Pros
Flexible work schedule (if in the right lab, not guaranteed)
Really great coworkers. You can generally learn anything you show an interest in or need in other MRS in the center. We all tend to stick together.
Additional paid leave through winter break on top of generous amount of PTO.
Tuition waiver to Tulane
Cons
Truly falling apart, both physically and systemically.
Physically the place is a disaster and borderline unsafe. Im surprised OSHA hasn't been called due to instances of unknown chemical inhalation, people autoclaving things they shouldn't, high CO2 levels with no functioning alarm. Not only that but the water quality is wildly unreliable.
Systemically, you are underpaid and overworked, not appreciated and chronically strung along by a dangled carrot. You can out perform everyone on the team and be passed over for promotions because of a million different excuses. By design you are shoved down until you stop hoping for better.
Management all around sucks because for many the only way to move up or forward is to go into management. These are Scientist that are just shoved into management roles and told to do their best. Everyone suffers for this. They have no training, and despite being good people, tend to completely mismanage teams until only the favored are left. This is true for the lowest managers but all the way to the top.