Principal Scientist, Human Genetics (African Genomics Program)

Roche; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 850,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A global healthcare innovator is seeking a Principal Scientist in Human Genetics in Cape Town. The role involves leveraging African genomics to drive research and therapeutic strategies. Ideal candidates should have a Ph.D. in statistical genetics or a related field, with significant experience in human genetics research, especially in diverse populations. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential for collaboration and presenting findings effectively.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in human genetics research.
• Strong proficiency in statistical methods.
• Experience with association studies in diverse cohorts.

Responsibilities

• Analyze genetic data from African populations.
• Identify genetic disease risks and therapeutic responses.
• Lead biomarker discovery and clinical strategies.

Skills

Statistical genetics

Data analysis

Genetic epidemiology

Leadership

Communication

Education

PhD in relevant field

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

A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come.

Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love.

That’s what makes us Roche.

The Opportunity

Roche Africa is seeking a Principal Scientist, Human Genetics (African Genomics Program)to join our team.

Are you ready to accelerate the application of African genomics to advance biological understanding and highlight novel therapeutic and biomarker strategies? The Genentech/Roche African Genomics Program invites applications for a Principal Scientist position focused on African genomics. Join us to leverage our extensive genetic, genomic, proteomic, and clinical data repositories with a focus on unique datasets generated through the Roche African Genomics Program. Drive innovative research strategies that allow us to describe the genetic basis of disease risk and therapeutic response, and to support patient stratification. Collaborate with recognized scientific leaders in industry and academia to make breakthrough healthcare solutions a reality.

Key Challenges

• Spearhead analysis of genetic and genomic data gathered from African and African-descent populations to uncover novel biology, in close collaboration with our academic collaborators and with the human genetics and computational teams within Roche

• Identify and characterize genetic disease risk, progression, and therapeutic responses in African- and African-descent populations

• Utilize large-scale experimental and computational capabilities, including AI/ML, to place genetic findings in their functional context.

• Implement research strategies to translate these insights into novel opportunities for therapy, prevention and diagnosis

• Lead efforts in target identification, causal inference, biomarker discovery, and clinical strategies, working closely with our research and clinical development teams to prioritize and advance targets into therapeutic development.

• Contribute to a collaborative community involving research biology, clinical development, translational medicine, and computational sciences teams.

Who You Are as an Ideal Candidate

• You are a PhD with a strong focus on statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, or related fields, and strong proficiency in the development and/or application of statistical methods

• Strong computational skills, including large-scale data analysis and causal inference.

• 5-10 years of experience using human genetics to understand diseases, in academia and/or industry with a focus on association studies in ancestrally-diverse cohorts

• Recognized leader in your field, equivalent to an assistant professor at a top research university.

• Excellent research record with scientific publications in top-tier journals.

• Passionate about leveraging emerging African data sets to solve biological questions and deliver health care advances.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to present and explain findings to diverse audiences (excellent written & spoken English are essential).

• Proven ability to deliver compelling external presentations

• Motivated to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment

• Ability to operate independently, be an active proactive problem solver and demonstrate strong critical thinking and systems awareness.

• Ability to travel

Preferred

• Experience forming and/or participating in consortium research efforts

• Experience in industry and/or biotechnology settings and/or public health/policy

• Fluency in French or Portuguese a plus

• Africa-based candidates strongly preferred (location preference: Nairobi, Johannesburg/Cape Town)

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.