Scientist - Neuropathology and Neurodegenerative Disease Research

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

At Roche, we believe it is urgent to deliver medical solutions right now – even as we develop innovations for the future. We are passionate about transforming patients’ lives, and we are ambitious in both decision and action. We commit ourselves to scientific rigor, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We are now doing what patients need next.

The Position: Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED) is continuously evolving, and we are seeking a motivated Scientist to join our team. In this role, you will play a crucial part in advancing our understanding of neurodegenerative disease pathology through cutting-edge research on human post-mortem tissues, biofluids, animal models, and newly developed human-derived models.

As a Scientist, you will be an integral member of our new Neuropathology Lab within the Neurogenomics section, a dynamic unit at the heart of the Neuroscience and Rare Disease (NRD) therapeutic area. Our section is dedicated to leveraging genetics and genomics to uncover new therapeutic targets, deepen our understanding of disease biology, identify potential biomarkers, and develop novel treatments for some of the most challenging neurological disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia and Parkinson’s disease. You will collaborate closely with experts across various sections within NRD, as well as with teams from Therapeutic Modalities, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Data & Analytics, to translate research hypotheses into innovative therapeutics that address brain disorders throughout the lifespan.

Your Responsibilities:

• Microscopy Image Analysis:  As a microscopy image analysis expert, you'll drive the discovery of drug targets in human brain tissue and enhance our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases using advanced molecular imaging techniques like spatial transcriptomics and cutting-edge microscopy on human tissue and in vivo models

• Data Strategy and Analysis: You'll develop and apply large-scale image and data analysis strategies for high-content imaging using post-mortem human brain sections and cellular models (2D, 3D, organoids). Your work will focus on segmentation, feature extraction, machine learning, data condensation, and visualization

• Data Interpretation: You will perform comprehensive data analysis and apply statistical methods to datasets derived from image analysis and multi-omics studies

• Scientific Communication: You will present your findings at internal and external scientific meetings and take a lead role in authoring scientific papers for publication

• Mentorship and Collaboration: You will provide guidance and support to research associates, postdocs, and students, fostering a collaborative and productive research environment

Your Profile:

• Educational Background: You have a PhD in Neuroscience, Biology, Biomedicine, or a related field, with a proven track record in microscopy image analysis and understanding of cellular biology and drug discovery. Experience in omics data analysis is a plus but not required

• Lab Experience: You bring hands-on lab experience, including handling human tissue samples, tissue processing, and conducting analytical techniques. Proficiency in microscopy image analysis, standard lab equipment, and data analysis software is essential

• Technical Skills: You're interested  in programming languages like Python or R and familiar with relevant image analysis tools

• Curiosity and Innovation: You have a deep scientific curiosity and a drive to push the boundaries of current research methodologies

• Collaboration and Independence: You work independently and excel in a collaborative, inclusive team environment, with excellent communication and organizational skills

Join our team and leverage your expertise to drive groundbreaking discoveries in neurodegenerative disease research, making a lasting impact on the future of medicine.

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.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.