Pros
Really great perks, benefits, and pay. They still have the sabbatical program which I loved. Fantastic infrastructure to support research effort which can enable rapid progress. Relative stability since they have many products for sale and a fat pipeline. OUTSIDE of the research unit, seems to be good work/life balance and opportunities for career development.
Cons
The original Genentech is gone and has been replaced by a big pharma organization. As such the research effort is becoming increasingly unnecessary to the big picture. Leadership is very risk averse and has gone from a culture of innovation and risk, to one where they only want to do what everyone else is doing. The research unit is underpaid and poorly treated in comparison with other divisions in the organization. Career development for people working in basic research is not supported. Programs for these people to develop their careers beyond the bench are given lip service, but meaningful participation is either forbidden or highly restricted.
