Biostatistics PhD Summer Internship

Location: Welwyn, United Kingdom

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 PositionThe Opportunity

Roche, one of the leading global pharmaceutical companies, is delighted to announce the opening of its 2027 internship scheme for UK PhD students to join the Biostatistics team within the Product Development Data Sciences and Analytics (PDD) department located in Welwyn Garden City, UK.

Our biostatistics interns will work full-time for 10 weeks (extendable to 12 weeks) at our Roche Welwyn site under the supervision of experienced statisticians and data scientists. Interns will work on theoretical or applied problems with direct relevance to Roche’s ongoing clinical drug development in therapeutic areas such as oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, or neuroscience.

There will be opportunities to interact with Roche’s global network of over 600 statisticians and data scientists. In addition to engaging in an exciting research topic, interns will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the work of statisticians and data scientists within the pharmaceutical industry and see how they add value to clinical development plans. Interns will learn both new technical and non-technical skills highly relevant to their future careers. At the end of the internship, students will give a department-wide presentation on their research topic.

Who you are

Applicants must currently be registered on a UK PhD programme with a significant methodological focus on statistics or data science, alongside relevant research experience within areas such as biostatistics/epidemiologists, statistics or mathematics, ideally but not necessarily with experience in the health sector. Applicants are required to have successfully passed their initial annual PhD review (typically held at 10-15 months) and must not have completed their PhD viva voce before the application closing date.

Application Process

Applications close on Friday, 13 November 2026. The application process may be extended beyond this date but could close at any point after this time.

Phase I: CV and Cover Letter Review (Your cover letter should not exceed two pages.)

As part of your cover letter, Roche is keen to understand your motivation in applying for this position. Also please include the following information:

An introduction about yourself, confirming your availability for the face-to-face interview.

Information about your PhD programme, current PhD status and year, confirmation that you have passed the initial annual review, and the expected viva voce date/year.

A list of methodological or applied projects you have worked on in your PhD thesis, master’s dissertation, substantial undergraduate projects or previous internships and extracurricular activities, highlighting those within the relevant areas listed in the Requirements section.

An explanation of why you are interested in the Roche internship programme, highlighting any relevant experience with health & medicine, biology, clinical trials or other non-statistical topics relevant to Roche.

A description of broad areas (and specific topics, if you have any) in which you would be interested in working during the internship.

A description of any skills or experience you have relevant to the role, such as team-working, multidisciplinary communication skills, etc.

An explanation of whether you are eligible to work in the UK, have any visa restrictions or considerations regarding the paid/unpaid pathway, etc.

As an appendix to your cover letter, you can optionally attach a deliverable about one methodological or applied research project you have worked on and (nearly) completed, such as a published paper, working paper, master’s dissertation, or project report.

Phase II: In-person interview: Applicants should be available for a face-to-face interview in Welwyn Garden City on Friday 5th February 2027.

Please note:  Unfortunately visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Candidates must already hold valid authorisation to work in the UK.

Remuneration

Roche offers a competitive salary to a limited number of interns, who would normally be expected to pause their PhD stipend. For applicants from PhD programmes in which internships are an integral part of their PhD training (e.g., via the "Leave to Work Away" route while remaining registered in their PhD programme and continuing to receive the PhD stipend) or for those with visa-related restrictions, Roche can offer an unpaid internship, with alternative support to be agreed on a case-by-case basis. Authorisation from the university will normally be required to confirm the arrangement of the internship.

Working Environment and Culture

Roche offers the excellent benefits you would expect from a blue-chip organisation. There is a fully equipped gym on-site, a library and information centre, and an active sports and social club. We also have a subsidised staff restaurant providing food to cater to every taste throughout the day. At the heart of the building is an informal meeting area known as ‘The Street,’ which features a coffee shop, snack machines and cashpoint. A second building on-site, called ‘The Hub,’ contains modern meeting rooms and conference facilities.

Roche promotes personal well-being and work-life balance; therefore, flexible working options will be considered for all roles at Roche UK. Roche is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We foster diversity, equity and inclusion to reflect the communities we serve. When addressing healthcare on a global scale, di