Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Reviews

Pros

corss training and exposure to a broad spectrum fo biological sciences

Cons

The compensation is not competitive

Pros

The brilliance of the science and scientific leadership is unparalleled. It's the best place to do biomedical research in the world. It's intensely collaborative and supportive of technology. It's one of the very few academic institutes that has positions available for career scientists at bachelor's, master's and PhD levels (vs only faculty + trainees as is found in most universities). Others complain about the salary and career advancement opportunities but both are better than most non-profits.

Cons

The administrative side of the Institute has really fallen to pieces over the past two years. There is a lot more bureaucracy and yet more things slip through the cracks. Processes and policies in HR, finance, sponsored research all seem to be horribly inefficient. More and more administration is being pushed onto the scientists instead of the administrators.

Advice to Senior Management

Make the administrative side of the Institute functional. It shouldn't cost more money since there is so much inefficiency - you probably just need stronger leadership with an eye towards getting things done, and a clearing out of poor performers especially at the higher levels that have allowed things to get to this state.

Pros

Access to the MIT community and all of its benefits.

Cons

If you are not in bench science or higher up in management, then you are not well-respected for your knowledge.

Pros

- smart people
- incredible resources
- culture of excellence
- very good regular meetings and conferences

Cons

- emphasis on "big science" can be daunting
- have to be assertive to succeed
- projects tend to be huge there, so be prepared mentally
- sometimes it feels like science is being done for coolness' sake over and above utility

Advice to Senior Management

overall, great place to to train and work
hard to criticize much there

Pros

flexibility collaborative innovative would recommend to others

Cons

few career ladders need to be better defined

Pros

Working in support of genomics research is fulfilling because of its potential in understanding human disease.

Cons

Communication of requirements was poor, it was difficult to talk directly to end users who were, in fact, internal to the company. Legacy systems were supported in perpetuity. New systems seemed to be adopted only when consensus was reached, and not selected by a decision maker with a clear vision of system requirements.

Advice to Senior Management

Encourage infusion of commercial best practice in software engineering by hiring software managers from industry. Implement social network software for bottom-up information sharing and drive selection and adoption of this software based on business expertise, not technological expertise.

Pros

Flexible time off.
Independent work schedule, with easy hours.
Casual atmosphere, you can pretty much wear whatever you like whenever you like.

Cons

Management doesn't take much interest in personal growth.
No clear objectives or room for improved compensation.
No direction from management.

Advice to Senior Management

Take time for more interaction with employees. No clear course of action or direction when being new to the company makes the learning curve much steeper.

Pros

The work is very interesting and rewarding. The benefits and flexibility are wonderful.

Cons

There are no opportunities for advancement and compensation is poor.

Pros

The opportunities for collaboration, the resources

Cons

The pay might be lower?

Pros

You are doing great science and get the chance to work at one of the premiere research institutions in the world. There is no place like it.

Cons

Pay isn't great, as is the case in academics. Research can be frustrating and unless you have the patience and fortitude to go through with it, this isn't the place for you.

Advice to Senior Management

I think Broad is fantastic and has fantastic and understanding management. I think that maybe a gym membership could be included in benefits, so that it encourages scientists to keep fit.