In the survey, published in the November 2009 issue, University of California – San Francisco, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Emory University in Georgia rounded out the top five in the US. Internationally, The Weizmann Institute in Israel (#2), University of Bristol in the UK (#3), University of Groningen in the Netherlands (#4) and Dalhousie University in Canada (#5) took the top ranks.
Newcomers on the list, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (#3), University of Oklahoma (#4), and Emory University (#5) surpassed consistent performers this year. J. David Gladstone Institutes dropped from 1st in 2008 to 6th, while Trudeau Institute dropped from 3rd to 11th.
Overall, respondents focused on collaboration, team building and unique funding opportunities as important work environment factors. Both Princeton University and Max Planck’s academics rank their institutions highly in these categories, giving them the top spots. Princeton’s strengths include peers and teaching and mentoring, while Max Planck’s positives include team building, infrastructure and environment.
The largest percentage of this year’s respondents is well-established in their workplace with 5–9 years incumbency. Results of the survey also found that on average the breakdown for gender at institutions was 34% female and 66% male, with hospitals having the most balanced gender breakout with 42% female and 58% male and medical schools or colleges the least balanced with 29% female and 71% male.
Over 2,350 qualified respondents accessed their working environments on a level scale for 38 criteria in 8 different areas. Represented in those responses were 119 institutions – 94 from the US and 25 from the rest of the world. About 47% of respondents were from non-medical universities or colleges.
Top 15 US Academic Institutions:
1. Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
2. University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
3. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
4. University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK
5. Emory University, Atlanta, GA
6. J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA
7. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
8. Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
9. The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, OK
10. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY
11. Trudeau Institute, Saranac Lake, NY
12. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
13. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
14. Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
15. Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Top 10 International Academic Institutions:
1. Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
2. The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
3. University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
4. University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
5. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
6. Dundee University, Dundee, UK
7. Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
8. Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
9. Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
10. University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Results and a look at some of the Top 40 US and Top 10 International institutions can be found in the November 2009 issue of The Scientist, available by subscription and on select newsstands. The article as well as in-depth analysis, full color charts, methodology and past survey results can be found online at www.The-Scientist.com/
The 2010 Survey is Now Open for Participation
The 2010 Best Places to Work Survey is now open through November to all life science professionals working in academia or industry and as postdocs. The Scientist works with institutions and organizations around the world to promote the survey and encourage participation. The 2010 Best Place to Work Survey can be found at www.bptw.org.
About The Scientist:
The Scientist, the magazine of the life sciences, has informed and entertained life science professionals around the world for over 22 years. We provide print and online coverage of the latest developments in the life sciences including trends in research, new technology, news, business and careers. We reach the leaders in academia and industry that are interested in maintaining a broad view of the life sciences by reading insightful articles that are current, concise and entertaining. For more information about The Scientist, visit www.The-Scientist.com.
For more information, contact Leslie Schultz at lschultz@The-
