They do what they do because that's what they've been doing and clients with hire them to burn budgets. - Anonymous employee Battelle Employee Review

1.0
Mar 26, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some diversity in project work. Some, but very few opportunities for leading projects - there are mostly cons. not sure if this is a pro or con but anyway, clients let you do whatever you want - they are NEVER engaged in what they hire you to do - Battelle doesn't deal with this well.

Cons

They are way behind in their capabilities and the "company" (i.e., mgnt) has no interest in catching up. There is no support in anyway for conference travel, writing proposals (you are required to write proposals on your own-time), maintaining a professional network, publishing... list goes on. There is literally no goal to improve research capabilities and there is no way to get equipment to do project work unless you buy it with your own salary. Staff are "encouraged" (i.e., forced) to use their vacation hours to complete poorly managed and underfunded project work. Many project managers require their staff to user their own money to support project costs (e.g., travel, project supplies, ...even equipment!!!!). Line manager literally doesn't know the names of his staff or their job categories. Quality control creates lots of awkward red-tape. Imagine all documents going through multiple reviews before leaving to your clients, including emails and meeting agendas. Each review costs your project money.

Explore other reviews about Battelle

5.0
Jun 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Nice people, every other friday off, challenging

Cons

lower pay, and location at times

1.0
Jun 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They pay my salary on time.

Cons

-They are run like grad school. They have you compete against your co-workers for funding, they consider rules and laws as simple impediments to be overcome by capricious edicts, they will treat you like a rented mule if you let them. I have come to the conclusion that senior management cares very little about work conditions or employees, only about the bottom line. This experience has significantly changed my opinion of not-for-profit companies. If you are a researcher looking for an open and collaborative environment with shared goals, I suggest you look elsewhere.

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