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CSC-Tübingen PhD Program: Project 16/2026: Uncovering the microstructure of an aging human cortex
Topic Description:
Cortical degeneration is a hallmark characteristic of human aging as well as of a range of neurological and mental disorders. So far, studies mostly extracted cortical thickness (or averaged signals across cortical depth) to indicate cortical degeneration. In a recent study (Liu et al. 2025 Nat Neuroscience), however, we evidenced that cortical degeneration with aging is layer-specific. Specifially, we showed that age-related cortical thinning is driven by deep layer thinning, but that other layers expand in size. This warrants a redefinition of the models that we have on cortical aging, and cortical degeneration more broadly. In this project, already acquired structural and functional 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (7T-MRI) data of younger and older adults will be used to probe layer-specific degeneration in an extended area of the cortex. This project has the potential to fundamentally change how we analyze and interpret cortical degeneration in the future. It also allows the student to learn novel methods of ultra-high field data modeling developed by my lab. The student will be integrated into a young, international and vibrant research team concerning with translational imaging of the cortex, i.e, to use insights on cortical architecture in health and disease to aid disease diagnosis, stratification, tracking, and treatment.

Faculty: Faculty of Medicine
Institute/Section/Subject: Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research (HIH)

Supervising Professors: Prof. Dr. Esther Kuehn

About the Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Esther Kuehn heads the Translational Imaging of Cortical Microstructure lab at the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research (HIH) at the Medical Faculty Tübingen. She has a background in neurobiology (MSc), did her PhD in cognitive neuroscience, and focuses in her research on the analysis of ultra-high field (7 and 9.4 Tesla) human MRI neuroimaging data to better understand age- and disease-related changes in the human cortex. She focuses on the sensorimotor system as this undergoes profound changes in the course of human development, and is affected in many neurological, neurodegenerative, and mental disorders. Her lab combines novel MRI analyses tools and methods with digital health tools such as Apps and data gloves to characterize the human phenotype in multiple dimensions at once. She aims at training an interdiscplinary team not only in research methods and translation, but also strives to educate the next generation of scientists to work in a cross-disciplinary team, integrating knowledge across different disciplines, characterized by mutual respect and an interactive working environment.

Intended Degree: Dr. rer. nat.
Type of the PhD Study: Human neuroimaging, Full-time (complete doctoral studies at the University of Tübingen)

Requirements for the application:
Required Degrees and Qualifications: Master of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology, Neurobiology or related field
Experience with structural or functional MRI data analyses
Excellent Master Thesis (ideally completed with published manuscript)

Language Requirements: English (very good)

Notes: One PhD student and one Postdoc from my lab are from China and will offer the prospective student an excellent and supported integration into the lab.


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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