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.

WHY THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

Boehringer Ingelheim has been recognised as a Top Employer in the UK. Being certified as a Top Employer confirms our dedication to a better world of work, delivered through excellent HR policies and people practices. To learn more visit: