Where careers go to die - Associate Principal Scientist Merck Employee Review

1.0
Apr 22, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Pay and benefits are above the industry average, but lag over time. Negotiate the best deal up front. One of the more stable companies in a declining industry.

Cons

Career progression is nil, unless persons above you are fired (which does actually happen frequently). So you trade potential promotion vs. being in an area with considerable disruption and stress. Once Merck was known for great science, now this has been lost in CYA and politics.

Explore other reviews about Merck

4.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits like medical/dentist/vision, pension, stock option, 401k match. Co workers are excellent, pretty good on site symposiums, lot of diversity clubs/activities. Innovation is extremely welcomed. Diversity in research portfolio. AI/ML is heavily invested to make databases more efficient.

Cons

Micro managing, especially within the biologics department, potentially others. Promotions are limited, and pay bump is poor. Company invests too much in buying companies rather than keeping talent - lay offs let go of great talented people. Merck is afraid of investing into exploratory biology and doesn’t take risk - they even admit they would rather see other companies clinical data or R&D data rather than taking a risk. Although it’s slow going in building new software, current databases are slow and needs much improvement. Extremely poor work/life balance.

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