Laboratory head in Neuroimmunology

At Roche, we believe it is urgent to deliver medical solutions now – even as we develop innovations for the future. We are passionate about improving the lives of patients with brain diseases, and strive for ambitious ideas, innovative approaches and urgent action. Our belief is that our success as a company will come from developing therapies for patients in need, which is why we come to work every single day. We commit ourselves to scientific rigor, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We do this today to build a better tomorrow.

Within Roche’s Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Neuroscience & Rare Diseases represents a major focus area where we are committed to realizing our long-term vision of changing lives of patients with severe brain disorders. Our preclinical research and early clinical development activities center around large and rare indications within the four major pillars of neurodevelopmental disorders, movement disorders, dementias, and multiple sclerosis. With unparalleled strengths across diverse disciplines, Roche is uniquely positioned to lead in transforming science to medicines for patients with disorders of the nervous system.

To achieve our goals, Roche pRED Neuroscience & Rare Diseases is currently undergoing a major and exciting recruitment effort for a large number of new positions including a Laboratory Head in our Neuroimmunology section within the Department of Research. All positions are based in Basel, Switzerland.
 

The Position

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lead drug discovery efforts from target selection to nomination of lead candidate molecules and transition into clinical development.
• Work collaboratively in a matrix environment, partnering with colleagues from Medicinal Chemistry, Lead Discovery, DMPK & Safety to accelerate advancement of compounds.
• Design, execute and interpret cell based and in vivo experiments to optimize compound selection and explore therapeutic potential of drug targets. Manage externalization of work at CROs.
• Present and report research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences.
• Line management responsibilities of research associates.

   

Who You Are

You’re someone who wants to influence your own development. You’re looking to be part of a dynamic and growing organization where you have the opportunity to pursue your interests across functions and geographies.

• Ph.D (or MD) degree in neurobiology, cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related field.
• >5 years of industry experience, preferentially in the discovery small molecule drug candidates and a record of effective project leadership.
• Broad knowledge and experience in key areas of glia biology including, but not limited to, ApoE biology and the role of ApoE in neurodegeneration, lipid transport, neuron-glia communication and neuroinflammation as evidenced by publication in peer-reviewed journals. 

We Are Looking For These Qualifications

• Extensive experience of the use of pre-clinical neuroscience models and iPSC-derived models.
• Excellent management skills, including the ability to set high but reachable goals, define priorities, manage individual performance, and infuse a cross-disciplinary group and team with a sense of purpose and urgency.
• Experience in a matrix-based drug discovery setting is preferred.
• Ability to initiate and manage external collaborations and engage key opinion leaders.
• Strong data analysis skills, ability to interpret results and contribute to the design of follow-up experiments, troubleshoot issues with assay performance, and effectively present results and conclusions to co-workers, collaborators and senior leadership.
• Outstanding verbal and written knowledge of English.
• A passion for drug discovery and sense of urgency to find new medicines to benefit patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

Are you ready to apply? Roche embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building teams that represent a range of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. 

If you still have questions then please check our FAQs and videos on careers.roche.ch/faq.

Roche is an equal opportunity employer.