Pros
High powered project teams and fast timelines means you get to see drugs you work on go into the clinic and help patients (provided you work on antivirals.)
Cons
Scientists get paid dirt compared to people with similar education and experience in other areas. This is not Gilead's fault, but if you are a scientist here you will not be able to afford to rent or own a house in town and will be stuck commuting for hours, unless you have a wealthy spouse or parents, etc. Despite having recently helped launch the biggest drug ever, my total compensation has dropped for three years straight. My kid now walks home from school alone because I can't afford an after school program, and I have to do side work on the weekends to make ends meet. They're threatening to put us in open floor plan office spaces and that may be the last straw for me.