PhD Scholarship: Mechanobiology of Early Human Development

The Nanobiophysics team at KU Leuven, part of the Soft Matter and Biophysics Research Unit in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is offering a PhD position focused on the mechanobiology of early human development. The group specializes in developing dynamic biomaterials that combine biological signals with tunable physical properties to influence cell behavior, creating artificial extracellular matrices (ECMs) for applications such as tissue engineering, organ-on-a-chip platforms, and advanced biosensors. This interdisciplinary project centers on using advanced stem cell-based embryo models, known as blastoids, which mimic the early human blastocyst stage. The main research goal is to understand how mechanical cues in the microenvironment affect the development, shape, and fate of these blastoids. Key responsibilities include engineering composite hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties and bioactive molecules, developing controlled environments with precise gradients in mechanical forces, temperature, and biochemical cues, and analyzing the effects of these environments on cellular morphogenesis and mechanical properties. The project employs advanced experimental methods such as rheology, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)-based nanomechanical probing, and optical imaging to characterize materials and measure cellular mechanics. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with Prof. Rob Jelier (Computational Biology) for computational and high-throughput force inference, and Prof. Vincent Pasque (Epigenetic Reprogramming) for expertise in stem cell biology and blastoid culture. The position offers a tax-free PhD scholarship, generous holiday allowance, bonuses, and access to a range of non-pay benefits. The initial appointment is for 12 months, extendable up to 4 years based on positive evaluations. Applicants should have a background in (bio)physics, materials science, or bioengineering, and a strong interest in developmental mechanics. The position is based in Leuven, Belgium, at KU Leuven, one of Europe's top-ranked universities. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. For further information, candidates can contact Prof. dr. Carmen Bartic at [email protected].