If you get a good manager it is great. If you get a bad manager, God help you. - Senior Research Associate Genentech Employee Review

2.0
Jan 7, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There are still some good researchers around but there is a slow and steady brain drain going on. Compensation is not the best but OK.

Cons

A lot of managers have risen to their current position due to attrition and not because of their qualifications/qualities/abilities. They are understandably afraid of more qualified and able personnel and try to hamper their career growth. Since everything here is manager driven if you get a bad one then, well, too bad. However there are some great people here who actively foster employee development but none of them are in research. People in commercial operations and development seem to be happy but those in research appear to be equally (if not more) unhappy. Benefits are slowly going away, with the bi-monthly Ho Ho-s, then the compensation for riding on the bus; now they have started asking employees to pay for taking the bus on some routes (previously this was only limited to contractors and temps). Health insurance is not as good as before. Some people pretend to do "science" without any understanding of it. Lower level employees cannot give real feedback on their managers. There is a lot of promise of change but everything stays the same.

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5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great culture and work environment.

Cons

PhD is necessary oftentimes for advancement.

3.0
May 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Genentech's origin story and mission are genuinely inspiring — few companies can point to such a meaningful historical arc in medicine. Patient engagement is taken seriously and feels authentic, not performative. The campus is beautiful and the culture has real warmth.

Cons

DDA is operating with significant gaps. First, the foundational data infrastructure is not mature enough to support the ambitions being set for the team. Second, the measurement culture has gotten ahead of the methodology, and no one in a position of authority seems to be asking hard questions about whether the numbers actually mean what they're being presented as meaning. Third, some management feel disconnected from the work itself, lacking the knowledge, hands-on experience, or relevant credentials. Individually any one of these would be manageable. Together these create an environment where it's hard to do rigorous work, rather work is performative, and be recognized for it.

3
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