
• Very good written and oral English language skills.

Merits

• Experience with plant model systems, particularly Arabidopsis thaliana.
• Familiarity with quantitative microscopy techniques (confocal, FLIM, or equivalent).
• Experience with plant cell walls, including biochemical or structural analyses.
• Knowledge of plant cell mechanics or biophysical approaches to measure mechanical properties of biological materials.
• Experience with spatial transcriptomics, in situ sequencing, or single-cell genomics.
• Skills in biological modelling, biostatistics, or image analysis pipelines.
• Involvement in science communication, outreach, or community organisation within an academic setting.

Personal attributes

You are expected to be organised, reliable, and able to work both independently and collaboratively. A commitment to nurturing a collaborative and inclusive research culture is essential.

About the research environment

The Department of Plant Physiology at Umeå University is part of the Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), a centre of excellence for experimental plant research and forest biotechnology. UPSC spans disciplines from cell biology to ecophysiology, with a mission to advance knowledge benefiting forestry, agriculture, environment, and society.

UPSC hosts ~200 researchers from over 45 nationalities, with access to state-of-the-art analytical platforms, unique tree germplasm resources, and advanced plant growth facilities. The environment fosters collaboration, professional training, and individual career mentoring. Umeå also has a vibrant postdoc community through the Umeå Postdoc Society (UPS).

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest institutions, with over 41,500 students and 4,600 employees. It is known for groundbreaking research, including the Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR-Cas9 discovery. The university promotes a dynamic, open culture and is deeply engaged in societal transformation.

For questions, contact Laura Bacete (laura.bacete@umu.se).