UX Research & Design Intern, Site Experience

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Research & Design Intern, Site Experience

Company: Roche

Location: Basel, Basel-City, Switzerland

Job Type: Full time, Intern, Temporary

Category: User Experience (UX) / Design Operations

Date Posted: February 16, 2026

Experience Level: Intern (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on enhancing the employee experience within a large corporate setting, bridging the gap between employees and the future campus environment through user-centric design and data-driven insights.

• The role involves active participation in shaping the "Site Experience" by understanding employee needs and translating them into actionable improvements for workplace services and digital tools.

• Opportunities will be provided to gain end-to-end experience in UX research projects, learning to convert qualitative data into strategic decisions and fostering cross-functional collaboration.

• The intern will contribute to defining and analyzing Customer Experience (CX) metrics, supporting the development of a "Site Experience Hub," and taking ownership of smaller design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title and description are clearly UX/Design focused, the emphasis on "Site Experience," "Employee Experience," and "Services" within a large corporate campus suggests a strong operational component. This role will likely involve understanding and optimizing internal processes and user journeys for employees, which aligns with GTM and operations support functions from an internal perspective. The mention of "data-based insights" and "CX metrics" further strengthens this connection to operational efficiency and data analysis.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• User Research & Insights: Plan and execute qualitative and quantitative research activities (e.g., interviews, surveys, observations) to deeply understand and document employee needs and pain points related to the campus environment.

• Journey Management: Support the development and maintenance of "Employee & Site Experience Journeys," Personas, and Empathy Maps to holistically optimize the on-site experience.

• Data & Measurement: Assist in defining and evaluating CX metrics, and contribute to the analysis and visualization of feedback data for the "Site Experience Hub."

• Prototyping & Design Sprints: Lead smaller projects or design sprints from ideation through to basic prototyping, demonstrating an ability to translate research findings into tangible design solutions.

• Consulting & Collaboration: Act as a partner to other teams, ensuring their solutions are developed with a user-centered approach and align with overall site experience goals.

• Cross-functional Partnership: Collaborate closely with the Site Experience Team, Product and Service Owners, and various Business Partners to gather requirements and disseminate insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for process understanding and optimization from an internal GTM perspective. Tasks like "Journey Management," "Data & Measurement," and "Consulting & Collaboration" require the intern to analyze existing employee workflows, identify inefficiencies, and propose data-backed improvements, mirroring core operations functions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Cognitive Sciences, Anthropology, or a closely related field.

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Qualitative & Quantitative Research: Proven ability to plan and execute various user research methodologies.

• Data Synthesis & Analysis: Strong capability to synthesize complex qualitative data into clear insights and practical experience in evaluating quantitative feedback data.

• Human-Centered Design: Deep understanding and application of HCD principles, Design Thinking, and User-Centered Design methodologies.

• CX Metrics & Journey Mapping: Familiarity with defining, measuring, and analyzing Customer Experience (CX) metrics, and proficiency in creating Journey Maps and Personas.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both German and English, with the ability to present findings persuasively to stakeholders.

• Prototyping & Design Tools: Basic proficiency in prototyping and design tools such as Figma or Lucid.

• Survey Tools: Experience with survey platforms like Qualtrics or Google Forms.

• Teamwork & Proactivity: A proactive, communicative, and feedback-oriented team player with a pioneering spirit and a willingness to take ownership.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with modern tech stacks, including tools like PyCharm, Dataiku, or Streamlit, indicating an interest in data-driven technology.

• Experience in transforming user insights into actionable product or service improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Mindset & Tech" requirement, specifically mentioning "modern tech stacks (e.g., PyCharm, Dataiku, Streamlit)," is a strong indicator of the company's operational focus on data analytics and potentially automation. While not directly listed as a core responsibility for the intern, exposure to these tools suggests an environment where data-driven decision-making and process optimization are paramount, common in advanced operations teams.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Research Case Studies: Showcase 1-2 detailed case studies from university projects or previous internships that highlight your approach to user research, from initial problem definition to final insights and recommendations.

• UX Process Walkthrough: Demonstrate your understanding of the end-to-end UX process, illustrating how you move from research to ideation, prototyping, and testing.

• Data Analysis Examples: Include examples of how you have analyzed qualitative feedback or quantitative survey data, showcasing your ability to derive meaningful insights.

• Design Deliverables: Present examples of artifacts created, such as Personas, Empathy Maps, or Journey Maps, to illustrate your understanding of user representation and experience mapping.

Process Documentation:

• Research Planning: Evidence of structured research plans, including objective setting, methodology selection, and participant recruitment strategies.

• Insight Synthesis: Clear documentation of how qualitative findings were synthesized and translated into actionable recommendations or design principles.

• Collaboration Artifacts: If possible, showcase examples of collaboration with others, such as design critiques or joint ideation sessions, highlighting your ability to work within a team.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an intern role, a formal "portfolio" might be less expected than a clear demonstration of academic or project work relevant to UX research. The emphasis should be on showcasing the process and methodology used, rather than just the final output. For an operations-minded candidate, highlighting how their UX research contributed to solving a problem or improving a user journey is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As this is an internship position in Switzerland, compensation will be commensurate with industry standards for intern roles in the Basel region. Base intern salaries in Basel typically range from CHF 3,000 to CHF 5,000 per month, depending on the specific field, company, and year of study.

Benefits:

• Professional Development: Hands-on experience in a leading global healthcare company with exposure to cutting-edge UX research and design practices.

• Mentorship: Guidance and support from experienced professionals within the Site Experience and UX teams.

• Networking Opportunities: Access to internal Roche events, seminars, and opportunities to connect with professionals across various departments.

• Campus Experience: Opportunity to work and learn within a dynamic corporate campus environment in Basel.

• Stipend: Competitive monthly stipend as per Swiss intern standards.

• Potential for Future Opportunities: Successful completion of the internship may open doors for future career opportunities within Roche.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate academic schedules where feasible. The internship duration is specified as 12 months.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on general intern compensation standards in Switzerland, specifically Basel, and the nature of the role. Actual compensation will be confirmed by Roche. The benefits are tailored to reflect typical intern offerings at large multinational corporations in the life sciences sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics. Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, driven by a mission to advance science and improve patient lives.

Company Size: Over 100,000 employees globally. This large scale means robust processes, significant resources, and diverse opportunities for impact.

Founded: 1896. With over a century of innovation, Roche has a deep-rooted history in scientific advancement and a strong commitment to long-term healthcare solutions.

Team Structure:

• Site Experience Team: This team acts as the central point for enhancing the employee and campus experience. It likely comprises specialists in facilities management, digital services, employee engagement, and UX.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The intern will work closely with Product and Service Owners, Business Partners, and potentially IT/digital transformation teams, facilitating a broad understanding of how different functions contribute to the overall employee journey.

• Reporting: The intern will report to a manager or lead within the Site Experience Team, receiving direct guidance and feedback on their projects.

Methodology:

• Human-Centered Design (HCD): The core methodology for this role, emphasizing understanding user needs to drive design decisions for services and digital tools.

• Data-Driven Insights: A strong focus on using qualitative and quantitative data to inform strategy and measure the impact of initiatives.

• Agile Principles: While not explicitly stated, the mention of "Design Sprints" and iterative improvement suggests an agile or lean approach to project execution.

Company Website: https://careers.roche.com/global/en

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission and scale are crucial context. For an operations-minded individual, understanding how a large, established pharmaceutical company manages its internal operations, employee experience, and digital transformation is key. The "Site Experience Team" can be viewed as an internal GTM function focused on employee productivity and satisfaction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship role, specifically designed for individuals early in their academic careers (Master's or Bachelor's level). It provides foundational exposure to UX research and design within a large corporate operational context.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report to a manager or senior team member within the Site Experience team, offering direct mentorship and oversight. This structure allows for focused learning and guided project execution.

Operations Impact: While not directly sales or revenue-generating, the intern's work on "Site Experience" has a significant indirect impact on productivity, employee satisfaction, and retention. A positive employee experience can lead to increased efficiency, better collaboration, and stronger company culture, all of which are pillars of successful operational execution.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Intensive learning in UX research methodologies, data analysis, human-centered design, and cross-functional collaboration within a corporate environment.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining practical experience in the highly regulated and innovative pharmaceutical/diagnostics industry.

• Networking: Building professional relationships with team members, product owners, and business partners at a global organization.

• Potential for Future Roles: A successful internship can serve as a strong stepping stone for future internships or entry-level positions within Roche or the broader life sciences industry, particularly in areas related to user experience, digital transformation, or operational support functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section frames the internship's value in terms of operational efficiency and employee productivity, aligning it with broader business objectives even though it's a UX-focused role. This perspective is valuable for candidates looking to bridge UX skills with operational outcomes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at Roche's Basel campus. This implies a professional, corporate office environment with access to extensive facilities and resources.

Office Location(s): Basel, Switzerland. This is a major hub for the pharmaceutical industry, offering a vibrant scientific and business community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role emphasizes working closely with various teams, suggesting an open and collaborative workspace designed for interaction and knowledge sharing.

• Resources & Technology: Access to modern office infrastructure, collaboration tools, and potentially specialized research equipment or software relevant to UX and data analysis.

• Team Interaction: Daily interaction with the Site Experience team and regular engagement with product owners and business partners across different departments.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week, over a 12-month duration. While professional, there's an expectation of flexibility suitable for an intern role, but the primary work will be conducted on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Workspace Context" highlights the operational environment – a large, well-resourced campus. This implies a structured way of working, with established processes for communication, resource allocation, and project management, which are all core aspects of operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, CV, and potentially a cover letter to assess qualifications and alignment with the role.

• First Interview (Recruiter/Hiring Manager): Focus on understanding your background, motivation for the internship, and initial fit with the company culture. May include behavioral questions.

• Technical/Skills Interview: This stage will likely involve assessing your UX research and design knowledge, potentially through a case study discussion or scenario-based questions. You might be asked to walk through a project from your academic work.

• Final Interview: Could involve meeting additional team members or stakeholders to assess cultural fit, collaboration potential, and overall suitability for the 12-month internship.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 1-2 projects that best demonstrate your UX research process, problem-solving skills, and ability to derive actionable insights.

• Focus on Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your methodology, the steps you took, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes or learnings.

• Highlight Data & Insights: Emphasize how you used qualitative and quantitative data to inform your decisions and recommendations. Show how you synthesized complex information into clear insights.

• Showcase Collaboration: If applicable, mention how you collaborated with others (peers, stakeholders) and how that influenced the project.

• Tailor to the Role: Briefly explain why your experience is relevant to enhancing the "Site Experience" at a large corporate campus.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand "Site Experience": Research what "site experience" typically entails in a large corporate setting – think about employee amenities, digital tools, physical spaces, service efficiency, and overall campus usability.

• Prepare UX Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach researching a specific employee pain point related to the campus environment (e.g., navigating buildings, accessing services, using digital platforms).

• Practice Data Synthesis: Think about how you would analyze survey data or interview transcripts to identify key themes and user needs.

• Articulate HCD: Be prepared to explain the Human-Centered Design process and how you apply its principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips are tailored to a UX internship but emphasize aspects relevant to operations: process, data analysis, problem-solving, and stakeholder collaboration. Candidates should focus on demonstrating a structured, analytical approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design: Figma, Lucid (basic knowledge required). These tools are essential for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to visualize design solutions.

• Survey Platforms: Qualtrics, Google Forms (basic knowledge required). Used for designing, distributing, and collecting data from user surveys.

• Research & Collaboration: Tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., NVivo, Dovetail - though not explicitly mentioned, they are common), and general collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack).

Analytics & Reporting:

• CX Metrics Analysis: While specific tools aren't listed, proficiency in analyzing user feedback, survey results, and potentially website/app analytics (if applicable to site services) will be crucial. The role involves helping to define and evaluate CX metrics.

• Data Visualization: Ability to present data clearly, potentially using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even advanced Excel/Google Sheets features, to support the "Site Experience Hub."

CRM & Automation:

• Data Management: Although not a CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and utilized for service improvement is relevant.

• Potential Exposure: The mention of "modern tech stacks (e.g., PyCharm, Dataiku, Streamlit)" suggests that the broader team might utilize these for more advanced data analysis, automation, or building internal tools. Familiarity or interest in these areas would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Tools & Technology Stack" section highlights specific UX tools but also hints at a broader data and tech focus with the mention of PyCharm, Dataiku, and Streamlit. For an operations-minded candidate, showing an interest or any prior exposure to these data-centric tools can be a significant advantage, indicating a readiness to engage with the operational backbone of the "Site Experience."

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Science: A core value at Roche, driving continuous improvement and the pursuit of cutting-edge solutions in healthcare and employee experience.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Essential for cross-functional projects, fostering a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and integrated.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasizing the use of insights from research and metrics to guide strategies and measure impact, a cornerstone of effective operations.

• User-Centricity: Placing the needs and experiences of employees at the forefront of all design and service development efforts.

• Integrity & Respect: Upholding high ethical standards and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is valued and respected, as highlighted in the company's opening statement.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with various departments, requiring strong communication and the ability to bridge different functional perspectives.

• Feedback-Oriented: The culture encourages open dialogue and feedback, both giving and receiving, which is vital for iterative design and process improvement.

• Proactive & Ownership-Driven: Team members are encouraged to take initiative, identify opportunities, and own their contributions, aligning with a proactive operational mindset.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Values" are framed through the lens of Roche's mission and the specific role's focus. The emphasis on "Data-Driven Decision Making" and "User-Centricity" directly aligns with operational excellence principles, especially in optimizing internal processes and employee productivity.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Research to Action: Translating qualitative research findings into concrete, implementable changes within a large, established corporate structure can be complex.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Balancing the diverse needs and priorities of various business partners and employee groups.

• Navigating Corporate Structures: Understanding and working effectively within the processes and hierarchies of a large multinational organization.

• Data Integration: Synthesizing insights from various sources (interviews, surveys, existing data) to build a holistic view of the "Site Experience."

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen UX Expertise: Gain hands-on experience in a wide range of UX research and design methodologies in a real-world corporate context.

• Industry Insight: Learn about the unique operational challenges and opportunities within the pharmaceutical and diagnostics sector.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Understand how UX and operational improvements impact different business functions within a large enterprise.

• Professional Skills: Develop critical soft skills such as communication, presentation, stakeholder management, and problem-solving in a professional setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Challenges" are framed to highlight areas where operational thinking is beneficial – process complexity, stakeholder management, and data integration. The "Learning & Development" section emphasizes how these challenges translate into valuable skill acquisition relevant to operations and GTM roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• On "Site Experience": "How would you approach understanding the current 'Site Experience' for employees at a large campus like Roche's? What research methods would you prioritize and why?" (Focus on structured approach, data sources, and prioritization).

• On "Data to Insights": "Describe a time you had to synthesize complex qualitative data into actionable insights. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your analytical process and ability to translate findings).

• On "Human-Centered Design": "How does Human-Centered Design apply to improving services or digital tools for employees on a corporate campus?" (Demonstrate understanding of HCD principles and practical application).

Company & Culture Questions:

• On Roche's Mission: "Why are you interested in interning at Roche, specifically within the Site Experience team, given our mission to advance healthcare?" (Connect your interests to Roche's broader goals and the team's function).

• On Collaboration: "This role involves working with many different teams. Describe your experience collaborating with diverse groups on projects." (Provide examples of effective teamwork and communication).

• On "Site Experience" Impact: "How do you see improving the 'Site Experience' impacting employee productivity and the overall operational efficiency of a company like Roche?" (Show strategic thinking about the indirect operational benefits of UX work).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your project(s) as a narrative: the problem, your role, your process, the challenges, your solution, and the results/learnings.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation is clean, well-organized, and visually appealing, highlighting key artifacts like journey maps or personas.

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate how you conducted your research and made design decisions, emphasizing your analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): Even for academic projects, try to highlight any measurable outcomes or valuable learnings. For this role, link UX outcomes to potential operational benefits (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced confusion).

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology, challenges, and how you would apply your learnings to the Roche context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions and preparation advice are geared towards assessing both UX skills and an understanding of operational impact. Candidates should emphasize their analytical capabilities, structured problem-solving approach, and ability to connect user experience to broader business and operational goals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Research & Design Internship position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Roche Careers website.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight relevant coursework, projects, and any prior internship experience related to UX research, data analysis, or process improvement. Use keywords from the job description such as "Human-Centered Design," "User Research," "Data Analysis," and "Journey Management."

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Select 1-2 strong academic or internship projects that best showcase your UX research process, analytical skills, and ability to derive insights. Ensure these are well-documented and easy to present.

• Research Roche & the Site Experience Team: Understand Roche's mission, values, and recent initiatives. Familiarize yourself with the concept of "Site Experience" in a large corporate setting and consider how your skills can contribute to its enhancement.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare answers to common behavioral and technical questions, particularly those focusing on your research methodology, problem-solving approach, and collaboration skills. Be ready to articulate the operational benefits of good UX.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.