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CSC-Tübingen PhD Program: Project 17/2025: Preclinical Immune Imaging
Topic Description:
In this project, we aim to elucidate immune cell migration and interactions in the tumor microenvironment and lymphoid organs using innovative imaging approaches in preclinical animal models to understand the mechanisms of immune response and escape. The student will use innovative in vivo preclinical imaging approaches based on combined PET/MR imaging together with in vitro methods such as state-of-the-art multispectral flow cytometry to shed new light on the tumor microenvironment. In addition to the use of preclinical mouse models, the candidate will participate in clinical and basic science projects involving patient cohorts. In the long term, this work will contribute to the establishment of new approaches for clinical diagnosis and therapy stratification to enable novel, powerful and individualized treatment approaches to prevent cancer immune escape.

Faculty: Faculty of Medicine
Institute/Section/Subject: Werner Siemens Imaging Center
Supervising Professors: Prof. Dr. Johannes Schwenck

About the Supervisors: We are aiming to elucidate the crossroads between inflammation and cancer immunology to understand and prevent carcinogenesis as well as improve cancer immunotherapy. To investigate the complex interplay of immune cells, resident cells and tumors we are facilitating in vivo PET with innovative tracers, optical imaging, MRI as well as multiple ex vivo methods like flow cytometry.
After the study of medicine at the University of Tübingen and the medical doctorate in 2015 I worked as resident physician in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University Hospital of Tübingen. Meanwhile, I obtained my PhD in Experimental Medicine from the University of Tübingen in 2021. Afterwards I stayed as a Postdoc at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at the University of Lausanne (Prof. Ping-Chih Ho). In 2023 I returned to the University Hospital of Tübingen as a Senior Physician in the Department of Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Molecular Imaging and was appointed as W2-Professor for Translational Immune Imaging at the Medical Faculty of the University of Tübingen in 2024. Additionally, I am affiliated as an Associate Investigator at the Cluster of Excellence iFIT (Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies) and group leader at the Werner Siemens Imaging Center.

Degree: Dr. rer. nat., Dr. phil., Dr. med., PhD in Experimental Medicine
iFIT Cluster of Excellence PhD Training Program https://www.medizin.uni-tuebingen.de/en-de/medizinische-fakultaet/forschung/ifit-exzellenzcluster/phd-training-program

Type of the PhD Study: Full-time (complete doctoral studies at the University of Tübingen)

Requirements for the application:
Required Degrees: We are looking for enthusiastic and highly motivated candidates, eager to answer highly relevant biomedical questions and evolve in a multidisciplinary environment with biologists, chemists, physicists and physicians notably using state of the art imaging techniques. The candidate should ideally possess scientific expertise in immunology, molecular biology/medicine, or biochemistry demonstrated by an excellent Master of Science in a relevant field and a keen interest in preclinical imaging sciences. Previous experience with molecular and cell biology techniques (e.g. cell culture, flow cytometry, western blot) is essential. Hands on experience with preclinical PET, MRI or CT imaging is a plus but not a requirement. Knowledge of tumor immunology and working with small animals, especially in vivo models of diseases, are considered beneficial. Prior work with animals and a FELASA certificate would be useful but not essential. As the student will work in an international team and will participate in international conferences, fluency in English is an essential requirement.

Language Requirements: English: Proficiency in speaking and writing



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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