Scientist - AAV Vector Engineering

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

In Roche´s Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development organisation (pRED), we make transformative medicines for patients in order to tackle some of the world’s toughest unmet healthcare needs. At pRED, we are united by our mission to transform
science into medicines. Together, we create a culture defined by curiosity, responsibility and humility, where our talented people are empowered and inspired to bring forward extraordinary life-changing innovation at speed.

This position is 100% lab-based, anchored into the Nucleic Acid-based Medicines (NABM) department. The position holder will be member of the Viral Technology group. The Viral Technology group areas of focus encompass rAAV manufacturing, AAV
vector & capsid engineering, and plasmid engineering, with the final goal to improve the therapeutic potential of AAV-based gene therapies.

Role Mission
We are offering an outstanding opportunity for a Scientist to work within a multidisciplinary team dedicated to engineering and producing new rAAV to supply internal research groups and contribute to our portfolio projects. You will participate
in, but not be limited to, conducting vector design, vector engineering and production of research grade rAAV vectors to increase titer and potency. Additionally, the candidate may contribute to developing new capsids to support novel pipeline targets.

Your Impact

• Conducting AAV vector engineering and production

• Conducting gene editing vector design, molecular biology techniques & cloning, plasmid prep, and sequencing

• Develop new capsid through rationale design and library screening

• Design, screen, test and characterize newly engineered AAVs libraries to improve AAV manufacturability and potency

• Screening of genetic elements and design of next generation rAAV expression systems

• Implementing plasmids engineering strategies to develop improved AAV production for gene therapy purposes.

• Perform preliminary analyses and prepare internal reports to support scientific decisions

• Participate in laboratory management: lab organization, ordering, equipment maintenance and qualification, etc…

• Present findings in internal and external meetings and events

• Thoroughly document performed experiments in our electronic laboratory documentation system

Your Profile
You hold a PhD in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry or related discipline within solid expertise in the fields of AAV biology, rAAV engineering and/or manufacturing, functional genomics. In particular, you have expertise in the following:

• rAAV engineering (transgene and/or capsid) - highly preferred

• Advanced molecular biology methods for pooled library design and generation - highly preferred

• NGS methods and bioinformatics

• Cell biology and/or viral biology is a plus

• Demonstrated skills in designing and performing scientific experiments in hypothesis-driven research, and in establishing innovative techniques

• Proven record of scientific publications

• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills are required

We look forward to receiving your application!

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.