Scientist, Cell Engineering and Phenotypic Screening Models

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

In Roche’s Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development organization (pRED), we make transformative medicines for patients in order to tackle some of the world’s toughest unmet healthcare needs. At pRED, we are united by our mission to transform science into medicines. Together, we create a culture defined by curiosity, responsibility, and humility, where our talented people are empowered and inspired to bring forward extraordinary life-changing innovation at speed.
 

Therapeutic Modalities (TMo) organization, accountable for translating disease biology into high-quality drug candidates across small molecules, large molecules, oligonucleotides, and genomic medicines. By integrating deep modality expertise with cross-disciplinary collaboration, TMo drives innovation within and across platforms to enable differentiated, sustainable therapeutic impact.

The Opportunity

Joining Small Molecule Research Discovery within Therapeutic Modalities, you will work within a highly engaged, cross-functional team bridging cell biology, automation, and multiple therapeutic areas. In this role, you drive innovation through strong commitment to lab science by developing the foundational cellular models that power our drug discovery pipeline.

Key responsibilities include:

• Model Innovation: Independently design, engineer, validate, and optimize disease-relevant cellular models at scale to enable phenotypic screening and small molecule drug discovery.

• Advanced Engineering: Apply diverse cell engineering approaches, including CRISPR/Cas technologies, vector design, reporter systems, and stable cell line generation, to build robust assay systems.

• Pipeline Integration: Translate complex cellular models into scalable, reproducible, screening-compatible workflows for high-content imaging and phenotypic screening.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner actively across therapeutic areas, automation, data analysis, and chemistry teams to interpret results, present data, and support project decisions.

• Culture Contribution: Actively cultivate an inclusive, collaborative, and curious team environment focused on pushing scientific boundaries.

Who You Are

You are a curious, highly motivated scientist who thrives on solving complex biological challenges. You bring a collaborative mindset and are eager to apply your technical expertise to discover life-changing treatments.

To thrive in this role, you bring:

• Education & Experience: A PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, or a closely related scientific discipline. Postdoctoral or industry research experience is a plus but not required.

• Cell Culture Expertise: Strong hands-on experience in advanced cell culture techniques, including iPSC differentiation and larger-scale cell culture.

• Advanced Genome Editing: Extensive practical experience in cell engineering, particularly CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing, stable cell line generation, clonal isolation, genotyping, and validation using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS).

• Molecular Biology Proficiency: Solid experience with cloning, transfection, viral transduction, nucleofection, as well as plasmid, vector, and genetic element design (promoters, reporters, tags).

• Imaging & Screening: Solid exposure to high-content imaging, assay development, automated cell culture, or high-throughput screening using small molecules or genetic tools. Expertise in high-content data analysis, image processing pipelines, or multiparametric data evaluation is a  plus. 

• Communication & Mindset: Resourceful, flexible problem-solving skills with a highly collaborative approach and strong communication skills in English.

Please be advised that this position is 100% lab-based.

Ready to apply? If you are excited about this opportunity, we would love to hear from you! Please submit your application through our portal, ensuring you include your updated CV or resume, a cover letter detailing your interest and fit for the role, and copies of your diplomas and any relevant certificates.

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.