Uni-Tübingen

CSC-Tübingen PhD Program

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) and the University of Tübingen have established a PhD Program which supports Chinese nationals inside and outside of China wishing to carry out all or part of their PhD study in Tübingen.

Aims

  • Providing high quality research training to qualified students from Chinese universities
  • Developing education and research collaborations between the University of Tübingen and Chinese universities and research institutions

Target group

Excellent postgraduate and doctoral students from the People's Republic of China.

Funding lines

Funding line A - Full time fellowship:

  • Postgraduate students who want to carry out their complete doctoral studies at the University of Tübingen
  • Up to 48 months
  • Degree conferred by the University of Tübingen
  • Annual living allowance as prescribed by the Chinese Government (which includes Overseas Student Health Cover)

Funding Line B - Part time fellowship (sandwich model):

  • Doctoral students who want to carry out their research and studies alternatively at their home universities and the University of Tübingen. They follow a schedule set in advance by both the Chinese supervisors and supervisors at the University of Tübingen
  • 6-24 months in Tübingen,
  • Degree conferred by the Chinese home university
  • Annual living allowance as prescribed by the Chinese Government (which includes Overseas Student Health Cover) for 6-24 months

Available Positions

The application system is now open for applications.

List of available PhD Positions (full-time) for the academic year 2026/27

Project descriptions:

Project Supervisor(s)
Faculty of Science
Project 01: Comparative morphology, ultrastructure and function of the postabdomen of beetle larvae (Coleoptera)Prof. Dr. Oliver Betz
Project 02: Optogenetic dissection of color vision circuits in the zebrafish pretectum and tectumProf. Dr. Aristides Arrenberg
Project 03: Elucidation of the biosynthesis of natural products in actinomycetesApl. Prof. Dr. Evi Stegmann 
Project 04: The discovery of new phosphonate natural productsDr. Chambers C. Hughes
Project 05: Genetic Modification of Yeast to Produce Vitamins.Prof. Dr. ir. Largus T. Angenent
Project 06: Resolving Mechanisms of Soil Community Assembly and Function with Multitrophic Synthetic CommunitiesJun. Prof. Kyle Mason-Jones (Dr. rer. nat.)
Project 07: In vitro investigation of kinesin-8 “superpower” behaviorProf. Dr. Erik Schäffer, PD Dr. Anita Jannasch
Project 08: Health communication on social media: the role of social media influencersProf. Dr. Sonja Utz
Faculty of Medicine
Project 09: Development of Innovative Albumin/Collagen-Based Biomaterials for Advanced Tissue Engineering and Regenerative MedicineProf. Dr. Katja Schenke-Layland
Porject 10: Natural killer cells in the pathogenesis of preeclampsiaProf. Dr. Daniel Sauter
Project 11: Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulation of Cellular Identity and Transdifferentiation in Pancreatic CancerProf. Dr. Steven A. Johnsen
Project 12: Integrative 2D–3D Imaging and Multi-Omics to Dissect Tumor–Immune Interactions and Therapy ResponseProf. Dr. med. Christian M. Schürch, MD, PhD
Project 13: Bioreactor-Based Ex Vivo Culture of Human Cancer Tissues for Functional Precision Medicine and Co-Clinical Immunotherapy TrialsProf. Dr. med. Christian M. Schürch, MD, PhD
Project 14: Spatial single cell mapping of bone marrow and spleen remodeling in leukemia under immuno  and anti angiogenic therapiesProf. Dr. med. Christian M. Schürch, MD, PhD
Project 15: The role of plasmacytoid dendritic cell—megakaryocyte interactions in the bone marrow microenvironment during leukemia development and progressionProf. Dr. med. Christian M. Schürch, MD, PhD
Project 16: Uncovering the microstructure of an aging human cortexProf. Dr. Esther Kuehn
Project 19: Decoding the Crosstalk Between Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Adipocyte Insulin ResistanceProf. Dr. med. Andreas Birkenfeld, Dr. Gencer Sancar
Project 20: Image guided diagnosis and therapy monitoring of Mucormycosis.PD Dr. Nicolas BEZIERE
Faculty of Humanities
Project 17: How Emotional Experiences and Entertainment Shaped Natural Knowledge: Antiquarian Collecting and Knowledge Network in Early Modern ChinaProfessor Dr. Fei HUANG
Project 18: Cultural Contacts between the Late Classic/Hellenistic world and the Eurasian steppe from an archaeological perspectiveProf. Dr. Richard Posamentir

 

Please apply via this online portal: https://www.antraege-zv.uni-tuebingen.de/main.php.

For further details on submission of applications, please see "How to apply". 

Application deadline: January 15, 2026

Funding and Benefits

Funding for both Funding lines includes:

  • Return airfare to Germany
  • Visa application fees.
  • Support for the attendance of international conferences during the second and third year (up to 1000€ granted to successful applicants)

Benefits for both funding lines:

  • Tuition waiver
  • Option to take German language classes provided by the University of Tübingen during the first year
  • Accommodation offered in Tübingen student dormitories depending on availability
  • Opportunities to gain additional teaching and research experience as well as economic benefits from the University of Tübingen from the second year onward (depending on the ability of the applicant and the situation of the respective institute)

Application Process

  • Jan 15: Application deadline. Applications must be handed in through the online application system of the University of Tübingen (https://www.antraege-zv.uni-tuebingen.de/)
  • by Mar 10: Successful applicants will be officially informed
  • until Mar 31: Invited applicants have to register with the CSC to the regulations of the CSC. More information on these regulations can be seen on the CSC Website.
  • until May 31: Final decisions about the allocation of scholarships will be made by the CSC
  • Oct 1: Program participants arrive in Tübingen
  • Successful candidates must return to China upon completion of their studies.

How to Apply

Please apply via this online portal: https://www.antraege-zv.uni-tuebingen.de/main.php (portal is open from Oct.15th)
In order to apply you need to upload the following documents combined in 1 PDF (max. 4 MB)

  • Cover/Motivation letter
  • CV
  • Research proposal (3-5 pages)
  • Academic transcripts* (if you have not yet completed your Master's studies, please submit a confirmation of studies and an up-to-date transcript of records)
  • Proof of proficient English language skills (i.e. comprehension of a wide range of demanding, longer texts as well as fluent and spontaneous expression allowing a flexible and effective language use for social, academic and professional purposes.) - TOEFL iBT 95 or IELTS 6.5 or equivalent

*List of required Academic transcripts (including official translation into German or English for documents issued in Chinese)
1) Bachelor’s Degree Award Certificate / Bachelor Gradverleihungsurkunde (学士学位证书 xueshi xuewei zhengshu)
2) Bachelor's Degree Certificate/ Abschlusszeugnis (毕业证书 biye zhengshu) für das Bachelorstudium (本科 benke)
3) Transcript of the subjects and marks / Fächer- und Notenübersicht (成绩表 chengjibiao) for your Bachelor’s degree/ für das Bachelorstudium (本科 benke)
4) Master’s Degree Award Certificate / Master-Gradverleihungsurkunde (硕士学位证书 shuoshi xuewei zhengshu)
5) Master’s Degree Certificate/ Abschlusszeugnis für das Masterstudium (硕士研究生毕业证书 shuoshi yanjiusheng biye zhengshu)
6) Transcript of the subjects and marks for your Master’s Degree / Fächer- und Notenübersicht für das Masterstudium (硕士研究生成绩表 shuoshi yanjiusheng chengjibiao)