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CSC-Tübingen PhD Program: Project 06/2026: Resolving Mechanisms of Soil Community Assembly and Function with Multitrophic Synthetic Communities

Topic Description: This project will use a recently established collection of bacteria, cooccurring phages and nematodes to create soil synthetic communities (syncoms). We will test hypotheses about the role of phage and nematode predators in the assembly and function of soil bacterial communities: (1) phage and nematode predation interact to enhance bacterial turnover and diversity, by preventing the dominance of resistance specialists; (2) by suppressing dominant taxa, these predators support the emergence of inter-taxon cooperation in bacterial communities; (3) bacterial intertaxon cooperation and their co-evolution with phages is accelerated by nematode-mediated dispersal; and therefore (4) predation not only enhances carbon and nutrient turnover in soil, but also expands the range of degradative capacities due to emergent cooperative decomposition. Combinatorial community design will be achieved with high-throughput community phenotyping (MicroResp), followed by in-depth analysis of selected communities to determine their structure (metabarcoding and qPCR), function (including enzyme and decomposition activities), and evolution (isolation, phenotyping, and resequencing).
Finally, syncom outcomes will be validated by manipulation of native soil communities, and syncom robustness will be evaluated by observing sensitivity to invasion. We aim for new insights into the ecological interactions responsible for healthy soil function.

Faculty: Faculty of Science
Institute/Section/Subject: Soil Microbial Interactions

Supervising Professors: Jun. Prof. Kyle Mason-Jones (Dr. rer. nat.)

About the Supervisors: Soil microorganisms play crucial roles in the carbon cycle and the recycling of plant nutrients. We research the ecological mechanisms of these processes and how they interact with agricultural practice. In particular, we aim to understand how viruses shape bacterial communities and redirect carbon and other nutrients between plants, soil and atmosphere. Kyle Mason-Jones completed his PhD at the University of Göttingen in 2018 (summa cum laude), after which he did postdoctoral research on soil multifunctionality at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology, where he also started investigating soil phages. Since 2024 he is an Emmy Noether group leader for Soil Microbial Interactions in the Department of Geoscience at the University of Tübingen, and associated with the TERRA Cluster of Excellence. Visit the group at: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/260325


Intended Degree: PhD (Dr. rer. nat.)

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

Requirements for the application:
Required Degrees and Qualifications: MSc in microbiology, geoecology, soil biology, or environmental science, with knowledge of microbial ecology or soil biogeochemistry. Experience in sterile culture techniques, genomic analysis or soil analysis are advantageous.

Language Requirements: The working language is English.

Notes: The project is based at the Geo- and Environmental Science Centre (GUZ), a worldleading institute in Earth and biogeosciences and home of the TERRA Excellence Cluster.



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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