Pros
If you're a policy analyst or above in seniority - you have a flexible work schedule. You basically need to work 40 hours a week - it doesn't matter when or what days - of course keep mind of meetings that you are scheduled to have You can also work from home at your own discretion No real strict dress code - I worked with somebody who dressed mostly in sweats Many opportunities to get on scholarly article You hourly salary is doubled when you take days off this is because not many researchers were using their vacation days
Cons
Internal Labor Market is stressful - you have to find your own projects and work - your manager will help you in the beginning but after that you are own your own - also they still operate on that type of job structure even during a pandemic If you're a policy analyst - there are little to no resources to help you find work - some senior PA's were trying to tackle this problem around the time that I was separated Some senior researchers are an aloof and finicky bunch and will not tell you that they're dissatisfied with your work rather they will tell someone else and ask them to do the task; also, they will ignore your emails Because of the internal labor market, you basically have to give a job interview with every senior research you are interested in working with - they will want your CV and during an introductory phone they will want to know why you're interested and what skills you have to offer I believe the internal labor market is a way to cull the heard during financially stressful times, so they will not be sympathetic during a pandemic even if said pandemic is reducing the funding stream, which in turn leads to less work overall. Their diversity initiatives are a sad, sad joke and it's a very white company