Pros
Staff at entry-level and middle management level are young, smart, capable, friendly, and internationally-oriented. Great place to make like-minded friends and work closely with partners all around the world. Work-life balance can depend on the department but is generally fair to good. Good springboard to jobs in the US government, particularly funding agencies.
Cons
Communication between departments and from top-down is poor. There is a culture of gossip and it seems some staff are privy to more sensitive information than others. Senior management does not do a good job of articulating the strategic direction and inspiring staff with a clear vision and mission. Turnover is very high, and no one seemed to be addressing it. Promotion standards are hazy across the organization and seem to vary depending on the individual/department, which probably contributes to the turnover, as does compensation, which was low for the field.