This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a collaborative, high-impact project at the intersection of physics, bioengineering and developmental biology. If you have a background in (bio)physics, materials science, or bioengineering and a strong interest in developmental mechanics, we encourage you to apply.
Forces and Human Blastoid Development
This interdisciplinary project uses advanced stem cell-based embryo models, called blastoids (developed in the laboratory of Prof. Vincent Pasque), which mimic the early human blastocyst stage. Your work will focus on understanding how mechanical cues in the microenvironment influence the development, shape, and fate of these models.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Engineering Composite Hydrogels: Design and construct novel hydrogel systems with precisely tunable mechanical properties and bioactive molecules to serve as artificial extracellular matrices (ECMs).
2. Developing Controlled Environments: Establish protocols to generate precise gradients in mechanical forces, temperature, and biochemical cues within 2D and 3D culture conditions.
3. Mechanics Analysis: Investigate the effects of these controlled environments on cellular morphogenesis and mechanical properties of the blastoids.
4. Advanced Experimental Methods: Utilize state-of-the-art techniques, including rheology, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)-based nanomechanical probing, and advanced optical imaging, to characterize materials and measure cellular mechanics.
Collaboration and Expertise
You will work closely with our expert collaborators:
5. Prof. Rob Jelier (Computational Biology): For computational approaches and high-throughput force inference.
6. Prof. Vincent Pasque (Epigenetic Reprogramming): For expertise in stem cell biology and blastoid culture protocols.
In addition to your research, and like all PhD Scholars, you should expect to spend up to 20% of your time on teaching and other related duties.The Nanobiophysics team is part of the Soft Matter and Biophysics Research Unit of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. We develop dynamic biomaterials combining biological signals with tunable physical properties to directly influence cell behavior. Essentially, we create materials that instruct cell behavior. These active systems are used as artificial extracellular matrices (ECMs) for important applications like tissue engineering, organ-on-a-chip platforms, and advanced implantable biosensors. We bring together a diverse skill set in biophotonics, soft matter physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology, using our unique lab tools to conduct research where physics and life science collide.
7. The opportunity to work on a challenging and advanced research topic, in a dynamic academic environment, to acquire research and project management skills, to network with leading researchers from multidisciplinary research fields
8. A tax-free PhD scholarship, including a generous holiday allowance, a holiday and end-of-year bonus and access to a range of non-pay benefits
9. An initial 12-month appointment, extendable to 4 years pending positive yearly progress evaluations
10. The prestigeous KU Leuven is one of Europe's highest-ranked and most renowned universities. It can look back on a long tradition of pioneering research and high-quality education
11. Your normal place of work will be Leuven