University Intern - Patient Engagement

Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH; Winnersh; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Boehringer Ingelheim UK is offering a 12-month paid internship based at our head office in Winnersh, starting September 2027. The role requires a minimum of two days per week in the office and offers exposure to Patient Engagement activities across our therapeutic areas.

As part of the PE team you will monitor patient community activities, support internal comms on the intranet, assist with team initiatives and planning, help develop PE content for planning processes, and participate in meetings

Qualifications

• Currently studying for a BSc in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry or Life Sciences and completing a placement year.
• A minimum of three A levels at ABB, or equivalent with at least one life science subject.
• The right to work in the UK for the full duration of the internship.

Responsibilities

• Support monitoring and mapping of patient community activities relevant to therapeutic areas.
• Assist internal communications and update PE intranet content.
• Contribute to PE-team initiatives, processes and ways of working.
• Support PE-related content for planning processes and meetings.
• Participate in internal and external meetings as required.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Time management

Proactive learning

Education

BSc in Life Sciences or related field

Job description

Number of opportunities: 1
Salary: £26,000 (Not flexible)
Closing date: 26/10/2026

This is a 12-month paid internship starting September 2027. The role is head office based requiring a minimum of 2 days a week to be worked from our office in Winnersh.

INTRODUCING THE OPPORTUNITY

Patient Engagement at Boehringer Ingelheim helps ensure that the voices, experiences and priorities of patients inform the decisions we make across the healthcare and innovation journey. Guided by our Patient-Powered Progress approach, we partner with patients, caregivers and patient organisations as equal experts, using lived experience to shape research, evidence generation, healthcare policy, market access and patient support initiatives. By gathering and applying patient insights, Patient Engagement helps improve strategic decision-making, strengthen partnerships and deliver better outcomes for patients, healthcare systems and society. Our goal is to move Life Forward through meaningful patient partnership.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The main duties of the PE intern will be to:

• Support the monitoring and mapping of patient community activities relevant to our various therapeutic areas (TAs) as well as the business as a whole, leveraging the market intelligence tools/resources available to the function
• Support internal communications activities that promote and elevate the work of the PE team including the creation and updating of editorial content available on the Boehringer intranet pages that relate specifically to the PE function
• Contribute to PE-team initiatives for team building and development and work planning including involvement in developing ways of working and adoption/implementation of tools/processes that support effective and compliant delivery of the work of the PE function
• Support the development of PE-related content for the integrated business planning processes, projects and meetings as required
• Support the PE team in the delivery of defined projects (with potential to be either TA-specific as well as business-wide in focus)
• Support the Medical & Legal review of PE deliverables in the electronic approval system, as required
• Participate in internal (and, where appropriate, external) meetings as required.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

The successful intern will have opportunities to gain experience of:

• working in a successful and diverse department within a top-20 global pharmaceutical company
• working with, and delivering for, patients and communities served by Boehringer Ingelheim
• working with cross-functional teams within Boehringer to deliver key PE initiatives and activities
• how PE contributes to the work of the human pharmaceutical industry and to meeting business objectives.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM A BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNSHIP

• Meaningful work and real responsibilities from the start, with opportunities to contribute to projects that matter.
• Joining with a large cohort of exceptional students, you will receive a clear placement plan setting out key projects, milestones and your learning goals for the year.
• Support from your manager, your team and HR, with regular feedback and development conversations.
• Learning opportunities beyond the role, including workshops, networking, career insights and exposure to different parts of the business.
• Access to coaching, mentoring and online learning resources, including Boehringer’s virtual University.
• The opportunity to build professional confidence, workplace skills and a network across the organisation.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Currently studying for a BSc in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry or other Life Sciences degree and completing a placement year as part of the course.
• A minimum of three A levels at grades ABB, or equivalent with at least one grade coming from a life science subject.
• The right to work in the UK for the full duration of the internship.
• The ability to travel independently to the usual place of work and, where required, to other sites.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrable compassion for people, patients and their families and empathy to support the discovery of patient insights to help the business enhance the way it delivers for patients
• Understanding of the UK healthcare environment would be beneficial
• Understanding of patient community and healthcare charity sector would be beneficial.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS

• Communicates clearly and professionally in writing and conversation.
• Works collaboratively, builds positive relationships and contributes own ideas proactively.
• Organises tasks, manages time and meets agreed deadlines.
• Takes ownership of learning, asks questions and responds positively to feedback.
• Adapts to changing priorities and approaches work with curiosity and initiative.
• Uses AI appropriately to deliver work. Confident with Microsoft Office and is willing to learn new systems and technology.
• Acts professionally and follows relevant policies, procedures, legal obligations and health, safety and environmental requirements.