Pros
- You get to be the PI and program manager on government contracts. - You get to meet your sponsors and talk to them directly. - You get to craft your own little area of applied R&D. - If you don't want to work on a program, then don't. Period. - Flexible time. You get to work from home. - You get to work with the smartest people in the world. Your peers or managers do not feel insecure since they know that they are as good as you. - Great health care/dental benefits, 401K matching funds, stock options, discounted red sox tickets, discounted movie tickets, free drinks, free food sometimes, free aquarium and science center tickets, etc... - Pay is proportional to how much money you bring to the company (can be good or bad!) The first 4 bullet points is what distinguishes PSI from the rest of the world. In a large corporate or other companies, you need to be high up in the food chain to be able to do that. This is not the case at PSI. Even a fresh PhD holder can take a stab at writing proposals and get to do his/her own things.
Cons
- Not a lot of promotional opportunities. Unfortunately, if your group leader or area manager doesn't leave or retire, you can't be promoted! And because it's such a comfortable environment, the managers tend to stick around until they die. So prepare for the long haul. - If you don't win grants for a period of time, prepare yourself mentally and financially to get fired. This is not a joke. If you keep winning, then stay coz you'll be rewarded big time (big raise, CEO congratulating you, etc...). If you keep losing, consider other options fast before they let you go. You'll know when doom's day is coming. - Can be tiring. You are expected to do a lot of things on your own time.