University Intern - Patient Safety & Pharmacovigilance

Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Boehringer Ingelheim offers a 12-month paid internship in the Patient Safety & Pharmacovigilance (PSPV) team. The role is based at head office with a requirement to work from Winnersh for at least two days a week.

You will gain hands-on experience in safety data analysis, regulatory support and continuous improvement initiatives. Essential requirements include an ongoing Science/Pharmacy/Biotechnology degree, ABB at A-levels, and the right to work in the UK for the full placement.

Qualifications

• Currently studying for a Science, Pharmacy or Biotechnology degree.
• A levels at grades ABB or equivalent.
• Ability to work in the UK for the full duration of the internship.

Responsibilities

• Support PSPV activities to ensure safe and appropriate use of medicines.
• Contribute to projects improving patient safety processes and compliance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to protect patients.
• Assist with analysing safety information and pharmacovigilance data.
• Learn to use pharmacovigilance systems, databases and business tools.
• Prepare materials to support safety surveillance and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in activities supporting collection, evaluation and communication of safety information.
• Observe inspection readiness and quality management activities.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Time management

Independent working

Education

Science/Pharmacy/Biotechnology degree

A levels ABB

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

University Intern - Patient Safety & Pharmacovigilance

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

At Boehringer Ingelheim, our Patient Safety & Pharmacovigilance (PSPV) team plays a vital role in protecting patients by monitoring the safety of medicines and ensuring potential risks are identified, understood, and managed appropriately. As a PSPV intern, you will gain first‑hand insight into how safety information is used to support the safe use of medicines and inform patient‑centred benefit‑risk decision‑making. Working alongside a team of experienced PSPV professionals, you will explore how medicine safety signals and benefit‑risk profiles are identified, assessed, and managed to help protect patients throughout a medicine's lifecycle. Few internships offer the opportunity to contribute to work with such a direct impact on patient wellbeing while gaining valuable insight into the science, regulation, and decision‑making that underpin modern healthcare. This is an opportunity to see how patient safety, science, and medicine come together to make a real difference to patients' lives.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Support the PSPV team in delivering key pharmacovigilance and patient safety activities that help ensure the safe and appropriate use of medicines.
• Contribute to projects that strengthen patient safety processes, inspection readiness, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with experienced patient safety, regulatory affairs, medical, quality, and compliance professionals to gain insight into how cross‑functional teams protect patients.
• Assist with analysing safety information, reviewing pharmacovigilance data, and preparing materials that support safety surveillance and regulatory requirements.
• Learn to use pharmacovigilance systems, databases, and business tools, gaining exposure to real‑world safety processes and governance frameworks.
• Participate in activities that support the collection, evaluation, and communication of safety information to internal stakeholders and health authorities.
• Observe and contribute to inspection readiness and quality management activities, helping maintain a culture of compliance and continuous improvement.
• Develop a foundational understanding of benefit‑risk management and how safety evidence informs decisions that ultimately protect patients.
• Deliver a defined internship project, presenting recommendations and outcomes to the PSPV team at the end of the placement.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

• Develop specialist knowledge of Pharmacovigilance and Patient Safety, learning how safety data is used to identify potential risks, inform benefit‑risk decisions, and support the safe use of medicines.
• Gain hands‑on experience in a global and local healthcare environment, working alongside experienced professionals and contributing to meaningful activities that support patient safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Build professional skills for your future career, including data analysis and interpretation, scientific appraisal, project ownership, teamwork, stakeholder engagement, cross‑functional collaboration and influencing across diverse stakeholder groups.

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 Science, Pharmacy or Biotechnology degree and completing a placement year as part of the course.
• A minimum of three A levels at grades ABB, or equivalent.
• 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.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Understanding of regulatory and ethical considerations related to health data.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality.
• Ability to work in structured, process‑driven, regulated environments.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Quality and Compliance Awareness.
• Data handling, documentation skills, and analytical/critical thinking.
• Interest in digital tools or AI‑enabled safety processes (e.g., automation, analytics).
• Curiosity and understanding of Good Pharmacovigilance Practices (GVP) module and/or familiarity with local regulators such as the MHRA, HPRA, and the Maltese Authority.
• Comfortable contributing to continuous improvement initiatives and/or driving or contributing to AI projects and initiatives.

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.