research assistant

postdoctoral fellow

senior research assistant

laboratory technician

post-doctoral fellow

Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Such a scandalous environment, far from academia.  Mafia-like management.  Complete exploitation of postdocs under the label of "training".  Especially foreigners bound by their visa restrictions and "at will" contract are taken advantage of.   You have a PhD from an Ivy League school?  Doesn't matter, you will be treated like a labor here with no respect.  You have high ambitions in academia?  Doesn't matter, you will be disposed once they are done with you.  You will be under constant pressure to recruit funding.  The PI will be the official applicant most of the time, hence you won't be given any credit as a ghost author.  You are bound by whatever the PI decides at the end despite you take care of everything, from recruiting funding to producing and testing ideas.  You've found out your colleagues are doing your project generated by no other than you?  You are meanwhile forced to do the tasks your PI is supposed to do?  You think you are not given the proper credit?  You have to either bear with it or leave.  You won't find any help from the institute.  Instead, you will be treated like a traitor the moment you seek help.  None of the offices and committees are trustworthy.  They are only part of a show to comply with the legal and academic requirements.  They just function as a surveillance to identify potential "troublemaker" postdocs by pretending they are there to help.  All they do is to find a strategy to cover up or neutralize the issues you bring up instead of solving them.  Don't be surprised if one day you are told your employment is terminated by a phony excuse.  Because you are under "at will" contract in California.  Per Salk Policy, you'll be immediately escorted out before having a chance to make any personal and professional arrangements.  You'll be disposed by your car, not allowed to come back ever; your email access will be instantly blocked and you will receive your personal items by mail.  You wanted to start your own lab?  Good luck with that; now you only have your car keys with you after all the years of work you have done.  Don't join Salk.  You'll be used like a milking cow.  Period.

The Institute is open for 24/7 with excellent Facility Services. We have professional leadership in each departments with highly respected Professors from all around the World. Well equipped laboratories, perfect safety environments , massive building which is  safe for extreme earthquake. Beautiful view to the Pacific Ocean, good cafeteria. Excellent scientific presentations near every week, large variety of social programs, such as Symphony at Salk. I am participating and leading a friendly soccer team since the last 21 years, playing twice a week on the lawn of the Institute, and accept boys and girls from the near-by research and educational facilities, such as Scripps, and UCSD.
Our co-workers are from the five Continents, working together in harmony and successfully.
The hardest part of my job is the HF cleavage of the peptides from the polymer matrix. HF (hydrogen fluoride) is one of the most dangerous gas among millions of chemicals used today.
The most enjoyable part is the birthday celebrations of our existing and ex-workers in our group, which is going back in decades.
All together, the Salk Institute is a dream place for work in life sciences.

What is the best part of working at the company?
This was one of the most challenging workplaces I’ve experienced. The hiring process felt disorganized and lacked transparency, and once hired, there was little to no structured training or onboarding support.
Management, particularly at the supervisory level, appeared unprepared to provide guidance, especially in areas requiring specialized knowledge like grant management. This created confusion, inefficiencies, and unnecessary stress.
Overall, I would strongly encourage leadership to invest in proper training, clearer processes, and more qualified management to support employees effectively.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The supervisor with no knowledge of pr-award and no support. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very toxic, low morale and negative.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Its location with the view of the ocean

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
As a postdoc/staff scientist you are on your own, HR will always be on the side of the PI and act in his/her interest. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very lonely. They have to introduce raffles to keep people at their institute parties longer than just the food part. Not too many people are friends and genuinely like spend time together.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Work alone at your project, fight about space and supplies with others, work alone at your project.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Culture of diversity, the people are very friendly and welcoming. I would recommend anyone to join this community. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
There was nothing stressful about this job. I had an awesome experience. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
GREAT culture and great working environment. I would recommend anyone to join this amazing group and community. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Get your work orders in the morning and go do your work it that simple. Or you help your colleagues with any project they might have.

•	Performed basic bookkeeping tasks
•	   Managed front office operations
•	   Ordering of office supplies and equipment 
•	   Organize and provide documents, reports and information to department and external clients     
        in a useful and  well-organized manner
•	   Initiated purchase requisitions
•	   Handled and screened telephone calls, routine mail, and reallocate as required
•	   Extensive data entry using Microsoft Excel for monthly animal lab orders
•	  Scheduled travel and prepared travel expense reports accordingly for upper management

This place is beautiful with scenic views at every turn.  The people are friendly and intelligent.  The focus is on the science and the researchers as well it should be.  However, it was very difficult for me to find stability on the administrative side.  There was no communication past my immediate supervisor and I did not see any potential for advancement or even a raise.  I'm sure the difficulties will eventually work themselves out over time and with better infrastructure.  It was a pleasure to work here.

Higher Management and HR not following the right process on fixing the problem when it becomes a bad culture. They would not take the time to actually following up to see what can be done, HR would just hear what not working people like to say (meaning, not following the right processes on job policies) and get together making working people miserable because they are hard workers and doing the right thing. 

Management don't want complaints of any kind and HR doesn't what to work and some times good people pay the price. 

I really love working here at Salk and love living in San Diego.

 The building is a historic landmark, the labs open design promotes collaboration. Invited speakers and frequent hosting of top level scientific meetings means there is no shortage of stimulating talks, symposia and seminars to attend.

 Benefits are pretty good.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Research assistant 31 salaries reported	$19.55 per hour
Postdoctoral fellow 52 salaries reported	$74,053 per year
Senior research assistant 36 salaries reported	$24.96 per hour
Laboratory technician 35 salaries reported	$17.75 per hour
Post-doctoral fellow 13 salaries reported	$73,923 per year

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