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Synthetic Genomics Reviews
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Full-timePart-timeApprove of CEO
Oliver Fetzer, Ph.D
16 Ratings
- Featured Review
![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"Fantastic place to work"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Comp & Benefits
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Synthetic Genomics full-time (More than a year)
Pros
The work is cutting edge, my co-workers are smart and friendly, and my manager gives me opportunities to grow.
Work-life balance is very attainable and benefits are decent too (recently increase PTO).Cons
Early to tell, but unsure of what career advancement opportunities there will be.
Synthetic Genomics 2018-04-26 11:56 PDT ![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"New management at SGI-DNA welcomed change!"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Synthetic Genomics full-time
Pros
The new management team at SGI-DNA is finally making decisions that will position the company for growth and is fixing poor decisions of the past. Its a welcomed change by MOST of the employees who have been there the longest.
Cons
Some of the old culture needs to evolve or die.
Advice to Management
Keep making the difficult decisions and keep leading. We all appreciate it.
Synthetic Genomics 2018-08-31 22:40 PDTHelpful (3)
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"A risky venture."
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI worked at Synthetic Genomics full-time
Pros
Exciting scientific prospects and a beautiful seaside location.
Cons
Talented people join the company with the hope of being part of something scientifically wonderful, only to realize that the internal dysfunction is the biggest obstacle.
Not a happy place to work at all.
The facilities are dirty and cramped.
The founder is falling from grace.
Continued funding is questionable.
Very top heavy organization.Advice to Management
Fire yourselves instead of the talent.
Synthetic Genomics 2018-10-09 14:32 PDTHelpful (1)
![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"Update"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at Synthetic Genomics full-time (More than a year)
Pros
The location across from Torrey Pine allow you golf during the work week
Cons
HR and top management are focus on their own survival
Advice to Management
Follow the contracts you sign and be truthful
Synthetic Genomics 2018-10-09 06:49 PDTHelpful (1)
![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"Good opportunities to learn and be around highly motivated scientists"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookDisapproves of CEOI worked at Synthetic Genomics full-time (More than 5 years)
Pros
Great environment, lots of opportunities to learn new skills, awesome co workers.
Cons
little to no chance of advancement if you don't have PhD, occasional lay offs, long periods in crunch mode can be taxing
Advice to Management
Learn about what is actually happening in the labs, plan accordingly, and have realistic expectations.
Synthetic Genomics 2018-08-30 14:47 PDTHelpful (1)
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"Chaotic Environment with Many Unhappy People"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at Synthetic Genomics full-time (More than 5 years)
Pros
Good science and smart coworkers.
Cons
Recent change in focus resulted in a lot of layoffs of some very good people. The SGI-DNA part of the business has a number of product problems that are not being properly addressed. The new CEO of that business (TN) is alienating many people and morale is bad. Many of the good people there have one foot out the door.
Advice to Management
Be honest with your communication to employees.
Synthetic Genomics 2018-08-30 08:13 PDT![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"Good so far"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Synthetic Genomics full-time (Less than a year)
Pros
Good work/life balance, opportunity to grow and develop career.
Cons
Currently under states of change on focus and objectives, which isn't necessarily a bad thing
Advice to Management
Let employees know a bit more ahead of time before big decisions
Synthetic Genomics 2018-08-10 12:06 PDT![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"Why I worked for Synthetic Genomics"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI worked at Synthetic Genomics full-time (More than 5 years)
Pros
They are a leader in their field, the people are great to work with. The Company is dedicated toward helping sick people.
Cons
We used to have a lot of vender trade shows. They don't have many now.
Advice to Management
Their is only one thing that I can say here, I do understand that sometimes their needs to be a turnover of people because projects come to an end. But think before you heir a person and then let them go four weeks later. that person might be the next Einstein.
Synthetic Genomics 2018-08-07 15:27 PDTHelpful (5)
![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"Very stressful for programmers"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI worked at Synthetic Genomics full-time (Less than a year)
Pros
The pay is good and the benefits are excellent.
Cons
The job is very stressful for computer programmers. There is no one in management who can properly manage programmers, and programmers are treated poorly in the company.
It is impossible to get a stable list of requirements. Too many requirements were given to the programmers to implement in a timely fashion, and requirements would change almost every day, forcing programmers to quickly implement code; the resulting code was extremely messy and difficult to maintain.
Management was very negative, constantly criticizing programmers for not doing a good job (after not giving the programmers enough time to do a good job) in a very sanctimonious and demoralizing manner.
Because of the poor management, the company has high turnover with developers and a very difficult time keeping employees.
Do not work for this company unless you can find no other job.Advice to Management
Treat programmers with respect. Let them have enough time to do things right; do not change requirements on them every other day. Do not be negative and sanctimonious.
Synthetic Genomics 2018-02-08 11:05 PSTHelpful (4)
![Synthetic Genomics Logo]()
"Scientist II"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at Synthetic Genomics full-time
Pros
Most of the staff are great
Cons
Management is awful, they don’t no how to run a business. Egos of the scientists hinder trying to make a profit.
Synthetic Genomics 2017-12-03 21:54 PST
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