Call for CMFI Clinician Scientist Program (CSP)
Cluster of Excellence CMFI | now
Call for CMFI Clinician Scientist Program (CSP)
Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections” (CMFI) studies functional interactions in complex microbial communities, the microbiomes, with emphasis on bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance. It is a world-leading interdisciplinary research institution awarded as a Cluster of Excellence by the German Excellence Strategy since 2019. EXC 2124 combines more than 40 laboratories at the University of Tübingen, the University Hospital Tübingen, and the Max Planck Institute for Biology in a stimulating, highly interactive research environment, covering molecular, ecological, immunological, compound-focused, computational, and clinical research.
For further information on CMFI please visit: www.controlling-microbes.com
As part of the second funding period of CMFI, we are pleased to announce the launch of our Clinician Scientist Program within the Cluster.
This program aims to strengthen the integration of clinical and basic research in infectious diseases and microbiome science and to support physician scientists pursuing a translational research career.
Program Objectives
The CMFI Clinician Scientist Program is designed to:
- support physicians in combining clinical training with research activities in infection and microbiome research
- promote translational “bench-to-bedside” approaches
- strengthen the integration of clinically active researchers within CMFI
- contribute to the development of the next generation of academic leaders in infection research
Funding
The program provides support over a two-year period, including:
- Protected research time:
- 6 months at 100% TV-Ä
- 6 months at 50% TV-Ä
(flexibly distributed over 2 years)
- Consumables:
- €7,500 per year
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- be employed at the University Hospital Tübingen (UKT)
- hold an MD degree
- be clinically active in an infection-related field (e.g. infectiology, microbiology, virology, pediatrics, or related disciplines)
- demonstrate prior engagement in infection or microbiome research
Both junior and more advanced clinician scientists are encouraged to apply.
Application Requirements
Applications should include:
- a short research proposal (approx. 2 pages)
- a CV
- identification of a CMFI-affiliated mentor and host laboratory (if applicable), including a letter of support
- a letter of support from the head of the clinical department
Obligations
Funded clinician scientists are expected to:
- present their project or results within the CMFI lecture series
- participate in CMFI retreats during the funding period
Applications including supporting documents should be sent by email as a single PDF file to Dr. Dirk Kraus (dirk.kraus
@uni-tuebingen.de) by July 5, 2026