Career & Funding

career path

CTNR Young Neuroscientist Programme

The CTNR Young Neuroscientist Programme includes the financial support of early career scientists in theoretical, preclinical, clinical or non-medical subjects with a neuroscientific focus (preferably related to HealthTechMedicine — Neurosciences). The proposed project should contribute to the strategic aims of the CTNR: the expansion of existing or new local national or international cooperation by the initiation of cooperative research projects.

Next call: closed

Proposals and Apendences have to be submitted in a PDF document to 

Current CTNR-funded projects:

Neuronal correlates of sensory perception in harbor seals

Dr. Kenneth Sørensen

sorensen

09/2024 - 02/2025 & 04/2025-09/2025

I am originally from Denmark but moved to Rostock in 2021 after completing my PhD in Biology. Currently, I am based at the Marine Science Center in Rostock, with the Neuroethology group of Prof. Dr. Frederike D. Hanke. Here, we are establishing methods to non-invasively study the brain of harbor seals via fMRI and EEG. I am particularly interested in where and how visual information is processed in the harbor seal brain, while also documenting the learning processes during the acquisition of visual tasks.

Mentors: 
Prof. Dr. Frederike Diana Hanke, Institute of Biosciences, Marine Science Center, University of Rostock and Dr. rer. hum. Christoph Berger, Department of Psychiatry, Neurology, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy in Childhood and Adolescence, University Medicine Rostock

Noradrenaline as a modulator of adult neurogenesis

Dr. rer. hum. Franz Markert

markert

09/2024 - 08/2025

My name is Franz Markert and I am researching neurogenesis in the Department of Neurology. After completing my PhD in 2023, thanks to the CTNR I now have the great opportunity to expand the knowledge of adult neurogenesis. For this, I am particularly interested in noradrenaline as a regulator of adult stem cells which are located in the Subventricular zone, Dentate gyrus and along the ventricles of the brain. The project focuses on the activation of these cells by manipulating noradrenaline levels in an established in vivo model and thus provide fundamental insights into endogenous tissue regeneration.

Mentors: 
Prof. Dr. med. Alexander Storch, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock and Prof. Dr. med. Dr. rer. nat. Markus Kipp, Institute for Anatomy, University Medical Center Rostock

The functional role of Argonaute2 in excitatory neurons during brain development

Yunxiao Li

Li

10/2024 - 10/2025

My name is Yunxiao Li, I am a scientist working in the Molekulare Neurobiologie group at the Sektion für Translationale Neurodegeneration "Albrecht Kossel". After I joined the Molekulare Neurobiologie group as a PhD student, I applied the in vivo Ago2-floxed mouse model to study the functional role of Ago2 during brain development. With the support of the CTNR Young Neuro Scientist Program, our project will focus on combining the in vivo mouse model and in vitro cell culture system to investigate the mechanisms of Ago2-induced brain development defects.

Supervisiors:
PD Dr. Jiankai, Luo and Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Hermann, Translational Neurodegeneration Section "Albrecht Kossel", Dept. Neurology, University Medicine Rostock

The longstanding scars of psychosocial deprivation in infancy– stress-associated biomarkers in former Wochenkrippenkinder (children in day and night nursery care)

Eva Flemming

flemming

11/2024 - 10/2025

My name is Eva Flemming, and I am a psychologist and research assistant at the Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, where I am also pursuing my PhD. With the support of CTNR, I plan to investigate the long-term effects of psychosocial neglect in infancy, focusing on HPA axis functioning, mental health, and adult attachment. Our study will measure hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) and other stress-related biomarkers in a sample of former "Wochenkrippenkinder"—individuals who experienced day and night nursery care in the German Democratic Republic during their early years.

Supervisiors:
Prof. Carsten Spitzer Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock
Prof. Michael Kölch, Department of Psychiatry, Neurology, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy in Childhood and Adolescence, University Medical Center Rostock

CTNR Clinician Scientist Programme in Neurosciences

The CTNR offers two Clinician Scientist positions in the Neurosciences for the research protected time of two years within the specialist/subspecialist training time to conduct a theoretical research project in the field of Neurosciences. The programme consists of an individual clinical, scientific and soft skill educational curriculum and runs under the regulation of the Rostock Academy of Science (RAS, see below).

Call: closed 

CTNR Neuro Clinician Scientists

2024 - 2025

Dr. med. Alexandra V. Jürs

juers

The impact of nucleocytoplasmic transport dysfunction on aging and neurodegeneration

Dr. Alexandra V. Juers begins her clinician scientist in the group of Andreas Hermann at the Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht Kossel” in the Department of Neurology of the University Medical Center Rostock. Her current research focuses on the nucleocytoplasmic transport in aging and in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. A disturbed regulation and distribution of specific proteins critical for the proper nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of proteins could be observed similarly in affected ALS-diseased fibroblasts, but also in fibroblasts from aged donors. This could lead to a subsequent cellular damage and thus contributing to neurodegeneration. To correlate the damaged components of the nucleocytoplasmic transport with the cellular aging, Dr. Jürs uses the AgeScore, which is composed of various aging markers. In addition to fibroblasts of different aging models and diseased donors, iPSC-derived spinal motoneurons will be examined. This project aims to better understand how aging itself and/or neurodegenerative mechanisms of different ALS types are involved in the disrupted nucleocytoplasmic transport and whether general or individualized therapeutic approaches could positively affect nucleocytoplasmic transport deficiency to treat neurodegeneration and aging.
 

Clinical mentor: Prof. Dr. med. Alexander Storch (Department of Neurology)
Scientific mentor: Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Hermann (Translational Neurodegeneration Section „Albrecht Kossel“)

2024 - 2025

Dr. med. Hannes Kaddatz

kaddatz

Sphingosine-1-phosphate-receptor modulation

The primary focus of our current research is on oligodendrocyte pathologies, the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) system, and how this system is modulated by established pharmaceuticals, particularly Siponimod. We hypothesize that in diseases like multiple sclerosis, central cytoprotective effects of S1PR modulators, such as Siponimod, are mainly mediated through agonistic interactions with the S1PR5 receptor subtype. Oligodendrocytes, which express this receptor subtype at high levels, may be protected from cellular stress, degeneration, and demyelination as a result. Our central animal model for this research is the cuprizone model, which allows us to study pronounced oligodendrogliopathy, subsequent demyelination, glial cell activation, and immune cell recruitment in a non-autoimmune context. We use clinically established drugs (e.g., Siponimod) and various (conditional) mouse mutants in our investigations. The research is conducted on both murine and human brain tissue, employing established laboratory techniques such as paraffin and cryosectioning, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, serial section scanning electron microscopy, and real-time PCR.

Clinical mentor: Prof. Dr. med. Markus Kipp (Institute of Anatomy)
Scientific mentor: Prof. Dr. med. Alexander Storch (Department of Neurology)

Rostock Academy of Science

RAS

To improve the recruiting of Clinician Scientists and to support their specific challenges concerning compatibility of research and clinical work, the University Medicine Rostock (UMR) established a Rostock Academy of Science (RAS). In order to create efficient incentives for an academic/research career besides medical training, positions for an advanced training in a clinical specialty/subspecialty (ärztliche Weiterbildungsstellen) are advertised. The key element of the program is the research protected time of two years within the specialist/subspecialist training time to conduct a theoretical research project.

The Medical Scientist Programme includes the financial support of positions for Medical Scientists. Medical Scientists are (non-physician) medical researchers in theoretical, preclinical and clinical subjects, as well as non-medical researchers in other fields (natural/life/engineering/social science).

More information about the Rostock Academy of Science

CTNR Best Paper Award

The “CTNR Best Paper Award” honours the best publications in the field in Rostock. The prize money (€5,000) is used to support projects that build on the award-winning publication.
Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers of subjects with a neuroscientific focus (preferably related to HealthTechMedicine) and whose host institution is a member of the CTNR are eligible to apply.

The submitted paper requires a first authorship or a shared first authorship by the applicant and must have been published within the last two years (status at least "in print") in a peer-reviewed journal.

The application includes:

  1. Proposed journal publication as a PDF
  2. Curriculum Vitae

The application may only be submitted electronically by e-mail to ctnr{bei}med.uni-rostock.de until May 31th and November 30th of each year.

Application Guideline

Award winner

2024

Dr. Newshan Behrangi, Institute of Anatomy: Behrangi N, Heinig L, Frintrop L, Santrau E, Kurth J, Krause B, Atanasova D, Clarner T, Fragoulis A, Joksch M, Rudolf H, Meuth SG, Joost S, Kipp M. Siponimod ameliorates metabolic oligodendrocyte injury via the sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor 5. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 Oct 4;119(40):e2204509119. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2204509119. Epub 2022 Sep 26. PMID: 36161894; PMCID: PMC9546621. 

2023

Dr. Barbara Szewczyk, Translational Neurodegeneration Section "Albrecht Kossel": Szewczyk B, Günther R, Japtok J, Frech MJ, Naumann M, Lee HO, Hermann A. FUS ALS neurons activate major stress pathways and reduce translation as an early protective mechanism against neurodegeneration. Cell Rep. 2023 Jan 24;42(2):112025. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112025. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36696267.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease leading to loss of motor neurons, paralysis, and death. One of the ALS forms is caused by mutations in the FUS gene, encoding the FUS protein, which is vital for multiple cellular processes. How exactly mutations in FUS lead to neurodegeneration is not clear. Our recent paper used FUS ALS patient-specific neurons to study this. We showed that mutations found in FUS ALS patients cause a constant overactivation of critical stress response pathways, leaving the cell permanently alert. This heightened alertness might be helpful early on in the disease, but as time goes by, it could become less effective or even harmful due to excessive activation, causing neurodegeneration. We also showed that when neurons cannot activate the stress response pathways, they are unable to handle the accumulation of faulty proteins, which is a hallmark of neurodegeneration and is associated with cell death. Our study highlights the intricate connection between FUS mutations, disrupted stress responses, and proteotoxicity. This perspective deepens our understanding of how the disease works on a molecular level, offering potential leads for future treatments.

Do your Master Thesis or Doctorate at the CTNR

HealthTechMedicine - Neurosciences

The Centre for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR) represents one scientific area at the University Medical Centre Rostock. The overall aim of the CTNR is to identify and target mechanisms in neurodegeneration to implement innovative therapeutic concepts for primary and secondary neurodegenerative processes.

Our topics

  • Mechanisms of resilience and their interplay with neurodegenerative processes
  • Precision medicine to establish predictors for cerebral resilience in primary and secondary neurodegeneration in humans
  • Adoption of continuous bi-directional translation pathways for development of new treatments and preventions in neurodegenerative disease

Our research labs & working groups

Joint applications

Be part of it

  • MD and PhD candidates
  • Research in a medical or natural / life / engineering / social scientific field with a focus on neurosciences

International students

We would like to offer young scientists from abroad the opportunity to conduct their PhD training within the CTNR framework. To this end, we offer support for interested students to apply for a DAAD or ERASMUS+ grant in Rostock.

DAAD Research Grant

daad

Who can apply?

Excellently-qualified young academics and scientists who have completed a Master's degree or Diploma by the time they begin their grant-supported research.

How long lasts the funding?

A maximum of four years; the length of the grant is decided by a selection committee of the DAAD and depends on the project in question and the applicant's work schedule. The grants are initially awarded for a maximum of one year. Extensions depend on whether the selection committee considers the previous award period to have been successfully completed.

What is funded?

Monthly payments of € 1,200.- for doctoral candidates. Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover. One-off research allowance. Travel allowance.

How to apply?

  • Send us your letter of intent (max. 1 page), your research interest and your diplomas
  • We look internally for an appropriate supervisor

For international students

  • The supervisor will contact you and you will prepare a project proposal under his/her supervision
  • You will submit the proposal to the DAAD
  • Once the proposal is positively evaluated you can plan your research period together with your supervisor

ERASMUS+

erasmus

Traineeship

Erasmus+ supports traineeships (work placements, internships, etc) abroad for students currently enrolled in higher education institutions in Programme countries at Bachelor and Master level as well as for doctoral candidates. These opportunities are also open to recent graduates.

More information.

Higher Education (teaching staff)

If you work in higher education, you can spend time teaching at an institution.

More information.

United Neuroscience Campus Lund - Rostock

The CTNR signed an agreement with the Faculty of Medicine in Lund (Sweden) to enhance the exchange of students and scientists between Lund and Rostock in the field of Neurosciences.

More information.

ERASMUS Office Rostock

If you are intrested in an exchange programme please contact the ERASMUS office of the University Medical Centre Rostock.

Contact.

Finding Scholarships

General Search

Avicenna-Studienwerk

Bayer Foundation

Begabtenförderung

Deutschlandstipendium

FAZIT-Stiftung

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Friedrich Naumann Stiftung

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Hans Böckler Stiftung

Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung

Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes

    CTNR Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) Programme

    The CTNR provides the framework for an educational programme for doctoral candidates of CTNR members. The doctoral researcher get the possibility to be supervised by a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC aims to provide guidance for both the doctoral candidate and their supervisors, in order for them to reach a successful end of the project.

    • The TAC consists of 3 CTNR members (supervisors).
    • The TAC Meetings will be organised by the doctoral candidates.
    • Typically, the TAC meets twice in the 1st year and once per year thereafter (initial and annual report meetings).
    • For each TAC meeting, a written report and an oral presentation has to be prepared by the doctoral candidate.
    • The meetings focus on the evaluation of the report, presentation, research performance and theoretical knowledge, the evaluation of the thesis project and work done so far, and recommendations for the following year.

    More information about the CTNR TAC Programme (PDF).

    Templates

    For each TAC meeting, a written report and an oral presentation (max. 30 minutes) has to be prepared by the doctoral candidate.
    The results of the meetings are filled out and summarized by the supervisors during the meetings in the evaluation report.

    Initial Report Meeting

    First Annual Meeting

     

    Second Annual Meeting

    Third Annual Meeting

     

    Pool of CTNR TAC members

    The doctoral candidates are free to choose the supervisors faculty wide. As a selection, the CTNR provides a pool of potential TAC members who have declared their willingness to join. Doctoral candidates can choose and contact them as potential supervisors (also unrelated to the subject).

    University Medicine Rostock:

    Funding opportunities in neurosciences

    The monthly newsletter provides information about news and announcements of the CTNR, current national and international funding opportunities and training events in the field of neurosciences.

    National and international funding bodies

    Alberta Innovates

    Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung

    Alzheimer Forschung Initiative e.V. (AFI)

    Alzheimer’s Research UK

    Association of German Foundations

    Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds

    DAAD

    Damp Stiftung

    ELFI

    Else Kröner Fresenius Stiftung

    EMBO

    EUREKA

    European Academy of Neurology

    European Commission

    European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST)

    European Research Council

    Federal Funding Advisory Service

    Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

    Fritz Thyssen Stiftung

    German National Contact Point

    German Research Foundation (DFG)

    GlaxoSmithKline

    Hertie Stiftung

    HORIZON EUROPE

    International Brain Research Organization

    Joachim Herz Stiftung

    Leopoldina

    NCL-Stiftung

    Randala Foundation for ALS Research

    Rostock International House

    Stiftung Hirnforschung

    University Medicine Rostock

    University of Rostock

      Volkswagen Stiftung

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      Contact

      Forschungsschwerpunkt Neurowissenschaften
      Centre for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR)
      Universitätsmedizin Rostock
      Zentrum für Nervenheilkunde
      Gehlsheimer Str. 20
      18147 Rostock


      +49 (0) 381 494 9469