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The Position

In Roche’s Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development organisation (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. This position is located in ADME, a chapter within the PS function, where the fate of new chemical entities and biologics is a primary focus.

The ADME Chapter works throughout all stages of compound development, from lead optimization to candidate selection, all clinical development phases to filing of new drug applications. A critical part of this work involves the study and evaluation of drug-drug interactions (DDI). DDIs occur when multiple drugs are co-administered, and one drug (the perpetrator) affects the metabolism of another drug (the victim). This can lead to either an increase in toxicity or a loss of therapeutic efficacy for the victim drug. Consequently, understanding and mitigating DDI risk is a critical part of drug development, ensuring new medicines are safe and effective for patients taking multiple medications. By utilizing a range of advanced in vitro assays, automated robotic systems, artificial intelligence, and modelling, we quickly and efficiently select new drug candidates meeting the aforementioned criteria.

The Opportunity:

As an integral part of the ADME Chapter, the mission of this internship is to directly support the data collection as well as the development of a new assay to enable the selection of safer drugs for the patients. You will work alongside our team to investigate potential drug-drug interactions (DDI), with your findings serving a crucial role in guiding our decisions and ensuring our new compounds have a low DDI risk.

The internship position will mainly focus on:

• Gathering in vitro and in vivo information related to drug-drug interactions within several therapeutic areas.

• Automate and validate a new internal screening assay for assessing inhibition DDIs liabilities.

Project goals:

• You will get familiar with performing systemic scientific literature searches.

• You will understand the importance of enzyme-mediated DDI risk assessment in drug discovery and development.

• You will learn how to automate, and validate in vitro methodologies to support DDI risk assessment of drug candidates.

• You will gain hands-on experience in state-of-the art methodologies (e.g. quantitative LC-mass spectrometry, in vitro ADME assay techniques, lab automation technology)

Who you are:

• You are a current or recently graduated (within 12 months) MSc candidate with a background in pharmacy, pharmacology, biochemistry, computer science or a related field.

• You have some experience with systematic literature research tools, search engines and reference management softwares.

• You are eager to learn and explore the importance of drug-drug-interactions in drug development.

• You have familiarity with conducting in vitro experiments and performing LC-MS/MS analysis, as well as proficiency with common digital tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, GraphPad Prism) for experimental planning, execution, evaluation, data archiving, and reporting.

• You show a strong interest in laboratory automation and robotics and experience in programming is highly valued.

• Familiarity with programming languages such as R and pharmacokinetic modeling, including physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, is considered a plus.

• You have strong communication skills and the ability to work in a team. A proactive and strategic thinking style to promote the project is preferred.

• You work independently and have the ability to solve problems in an innovative way.

• Proficiency in English is required and ability to communicate in German or French is an asset.

Your application:

Your complete application should include the following documents:

• An up-to-date CV and a Motivation Letter

• A certificate of enrollment (if you are currently studying)

• For Non-EU/EFTA citizens: Due to regulations, you must provide a letter from your university stating that an internship is mandatory for your studies and specifying the required length of the internship. Please upload this letter, along with your enrollment certificate, CV, and motivation letter.