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Roche

Global pharmaceuticals and diagnostics company

Principal Associate - Immunology Discovery

Full-TimeUpdated
No salary listed
Expert
PhD, MD
Shanghai, China
In PersonTravel frequency is less than 25%.
Biology & BiotechTranslational Research & Bench Biology

About the job

Requirements
  • A Ph.D. in immunology, molecular biology, mucosal immunology, nephrology, rheumatology, or a related field is required.
  • Medical knowledge with an MD is a plus.
  • Deep knowledge of immunology and related fields is preferred.
  • Knowledge of disease biology of the gut, kidneys, and connective tissues is preferred.
  • Experience in drug discovery, target identification, and validation is a plus.
  • Proficiency in designing and conducting experiments using state-of-the-art techniques in cell biology, immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and pharmacology is required.
  • Ability to contribute to scientific publications is required.
  • Good communication skills in English and the ability to present results inside and outside the company are required.
  • Qualifications and years of experience determine the title level among Scientist, Senior Scientist, and Principal Scientist.
Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with immunology, rheumatology, and nephrology scientists and associates to provide biology support to preclinical and clinical studies for discovery and development of small-molecule therapeutic agents in autoimmune and kidney diseases.
  • Contribute new hypotheses, target identification, and execution of key experiments for target validation.
  • Support project initiation and progression, and draft and execute research plans for nominating new projects.
  • Lead and execute key in-vitro and in-vivo pharmacological experiments, coordinate cross-functional discovery project communication, and support projects with biology expertise, as appropriate to experience.
  • Design and implement in-vitro and in-vivo studies to assess potency and selectivity and elucidate molecular mechanisms of drug action and efficacy in line with scientific considerations and team or project goals.
  • Drive or support target identification in collaboration with translational medicine, disease biology research, and chemistry teams.
  • Initiate new drug-discovery projects based on scientific insight and cross-functional input.
  • Analyze scientific results, interpret findings, and present them collaboratively.
  • Initiate and execute research activities to identify and characterize novel therapeutic targets and compounds.
  • Investigate and develop methods or technologies to advance projects rapidly.
  • Prepare standard operating protocols, study reports, and high-quality manuscripts.
  • Organize and maintain the laboratory and train associates or junior scientists, as required.
  • Work a flexible schedule to meet deadlines.
Desired Qualifications
  • Apply drug-discovery skills to assess the potency, selectivity, safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of novel molecules.
  • Industrial experience in drug discovery.
  • Overseas education or training experience.

About the company

Roche is a global leader in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. It develops medicines and diagnostic tools that help detect, monitor, and treat diseases, using research and biotechnology to drive new therapies and tests. Roche combines drug development with in-house diagnostic products to support personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to individual patients based on test results. Its approach differs from many peers by integrating drug discovery with diagnostic capabilities and by expanding its research through strategic acquisitions (like Genentech) to strengthen its biotechnology and R&D capabilities. The company’s goal is to improve patient outcomes and healthcare worldwide by delivering reliable medicines, accurate diagnostic tests, and data-driven care.

Company Size

1-10

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Basel, Switzerland

Founded

1896

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Enicepatide delivered 15.5% weight loss in September 2026 and 22.7% in June.
  • pTau217 can scale immediately through Roche's existing lab network and improve Alzheimer diagnostics.
  • Roche's June 2026 data and September 2026 filings signal multiple obesity shots on goal.

What critics are saying

  • Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk dominate obesity pricing, distribution, and physician mindshare today.
  • Enicepatide remains Phase II-only; Roche starts late-stage glycemic and cardiovascular studies in 2027.
  • If enicepatide disappoints, Roche burns its $2.7 billion Carmot bet and loses obesity credibility.

What makes Roche unique

  • Roche combines pharma, diagnostics, and installed cobas labs across 4,500 U.S. instruments.
  • Elecsys pTau217 won FDA clearance on August 24, 2026, and CE marking September 7.
  • Roche controls obesity assets from Carmot and Zealand, spanning GLP-1/GIP and amylin.

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Benefits

  • Performance Bonus

Company News

Yahoo Finance
Oct 27th, 2026
Zymeworks signs Roche deal worth up to $718M in milestones, shows 65% response in ovarian cancer

Zymeworks has agreed a collaboration with Roche on ZW209, a T-cell engager that targets DLL3-positive tumours, including small cell lung cancer. The deal is subject to Hart-Scott-Rodino Act clearance. Zymeworks would receive $55 million upfront and $40 million when a Phase 1b study begins. It could also earn up to $718 million in milestones, plus tiered royalties from high single digits to mid-teens. Roche would fund research and development, and take over later development and commercialisation. Zymeworks will run the first global trial. Zymeworks also reported updated data for ZW191 in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. In high-grade serous disease, confirmed response rates were 65% at 6.4 mg/kg and 55% at 9.6 mg/kg. The company is seeking partners to fund further development.

Yahoo Finance
Oct 27th, 2026
Roche wins CE Mark for compact cobas smart e immunoanalyser with 100+ planned assays

Roche has received the CE Mark for its cobas smart e immunoanalyser, a compact testing platform for smaller hospitals and laboratories. The company announced the approval in Basel on October 27, 2026. The device fits in a footprint of under one square metre and has a planned menu of over 100 assays. Reaction times are 18 minutes or less for more than 90% of Roche immunoassays, which can help local facilities cut turnaround times. It uses the same reagents and Elecsys technology as Roche's high-throughput systems, so results stay consistent across sites. Roche says it needs one minute of daily operator input and cuts hands-on maintenance by up to two-thirds compared with earlier platforms. It joins the cobas e 402 and cobas e 801 units, completing a range for clinics through to large hospital laboratories.

Yahoo Finance
Oct 26th, 2026
Zymeworks licenses ZW209 to Roche in deal worth up to $813M, with $55M upfront

Zymeworks has granted Roche exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise ZW209, a DLL3-targeting trispecific T-cell engager. The deal brings $55.0 million upfront, up to $758.0 million in further milestones, and tiered royalties. Roche will take on most later development and commercialisation work. That fits Zymeworks' partnership-heavy, capital-light model, though future cash from ZW209 now depends largely on Roche meeting its own targets. The company also reported Phase 1 data for ZW191, an ovarian cancer antibody-drug conjugate. It showed activity across folate receptor alpha expression levels and a more favourable tolerability profile at 6.4mg/kg.

Yahoo Finance
Oct 26th, 2026
ESMO 2026: Moderna vaccine debate, Roche's $3.6B KRAS bet and Amgen's lung cancer data

Three cancer drug trials drew attention at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) meeting, with investors and analysts weighing the results. Moderna and Merck's vaccine intismeran autogene cut the relative risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 42% in a Phase 3 trial. Moderna's shares have still fallen by double digits since the results leaked early, as investors question its valuation and the vaccine's manufacturing and commercial potential. Roche's divarasib reduced the risk of death or disease progression by 42% in KRAS G12C lung cancer, beating Krazati and Lumakras. Patients lived a median of about 18 months, versus a year. Roche raised its peak sales forecast from 3.6 billion Swiss francs to 3 billion. Amgen's Imdelltra, combined with Imfinzi, cut the risk of death by 58% in small cell lung cancer. Median survival was 21.1 months, against 12.7 months for Imfinzi alone.

Yahoo Finance
Oct 22nd, 2026
Roche reaffirms outlook as Q3 sales rise 7% to $19.6B, but growth doubts linger

Roche reaffirmed its 2025 outlook on Thursday and beat third-quarter sales expectations, but questions about its long-term growth remain. Group sales rose 7% to 16.1 billion Swiss francs (about $19.6 billion), ahead of the 15.8 billion franc consensus estimate. Jefferies analyst Michael Leuchten said a new resource planning system boosted revenue, making the results "cosmetically ahead." Roche still expects group sales growth in the "mid single digit range" and did not raise guidance. Sales of allergy and asthma drug Xolair reached only 848 million francs, well below estimates. A copycat version launched in the US this month, and Ocrevus and Tecentriq face generic competition by 2030. Roche is counting on its breast cancer pill giredestrant, which awaits a US Food and Drug Administration decision by December 18, and on obesity drugs. It says the products could together reach $9 billion in peak annual sales.