In Vivo Laboratory Specialist – In vivo insights and imaging
About this role
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 to tackle some of the world’s toughest unmet healthcare needs. At pRED, we are united by our mission to transform science into medicine. 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 in our In Vivo Sciences team within Pharmaceutical Sciences. Our focus is the operational execution of our internal preclinical research in rodents, specifically evaluating safety, kinetics, and biological profiling. As a core technical partner, we conduct all the in vivo studies that provide the essential data and infrastructure to drive all our research initiatives forward.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a motivated Research Associate / In Vivo Laboratory Technician to join our In Vivo Insights Laboratory. This role is specifically designed for a tech-savvy specialist who thrives in a hands-on environment and is passionate about building a long-term career as a laboratory-based scientific expert. You will collaborate closely with Study Directors and cross-functional teams to ensure experimental excellence in animal models and contribute to the success of our preclinical programs.
At the core of our operations is an unwavering commitment to Animal Welfare. We actively promote and integrate the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) into all experimental designs. This position is ideal for a dedicated specialist who seeks to develop deep technical expertise while contributing to the advancement of life-changing therapeutic programs.
Responsibilities
- Study Execution & Data Management: Conduct in vivo pharmacology, PK/PD, and safety studies in rodents and rabbits. This includes drug administration via various routes (IV, IP, SC, PO, and specialized intracranial or intravitreal injections). You will be responsible for the accurate compilation of study data and assisting in the preparation of comprehensive study reports.
- Cutting-Edge Digital & Imaging Technologies: Drive the future of preclinical research by taking proactive ownership of our lab's digital ecosystem. You will independently establish, validate, and optimize state-of-the-art in vivo imaging modalities and digital technologies. This is a hands-on role for a "tech-forward" specialist who will implement automated workflows and leverage innovation to elevate research quality.
- Surgical & Technical Procedures: Perform complex surgeries (e.g., cannulation, catheterization, or stereotaxic procedures) and manage high-quality perioperative care. Execute precise necropsy, tissue collection, and in-life sampling with a rigorous focus on data integrity.
- 3Rs & Innovation: Proactively identify opportunities to implement the 3Rs within your workflows. This includes optimizing surgical protocols, utilizing digital monitoring tools to refine observations, and ensuring the highest standards of animal care throughout the study lifecycle.
- Agile Collaboration: Work "hand-in-hand" with colleagues across pRED. You must be able to make quick, sound decisions and remain highly flexible and resilient when study protocols or priorities change at the last minute.
- Who You Are
- You bring at least 2 years of hands-on experience in in vivo experimentation (e.g., pharmacology or neuroscience), gained through a technical apprenticeship, veterinary technology background, or a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree. Please note: This is a specialist technical role; candidates holding a PhD will not be considered.
- You must hold a valid certification to perform animal experiments in Switzerland (LTK1 or equivalent).
- You are "tech-savvy" and have a genuine interest in mastering new laboratory hardware and software. You have proven expertise in rodent dosing and multi-modal sampling (e.g., blood, CSF, or tissues).
- You work independently and rigorously, taking full ownership of experimental reproducibility, accurate documentation, and the reliable delivery of results.
- You thrive in fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments. You are a proactive communicator in English (German is a plus) and enjoy the "team-first" mentality required for high-stakes research.
- You are highly motivated to remain in a laboratory-based role and value "bench excellence" as your primary career path.
- Unwavering focus, collaborative teamwork and exceptional delivery are key behaviours that drive our mission of doing now what patients need next. Together, we can be transformative.
- If you are passionate about contributing to a committed team and have the dedication to partnership and innovation, Roche is the place for you!
- Every role at Roche plays a part in making a difference in patients’ lives.
- Please submit a CV and a Cover Letter to complete your application.
About Roche
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.