Do not recommend - Research Scientist Merck Employee Review

1.0
Mar 11, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Nothing stands out as special

Cons

The people here are overworked and depressed, the pay is below average for the industry, you will be in useless meetings 80% of your time, and middle management is so bloated that it's impossible for anything to get done. Raises don't keep up with inflation and you will need to be here 5+ years to be considered for a promotion. On top of all this, I quit 1 week before my full 24 months was up and they sent me to collections for 150% of my relocation bonus. Garbage company that doesn't care about its employees.

Explore other reviews about Merck

5.0
Jun 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits and pay are great

Cons

Depends on manager and organization is how your experience and work life balance will be

4.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits like medical/dentist/vision, pension, stock option, 401k match. Co workers are excellent, pretty good on site symposiums, lot of diversity clubs/activities. Innovation is extremely welcomed. Diversity in research portfolio. AI/ML is heavily invested to make databases more efficient.

Cons

Micro managing, especially within the biologics department, potentially others. Promotions are limited, and pay bump is poor. Company invests too much in buying companies rather than keeping talent - lay offs let go of great talented people. Merck is afraid of investing into exploratory biology and doesn’t take risk - they even admit they would rather see other companies clinical data or R&D data rather than taking a risk. Although it’s slow going in building new software, current databases are slow and needs much improvement. Extremely poor work/life balance.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All