PhD Internship in Neuromuscular Disorders Lab - RiSE

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  offers the most talented postgraduate PhD 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, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism, spinal muscular atrophy, and Huntington’s disease.

As a RiSE student in the NRD DTA, you will be an integral part of 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 apply a range of integrative lab techniques to meticulously study how agrin pathway activation influences NMJ stability, synaptic transmission, and ultimately, muscle contractile function in a human NMJ disease model.

Throughout your internship, you will be hosted and mentored by a dedicated Roche scientist who will provide comprehensive guidance, ensure you have access to all necessary work infrastructure, and connect you with a collaborative network of experts. This experience is designed not only to enhance your scientific skills but also to immerse you in a cutting‑edge research environment.

• Maintain a detailed electronic lab notebook (ELN) and data records
• Culture and maintenance of 3D Neuromuscular Junction organoids
• Viral transductions using recombinant AAVs
• 3D live imaging and multielectrode array (MEA)
• Data analysis
• Present research findings to project and cross‑functional teams
• Manuscript preparation
• Coordinate with internal core facilities (e.g., imaging, genomics, etc.)
• Actively participate in experimental design and scientific strategy meetings

• Enrolled in a PhD or medical degree program at a university and are looking to expand your experience with an industry internship (Graduated PhD students can't be considered for the role. Furthermore, you must be enrolled at university for 50% of the duration of your stay at Roche, PhD thesis can’t be defended in the first half of the internship)
• A background in muscle cell biology, neuroscience, or life science.
• Demonstrable experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Culturing complex cell models and/or organoids (e.g., human iPSCs)
  • Live cell imaging techniques (e.g., fluorescence microscopy, calcium indicators)
  • Electrophysiology (e.g., MEA)
  • Familiarity with advanced image analysis software (e.g., Harmony, FIJI/Image
    
    J, or similar) for quantifying 3D live imaging data
  • Basic molecular biology techniques (e.g., qPCR/dPCR, WB, DNA/RNA/protein isolation)
  • Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, Python, and/or Graph Pad Prism) for analyzing biological data sets, including dose‑response curves and electrophysiology output
• A strong interest in expanding your methodological skills, particularly using AAV‑based technologies in 3D model systems.

The preferred date of the internship is February 2026 or upon availability – please clearly indicate your preferred starting date of the internship in your motivation letter.

Applications need to include a CV and a cover letter, as well as a letter from your academic supervisor…