Pros
Pay is acceptable for the area, but should be negotiated prior to start date as there will be slow slow SLOWWW wage progress post hiring. Despite operations being LITERALLY THE WORST PLACE I HAVE EVER BEEN EMPLOYED, R&D appears to be a great environment. In other words, as long as you avoid production roles you are probably fine.
Cons
-Metrics are everything. Which would be fine, if they were based in reality. -Constant stress and headaches over unrealistic goals. Moving goal posts. -No opportunity for growth and advancement -Rampant favoritism -Promotions are not typically based on merit -Treated like a slave I was constantly told that "every corporation is like this" and "you should be more grateful, you have it very good here!" by people who have only ever worked in one place. Unless you want to spend your day getting reamed for walking around or taking too long of a break/lunch (OH! Don't worry, they'll time you) I would avoid this place like the plague. Find a normal job somewhere else, where they do real science. Additionally, if you end up in production, some of the chemistry can be quite difficult. Following the batch record may result in failure. However when it comes time for bonus/promotions, you will be reminded that all you do is "follow batch records" and you don't "go above and beyond to make drastic changes to the process". Which of course you WOULD (updating batch records, etc.) if you had TIME. Which you don't. Your personal goals are meaningless here, and management will straight up lie to your face about nebulous advancement opportunities just to get you to stay forever. Alternatively, they might straight up tell you that you do not do enough to move up. I'm guessing anyone less then a total savant is considered utterly useless. Trying to train on processes is like pulling teeth. They are afraid to develop people, because they are worried they will lose them. The ideal employee here is barely smart enough to do the science, is willing to be treated like a blue collar worker, can work 2x faster than a normal human and is willing to lie to support the unrealistic goals. NO JOKE. They actually discussed taping out a yellow square in front of the chemistry benches. You would have to be in this box a minimum of 8 hours a day, and any time spent away from your box (including bathroom breaks) would be unpaid. The philosophy here is "do more with less". That philosophy runs DEEP here. That is how they keep the margins on the products at 90% or higher. Personnel is part of the bottom line, so they are only interested in how to keep you down and keep you in the same role forever. ASK AROUND! Some people have been here for 20-30 YEARS IN THE SAME ROLE. They are not stupid, they are not lazy, they just cannot leave due to having families etc. Thermo KNOWS THIS, and they take advantage of being the only large chemistry employer in the area. I personally know of at LEAST 7 people who have had full on breakdowns due to the stress level here. There is NO WAY that is normal. I could go on, but I think I have made my point clear enough.
