Roche Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) & Agentic AI Engineering Support Internship

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG; Kuilsrivier; On-site; ZAR 123,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche Diagnostics in Cape Town invites recent graduates to join a 12-month Internship in Next-Generation Sequencing and AI Engineering Support. You will apply your biological or computational science background to build AI tools that assist reagent and assay development, while learning from seasoned experts.

You’ll develop Python pipelines, verify AI outputs against real data, and collaborate across teams to translate scientific requirements into practical AI utilities.

Qualifications

• Honours or Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Biochemistry, Computational Biology or Bioinformatics with AI/ML experience.
• Foundational understanding of core molecular biology and assay principles (PCR/qPCR, nucleic acid chemistry, sequencing concepts).
• Proven ability to write Python code for data processing, scripting, or tool development.
• Hands-on experience with AI tools, LLM APIs, or prompt development beyond basics.

Responsibilities

• Build AI tools and Python pipelines to analyse specifications, literature, and SOPs for assay design.
• Verify model outputs with accurate citations and assay data attribution.
• Interrogate scientific literature and reagent performance criteria with computational tools.
• Design automated tests to evaluate AI tools against real-world biological examples.
• Collaborate with Assay & Reagent Development scientists to translate requirements into AI utilities.
• Document code architectures, testing outcomes, and failure-case analyses.

Skills

Python programming

AI tools

Biology background

Education

Honours or Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology/Genomics/Computational Biology

Tools

Python

LLM APIs

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.

Roche Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) & Agentic AI Engineering Support Internship Program

Are you eager to bridge biological science, molecular assay design and practical Artificial Intelligence tools to shape the future of genomics? The Roche Diagnostics R&D teams in Cape Town are seeking a highly motivated and talented recent graduate to join our 12-month Internship program. Housed directly within the Sequencing Assay & Reagent Development function. You will apply your biological understanding to build and evaluate practical AI tools that assist scientists in reagent and assay development while supporting data-driven decision-making.

What you’ll do as an intern in Sequencing Assay & Reagent Development, you will play a key role in bringing practical AI and data workflows into everyday assay design and laboratory research. Responsibilities include:

• Build AI Tools for Development: Develop and refine Python pipelines and LLM agent workflows that analyse dense technical specifications, scientific literature, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for assay design.
• Verify Model Accuracy & Quality: Build automated verification checks to ensure AI model outputs strictly match real biological evidence, correct citations, and assay data attribution.
• Interrogate Technical Literature: Apply computational and bioinformatics tools to evaluate scientific documents, NGS assay criteria, and reagent performance requirements.
• Build & Refine Test Pipelines: Design structured prompts and automated verification tests to evaluate AI tool performance against real-world scientific examples.
• Bridge Science & Computing: Partner with Assay & Reagent Development scientists to understand their daily lab and design workflows, turning scientific requirements into practical AI utilities.
• Maintain Technical R&D Documentation: Document code architectures, testing outcomes, and failure-case analysis to support diagnostic product development. Keep meticulous lab records, analyse experimental data, and prepare clear, comprehensive reports to support project goals.

Who You Are

We’re looking for recent graduates with a solid scientific foundation in biological or computational sciences with a strong interest and practical talent for AI tools and Python programming.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Recently completed (within the last 2 years) an Honours or Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Biochemistry, Computational Biology or Bioinformatics with experience applying Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning, or closely related field.
• Biological Understanding: Foundational understanding of core molecular biology and assay principles (e.g., PCR/qPCR, nucleic acid chemistry, or sequencing concepts) to comprehend assay development workflows.
• Python Programming Strength: Proven ability to write Python code for data processing, script automation, or tool development.
• AI & LLM Enthusiasm: Hands-on experience or active projects working with AI tools, LLM APIs, or prompt development beyond basic introductory concepts.
• Highly Desirable Experience:
  • Assay / Reagent Development: Practical experience with NGS library preparation workflows, reagent chemistry, or enzyme kinetics.
  • Bioinformatics Exposure: Practical experience with sequence alignment, bioinformatics databases, or computational biology tools.
  • AI Agent Frameworks: Exposure to LLM evaluation methods, agent frameworks (e.g., custom Python agents), or structured output formats.

Key Skills:

• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities.
• Exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.

What You’ll Gain

This program is designed to be a powerful launchpad for your career bridging biotechnology and computational AI. You will receive:

• Hands-On Training: Work alongside experienced Bioinformatics scientists, gaining real-world training in Product Development and AI engineering.
• Cross-Functional R&D Exposure: Real-world insight into how computational utilities directly support wet-lab sequencing assay and reagent development.
• Applied AI Engineering Skills: Practical experience building reliable, verifiable AI tools for scientific literature and product design and development.
• Dedicated Mentorship: Receive personalised guidance and career advice from our senior scientists and specialists.
• A Clear Career Pathway: Build a unique competitive profile combining molecular biological skills with practical AI tool development experience.

Who We Are

Roche Diagnostics is a global leader in healthcare, dedicated to our purpose of Doing now what patients need next. At our Cape Town site, we play a pivotal role in this global mission, driving scientific innovation to create diagnostic solutions that improve health outcomes for all. Join a team that exemplifies a spirit of inclusivity, excellence, and collaboration.

Program Details Location: Cape Town, South Africa Duration: 12 Months

Ready to reshape the future of assay and reagent development with us?

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.