PhD position in Plant Development

Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology

Third-cycle subject area: Biology

The Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology that is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre, invites applicants for a PhD position in plant development to join the Meristem Hydraulics Group.

About the position
This PhD project investigates vascular cambium plasticity during secondary growth, focusing on plant responses to fluctuating water availability. It examines how water status affects cambial activity in Hybrid Aspen and Arabidopsis thaliana. The student will combine developmental biology and physiology using imaging, image analysis, lineage tracing, and water stress experiments. Work includes greenhouse tree studies and Arabidopsis experiments in climate-controlled chambers, aiming for an integrated understanding of cambial developmental.

Requirements
To be admitted to third-cycle courses and study programmes you must fulfil both the general and specific entry requirements (Higher Education Ordinance 1993:100, Chapter 7, Section 35).

To meet the general entry requirements you must have:

• been awarded a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification;
• satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
• acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance 1993:100, Chapter 7, Section 39).

Specific entry requirements for the third-cycle courses and study programme in Biology. To meet the specific entry requirements, you must have at least 90 HEC in biology-related subjects, at least 30 of which at second-cycle level.

You must also meet the equivalent English language requirements as those necessary for the Swedish upper-secondary qualification Engelska B/6.

Your profile

Required: Background in tree development and wood formation; greenhouse experience; microscopy and histology skills; strong English skills, both spoken and written.

Meritorious: Experience in tree physiology and phenotype data integration. It is also desirable that the candidate has strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

About us
The Department of forest genetics and plant physiology is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC, https://www.upsc.se) which 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.Read more about staff benefits and life as an SLU employee on https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/ 

Read more about third-cycle courses and study programmes on www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/

Form of employment / Funding
Employment as a doctoral student (4-year programme)

Doctoral student’s salaries are set following the local collective agreement. Salary progression is fixed.

Location:
Umeå

Scope:
100%

Start date:
Upon agreement

Application and selection:
Please submit your application using the link below. The deadline is 22 April 2026.

Your application must include the following (in PDF format):

• A cover letter, in which you describe the reasons why you are applying for the position, your research interests and relevant skills.
• Your CV.
• Copies of your degree certificate(s) and a transcript of records from previous university studies.
• A copy of your second cycle (Master’s) degree project, worth a minimum of 15 credits, or equivalent independent project.
• Documents confirming you meet the English language requirements of Engelska B/6 or the equivalent. Please note that you do not need to submit this information, if you completed your upper-secondary studies in Sweden, or have been awarded a Master’s degree from a Swedish higher education institution.
• The contact details of two references, such as teachers, supervisors or a former manager.
• Before a decision is made regarding admission to third-cycle (doctoral) studies, applicants with foreign citizenship must present a certified copy of their passport. The certified copy should be brought to the interview and shown at the time of the interview.

Candidates will be selected from those eligible based on the above information and the likelihood that they will complete their studies within the allocated period.

Academic union representatives:

https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/ 

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 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 4,5 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.