Internship in AI for Laboratory Automation (Pharma Research & Early Development)

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG; Basel; On-site; CHF 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED) Basel invites you to join a 6-month internship to explore how large language models can automate lab workflows. You will connect LLMs to laboratory equipment and software, enabling natural language interactions and automated tasks.

You'll evaluate tools, develop a PoC with a liquid handling system, run tests, document results, and collaborate with scientists and automation experts.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or current enrolment in a related MSc/PhD program.
• Strong Python programming experience.
• Interest in large language models and AI agent integration with external tools.
• Familiarity with APIs and software integration (Git) is desired.

Responsibilities

• Explore tools/frameworks to connect LLMs with lab equipment and software.
• Develop a PoC connecting an LLM to a liquid handling system.
• Translate natural language instructions into executable lab workflows.
• Design tests to evaluate reliability, accuracy, and limitations.
• Collaborate with scientists and automation experts; document findings and provide recommendations.

Skills

Python

APIs

Git

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science / Data Science / Engineering / Bioinformatics or current Master/PhD

Tools

Laboratory automation software

LLMs / AI agents

Job description

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 At Roche, we are dedicated to advancing healthcare solutions through innovation and cutting-edge technology. We strive to transform patients' lives and believe that good business contributes to a better world. Our commitment to scientific rigor, ethical standards, and global access to medical innovations drives our daily work towards building a better tomorrow. Within Roche Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED), the Translational Drug Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics (tDMPK/PD) department plays an important role in understanding how potential drug candidates behave in the body. Our work combines experimental research, computational modeling, and advanced analytical technologies to investigate drug properties and support decisions throughout drug discovery and development. We are expanding our capabilities in laboratory automation and digitalization, exploring how new technologies, including artificial intelligence, can improve laboratory workflows and make our research more efficient.

The Opportunity You will explore how large language models (LLMs) can be used to automate laboratory workflows in pharmaceutical research. The project focuses on connecting LLMs with laboratory equipment and software, allowing users to interact with laboratory systems through natural language and automate selected tasks. Your work will involve evaluating existing tools and frameworks for LLM-based automation, developing a proof of concept using a laboratory liquid handling system, and assessing the potential and limitations of this approach in a real laboratory environment.

Specifically, you will:

• Research and compare existing tools and frameworks for connecting LLMs with external software and laboratory equipment.
• Develop a proof of concept that connects an LLM to a laboratory liquid handling system through suitable software interfaces.
• Explore how natural language instructions can be translated into executable laboratory workflows.
• Design and perform tests to evaluate the reliability, accuracy, and limitations of the developed approach.
• Collaborate with laboratory scientists and automation experts to understand existing workflows and identify suitable applications.
• Document your implementation, summarize your findings, and provide recommendations for further development.

Who You Are

• You hold a Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Bioinformatics, or a related field; or are currently enrolled in a relevant Master's or PhD program.
• You have strong programming skills in Python and experience with software development.
• You have experience with or a strong interest in large language models (LLMs), AI agents, and their integration with external tools.
• You are familiar with APIs, software integration, and version control systems such as Git.
• You have an interest in laboratory automation and robotics.
• Previous experience with laboratory instruments or automation software is an advantage.
• You enjoy exploring new technologies and solving open-ended technical problems.
• You are comfortable working independently and collaborating with colleagues from different scientific backgrounds.
• You have a good command of spoken and written English.

Additional Information

The internship (100%) will be located at the Roche Pharma Research Center in Basel.

Please note that PhD students need to remain enrolled for the entire duration of the internship.

Start: Upon your availability for a period of 6 months with the possibility to extend.

Please note that due to cantonal regulation reasons, NON-EU/-EFTA nationals need to provide a confirmation by their university stating that an internship is mandatory for their studies.

Who we are

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. We believe it’s urgent to deliver medical solutions right now – even as we develop innovations for the future. We are passionate about transforming patients’ lives. We are courageous in both decision and action. And we believe that good business means a better world. That is why we come to work each 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. We are proud of who we are, what we do, and how we do it. We are many, working as one across functions, across companies, and across the world. We are Roche.