PhD Internship / RiSE - Neurodegeneration (12 months) (m/f/d)

Roche fosters diversity, equity and inclusion, representing the communities we serve. When dealing with healthcare on a global scale, diversity is an essential ingredient to success. We believe that inclusion is key to understanding people’s varied healthcare needs. Together, we embrace individuality and share a passion for exceptional care. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love.That’s what makes us Roche.

The RiSE program (Roche Internships for Scientific Exchange) is a highly competitive student research program at Roche. It offers the most talented postgraduate PhD and medical degree students the opportunity to be fully integrated into our interdisciplinary and international industry R&D environment. As a RiSE student you will enhance your competencies, gain valuable work experience with us, and eventually become part of a world-wide network of RiSE Alumni.

Join the Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery team at Roche to help develop treatments for serious neurological conditions like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and more.

As a RiSE student in the NRD DTA, you'll join the Neural Signalling Research Section at the Roche Innovation Center Basel. You'll conduct in vivo knock-down experiments on alpha-synuclein, crucial in Parkinson’s Disease, and study its impact on brain pathology. Two Roche scientists will mentor you, providing guidance, infrastructure, and a collaborative network.

During the internship your tasks will include:

• Plan and perform animal experimentation in close collaboration with your mentors and laboratory team, including stereotaxic injections of AntiSense Oligonucleotides (ASO) and other agents (LTK1 or similar required).
• Sample mouse brains and run molecular biology, biochemical and immunohistological characterization. Perform complex microscopy image analysis in collaboration with our Data and Analytics department.
• Regular discussion with your mentors and network to advance the project.
• Summarise your findings for presentation to peers and the broader research community, potentially in a publication.

Who You Are

• Currently enrolled in a PhD or medical degree program at a university in neuroscience, and looking to expand your experience with an industry internship (must be enrolled at university for 50% of the duration of your stay at Roche, PhD thesis can’t be defended in the first half of the internship). Applications from individuals not enrolled in a PhD or medical degree program will not be considered.
• Strong expertise in mouse stereotaxic surgery is required
• Hands-on experience in brain tissue handling, immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, Western Blot, ELISA.
• Advanced fluorescent, confocal and brightfield microscopy and image analysis capabilities and digital skills to establish data analysis processes
• Previous experience in synucleinopathy mouse models and working with Phython are advantages
• Highly collaborative attitude; comfortable working in a team setting and in a cross-functional and multicultural environment.

Information about application documents and start date:

The internship can start between April, 2025 and September, 2025 – please clearly indicate your preferred starting date of internship on your motivation letter.

Applications need to include a CV and a cover letter, as well as a letter from your academic supervisor supporting your application to the RiSE Program.

Please note that due to regulations non-EU/EFTA citizens have to provide a certificate from the university stating that an industry internship is mandatory as part of the university training.

Who we are

At Roche, more than 100,000 people across 100 countries are pushing back the frontiers of healthcare. Working together, we’ve become one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups. Our success is built on innovation, curiosity and diversity.

Basel is the headquarters of the Roche Group and one of its most important centres of pharmaceutical research. Over 10,700 employees from over 100 countries come together at our Basel/Kaiseraugst site, which is one of Roche`s largest sites. Read more .

Besides extensive development and training opportunities, we offer flexible working options, 18 weeks of maternity leave and 10 weeks of gender independent partnership leave. Our employees also benefit from multiple services on site such as child-care facilities, medical services, restaurants and cafeterias, as well as various employee events.

We believe in the power of diversity and inclusion, and strive to identify and create opportunities that enable all people to bring their unique selves to Roche.