RiSE Internship Translatable In Vitro Drug Discovery for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) (12 months)

At Roche you can show up as yourself embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression open dialogue and genuine connections where you are valued accepted and respected for who you are allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche where every voice matters.

The RiSE program (Roche Internships for Scientific Exchange) is a highly competitive student research program at Roche. It offers the most talented graduate 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 worldwide network of RiSE Alumni.

The Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery and Translational Area (NRD DTA) is developing medicines for a range of serious neurological diseases including multiple sclerosis Alzheimers disease Parkinsons disease autism spinal muscular atrophy and Huntingtons disease.

As a RiSE student in the NRD DTA you will join our group in the Neuromuscular Disorders (NMD) lab group situated within the Neurotechnologies Section at the Roche Innovation Center Basel Switzerland. Our multidisciplinary team brings together expertise in neuromuscular biology vectorized genomic medicine genetic engineering and complex 3D models.

In your role as a RiSE student you will have the opportunity to:

• Tissue culture and maintenance of 2D models (e.g. HEK-blue cells immortalized and hiPSC-derived myoblasts etc.) 3D neuromuscular junction organoids and engineered human muscle tissues

• Actively plan design perform and analyze pharmacological assays of interest (e.g. small molecule treatments reporter expression cellular bioenergetics with Agilents Seahorse system 3D twitch/tetanic force assessments with CuriBios Mantarray setup live imaging and contractility recordings of 3D organoids etc.)

• Work closely within a team composed of 3-4 scientists research associates other students and coordinate with internal core facilities (e.g. imaging) and cross-functional teams (e.g. neurogenomics and muscle metabolism groups)

• Maintain a detailed electronic lab notebook (ELN) and data records

• Present research findings at internal meetings

• Summarize work and draft a scientific manuscript

• You will be hosted and mentored by Roche scientists who will provide comprehensive guidance.

• You graduated from a Masters program within the lastyear or you are enrolled in a PhD or medical degree program at a university and you bring demonstrable experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Culturing complex cell models and/or organoids (e.g. patient-derived cells human iPSCs etc.)

• In vitro electrophysiology (e.g. in vitro force measurements using CuriBios Mantarray equipment)

• In vitro live cell techniques/assays (e.g. Agilent Seahorse platform fluorescence microscopy calcium indicators contractility etc.)

• Familiarity with advanced image analysis software (e.g. Harmony FIJI/ImageJ MuscleMotion Pulse functional metrics or similar)

• Basic molecular biology techniques (e.g. secreted reporter activity qPCR/dPCR WB immunofluorescence DNA/RNA/protein isolation)

• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g. R R and/or GraphPad) for analyzing biological data sets including dose-response curves and electrophysiology output

• A strong interest in expanding your muscle biology skills particularly using small molecule-based technologies in 2D and 3D model systems.

The internship can start between August 2026 and October 2026 please clearly indicate your preferred starting date in your motivation letter.

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

Please note that due to regulations non-EU/EFTA citizens have to be enrolled in a PhD or medical degree program at a university and provide a certificate from the university stating that an industry internship is mandatory as part of the university training.

Curious motivated and ready to learn Apply now for our RiSE Internship.

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