Category: News

  • Workshop to improve your poster design skills June 24th (online)

    Improve your poster design skills with Meike Latz

    Time and place: online June 24th, 2025 at 9:00-15:00 (Norwegian time).

    Sign up deadline is June 16th.

    This workshop consists of lectures and short practical exercises on how to create a conference poster that clearly communicates your message and sparks interest in the viewer. We will draw from Graphic Design knowledge on layout, colour and typography to create a reading order that makes your poster easily accessible and inviting, and define the steps in the design process of a poster that you will directly apply in small exercises. During the workshop, you will develop the idea of the content of your poster as well as use of visualisations that attract attention.

    In the afternoon, the workshop participants will work on their own poster designs in PowerPpoint, either developing a new design or revising an existing one, based on the theory from the morning session.

    Sign up to poster design workshop

    Link to the workshop will be sent via e-mail at a later stage

    Are you a Photosyntech member?
    To join this workshop you must be a member!
    Name

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  • Position for Postdoctoral Researcher at Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Taiwan

    Position for Postdoctoral Researcher

    Positions
    The lab currently has a vacancy for one postdoctoral researcher.

    Profiles
    Postdoctoral researcher

    • A PhD degree in Plant Biology/Genetics/Biochemistry or a related discipline.
    • A good command of English and capable of acquiring new skills.
    • Must be experienced in more than one of the following techniques: (1)
      molecular biology (Golden gate/gateway/Gibson assembly), confocal
      microscopy (time-lapse imaging, image analysis), DNA sequencing analysis
      (RNAseq, scRNAseq), Biomolecular interactions (in vitro pull-down, MicroScale
      Thermophoresis, Isothermal titration calorimetry).
    • A good track record of publication that demonstrates the above.

    We offer competitive remuneration packages for both positions (PhD degree holder
    from NTD 64,000/month). Successful candidates are expected to commence as soon
    as possible.

    How to apply
    Candidates who wish to apply please email a CV and a personal statement (<1,000
    words) that states (1) your career goals and (2) why do you think our lab is suitable for
    your career development. For application and enquiries: okteh@gate.sinica.edu.tw

    About the lab
    We are a research group at the IPMB, Academia Sinica interested in using bryophytes
    and flowering plants as models to understand their morphological adaptations during
    the aquatic-to-terrestrial transition. In particular we are focusing on understanding
    (i) How do small signalling peptides contribute to cell-cell communications to facilitate
    the establishment of growth and predetermined patterns?
    (ii) How is such signalling information affect the cell wall remodelling and eventually
    controls cell shapes/sizes?
    For more information please visit the lab website: https://sites.google.com/view/kocklab/
    home

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  • Webinar with the Norwegian Centre for Organic Agriculture (NORSØK) June 12th at 10:00

    Welcome to our next webinar. This time with the Norwegian Centre for Organic Agriculture (NORSØK). Vice director of NORSØK, Cecilie Løkken will present NORSØKs projects and collaboration opportunities.

    The private, independent foundation NORSØK is a national centre for the development of organic agriculture through interdisciplinary research and outreach. NORSØK also manages an organic farm. Their work is based on the four principles of organic agriculture: health, ecology, fairness and care. NORSØK and the farm are located in Tingvoll in Møre og Romsdal county.

    NORSØK contributes knowledge for increasing the sustainability of agriculture and society. Their staff covers a wide range of expertise, and provides a broad range of research, consulting and outreach services. NORSØK’s main areas of expertise are organic agriculture and food production, environmental science, sustainability and renewable energy. NORSØK currently has a staff of 27 employees.

    Join us on Teams June 12th at 10:00 (Norwegian time).

    Meeting ID: 311 443 059 279 2

    Passcode: jg29fB3c

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  • Register now! SPPS PhD Student Conference in Tromsø August 26.-29.

    Early bird registration ends May 15th, cost: 750 NOK

    For more information and registration, go here: https://sppsphd2025.wordpress.com/ 

    This conference is organized by Photosyntech members, we hope to see many of you there! 

    Please direct all questions and inquiries to:  spps.phd.conference.2025@gmail.com

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  • You can now apply for the 2025 Photosyntech grants

    We are happy to announce our 2025 Photosyntech grant calls.

    We have two different work placement grants

    In addition to the work placement grants, we are announcing the Writing retreat grants – Photosyntech to stimulate the academic development and networking within our student member group.

    If you need ideas or have questions: contact Sunniva at sunniva.k.thode@uit.no.

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  • Webinar with Carbon Dynamics April 1st at 12:00.

    Welcome to our Webinar with the start-up Carbon Dynamics.

    Carbon Dynamics has set an ambitious goal to develop a revolutionary carbon capture and utilization technology by industrializing the photosynthesis through cyanobacteria. This fresh startup aims to innovate the core biological processes to develop a system that is economically profitable on a large scale, leveraging the latest developments in cyanobacterial research and cutting edge biotechnological methods and innovations. The company is in a very early stage and is now looking to connect with both potential research partners and candidates to join our team.

    Join us on Teams April 1st, 2025 at 12:00 (Norwegian time) to learn more about Carbon Dynamics and to explore collaboration possibilities.

    Meeting ID: 387 516 254 095

    Passcode: bp2c4Eb9

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  • 2 vacancies in mass cultivation of marine microalgae at Finnfjord

    Laboratory for carbon capture and storage at Finnfjord (CCUS-lab Finnfjord) is organized under UiT the Arctic University of Norway, but located at Finnfjord AS. The project is now scaling up and they are now looking for two new staff engineers.

    Job advertisement: Avdelingsingeniør karbonfangst og lagring (275795) | UiT Norges arktiske universitet

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  • Vacancy at UiT: Professor/ associate professor in marine microalgae

    Job advertisment

    Application deadline Feb.16th, 2025.

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  • Webinar with Woolero Feb. 6th at 10:00

    Welcome to our webinar with the Trondisk start-up Woolero.

    Woolero (woolero.com) transforms discarded sheep wool into cutting-edge solutions for sustainable food and landscape systems. Their work focuses on two key products: (1) wool fertilizer pellets, which enhance soil health, promote plant growth, and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, and (2) a biodegradable wool-based bio-composite, designed to replace plastic in horticulture, starting with plant pots.

    Backed by ongoing research, these materials support regenerative agriculture, improve soil function, and contribute to circular economy principles. At this seminar, Paige Heavyside (biologist) will present key findings from their studies and explore opportunities for further research, inviting PhD students to collaborate on innovative projects that push the boundaries of sustainable material science and agricultural technology.

    Join on teams to learn more of Woolero on the 6th of February, 10am to 11am.

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  • 30-month research engineer / post-doctoral position is available at UPJV (Amiens, France)

    A 30-month research engineer / post-doctoral position is available at UPJV (Amiens, France) in the Pecteam (Pr Jérôme Pelloux) research team of UMRT INRAE 1158 BioEcoAgro. The person recruited will join the ANR (France)-NSTC (Taiwan) project REMEDY (Pectin remodelling as a driver for plant body complexity).

    Description of the project:

    This project aims at understanding how pectin methylesterification and its regulation contributes to the acquisition of plant body complexification (from 1D to 3D growth). The hypothesis of REMEDY is that this complexification of growth is related to the fine-tuning of the degree of methylesterification of pectins at the cell wall. In that context, the peculiar specificities of a PME (Pectin MethylEsterase) isozyme, including its spatial localization, processivity and interaction with inhibitors or pectic polymers, would be a key element regulating pectin chemistry with consequent effects on cell wall mechanics and plant development. In REMEDY, these questions will be addressed using Physcomitrium patens as a developmental model.

    Qualifications of the applicant:

    A doctoral degree in biochemistry or developmental biology is required. Strong motivation and the ability to work both independently, and in collaboration with others are required. Expertise in protein production in heterologous system and/or protein-protein interaction both in vitro and in vivo would be a plus, so would be a practical experience in the plant cell wall.

    Starting date: from April 2025 onwards.

    For more information and to send your application (CV, motivation letter, support letters) before the 14 February 2025.

    valerie.lefebvre@u-picardie.fr

    jerome.pelloux@u-picardie.fr

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  • Webinar March 14th at 13:00. Meet our members Katariina and Griffin

    Welcome to our webinar: Meet our Members! Through these webinar series, we’ll learn about the exciting projects our Photosyntech members are currently working on and have the opportunity to build stronger connections with each other.

    This month we will hear from Katariina Raassina at Nord and Griffin Hill at Nord.

    Katariina Raassina
    Griffin Hill


    Katariina works on developing imaging flow cytometry based phenotyping methods for the microalgae diatoms and on evolving a robust diatom strain for industry. Read more about Katariina here.

    Griffin works on elucidating the driving factors of genetic differentiation in Norwegian macroalgae populations. Read more about Griffin here.

    Join us on Teams March 14th at 13:00 (Norwegian time)

    Meeting ID: 339 423 517 087

    Passcode: SJ38Dc6K

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  • Webinar with Folla Alger Feb. 21st at 10:00.

    We are happy to invite you to a new industry webinar with Torben Marstrand, CEO of Folla Alger.

    Folla Alger AS develop integrated kelp cultivation and salmon farming (IMTA). They have built the world’s largest fully integrated facility for salmon and kelp cultivation at the Nordfoldleira site in Steigen municipality. They will develop this form of cultivation as part of future aquaculture.

    Folla Alger’s aim is to become a leading player in integrated kelp farming with salmon, and thereby contribute to both developing the kelp industry and to a more sustainable salmon production. Seaweed farming is part of the green shift, and can help reduce the footprint from farming activity through the uptake of nutrients, as well as sequester significant amounts of CO2.

    Their goals are, through a long-term commercial venture, to develop profitable and sustainable industrial kelp cultivation and production, and utilization of the raw material for, among other things, fish feed.

    Join us on Teams February 21st at 10:00 (Norwegian time)

    Meeting ID: 382 737 446 775

    Passcode: Gd2Fj74y

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  • Webinar Jan. 24th at 11:00. Meet our members Christian and Hanna

    Welcome to our webinar: Meet our Members! Through these webinar series, we’ll learn about the exciting projects our Photosyntech members are currently working on and have the opportunity to build stronger connections with each other.

    This month we will hear from Christian Quintana at UiB and Hanna Böpple at NORCE/UiB.

    Christian Quintana
    Hanna Böpple


    Christian works on understanding past interactions between temperature and precipitation in raised bogs and their impacts in the carbon budget. Read more about Christian here.

    Hanna works on microalgae cultivation on waste streams from RAS systems and anaerobic digestate, and evaluation of sustainability and logistics of the value chain in SLAM-DUNK. Read more about Hanna here.

    Time: Jan. 24th, 2025 11:00 AM Oslo

    https://NTNU.zoom.us/j/93483231625?pwd=D9fRhH7ocrbhAtFaVycrA561Hyf1Ms.1

    Meeting ID: 934 8323 165

    Passcode: 322752

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  • What’s growing conference in September

    In September there will be a greenhouse conference in Stavanger that will be relevant for several of our members and partners and will be a nice place to meet industry representatives. It is called “What’s Growing – The Future of Sustainable Greenhouse Industry and Innovation“.

    The two days before the conference we are planning for a new industry visits tour for our PhD members, more information and sign up for this will be announced early 2025.

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  • Sign up to the 60th Annual meeting of the Norwegian Biochemical Society, January 23 – 26, 2025

    The organizing committee in Trondheim is delighted to host this anniversary meeting which will take place from January 23-26, 2025, at Røros Hotel in Røros.

    The NBS Contact meeting (also called winter meeting) has for decades been a place where Norwegian scientists, students, engineers and industry representatives within biosciences meet to discuss recent advances in the fields and to network. In line with this, this year’s meeting offers an excellent scientific program with internationally renowned speakers within plant and human developmental biology, neuroscience, cancer, infection and inflammatory disease, cell biology, nano-/biomaterials and innovations in biosciences. This is accompanied with mini-symposia and poster sessions, exhibitions by all you favorite vendors and a fun social program.

    Deadline to sign up is Dec. 6th, 2024.

    Information, registration and program: Contact Meeting 2025 — NBS

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  • Webinar Dec. 3rd at 10:00: Meet our Members: Maaike and Ida

    Welcome to our webinar: Meet our Members! Through these webinar series, we’ll learn about the exciting projects our Photosyntech members are currently working on and have the opportunity to build stronger connections with each other.

    This month we will hear from Maaize Zwier at UiB and Ida Velle Myking at UiO.

    Maaike Zwier
    Ida Velle Myking

    Maaike works on pollen, spores, and microfossils from sediments collected in lakes and bogs. Read more about Maaike here.

    Ida works on the endosperm-based post-zygotic hybrid barrier (ePZB) to elucidate on its genetic basis, and how it is influenced by genomic imprinting as well as abiotic factors. Read more about Ida here.

    Time: Dec. 3rd, 2024 10:00 AM Oslo

    https://NTNU.zoom.us/j/93483231625?pwd=D9fRhH7ocrbhAtFaVycrA561Hyf1Ms.1

    Meeting ID: 934 8323 165

    Passcode: 322752

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  • Webinar Nov. 20th at 11:00 with Sensonomic

    Sensonomic is a company that combines technology and agriculture to promote smarter, more sustainable farming practices. Their data platform aims to enhance decision-making in crop management and other agricultural operations, improving efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. Adam Formica, their chief science officer, will present how Sensonomic serves the needs of modern agribusinesses worldwide.

    Join us on Teams November 20th at 11:00 (Norwegian time)

    Meeting ID: 351 935 758 506

    Passcode: 363Afi

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  • Photosyntech PhD members are organizing the SPPS PhD conference 2025

    The next SPPS PhD conference will be organized by our own students. It will take place in Tromsø the 27. and 28. of August, 2025. In addition, Photosyntech will organize two workshops, on the 26. and 29. of August. Save the dates!

    The committee will make sure that the content of the conference reflects the range of fields in our network.

    The leader of the organizing committee is Corine Faehn (UiT). The other members are Sidonie Loïez (NTNU), Ingeborg Giæver (UiT), Mikel Moriana Armendariz (NMBU), Sachin Dhakal (Nord), Vasili Balios (UiT), Kristin Kimo Gannestad (UiO) and Harkingto Harkingto (NMBU).

    If you are interested in joining the organizing committee or have input/ideas to the conference, please contact photosyntech@uit.no or corine.a.faehn@uit.no or one of the others in the committee.

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  • Apply for spring 2025 courses now!

    Two of our spring courses have early application deadlines.

    DNA Metabarcoding: Data processing and interpretation

    In Tromsø February 10.-15., 2025. 5 ECTS.

    Application deadline December 1., 2024 (guest status/singular course deadline) and December 20., 2024 (application to attend the course).

    Bioenergy production from photosynthetic organisms

    In Trondheim March 31. – April 4. 5 ECTS.

    Application deadline February 1., 2025.

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  • Sign up for the SPPS PhD Conference 2025 email list

    The next SPPS PhD conference will be held in Tromsø hosted by Photosyntech. This conference is relevant for all PhD students and postdocs engaged in research related to plants, algae, and ecology.

    Sign up for the email list below to receive news and updates.

    The conference will take place in Tromsø 27-28 August 2025, with workshops hosted by Photosyntech on August 26th and 29th. The tentative workshop topics are: biotechnology entrepreneurship and legal frameworks for research and innovation with plant/algae genetic resources.

    Please save the dates!

    Program, details, and registration will be updated soon.

    Sign up for SPPS PhD Conference 2025 email list

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  • Vacancies: a PhD position and a Researcher position

    You can now apply for jobs at NTNU in the project HYDROSENSING.

    Vacant PhD position

    Vacant Researcher position

    Contact person for both positions is Thorsten Hamann.

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  • Courseplan 2025 is under development

    Our course catalouge for 2025 will soon be ready. Some decriptions are almost ready and some still needs to be made. Latest updates will be found here: https://photosyntech.no/courses-and-activities/courses-this-year/

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  • Webinar Sept. 24th at 14:00: Meet our Members: Mabel and Stacy

    Welcome to our webinar: Meet our Members! Through these webinar series, we’ll learn about the exciting projects our Photosyntech members are currently working on and have the opportunity to build stronger connections with each other.

    This month we will hear from Mabel Nabateregga at INN and Stacy Ivanova at NTNU.

    Mabel Nabateregga
    Stacy Ivanova

    Mabel works on developing citizen science tools to facilitate and support crop breeding for climate adaptation in the Global South. Read more about Mabel here.

    Stacy works on cell wall integrity maintenance mechanism in Arabidopsis thaliana to provide a better understanding of plant reactions to stress associated with climate change. She is also a part of our student council. Read more about Stacy here.

    Time: Sept. 24, 2024 2:00 PM Oslo
    https://uit.zoom.us/j/65353413636?pwd=KqfUsjxsb1kp8XpQWDUWsXCpMfKFzR.1

    Meeting ID: 653 5341 3636
    Password: 664802

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  • Job opportunity in ONNA: Are you their new Grower, looking to join an epic agtech adventure?

    For more information and to apply: Are you our new Grower, looking to join an epic agtech adventure? Look no further.  – ONNA (teamtailor.com)

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  • Upcoming Course on Epigenetics for Developmental and Metabolic Regulation in Plants and Algae

    Make sure to register if you are interested in taking this course.

    More information and how to register here: Epigenetics for developmental and metabolic regulation in plants and algae – Photosyntech

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  • Webinar June 12th at 14:00: From Ph.D. to Academia: Unraveling the Impacts of Fertilization on Soil Biota and Crop Yield

    Photosyntech alumni Hesam Mousavi from INN will present the topic of his PhD project and how that led him to his current position as an assistant professor specializing in soil biology and crop productivity.

    His overarching mission is to revolutionize sustainable plant production, addressing critical issues like cultivation under environmental stress, complex plant-surroundings interactions, nutrient turnover, soil health, and proactive climate change mitigation. Moreover, Hesam is dedicated to advancing sustainability and stability in food production while actively working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the agriculture sector.

    Join us on Zoom to learn more.

    Time: Jun 12, 2024 14:00 Oslo

    Zoom link: https://uit.zoom.us/j/67617824425?pwd=RkRLMnlLbVRDSDl4TkNwNVhrN2NKUT09

    Meeting ID: 676 1782 4425


    Password: 791988

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  • Webinar April 30th at 10.00: Engineering Roots to Address Climate Change

    Prof. Wolfgang Busch from Salk Institute will give a webinar on engineering roots to adress climate change. A better understanding of plant roots could help grow more resilient food sources—an increasingly urgent problem in the face of the planet’s shifting climate and increasing population—and help develop root systems that can be utilized on a large scale to store carbon dioxide (CO2) that was captured from the atmosphere by plant above-ground tissue.

    Join us on Zoom to learn more.

    Time: Apr 30, 2024 10:00 AM Oslo

    Zoom link: https://uit.zoom.us/j/63828226975?pwd=NmlSZitvaEhuOFF1MHc3ZlF2aW91QT09

    Meeting ID: 638 2822 6975

    Password: 050654

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  • Webinar April 24th at 9:00 with BärBar: How life is better with berries

    Bärbar is a Finnish smoothie and sandwich bar. They produce delicious smoothies, smoothie bowls and vitamin shots from Nordic berries. They love Nordic berries because they are superfood growing naturally in the word’s cleanest environment and they are as delicious as they are nutritious. Jasmiina Vippinonen, the founder of BärBar, will present how the company started to how it is growing, including their visions, and founding values in using locally growing berries. 

    Join us on Zoom April the 24. at 09:00 (Norwegian time).
    https://uit.zoom.us/j/63097990767?pwd=cERkNTRnY1ZCNHRVeFR1K0VFTFduUT09

    Meeting ID: 630 9799 0767
    Password: 265978

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  • Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society Conference 2024 in Copenhagen

    The 30th SPPS Conference will be held in Copenhagen 27-29th of August 2024! The conference will be held at the Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, an inspiring environment formed like a giant chloroplast.

    Go to this SPPS page for information and registration. SPPS also provide travel grants for PhD students.

    Early Bird Regstration deadline: 31st of May

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  • Norwegian Plant Biology 2024 conference in Oslo March 21.-22.

    The conference will be held at the historical botanical gardens of the University of Oslo Thursday 21- Friday 22 March 2024. The conference is jointly organised by the Norwegian Plant Network and the Photosyntech Research School.

    More information and registration here.

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