Interesting science, terrible place to work - Senior Scientist Touchlight Employee Review

2.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The science is interesting and the people you interact with day to day are great.

Cons

A once ambitious biotech startup that has slowly been run into the ground. Senior management constantly shifts priorities and objectives (often monthly) to appease current and prospective clients, without putting the processes in place to support that rate of change. The company often goes through rounds of high recruitment (based on superficially high sales predictions) followed by mass redundancies when these targets aren't met. These redundancies consistently target scientist-level employees, never the people who made the original predictions. Additional work is routinely taken on under the guise of "personal development," with no corresponding career progression. This was made clear to me when a collaborator reached out personally to note that the volume and level of work I was producing didn't match my job title, and asked whether this was standard practice at the company. You can also pinpoint the moment the company stopped caring about employee sentiment: HR stopped responding to Glassdoor reviews after September 2025. Touchlight used to be a genuinely exciting place to work; collaborative, friendly, with everyone pulling toward a common goal. That environment has been steadily eroded to what it is today.

Explore other reviews about Touchlight

5.0
Mar 1, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Really exciting technology and field to be in, great work events, friendly coworkers

Cons

Being in a rapidly growing companies requires some flexibility and acceptance of changes

3
4.0
Jun 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Exposure to innovative technologies and cutting-edge science, making it an excellent place to develop industry experience and broaden technical skills. As with many small biotech companies, employees often have opportunities to take on responsibilities beyond their job description, accelerating professional growth and providing valuable career development. In my experience, concerns and feedback were generally listened to, and management was willing to engage in discussions and explore solutions when issues were raised constructively. During stronger business periods, the company invested in employee development, benefits, and internal opportunities, demonstrating a willingness to support growth when resources allowed.

Cons

Some concerns raised in other reviews regarding communication and management are valid. As a growing biotech, several managers have transitioned from technical or scientific roles into leadership positions. While they bring strong subject matter expertise, developing people management skills takes time and can occasionally result in communication challenges or inconsistent management approaches. However, company is actively providing training on stepping into leadership roles. The current biotech market is challenging, particularly for smaller companies. Cost-saving measures and benefit reductions can understandably impact morale, though these pressures are not unique to this organisation and reflect broader industry conditions. Employees can sometimes feel unheard specifically when contributions or suggestions are dismissed early on. Even when operational constraints prevent implementation, discussing suggestions and acknowledging contributions can help foster a more collaborative environment. Building a solid team takes a bit of patience and gentle approach towards employees.

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