Data Science Industrial Placement Student

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

Who We Are

At Roche, 97,000 people across 150 countries are pushing back the frontiers of healthcare. Working together, we’ve become one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups. Our success is built on innovation, curiosity and diversity.

Our UK Pharmaceutical head office, one of our primary global offices, is situated in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Supported by major motorways and airports, as well as being a 25-minute train ride to central London, access is easy. With over 1800 people occupying our site in Welwyn, you can expect interactions with Product Development (PD), Early Development (pRED), Commercial (Rx) and our corporate function. The extensive overlap and interaction with other functions means Roche provides an unmatched experience as well as ample networking opportunities.

The Opportunity

The Product Development Data Sciences (PDD) department in Roche's Pharmaceutical Division focuses on three core areas: identifying evidence needed in bringing our drugs to market, making high-quality data accessible and generating insights through data analysis. This involves leveraging diverse datasets from clinical trials, real-world evidence and digital sources to understand patient pathways, disease progression and patient outcomes.

Data science has become essential for extracting meaningful insights from the growing variety and complexity of data enabled by advances in digital technology. In biopharma, each data point represents part of a patient’s journey, contributing to the understanding of disease and the development of better medicines. Maximizing the potential of this data allows for groundbreaking analyses and insights.

The PDD Department in Welwyn Garden City is seeking industrial placement students starting in July 2026 for 13 months to support the advancement of medicines. Successful candidates will be evaluated for multiple roles across the department, each requiring a diverse range of skills. These roles offer opportunities to leverage your expertise or interest in areas such as:

Biostatistics:

Role: Biostatisticians use statistical methods to design and analyse the data collected in our clinical trials. We often collaborate with clinical scientists to interpret results, and work closely with other members of data science eg. Data Management and Statistical Programming, to ensure the quality and integrity of study data. We also conduct exploratory analyses, trialling new or alternative statistical methods to better understand our data, and inform decision making.

Skills: Knowledge and understanding of basic statistics; programming skills (R, SAS or other coding languages) are beneficial.

Statistical Programming:

Role: Analytical Data Scientist (ADS) - We are responsible for providing analytical and programming expertise for the reporting and analysis of clinical trials and related submissions to Health Authorities worldwide. We work closely with other members of data sciences, in particular biostatistics and data management, to ensure quality and integrity of study data. We also collaborate with other functional experts to determine appropriate analysis of data for respective disease areas.

Skills: Programming skills (R, SAS or anything else) are beneficial; ability to explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences; growth mindset; innovation

Data Management:

Role: Study Data Manager (SDM) - We are responsible for the collection, delivery and quality of data in standardized, quality clinical trial databases, in readiness for analysis by Statistical Programming and Biostatistics. We operate in a cross functional team and in partnership with external business partners utilizing a variety of data surveillance tools with disease area knowledge

Skills: Project Management - Programming experience is not essential

Role: Data Acquisition Specialist (DAS)- We are responsible for acquiring external data, eg. MRI images, spirometry, ECGs, biomarker data, in a standardized format for inclusion with the database captured clinical trial data. We operate in a cross functional team and in partnership with external vendors, utilizing a variety of data collection tools and scientific knowledge.

Skills: Programming experience is not essential

Role: Technical Excellence - We accelerate data delivery (acquisition, access & review) by innovative, sustainable and scalable solutions, including automation and AI/ML

Skills; programming skills (R, python or anything else); ability to explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences; any of Git; AI/ML; data visualisation (e.g. graphs); software development; CI/CD; database management/administration (e.g. SQL, AWS) are beneficial but not essential.

Business Operations:

Role: The Business Strategy & Operations team ensures regulatory alignment, quality, and compliance, manages vendor relationships, oversees data monitoring and healthcare professional interactions, drives efficiency through automation and knowledge management, and facilitates secure, transparent data sharing in compliance with data protection laws. Project management & strategic planning skills would be useful.

Quantitative Clinical Pharmacology:

Role: To support the conduct of Quantitative Clinical Pharmacology activities by creating ready to use analysis datasets, providing graphical evaluation of the data and conducting exploratory analysis.

Skills: R programming experience (or other coding language); familiarity with Microsoft Office, or Google equivalent; data visualisation (e.g. graphs); an interest in how biological systems work.

Real World & Clinical Data Strategy:

Role: We provide expertise and strategic oversight in the conceptualisation, design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of real world data studies, as well as secondary use and standardisation of both clinical trial data and trial operational data, for the development of access to Roche’s medicines.

There are numerous roles within this group, from: data strategy; evidence generation; data management; curation, integration and governance; and advanced analytics/programming.

Key skills: Communication (written and verbal); problem solving; collaboration and interpersonal skills; time management; analytical thinking; attention to detail

Comprehensive training and mentoring will be provided to equip you with the specific skills, tools and processes needed for success in each position.

Who You Are

To be considered for this opportunity, applicants should be:

An undergraduate in their second year of their Bachelor's/second or third year of their Integrated Masters Degree

Currently undertaking a relevant data-oriented subject (e.g. Biological/ Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Bioengineering, Computer Science etc.)

Interested in healthcare, data science and drug development - a passion for healthcare and enthusiasm are vital.

Experience or has knowledge in data handling and analysis techniques. Familiarity with programming languages like R, Python or SAS is advantageous for certain roles but not mandatory.

Values and contributes to a supportive and inclusive collaborative working environment.

Has a good understanding of their own strengths and areas for development.

If you're passionate about making a difference in patients' lives and possess the teamwork and innovation we're looking for, Roche could be the perfect fit for you. In return, we provide a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including a genuine interest in your career development and progression.

Applicants must be able to attend an in-person assessment centre on either 19th or 20th November 2025 at Roche's office in Welwyn Garden City.

Phase I:

Submission of Cover Letter & CV: Evaluation of technical skills, motivation and behaviors.

Phase II:

Video Interview: Assessment of motivation and passion.

Phase III:

Final Assessment Centre: This will involve a full day of interviews, group tasks and a technical test. We’ll be looking at your technical abilities, what motivates you and how you work with others. There is also time set aside for building tours and informal conversations with PDD members of staff.

Application Process deadline: Sunday, 26th October 2025

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.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of Roche Products Ltd. At Roche Products we believe diversity drives innovation and we are committed to building a diverse and flexible working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability or age. We recognise the importance of flexible working and will review all applicants’ requests with care. At Roche difference is valued and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer where you are encouraged to bring your whole self to work.