RiSE Internship - Identifying Novel Therapeutic Targets for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (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 and in Neuropathology at the Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland.

The Opportunity

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Use automated multiplex immunofluorescence and spatial proteomics on human MS tissue.

• Execute laser-capture microdissection (LCM) on MS lesions to generate high-quality "omic" data for target identification.

• Perform whole slide scanning and quantitative image analysis of human pathology using platforms like HALO or Visiopharm.

• Culture and differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) 

• Conduct functional in vitro assays using human iPSC-derived microglia to evaluate impact of pharmacological agents on iron sequestration and neurotoxicity.

• Present your progress at internal meetings and contribute to the preparation of a manuscript for a peer-reviewed journal

• You will be mentored by two Roche scientists who will guide you through your research and provide the infrastructure and collaborative network across the in vitro and tissue labs

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

• Experience in cellular neurobiology, neuroimmunology, and/or neuropathology

• Hands-on lab experience in histology (tissue handling, processing, IHC, multiplex immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, live-cell imaging), cell culture and biochemical assays (ELISA, qPCR, WB).

• Interest in working with iPSC-derived microglia and digital pathology platforms (such as HALO/Visiopharm) or spatial omics.

• Independent, proactive, and collaborative, with a high standard for data documentation (e.g., electronic lab notebooks).

Additional Information

The preferred start date of the internship is October 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 RiSE 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.