opn2TALENTS PostDoc Grants FAQ

Through the modern digital platform, opnMe, we give a unique opportunity for high-caliber talent to pitch their scientific ideas and approaches for a well-defined research question. By taking self-initiative to showcase expertise and skills, the winner will have the opportunity to execute their postdoctoral research plan in a state-of-the-art research environment at Boehringer Ingelheim. This position will initially cover a duration of 24 months with an option for extension by another 12 months.

For the duration of approximately 7 weeks, starting April 22, through June 12, 2024, interested candidates are invited to submit their applications including a research plan addressing the question of our PostDoc grant project. By July 12, our scientific review team will select a small number of finalists who are invited to present their research proposals as part of scientific presentations at our research site in Biberach during the time frame of September 2 – 13, 2024. At the time of their visit, the finalists will also have the opportunity to meet the Nonclinical Drug Safety team and our partners from Human Resources for individual interviews. This is also the time they have the chance to address own questions and needs. The winner of the PostDoc grant will be selected by beginning of October 2024. We anticipate the earliest start of the opnMe PostDoc grant incumbent in December 2024.

1. Please use our application template to provide a 4-5-page non-confidential research proposal. The document consists of a “general” part that requires your contact details and an “answer part” which allows the structured entry of your suggested approach to address our question. In addition, please submit your CV, a publication list, and letters of recommendations. All documents should be uploaded on the opnMe portal after personal registration.
2. The final winning scientist may bring a specific technical expertise in their discipline that provides an answer to our question from a different, potentially unexpected angle. Hence, the scientific background might be different from the area of the question. Your expertise should be documented by key references and letters of recommendations.
3. Final year PhD or postdoctoral researchers not directly linked to the subject, or the field of the therapeutic domain are also highly encouraged to apply if they consider their solutions new or innovative for the question.
4. Successful candidates will be offered a start date convenient to them and the supervisor, they will be guided through employee onboarding with the overall process estimated to be complete within three months of the offer.

You will have the opportunity to conduct your research at a leading R&D facility for up to three years to pursue and develop the creative research ideas proposed – fully funded by Boehringer Ingelheim.

Working in a high-profile laboratory environment including access to all relevant tools (e.g., Light-sheet microscope, laser scanning confocal microscope, high power computing system) and technologies. 

Mentoring support, access to a world of learning opportunities to follow science, innovate, and turn ideas into reality with impact to patients.

Opportunities to present work internally or at external scientific conferences and seminars, and ability to publish in leading journals.

Joining a vibrant and diverse scientific community and building foundations of professional networks that could last a lifetime.

Obtaining experience in working in a drug discovery environment positioned for further careers in pharma, biotechnology, and academia.

As part of our existing PostDoc program, you will benefit from multiple years of experience in successfully mentoring PostDocs and preparing them for their further development for either an academic or industry career.

In addition, you will be able to benefit from the productive exchange with PostDocs from other departments and be able to join extracurricular training sessions on drug discovery, non-clinical and clinical development, and subsequent phases to address patient centric needs for diseases that currently still lack treatment options.

All our PostDocs are entitled to receive a competitive salary and access to the full benefits programs offered.

Winners of the opn2TALENTS grant will receive competitive salary support and benefits, within the guidelines of the program. Resources to support your proposed project and some additional costs (e.g., relocation, immigration support, if needed), are provided by Boehringer Ingelheim.

Yes, we encourage and support turning innovation into high-quality publications.

Our opnMe call is structured in several phases. As part of the first phase which runs from April 22 through June 12, 2024, we invite for scientific project ideas as part of individual applications.

Within four weeks after the final application date, we strive to complete our review of all incoming research proposals.

Final candidates will be invited for our opn2TALENTS interview weeks that will take place from September 2 through 13, 2024. Even as we plan to give enough time for the finalists to prepare for their travel plans, we suggest that you block this time frame in your calendars at the time of submitting your proposal. Please expect that you will be invited for only one day during this time frame. Depending on your location, please reserve more than one day for travel.

The final winner will be informed beginning of October 2024.

The active research phase of the PostDoc could start as early as December 2024, but will depend on personal needs of the winning grant recipient.

Demonstrating that the research question is understood and clearly outlining the innovation aspects of the answer.

A research project plan that covers a maximum of 3 years, it should include a description of work packages, milestones, expected deliveries, and contingency plans. If applicable, clearly indicate any work that will not be done at Boehringer Ingelheim site please specify where, when and duration period.

Demonstration of relevant technical skills and disease experience to successfully address our scientific question based on the CV, publication list, and letters of recommendations.

Applying for the opn2TALENTS call would not affect any rights to your original idea (‘background IP’).

If confidential data exists that would strengthen the proposal, please indicate that information is available to share under a Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA). If we find the non-confidential concept proposal sufficiently interesting, we will execute a CDA for confidential discussions.

The review of submitted scientific proposals will start after the final application date. We strive to finalize our internal evaluation within three weeks after this date and plan to invite the winning finalists shortly afterwards. The final winner will be informed beginning of October 2024.

No. All submissions will only be shared inside Boehringer Ingelheim amongst a team of scientists designated to evaluate all applications. They will not be visible to, or shared with, scientists from other institutions.

Successful grant recipients will conduct their research at Boehringer Ingelheim’s leading R&D facilities in Biberach, Germany for up to three years, fully funded by Boehringer Ingelheim. There is the possibility to carry out parts of the planned experiments at the current home institution.

Please find more information about Biberach here.

Boehringer Ingelheim has a PostDoc program in place and since then, has successfully supported over 100 PostDoc candidates at its Discovery Research sites in Austria, Germany, and the US. In 2023, we have complemented this program with the opn2TALENTS initiative which allows more talents to interact with Boehringer Ingelheim.

Please register for our opn2TALENTS PostDoc grant newsletter to be among the first to learn more about new opportunities.