Vacant job

Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology

The Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology is part of Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC, https://www.upsc.se/), 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, ranging from cell biology to ecophysiology and from basic research to industrial applications. Our common goal is to understand plants' ability to grow, adapt, and acclimate to a changing world and how we can breed better plants.

About the job

The project focuses on studying the roles of the CSN5A and CSN5B subunits of the COP9 signalosome (CSN complex) in regulating adventitious root development.

The CSN is an evolutionarily conserved multiprotein complex that regulates protein degradation. The complex is composed of eight subunits, CSN1-CSN8. The CSN5 subunit exhibits catalytic activity, specifically the neddylation of CULLIN subunits. Certain plant species have duplicated the CSN5 (CSN5A; CSN5B) and CSN6 (CSN6A; CSN6B) subunits, leading to the presence of four different multiprotein complex types. The objectives are to analyze the structure of the different complexes, which should help in understanding their respective functions. The various complexes will be purified from yeast expressing tagged versions of the subunits and from Arabidopsis double mutants in which only one of the four complexes is present. The structural analysis will be performed in collaboration with the CryoEM facility.

As a researcher, you will purify the different CSN complexes from yeast and the double mutants and analyze their structure using cryo-Electron Microscopy technology. Interactions with CUL proteins will also be analyzed at the structural level. The phenotype of the multiple mutants will also be characterized and correlated, or not, with the structure of the CSN complex.

Your background

A doctoral degree in Microbiology, Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or equivalent is a requirement. In addition, the candidate must have skills in vegetative propagation and have characterized Arabidopsis mutants altered in the development of adventitious roots. He/she must be able to genotype, amplify, and phenotype them.

You must be skilled in molecular biology, gene sequence analysis, and protein biochemistry. In particular, you must know how to clone genes in different expression systems (yeast, bacteria, and/or insect cells), to purify the corresponding proteins, and obtain crystals of individual subunits and of an entire complex in vitro.

You must be familiar with large protein complexes such as the CSN and handle techniques for purification from plants. The objective is to analyze the structure of a large protein complex and link it to its function. Therefore, the candidate must also be trained to prepare samples for protein structural characterization of protein complexes with cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).

About us

UPSC belongs to two universities: the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (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.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/

Location:

Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, SLU, Umeå (Sweden)

Employment type:

Fixed-term employment for 6 months.

Scope:

100%

Start date:

As agreed.

Application:

Please submit your application before the deadline of 16 July 2026. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.

Union representatives:

https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development of 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 characterized 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.