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CSC-Tübingen PhD Program: Project 11/2026: Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulation of Cellular Identity and Transdifferentiation in Pancreatic Cancer
Topic Description:
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal forms of cancer with a five-year survival rate of only 10-13%. One of the major hurdles to treating advanced pancreatic cancer is the extreme plasticity and heterogeneity of the tumor cells and their ability to rapidly adapt to therapeutic challenges. The Johnsen group utilizes modern molecular biological and genomics approaches to identify and interrogate transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms controlling cell identity in pancreatic cancer. Specifically, we utilize techniques such as RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, PRO-seq, HiChIP and others to explore how transcription factors direct cell identity by altering epigenetic status and/or chromatin interactions. In this project we will build upon our recent work (Ekstrom, et al., Gut 2025; Wang, et al., Mol. Canc. Res. 2023; Hamdan, et al., Gut 2023; Hamdan, et al. PNAS 2018) in which we determined the mechanisms by which identity-defining master transcription factors control the maintenance of pancreatic cancer molecular subtype identity. In this project we will specifically aim to further uncover the signaling pathways and transcriptional regulation of transdifferentiation of “classical” pancreatic cancer to the more aggressive “basal” form. This will utilize established and primary mouse and human cell models, as well as relevant organoid and patient-derived xenograft models, complemented by orthotopic syngeneic mouse models of pancreatic cancer to both identify molecular mechanisms controlling transdifferentiation as well as testing novel intervention approaches to limit plasticity. This work will be performed in close collaboration with a highly international team of outstanding young scientist who are passionate about their work and dedicated to making a difference in cancer treatment.

Faculty: Faculty of Medicine
Institute/Section/Subject: Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases / Biochemistry / Molecular Cancer Research
Supervising Professors: Prof. Dr. Steven A. Johnsen

About the Supervisors: Prof. Johnsen is an Honorary Professor at the University of Tübingen and is Scientific Director of the Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases in Stuttgart. He currently has six natural sciences Ph.D. students enrolled at the University of Tübingen and has successfully supervised 22 Ph.D. students since 2007. (See detailed info: https://www.rbct.de/en/team/steven-johnsen.)
Prof. Johnsen received his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in 2002 before moving to Germany where he was a postdoc in Hamburg and at the EMBL in Heidelberg. He was appointed Assistant Professor of Molecular Oncology at the University of Göttingen in 2007 and later served as Associate Professor at the University of Hamburg and Full Professor at the University of Göttingen. From 2019-2022 he was a Full Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at the Mayo Clinic before being appointed Scientific Director of the Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases. He has been an Honorary Professor at the University of Tübingen since 2024. Prof. Johnsen is an expert in transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of cell identity and has focused his efforts on pancreatic cancer for the last ten years. His group has made major contributions that have recently been published in major journals in the field.

Degree: 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.

Language Requirements: Good command of English.
Notes:


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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