2026 Summer Intern - Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology

Roche•South San Francisco, CA

15d•Onsite

About The Position

The department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology operates at the very early stages of drug discovery and development. We discover and characterize the compounds that will ultimately become the drugs of the future. This internship position is located in South San Francisco, on-site. The Opportunity Perform routine maintenance and expansion of mammalian cell lines. Develop and investigate novel target engagement assay methodologies. Design and execute high-content immunofluorescence staining protocols. Conduct quantitative fluorescence imaging and data acquisition. Perform image analysis and statistical interpretation of experimental data. Conduct specific protein detection methods such as HiBiT for detecting protein of interest in cell lysates. Program Highlights Intensive 12-weeks, full-time (40 hours per week) paid internship. Program start dates are in May/June 2026. A stipend, based on location, will be provided to help alleviate costs associated with the internship. Ownership of challenging and impactful business-critical projects. Work with some of the most talented people in the biotechnology industry.

Requirements

Must be pursuing a Bachelor's Degree (enrolled student).
Must have attained a Bachelor's degree (not currently enrolled in a grad program).
Required Majors: Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB), Biochemistry, Genetics or Developmental Biology, Bioengineering / Biomedical Engineering (BME), Biotechnology , or any related field.
Deep understanding of cellular signaling, protein-target interactions, and the scientific method; ability to explain the "why" behind experimental controls.
Prior experience working in a research lab setting outside of standard classroom coursework.
Hands-on proficiency in mammalian cell culture with a demonstrated commitment to meticulous record-keeping and lab safety.
A proven track record of taking initiative—such as troubleshooting a failing protocol or seeking out extra responsibilities in a previous lab or academic setting.
Competency in quantitative analysis (e.g., Excel, GraphPad Prism, or Python) and an interest in translating raw images into reproducible scientific data.
A genuine passion for drug discovery or basic research, evidenced by a willingness to commit the time necessary to meet project milestones and see experiments through to completion.

Nice To Haves

Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
Complements our culture and the standards that guide our daily behavior & decisions: Integrity, Courage, and Passion.
Prior internship or Co-op experience in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting, showing a familiarity with the pace of drug discovery.
Practical or theoretical familiarity with fluorescence microscopy and image analysis tools like ImageJ/Fiji or CellProfiler.
Basic exposure to or a strong interest in learning liquid handling systems and high-throughput workflows.
Experience with plate-based assays.

Responsibilities

Perform routine maintenance and expansion of mammalian cell lines.
Develop and investigate novel target engagement assay methodologies.
Design and execute high-content immunofluorescence staining protocols.
Conduct quantitative fluorescence imaging and data acquisition.
Perform image analysis and statistical interpretation of experimental data.
Conduct specific protein detection methods such as HiBiT for detecting protein of interest in cell lysates.