CSC-Tübingen PhD Program

• 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

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

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

The application system is open for applications.

List of available PhD Positions for the academic year 2025/26

Project descriptions:

1. Comparative morphology, ultrastructure and function of the postabdomen of beetle larvae (Coleoptera)
2. Unravelling the molecular mode of action of a new antibacterial agent
3. Interaction of neurotransmitter-producing bacteria with neuronal receptors
4. Investigating the obligate pathogen centered microbial network using metagenomic HiC approach
5. Visual psychophysics project studying visual saliency with eye tracking, dichoptic display and/or neuroimaging | Computational neuroscience project investigating neural circuit dynamics of the primary visual cortex
6. Systematic Identification of Genotoxic Metabolites in the Nasal Microbiota
7. Digital tools supporting birdwatching field trips in school and university
8. Identity and the social-economic context of the earliest tradition of three dimensionally shaped personal ornaments
9. Small molecule activation and homogenous catalysis with nucleophilic CNC pincer-complexes
10. Optogenetic dissection of color vision circuits in the zebrafish pretectum and tectum
11. Effects of bisphosphonates/radiation on the initiation of cell senescence in mesenchymal osteoprogenitor cells, osteoclastogenic precursors and mature osteoclasts
12. Maturation and function of endogenous retroviral envelope proteins
13. Therapeutic modulation of the pH within the tumor microenvironment to foster Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and identification of relevant metabolic biomarkers
14. Functional and metabolic signatures of psychedelics’ effects in the rat brain
15. Development of Innovative Albumin/Collagen-Based Biomaterials for Advanced Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
16. Inflammasome Contributions of Neutrophils, Macrophages, and Hepatocytes in MASH, HCC, and Liver Regeneration
17. Immune-evasion mechanisms of emerging RNA viruses
18. Preclinical Immune Imaging
19. Studies on the historical significance and aesthetic value of Joseph Haydn’s operatic works; including the interaction between Haydn’s operatic oeuvre and his instrumental works
20. Translations of Asian, especially classical Chinese literature into Latin, 1550-1850: agents, functions and aims
21. Image guided diagnosis and therapy monitoring of Mucormycosis.
22. Numeracy in Asia in the Long Run: Roots of the Great Divergence.
23. The Interplay of FGF1/PDE4D and Insulin/PDE3B Pathways in Adipose Tissue: Regulation of Lipolysis and Glucose Homeostasis.
24. Understanding the neurocognitive mechanisms of arithmetic with numbers of different lengths (Educational Neuroscience).
25. Targeting cortical myelination in a model of cortical multiple sclerosis.

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 31, 2025.

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)

• 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.

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)