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.

You will join Roche’s Institute of Human Biology (IHB), an organization within pRED whose goal is to harness and advance the use of human model systems in drug discovery and development, as well as personalized medicine. Our interdisciplinary research bridges academic and pharmaceutical research, connecting biologists, engineers, and data scientists. We partner and collaborate with leading scientific institutions worldwide to tackle grand challenges by assembling, funding, and leading interdisciplinary teams of experts to work on highly ambitious and complex scientific questions.

Role Mission

In close collaboration with the Neurosciences and Rare Disease (NRD) Discovery Translation Area within pRED, we are looking for an independent and highly motivated scientist to join our team at the interface of academic and translational research. The scientist will play a key role in developing and applying patient-relevant human model systems that recapitulate protein aggregates characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Our vision is to establish foundational in vitro technology for drug profiling by synergizing with the unparalleled expertise at the IHB to investigate poorly understood clinical findings and address the needs of the future NRD portfolio.

Your Impact

Develop a 3D co-culture model of the brain, incorporating neurons and glia.

Establish imaging-based assays to measure glial function in 3D co-culture models

Thoroughly characterize cell lines with disease-relevant mutations

Independently design, execute, analyze, interpret and communicate experiments

Demonstrate scientific excellence by publishing and presenting at scientific meetings

Your Profile

PhD in Bioengineering, Neuroscience or other relevant areas

Hands-on expertise on stem-cell derived models of human brain cell types

Experience working with hydrogel-based 3D culture models

Experience developing imaging-based functional assays including image quantification workflows

Knowledge of cellular mechanisms driving disease pathology in Alzheimer’s disease

Strong critical thinking, communication, organization, and presentation skills.

Ability to navigate in a matrix environment to effectively influence, advise, or consult experts to jointly move projects forward

Driven by scientific curiosity and commitment to patients

Temporary position for 2 years.

Reporting line to : Sonja Kleinlogel, NRD

Our commitment

Roche commits to recognising talent and aptitude. We prioritize encouraging and supporting our employees in their personal journeys by providing a safe, creative space to help them reflect, make decisions and grow in their career. We are confident that we find the most innovative solutions by gaining different perspectives, asking and answering hard questions, and challenging the status quo. Roche embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious yet enthusiastic way; we are devoted to building a team that represents a range of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.