postdoctoral research associate

postdoctoral fellow

research assistant

graduate researcher

research associate

Princeton University

Princeton University really does take care of it's employees.  We also have a strong union that supports staff. 

Most importantly, the students are amazing. When I first started working there iw as scared that the students would be snobs, rude, and entitled due to the high reputation as one of the top ivy league schools. This could not be further from the truth. I love being able to see and interact with the students from all walks of life and see their smiles and hear their thanks for simply doing my job.  It is really hard to have a rough day around when a student walks up and tells you that the food you made reminded them of home!

There is a large and diverse work force that is very friendly and welcoming to new people.  
Once hired it is easy to understand your job and how to execute tasks.  There is also tons of optional classes and training that workers can sign up both within departments and even outside your department if you are interested in learning a new field/subject. 

Princeton university also offers summer internships/work transfers (temporary). Meaning, in the summer when there aren't as many students at the school, you can sign up to work in a different department to gain experience and knowledge in other fields, or to just to change things up from the normal routine for the summer. For example, there are around 10 different dining locations during the school year for the students/faculty/staff.  However, in the summer, the amount of dining halls open is reduced to 2 or 3.  With the reduced amount of workload, combined with the excess of employees, an employee can sign up to work in the paint shop since in the summer they have more work to do and less staff. This gives the campus dining worker the chance to take a break from cooking and learn new skills outside their field as well as meet other employees and staff.  i have known many employees that have worked in dining halls that transfered to other departments after working in the summer at a different location, because the realized the other field made them more happy, and vise versa. 

I loved working there for 6 years as a casual, over-hire. I've applied countless times for a full time position. P.U. often runs people thru the rigors of multiple interviews even though the position has already been "assigned" to an internal applicant or someone with an internal connection. The ivy league "old boy network" is in full swing. Perhaps they receive Federal DOL funding that requires them to post available positions even though you never actually have a chance of being hired? I've heard that through the employee grapevine, and I've seen it happen, literally, dozens of times to colleagues and acquaintances and experienced it personally a few times over the last 15 years. It's not just sour grapes. I was employed there for 6 years and let my supervisor know that I had applied to a new position in a similar role/different department. He immediately told me to forget about it. It was considered common knowledge that another colleague was going to be placed in the role, even before it was posted! That person even casually intimated that information to me one afternoon, as did another co-worker. Yet, I went through 2 rounds of interviews, along with 2 other candidates, only to find that my supervisor was correct despite my better practical experiences and even better qualifications of applicants other than myself.

It's a sad waste of the university's resources, the staff's time and efforts, and a seriously cruel thing to do to job seekers.

But, hey, it's their money. It's all their money, and they have an obscene amount of it to waste as they see fit.

I've given up, as have many people I know. We've all had successful careers in our respective fields, some now verifiable thought leaders and industry giants. I know for a fact that my income has surpassed that of the "shoe in" mentioned above. Touché!

Working at Princeton Advancement has been a mixed experience. On the positive side, the compensation and benefits are competitive, providing a solid foundation for financial and work-life balance. However, these advantages are not distributed equitably, which raises concerns about fairness across the organization.

The department struggles with significant cultural issues that undermine a cohesive and supportive work environment. Communication gaps, a lack of transparency, and a hierarchical structure create a challenging atmosphere for employees who seek inclusion and collaboration.

Opportunities for advancement within Princeton Advancement are limited, which can be frustrating for employees eager to grow and develop in their careers. While talented individuals often find their potential unrecognized or blocked by an organizational structure that prioritizes tenure over innovation.

Finally, leadership requires substantial coaching and development to address the ongoing challenges within the department. Unfortunately, there seems to be resistance at the highest levels to implementing the coaching and feedback necessary for growth and improvement. This reluctance to evolve is detrimental to both team morale and the overall effectiveness of the department.



The role of a research assistant at Princeton University encompasses a wide array of responsibilities, fundamentally contributing to the advancement of academic inquiries and research projects. This position demands a high level of dedication, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong foundation in research methodologies.

Princeton University, renowned for its academic excellence, provides an environment where research assistants are not only involved in data collection and analysis but are also encouraged to participate in the development of research proposals and publications. The opportunity to work alongside distinguished faculty members offers a unique learning experience. This collaboration enhances their professional development, making the role particularly valuable for those aspiring to pursue further academic achievements.

Research assistants are expected to demonstrate proficiency in various research tools and techniques, which varies depending on the specific field of study. Their contribution is vital in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of research findings. The role, while challenging, offers substantial growth opportunities.

The university's resources and facilities support the research assistant in achieving the set objectives, thereby fostering an environment conducive to scholarly research. Moreover, Princeton's commitment to research integrity and ethical standards sets a benchmark, ensuring that all research activities are conducted with utmost responsibility.

In conclusion, the position of a research assistant at Princeton University is a highly esteemed role that offers significant academic and professional development opportunities. It is a role suited for individuals who are passionate about research and are seeking to contribute to the field of academia.

My work day at Princeton was from 9 am to 6 pm. Many people started earlier and left a little earlier. I commuted from NYC and due to the distance - started a little later. My day consisted of meetings with different stakeholders, touching base with members of the development team and working with my consultants. 

I learned a great deal about consensus building, working on large complex projects, university financing and understanding university priorities and bottom lines. 

Management at Princeton is very strong. The senior executive team that I worked under was in sync with each other and worked well together. 

My co-workers were very supportive, helpful and eager to be involved in the project. 

The hardest part of my job was ensuring that all parties felt included. My projects were very experimental and fast-paced. They required quick, nimble decision-making which the university was not used to. I worked in the private sector for over a decade and so working for an institution was a very different pace and decision making structure.  

The most most enjoyable part of my job was making things happen. I was the program/project manager for three very exciting development projects and I was responsible for guiding senior management through major real estate development decisions. I was also responsible for executing deals with third party real estate developers - something Princeton had never done for their real estate projects. I took my projects through pre-development and left when they entered the development phase when I handed them off to a construction manager.

Typical Day is a misnomer, there is no typical day in my position. I can have the most detailed and laid out plans for my day and within an hour, I am in ten (10) completely different areas!

The job was family-oriented and I was going to finish my career there. Even though I was the "lead" in all external initiatives, on many committees and a major project to redesign the Finance (not just Purchasing) Website.  No one ever took the time to look at this involvement along with my normaql job functions.  New corporate managers were put in place, and now Princeton is in a new renaissance period, another (my third 3rd) redeployment of resources and policies to try it another way!  So, with that happening and no appreciation for what was being accomplished overall, it was time to move on!  It is still one of the largest employers in Mercer County, but it si nothing like it used to be...especially when they let a professional admired & respected by internal and external constituants with 29 years experience and commitment to the job, and they let him go within a couple months  If you do consider working there, be aware!

The MOST enjoyable aspect of my employment there?  It was helping to make the external departments lives easier in their workflow, answering their questions, and teaching them valuable purchasing tools, for which they were forever grateful and appreciative, giving me a feeling accomplishment.  I loved that part!

It's true that Princeton has good benefits with often friendly, cooperative co-workers and a beautiful campus. And if you work here as an academic (i.e. faculty), they will fall all over themselves for you. Its a different story if you are considered "staff", however...

If you're looking for growth and opportunities, this is not the place to be. Annual raises are in the 2.5-3% range (in a good year), promotions are almost unheard of, and although there is much made about how much staff is valued, there is little evidence to support it.

Your best bet is to make a good buck somewhere else, then use it to secure a cushy spot (and a fatter paycheck) from the moment you walk in. They're often willing to pay a fortune for you when you walk in the door, but don't kid yourself into thinking that you'll work your way up - no matter how successful you were elsewhere, and no matter what you accomplish while you're here.

Are there worse places? Absolutely. But don't drink the Kool-Aid they try to give you here.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The culture is great.  There is a sense of belonging that is welcomed immediately for any one new to the Princeton University community.  

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part is the daily commute from Philadelphia to Princeton. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment is excellent. Peaceful.  The culture as mentioned before is amazing.  

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
On a typical day, I come to work and work about 2 and a half hours and then break for about 15 minutes.  Then I work another 2 hours.  Then I go to lunch for about 30 minutes.  Then work another 2 hours.  Then go home.  Throughout the day there is a sense of friendliness in the air for each and every individual that you encounter.

My job involved answering telephones and greeting visitors; responding to faculty/staff emails regarding housing questions, applications, or questions. Entering housing applications into the POSH system, and testing the new Odyssey system as directed.Use of Sharepoint, files for incoming faculty/staff housing; process keys for incoming and for exiting staff as well as visiting faculty. Other duties as assigned by the Managers within the department.

It was a busy office, with extensive interaction with faculty and staff both face to face and on the telephone. 

It required dealing with delicate and confidential situations while maintaining a reassuring and patient attitude.

I would love to work here again!

As a new employee you will be assigned the absolute worst bldgs.  or dorms with no heat or AC . Most senior people punch in and work for an hour then find a place to sleep the rest of the shift. 
As a new employee you will work all weekends and holidays. Your chance of ever getting a shift change or transfer to better bldg is slim to none.
Old time employees  are very bitter because new people start at the same rates as the senior employees.
Parking is awful, the main lot is near the WaWa so you end up walking anywhere from half a mile to one mile to your assi gnment. The time you show up to start work your already exhausted.
Benefits are mediocre at best, Union is very weak. Favoritism is the norm while hard workers go unnoticed.






Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Postdoctoral research associate 23 salaries reported	$75,761 per year
Postdoctoral fellow 4 salaries reported	$76,000 per year
Research assistant 10 salaries reported	$46,960 per year
Graduate researcher 4 salaries reported	$46,000 per year
Research associate 6 salaries reported	$82,087 per year

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