SAN FRANCISCO, CA—For a second year in a row, an annual survey from The Scientist magazine has named the Gladstone Institutes as the best place to work in academia.
Gladstone, an independent biomedical research organization, has been working to overcome some of the world’s most devastating illnesses for more than three decades. With more than 300 scientists on staff, the San Francisco-based nonprofit focuses on unraveling the basic fundamentals of science in order to find new solutions for cardiovascular, viral and neurological diseases.
“It’s an honor to be recognized again as one of the world’s top academic employers,” said Gladstone President R. Sanders “Sandy” Williams, MD. “We are proud of the environment we have developed to promote scientific excellence. At Gladstone, our concern for patients and our curiosity about the fundamentals of biology are combined in a distinctive—and perhaps even unique—blend of motivation and drive.”
The international ranking comes in the wake of being named the No. 2 place for postdocs to work, in a separate survey from The Scientist. Quality of training and mentoring, career development and networking opportunities, as well as pay and benefits, were cited as key reasons for Gladstone being recognized as a top academic institution for postdocs.
Today’s survey results mark the eighth consecutive year that Gladstone has ranked in the top 10 places to work in academia. Survey respondents cited job satisfaction and the opportunity for promotions and tenure as Gladstone’s main strengths. Other institutions recognized as top places to work in academia include Massachusetts General Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Cleveland Clinic, Université de Sherbrooke and Georgetown University.
More than 1,000 full-time life scientists responded to this year’s survey. The full survey results and methodology are detailed in the article “Best Places to Work in Academia, 2012,” appearing in the The Scientist’s August issue and online at www.the-scientist.com.