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CSC-Tübingen PhD Program: Project 19/2026: Decoding the Crosstalk Between Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Adipocyte Insulin Resistance
Topic Description:
Chronic exposure to saturated free fatty acids (FFAs) promotes endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which converge to drive adipocyte insulin resistance. In contrast, unsaturated FFAs exert protective effects by mitigating these stress responses and preventing insulin resistance. This project will dissect the molecular pathways linking saturated fats to insulin resistance and their modulation by unsaturated fats. We will employ integrated lipidomics and metabolomics in primary human adipocytes to define lipidomic and metabolic signatures of insulin resistance and identify candidate protective mechanisms. Selected pathways will be further investigated in vivo using mouse models, providing mechanistic insights with translational relevance for type 2 diabetes.

Faculty: Faculty of Medicine
Institute/Section/Subject: Internal Med IV/ Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Disease

Supervising Professors: Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Birkenfeld, Dr Gencer Sancar

About the Supervisors: Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Birkenfeld is the director of Clinic for Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology at University Clinic Tübingen, and Dr. Gencer Sancar is Group Leader focusing on the role of adipose tissue in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Our research group is interested in molecular and physiological pathways involved in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. We study different plasma membrane transporters as targets for therapeutic interventions in type-2 diabetes, obesity, and associated metabolic comorbidities. We are particularly curious about how liver and adipose tissue communicate in the context of metabolic disease processes. Further information on the lab can be found at:
https://www.helmholtz-munich.de/en/idm
https://www.helmholtz-munich.de/en/idm/pi/gencer-sancar


Intended Degree: PhD
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 Biology or related discipline (e.g. Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering)

Language Requirements: Proof of proficiency in English on at least C1 level and fluency in speaking

Notes: Looking for highly motivated candidates interested in metabolism and type-2 diabetes. The candidate could expect a highly supportive environment for his/her scientific development.


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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