From a bench based science to real life science

My name is Vincent Ruland and I work as a Senior Consultant in the Berlin office of Bayer Business Consulting (BBC), the Bayer Group’s inhouse consulting unit. Here I work on exciting projects in the area of research and development and found a place where I can work towards making researcher’s innovations accessible to the public. If you know that your interest is in life sciences, BBC R&D is ideal.

From medicine to R&D consulting

After my studies of medicine in Münster and Basel, I initially spent two years as an assistant physician in the neuropathology department in Münster, where I dealt with routine pathological diagnosis as well as with the molecular genetics of rare pediatric brain tumors. In the course of that job I became increasingly interested in the transfer of research – in other words, how biomedical research can ultimately be made available to patients.
I therefore decided to complete a master’s degree in bioscience enterprise at the University of Cambridge in order to deepen my knowledge about the commercialization of research. Here I gained good insight into the industry and I also wrote my master’s thesis for a major pharmaceutical company in Boston. After earning my master’s degree, I had to choose between several career options. On the one hand, I wanted to acquire skills and knowledge in the life science business that you don’t really learn when studying medicine, and on the other hand I wanted to apply my medical background. I therefore chose Bayer Business Consulting.

Bayer Business Consulting – or “BBC,” as we say internally – is the inhouse management consulting unit of the Bayer Group. A diverse team of 170 consultants is worldwide active at the offices in Leverkusen, Berlin, Pittsburgh, Whippany, Beijing, Shanghai and São Paulo.

Perfect preparation for a career at Bayer

In general my work at BBC gives me the opportunity to become acquainted with the life science sector from a different perspective while at the same time bringing my knowledge and soft skills to the next level. The open feedback culture between the team members at BBC is tremendously helpful here, as are the wide-ranging development possibilities – from individual training courses to extended foreign assignments. I also especially appreciate the fact that we have very flat hierarchies at BBC and that the working atmosphere is very pleasant. You can tell from the appreciation and support from other employees that BBC provides extremely good preparation when it comes to assuming responsible leadership tasks in the next step on the career ladder. Even though we are an inhouse business consultancy, I can stay close to the topic of R&D, as this is my thing. But in general we receive intensive insights in various units and can build up a wide network. I’m exposed to a diversity of people and projects that I haven’t experienced before. BBC is therefore the ideal first step into the life science sector without committing to a narrow and too specific field.

Participation in exciting projects outside BBC

Since I joined the company, I’ve already had the opportunity to participate in four projects in various departments at Bayer that have given me good initial insight into the company. In one project, for example, I dealt with how to identify the research projects that provide the greatest benefit for patients. Through my medical background, I was able to provide very valuable input here and to contribute to the company mission “Science for a Better Life.”
Another exciting experience was my participation in an intensive five-week project outside BBC in Singapore and Bangkok. Here I worked together with a team from various countries and functions to develop a business plan for a new Bayer business model. The opportunity to work on such a demanding task together with other Bayer colleagues on location in Asia while getting to know and appreciate the working method of very diverse cultural circles was a great push for my professional and personal development.
The varied project work, the opportunity to deal with intellectually demanding topics and the outstanding employees at BBC are good reasons for a doctor to consider Bayer Business Consulting as a career option.

From colleagues to friends

I have colleagues I enjoy spending time with after work – even on holiday. We set up teams to participate in sports competitions or go swimming after work. We BCC-people are young-minded and fun people which makes our work atmosphere dynamic and incredibly pleasant.

This post is also available in: German