New Platform for Next-Generation Intraocular Biologics

What we are looking for

The BioMed X Institute is establishing a new, fully funded research group at its XSeed Labs incubator on the research campus of Boehringer Ingelheim in Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA in the following field:

New Platform for Next-Generation Intraocular Biologics

If you hold a PhD or master’s degree with an outstanding track record or strong interest in this field and if you are interested in working in an interdisciplinary team at the interface between academic and industrial research, we invite you to apply with a project proposal for a position in our new research group (1 group leader, 2 postdoctoral researchers, 2 research assistants).

Each BioMed X project team is sponsored by an industry partner. The sponsor of this call for application is Boehringer Ingelheim.

Biologic therapies have transformed retinal disease management, but the burden of frequent intraocular injections remains a significant barrier to patient adherence and comfort. Efforts to significantly increase the half-life of intraocular biologics (e.g., via PEGylation) were mostly unsuccessful since they result in reduced retinal penetration and low efficacy. Hence, there is an urgent need for a fundamentally novel biologics design principle, enabling long-term intraocular activity and at the same time deep retinal penetration.

We invite innovative research proposals to develop an innovative platform technology for the design and validation of next-generation intraocular biologics capable of effectively modulating pharmacological targets deep within the retina while significantly extending the time between intraocular injections.

Research proposals should address the following key challenges:

• Development of a novel human organotypic in vitro platform for the screening of 10’s to 100’s of biologics for extended intraocular half-life and increased retinal penetration.
• Exploration of novel and elegant design principles for long acting and tissue-penetrating intraocular biologics.
• Validation of the most promising candidate technologies in vitro and in vivo.

Proposals demonstrating interdisciplinary collaboration, involving expertise in retinal biology, biotherapeutics discovery, and complex human in vitro assay development, are particularly encouraged. Approaches that involve medical devices or complex formulations such as nanoparticles are out of scope.

What we offer

• A position in a fully funded research group with an annual budget of 890,000 USD. The funding package covers salaries, consumables, services, travel costs, overhead, as well as full access to the core facilities on the research campus of Boehringer Ingelheim.
• A project term of 3-5 years.
• An exciting research opportunity on a multidisciplinary and international pharma research campus with a collegial and flexible working environment.
• Participation in the BioMed X Boot Camp: learn how to build a compelling pitch presentation in only 5 days. There is flexibility over starting dates, but successful applicants are welcome to take up post starting January 1, 2026.

Application & Selection Process

• Please apply online at https://career.bmedx.com/registration/2025-RDG-C01
• As part of the online application process, you will be asked to submit: (i) A competitive project proposal that gives us an idea of your scientific expertise and creative potential (3-5 pages describing your unique experimental approach); (ii) Your curriculum vitae including your publication record.
• Deadline for applications: July 12, 2025.
• After a first selection round, candidates will be invited to a five-day innovation boot camp in Ridgefield from October 20 to 24, 2025. With guidance of experienced mentors, candidates will jointly work on their project proposals and present them in front of a jury on the final day. Successful candidates will be offered a position at the XSeed Labs incubator in Ridgefield.

About BioMed X

BioMed X is an independent research institute with sites in Heidelberg, Germany, New Haven, Connecticut, XSeed Labs in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and a worldwide network of partner locations. We operate at the interface between academia and industry, performing biomedical research and drug discovery & development in the fields of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, platform technologies, and artificial intelligence.

All our research projects are supported by leading pharmaceutical companies and conducted by early-career scientists recruited from the best schools around the world. The combination of global crowdsourcing with local incubation of the best research talents and ideas allows us to solve the biggest challenges in biomedical research.

We stand for free, creative, and curiosity-driven research combined with a solid validation of results, timelines, and deliverables. We serve a large purpose in advancing translational biomedicine by leveraging synergies and fostering cross-pollination across disciplines.