The Roche Postdoctoral Fellowship (RPF) Programme remains active, but applications are made through individual Roche postdoctoral job advertisements rather than one annual central call. Roche states that RPF appointments normally run for 2–4 years, use joint Roche–academic mentoring, and currently involve approximately 80 ongoing collaborations.
Roche Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 at a Glance
The Roche Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is designed to connect talented postdoctoral researchers with Roche scientists and academic collaborators on defined research projects of strategic value to Roche R&D.
Roche states that the programme currently includes approximately 80 ongoing RPF collaborations and that individual fellowships are normally designed for 2–4 years.
| Programme | Roche Postdoctoral Fellowship (RPF) Programme |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Roche |
| Current status | Active; individual RPF vacancies are advertised through Roche Careers |
| Typical duration | 2–4 years |
| Mentoring model | Roche internal scientist + academic researcher |
| Current programme scale | Approximately 80 ongoing RPF collaborations, according to Roche |
| Programme directory locations | Roche’s current early-career directory lists the Postdoc Program under Switzerland and Germany; verify the actual location in each vacancy |
| Programme-wide deadline | None published |
| Application route | Search Roche Careers for “postdoc”, use relevant R&D / Entry Level filters, and confirm the job description explicitly mentions the RPF Programme |
How the Roche Postdoctoral Fellowship Works
Roche describes the RPF Programme as an industry–academia research model. Fellows work on defined research questions while receiving scientific mentorship from both a Roche internal scientist and an academic researcher.
- Research focus: projects are intended to generate new scientific knowledge, technologies or methods relevant to Roche R&D.
- Dual mentoring: each RPF combines Roche scientific supervision with academic mentorship.
- Publication objective: Roche states that a programme objective is to advance basic science and technologies suitable for peer-reviewed publication, with patent protection considered where appropriate.
- Scientific community: Roche organises an annual RPF symposium bringing together fellows, Roche researchers and academic mentors.
How to Find Current Roche RPF Openings
Roche instructs prospective applicants to use its careers site to locate active postdoctoral roles.
| Search Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Keyword | Search for postdoc |
| Function | Select Research & Development where available |
| Job level | Select Entry Level where available |
| RPF confirmation | Check that the job description explicitly refers to the Roche Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme |
| Deadline | Use the date shown in the individual live advertisement |
Roche RPF Eligibility
Eligibility must be assessed against the individual RPF vacancy. Roche’s central programme page does not publish one universal eligibility matrix that applies to every postdoctoral project.
| Eligibility Point | How to Interpret It |
|---|---|
| Doctoral qualification | This is a postdoctoral programme. Check the exact degree and subject requirement in the individual vacancy. |
| Research expertise | Must match the scientific and technical requirements stated for the project. |
| Years since PhD | No universal limit is stated on the current central RPF page; follow the vacancy. |
| Nationality / work authorisation | Do not assume worldwide eligibility. Check the employing location and vacancy-specific requirements. |
| English / language tests | The central RPF page does not prescribe a universal TOEFL or IELTS requirement. |
Duration, Mentoring and Research Environment
Roche’s dedicated RPF page states that fellowships are designed for 2–4 years. Each fellowship is mentored by a Roche internal scientist and an academic researcher.
Roche also describes an annual RPF symposium hosted at one of its global pRED research sites. The company lists Basel, Zurich, Munich, Copenhagen, London, New York and Shanghai in connection with this symposium.
Roche’s current Student and Graduate Programmes directory lists the Postdoc Program under Switzerland and Germany. Individual vacancies should still be checked for the exact site and employing entity.
Salary, Funding and Benefits
Roche’s central RPF programme page does not publish one universal salary, stipend, relocation allowance, research budget or benefits package for every fellow.
| Salary / stipend | No single programme-wide amount published on the central RPF page |
|---|---|
| Research budget | No universal amount stated for all RPF fellows |
| Relocation support | Do not assume one standard package; check the role and formal offer |
| Employee benefits | Can depend on location and employing Roche entity |
Application Documents
Roche’s current general application guidance states that uploading a CV/resume is mandatory. Other documents and questions can vary by role.
| Document / Information | Current Guidance |
|---|---|
| CV / resume | Mandatory in Roche’s general online application workflow |
| Job-specific application questions | May be required for an individual vacancy |
| Cover letter / motivation statement | Submit when requested by the live advertisement |
| Research statement / proposal | Do not assume it is universally required; follow the vacancy |
| Recommendation letters | Not listed as a universal central RPF requirement; provide if requested |
| Transcripts / language scores / passport | Not a universal central RPF requirement; provide only when the specific application or later employment process requests them |
How to Apply for a Roche Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Search Roche Careers. Use “postdoc” as the keyword and apply appropriate Research & Development / Entry Level filters.
- Confirm the role is part of RPF. Roche specifically advises applicants to check that the job description mentions the Roche Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme.
- Read the complete vacancy. Check degree requirements, scientific expertise, work location, start-date expectations and closing date.
- Prepare a role-specific CV. Roche states that a CV/resume is mandatory for its online application.
- Complete vacancy-specific questions. Some applications can include additional role-specific questions.
- Review the extracted CV information. Roche’s application system may parse information from the uploaded CV; verify it before submitting.
- Submit through Roche Careers. Follow the instructions in the live advertisement rather than sending materials through an unofficial route.
- Use Candidate Home. After submitting, use the Roche Candidate Home account to follow application status and communications.
What happens after submission?
Roche states that applications are reviewed against the job requirements. When there is a match, the application may proceed to the hiring manager. The interview format and timeline can vary by position.
CareerAidHub Applicant Guidance
Apply to the project, not just the Roche brand
RPF recruitment is role-specific. Your application should show direct alignment with the scientific question, methods and research environment described in the vacancy.
Put the strongest match near the top of your CV
Prioritise the techniques, disease area, data platform, experimental system or computational expertise most relevant to the advertised RPF project.
Show research ownership
Explain your contribution to study design, troubleshooting, analysis, interpretation and publication rather than presenting only a list of laboratory methods.
Demonstrate collaborative research
Because the RPF model explicitly links Roche scientists with academic researchers, evidence of successful cross-disciplinary or multi-institutional collaboration can be particularly relevant.
Do not reuse unsupported programme-wide claims
Use the exact salary, eligibility, documents, location and deadline from the live advertisement. Do not assume details from a previous Roche postdoctoral vacancy automatically apply to a new one.
Researchers can also explore CareerAidHub’s postdoctoral fellowships, research jobs and scientist jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Roche Postdoctoral Fellowship active in 2026?
Yes. Roche continues to operate the RPF Programme, but applications are made to individual live vacancies rather than through one annual central call.
How long is the Roche RPF Programme?
Roche’s dedicated RPF page states that fellowships are designed for 2–4 years.
Is there one Roche RPF deadline?
No single programme-wide deadline is published. Use the closing date shown in the individual Roche vacancy.
How do I find RPF vacancies?
Roche advises candidates to search its careers site for “postdoc,” use the relevant Research & Development and Entry Level filters, and confirm that the vacancy explicitly mentions the RPF Programme.
What documents are required?
A CV/resume is mandatory in Roche’s general application workflow. Additional documents depend on the individual vacancy.
Is there a universal four-years-since-PhD rule?
Roche’s current central RPF page does not state one universal four-years-since-PhD limit. Applicants should follow the eligibility criteria in the live vacancy.
Does Roche publish one standard RPF salary?
No single programme-wide salary is published on the central RPF page. Compensation should be verified from the vacancy and formal offer.
Where are Roche Postdoc Program opportunities listed?
Roche’s current Student and Graduate Programmes directory lists the Postdoc Program under Switzerland and Germany. The exact work location must still be verified in each live vacancy.
Official Roche Sources
| Programme | Roche Postdoctoral Fellowship (RPF) Programme |
|---|---|
| Current status | Active / vacancy-based applications |
| Typical duration | 2–4 years |
| Mentoring model | Roche internal scientist + academic researcher |
| Current programme scale | Approximately 80 ongoing RPF collaborations |
| Programme-wide deadline | None published |
| CV / resume | Mandatory in Roche’s general application workflow |
| Postdoc Program directory | Currently listed under Switzerland and Germany |
| Last verified | 21 September 2026 |
