PhD Internship/RiSE - The Role of Microglial Lipid Metabolism in Neurodegenerative Disease (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 Position

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 world-wide 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, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism, spinal muscular atrophy, and Huntington’s disease.

As RiSE student in the NRD DTA you will join our group in Neuroimmunology at the Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland. This project investigates the link between microglial lipid accumulation and their cellular dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease.

The Opportunity 

• Characterizing microglia in human tissue and utilizing pharmacological interventions that target lipid metabolism

• Culturing, differentiation and characterization of human iPSC-derived microglia

• Performing in vitro and ex vivo functional assays to elucidate the impact of pharmacological agents on microglial activation and lipid profiles and phagocytosis

• Utilize advanced immunohistochemical techniques to characterize microglial phenotypes in human tissue.

• Working closely within a diverse team composed of scientists, research associates and interns

• Presenting your progress at internal meetings and contributing to publications

• You will be hosted and mentored by a Roche scientist who will guide you through your research and provide you with the needed work infrastructure and collaborative network.

Who You Are

• You graduated since less than a year

• Or you are enrolled in a PhD or medical degree program at a university

• You are looking to expand your experience with an industry internship

• Proficient in maintaining and running diverse assays with iPSC-derived microglia

• Background in cellular neurobiology, neuroimmunology, lipid metabolism or other related subject

• Proven track record in cell culture, cellular assays and biochemistry (dose response treatments, live cell imaging, confocal microscopy, IHC/ICC, ELISA, qPCR / WB)

• Independent, proactive, and willing to work in a highly collaborative and dynamic research environment

Additional Information

The preferred start date of the internship is July 2026 or upon availability. Please clearly indicate your preferred starting date on your cover letter.

Application Process

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 PhD Internship.

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.