The Pasque lab is dedicated to understanding how early human development, pluripotency, and epigenetic processes are regulated, with the ultimate goal of advancing reproductive and regenerative medicine.
Recent publications from the group: Van Knippenberg et al. bioRxiv 2026, Panda et al. bioRxiv 2025, Allsop et al. Nat Comm 2025, Shahbazi and Pasque Cell Stem Cell 2024, Pham et al. Cell Stem Cell 2022, Zijlmans et al. Nature Cell Biology 2022, Posfai et al. Nature Cell Biology 2021.
Our mission is to unravel the mechanisms governing cell fate decisions, gene regulation, and chromatin dynamics during early mammalian development. To achieve this, our team employs a diverse toolkit including stem cell-based embryo models, blastoids, genetic, molecular, cellular, and computational approaches to investigate the regulatory circuits orchestrating peri-implantation development and pluripotency, aiming to uncover molecular alterations that contribute to human health and disease.
The Pasque lab is part of the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Development and Regeneration, embedded in the stem cell and development cluster, and is affiliated with the Leuven Single-Cell Omics Institute.
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Responsibilities
The Pasque lab is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist to join a project dedicated to decoding early human embryo development through cutting-edge stem cell-based embryo models, single-cell omics, with a focus on cell fate and epigenetics.
This project is conducted in close collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Claire Rougeulle (Curie Institute, France), Dr. Laurent David (University of Nantes, France) and Dr. Thierry Voet (KU Leuven) and other leading researchers in the field.
The project aims to elucidate the gene regulatory networks underlying early human postimplantation development, with a particular focus on the mechanisms of cell fate specification in extraembryonic lineages, as well as X-chromosome inactivation. Using innovative stem cell-based embryo models such as blastoids, CRISPR perturbations, microscopy and single-cell omics, the researcher will use and develop stem cell-based embryo models and uncover fundamental processes for human development and reproductive health.
Key responsibilities:
• Develop and apply stem cell-based embryo models to investigate cell fate transitions and epigenetic processes, including X-chromosome inactivation.
• Generate and analyze microscopy and single-cell (multi)omics datasets.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including experts in epigenetics, computational biology, and embryo modeling.
• Participate actively in postdoctoral training and career development activities, including scientific publishing, grant writing, leadership development, networking, and career planning.
Profile
• PhD in Life Sciences, Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed international journals.
• Demonstrated expertise in mammalian stem cells, gene regulation, and molecular techniques.
• Prior experience in cell culture, molecular biology, transcriptomics, epigenomics, early mammalian embryogenesis, human pluripotent stem cells, epigenetics, X-chromosome inactivation, embryo models, microscopy, RNA FISH, single-cell genomics and computational biology is an advantage.
• Strong enthousiasm for collaborative interdisciplinary research in early human development.
Offer
What we offer:
• A competitive salary according to KU Leuven standards.
• An initial appointment of one year with the possibility of extension up to three years based on performance and funding availability.
• The opportunity to work within a dynamic, international, and highly collaborative research environment at a top-ranked University. The KU Leuven is currently ranked amongst the best universities in the world by the Times Higher Education and has been recognized as Europe’s most innovative university for several years in a row.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technologies.
• Extensive opportunities for collaboration with leading scientists in Belgium and internationally.
• A stimulating and supportive environment for scientific and professional development.
• A position in Leuven, a vibrant and historic university city at the heart of Europe with an outstanding quality of life.
Interested?
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
• A cover letter describing their research interests and technical expertise.
• A detailed CV, including a full publication list.
• Contact information of 3 professional referees.
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