PhD internship in Cognitive Neuroscience Biomarkers, RiSE (September, 9 months)

Job content

At Roche, we believe it’s 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 fearless in both decision and action. And we believe that good business means a better world.

That is why we come to work every single day. We commit ourselves to scientific rigour, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We do this today to build a better tomorrow.

The Position

The RiSE program (Roche Internships for Scientific Exchange) is a highly competitive student research program at Roche. It 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 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 Neurocognitive and Digital Biomarkers section of the Biomarkers and Translational Technologies group, and work at the Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland on the development of a novel cognitive test of basal ganglia function for Parkinson’s disease. 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.

During the internship your tasks will include

• Literature review of basal ganglia cognitive dysfunction;

• Data analyses of large in-house datasets including cognitive, digital biomarker and brain imaging region of interest data to identify cognitive correlates of basal ganglia neurodegeneration;

• Conceptual contributions to the development of the novel task in the framework of an international working group;

• Presentations at internal and international working group meetings,

• Support the first round of online pilot testing of the novel task;

• Drafting a manuscript for publication.

Who You Are

You’re someone who wants to influence your own development. You’re looking for a company where you have the opportunity to pursue your interests across functions and geographies. Where a job title is not considered the final definition of who you are, but the starting point.

Moreover you are/have

• enrolled in a PhD or medical degree program at a university and are looking to expand your experience with an industry internship (must still be enrolled at university for 50% of the duration of the stay at Roche)

• familiarity with neuropsychological literature of learning and decision-making and state-of-the-art cognitive neuroscientific experimental methods

• fluent in the statistical analyses of cognitive/ behavioural data (preferably with familiarity with the use of Matlab/R/Python)

• experience with designing and/or analyzing novel experimental cognitive tasks and assessments, including the analysis of accuracy and choice data

• excellent presentation and scientific writing skills

• enjoy working in interdisciplinary environments, collaborating with cognitive and other neuroscientists (both academic and industrial), neurologists, data analysis experts, engineers, and business partners

• a fluent English speaker

• excellent communication skills

• a background in Parkinson’s disease and/or basal ganglia neuropathology is desirable

Information about application documents and start date

The internship can start between August 2021 and November 2021 – please clearly indicate your preferred starting date and duration ([X-X months]) of internship on your motivation letter.

Applications need to include a CV and a cover letter, as well as a letter from your academic supervisor supporting your application to the RiSE Program. Optional Reference letters, transcripts.

Please note that due to regulations non-EU/EFTA citizens have to provide a certificate from the university stating that an industry internship is mandatory as part of the university training.

Do you know what Roche stands for? Roche embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

More information about career start at Roche you can find here
Tags ROiQQ ROiLS ROiNSC RiSE