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CSC-Tübingen PhD Program: Project 12/2025: Therapeutic modulation of the pH within the tumor microenvironment to foster Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and identification of relevant metabolic biomarkers

Topic Description:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 axis show promise in treating various solid tumors. However, only a fraction of patients experiences sustained responses, and many do not respond. Tumor stages, mutational burden, and heterogeneity contribute to ICI resistance, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The tumor microenvironment's (TME) complexity and acidity, particularly in hypoxic regions, impact antitumoral immune responses. Acidosis, a prominent TME feature, increases PD-L1 expression on tumor cells and hinders T cell function. Our preliminary findings suggest that acidosis upregulates PD-L1 via the IFN-γ-STAT1 pathway, observed in specific tumor models. Investigating the interplay between TME acidity and immune checkpoint receptors is crucial to enhance ICI efficacy. We aim to explore acidity's effects on TME subtypes, normalize TME pH with targeted antibodies, and address anti-PD-L1 therapy resistance across cancer types, identifying predictive biomarkers using murine tumor models and multimodal hybrid imaging. The student will be supported by a strong team of interdisciplinary researchers;

Faculty: Faculty of Medicine
Institute/Section/Subject: Department of Dermatology & Werner Siemens Imaging Center / Therapeutic modulation of the pH within the tumor microenvironment to foster cancer immunotherapy
Supervising Professors: PD. Dr. Manfred Kneilling and Prof. Dr. Andre F. Martins

About the Supervisors:PD. Dr Manfred Kneilling is the head of the allergy section at the department of Dermatology and leads the team for inflammation and immunology at the Werner Siemens Imaging Center. Prof. Andre Martins leads the team Advance Metabolic Imaging and Cell Engineering (AMICI) at the Werner Siemens imaging Center.

Degree: PhD Exp. Med. / Dr. rer. nat.

Requirements for the application:
Required Degrees: Master degree in Oncology, Medical Physics, Radiology, Biomedical Imaging, Biochemistry, biomedical technologies, or related degrees
Language Requirements: Excellent English communication skills are mandatory (high-level IELTS, TOEFL).
Notes:
The successful candidate will identify relevant metabolic biomarkers in immune-oncology. Ideally, the successful candidate has experience with: MRI, preclinical imaging, biostatistical analysis, and biochemistry techniques (cell culture, flow cytometry, qPCR, histology). Experience working with Matlab, R, and Python would be a plus but not mandatory. The candidate should integrate well into a multidisciplinary group of people aiming to translate technologies into the clinical setting.

For further instructions on how to apply, more information on the program and contact details please see below.

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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 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

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
• by March 10: Successful applicants will be officially informed
• by March 31: Invited applicants have to register with the CSC according to the regulations of the CSC.
• by May 31: Final decisions about the allocation of scholarships will be made by the CSC
• by Oct 1: Program participants arrive in Tübingen
• Successful candidates must return to China upon completion of their studies.

How to Apply:
In order to apply you need to upload the following documents combined in 1 PDF

• 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)

For questions please contact:
(Ms) Tetyana Tonkoshkur
Dezernat II – Forschung
Internationale Forschungskooperation
+49 7071 29-750005
international.research@uni-tuebingen.de
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