Physics dept. grad student - Graduate Student Researcher UCLA Employee Review

4.0
Mar 28, 2017
Recommend
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Pros

I can really only speak for the physics department (and my subfield specifically), I'm sure the experience differs for other students. UCLA physics seems to be a pretty good place to do graduate study. -The professors are top-notch researchers and I've found all the projects I've been involved in to be fairly interesting. -The other graduate students are hard-working and very smart. -The atmosphere is very academic, but also pretty laid back (I wear shorts and a t-shirt literally every day, and my hair/beard is crazy and no one has ever cared). -Lots of opportunities to network with big names in the field; professors are always arranging talks/conferences.

Cons

-Average time to PhD for theoretical physics here seems to be about 5-6 years. That's a long time, but it's also pretty average for the field, I'm told. -There is definitely a lack of women and POC in the department, but students/faculty are actively working to increase enrollment, and this is a problem in the field as a whole, not just at UCLA. -I wish I was paid some more for my TA duties, but I'm not living in poverty, so I guess I can't complain. -Be expected to work 40-60 hour weeks if you really want to get your work done (but hey, that's grad school!).

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5.0
May 28, 2026
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Pros

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Cons

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3.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

Flexible hours, good work-life balance, and health insurance options

Cons

Toxic work environment, management lacks communication, and no space for career growth

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