The 20 Best Research Companies to Work For As Rated by the Women Who Work There (January 2020)
Looking for a new job in research? Check our list of the most female-friendly employers in the industry, as rated by the women who work there.
InHerSight's list of the best research companies for women is based on millions of anonymous employer ratings and reviews from working women. Research companies on this list have been rated by 10 or more participants as of January 3, 2020. Rate your company ›
The 20 best research companies to work for
1. RTI International
3.7 stars
RTI International is a research company headquartered in the Chicago, IL area, that employs 1001 to 5000 people. The company has its best ratings for management opportunities (4.3 stars) and flexible work hours (4.1 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for RTI International:
"Great place to work-- women well represented and respected. No paid maternal or paternal leave though which is completely strange given the priorities here for health and family. "
2. Westat
3.4 stars
Westat is a research company headquartered in the Atlanta, GA area, that employs 1001 to 5000 people. The company has its best ratings for management opportunities (4.0 stars) and employer responsiveness (4.0 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Westat:
"I worked on a Westat led project while I was pregnant and my supervisor and the company as a whole was incredibly accomodating. I hold them in high regard and hope to return the..."
3. PRA Health Sciences
3.4 stars
PRA Health Sciences is a research company headquartered in the Raleigh, NC area, that employs 5001 to 10000 people. The company has its best ratings for management opportunities (4.1 stars) and paid time off (4.1 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for PRA Health Sciences:
"PRA Health Sciences is a great place to work! Working there is like having a second family. Employees truly care about each other’s well being, personal growth, and success."
4. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
3.3 stars
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a research company headquartered in the San Francisco, CA area, that employs 5001 to 10000 people. The company has its best ratings for female representation in leadership (3.8 stars) and learning opportunities (3.8 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for University of California, San Francisco (UCSF):
"The best job I've ever had! So much opportunity and the people there believe in you. "
5. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
3.3 stars
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is a research company headquartered in the Livermore, CA area, that employs 5001 to 10000 people. The company has its best ratings for flexible work hours (3.9 stars) and paid time off (3.8 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL):
"In Computations top management is all women from AD, Department Head, Division Leaders and Group Leaders but that is not the case in other places in the Lab. Salaries are not a..."
6. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
3.3 stars
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is a research company headquartered in the Herndon, VA area, that employs 5001 to 10000 people. The company has its best ratings for flexible work hours (4.3 stars) and paid time off (4.2 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):
"Fun to work here good group of people with like-minded biology enthusiasts! Work was full-time seasonal. Excellent project to be a part of !"
7. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
3.3 stars
National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a research company headquartered in the Bethesda, MD area, that employs 5001 to 10000 people. The company has its best ratings for paid time off (3.8 stars) and learning opportunities (3.7 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for National Institutes of Health (NIH):
"NIH (NCI) is very inclusive. They make and effort to give employees flexibility and work-life balance. Some offices are better than others depending on the manager and institute..."
8. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
3.2 stars
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is a research company headquartered in the Seattle, WA area, that employs 1001 to 5000 people. The company has its best ratings for learning opportunities (3.9 stars) and paid time off (3.8 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center:
"The people I worked with here were amazing professionals. There were women at all levels of leadership and in all divisions of the Center. I was inspired by working here by th..."
9. X (Google X)
3.2 stars
X (Google X) is a research company headquartered in the Mountain View, CA area,. The company has its best ratings for salary satisfaction (4.0 stars) and maternity and adoptive leave (3.8 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for X (Google X):
"A great work environment. Everyone I had the pleasure of working with were always willing to lend a helping hand."
10. Abt Associates
3.2 stars
Abt Associates is a research company headquartered in the Atlanta, GA area, that employs 1001 to 5000 people. The company has its best ratings for female representation in leadership (4.5 stars) and flexible work hours (4.4 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Abt Associates:
"I would say Abt Assosciates is pretty female friendly. I work in a call center, so a lot of the areas to be rated do not apply to my position. Its very fair and egalitarian, bec..."
11. Georgia Tech Research Institute
3.1 stars
Georgia Tech Research Institute is a research company headquartered in the Atlanta, GA area, that employs 1001 to 5000 people. The company has its best ratings for paid time off (4.6 stars) and flexible work hours (3.8 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Georgia Tech Research Institute:
"Overall an excellent place for a female engineer to feel supported and pushed to new heights in her career. My only drawback is their lack of maternity support, but they try to ..."
12. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL
3.1 stars
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL is a research company headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area, that employs 1001 to 5000 people. The company has its best ratings for flexible work hours (4.4 stars) and ability to telecommute (4.4 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL:
"In my experience the company does a fairly good job of responding to employee concerns and feedback, and promoting people fairly based on merit. However, the company culture and..."
13. American Institutes for Research
3.1 stars
American Institutes for Research is a research company headquartered in the Chicago, IL area, that employs 1001 to 5000 people. The company has its best ratings for flexible work hours (3.9 stars) and ability to telecommute (3.8 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for American Institutes for Research:
"AIR is bay far the most inclusive company I've ever worked for, from diversity groups to no dress code, this company is truly accepting of every person and embraces individuali..."
14. Thermo Fisher Scientific
3.1 stars
Thermo Fisher Scientific is a research company headquartered in the Waltham, MA area, that employs 5001 to 10000 people. The company has its best ratings for paid time off (3.8 stars) and maternity and adoptive leave (3.5 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Thermo Fisher Scientific:
"Thermo Fisher Scientific has provided me with an environment to grow personally and professionally."
15. USDA-ARS (Agricultural Research Service)
3.0 stars
USDA-ARS (Agricultural Research Service) is a research company headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area, that employs 10000+ people. The company has its best ratings for paid time off (4.8 stars) and flexible work hours (4.0 stars).
16. Battelle
2.8 stars
Battelle is a research company that employs 5001 to 10000 people. The company has its best ratings for flexible work hours (3.6 stars) and the people you work with (3.5 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Battelle :
"I truly enjoyed my coworkers. That made it a wonderful place. Unfortunately, there is always a gloom and doom feel spead from Columbus HQ. Too many reorganizations. 4 or 5 in th..."
17. University of Southern California (USC)
2.8 stars
University of Southern California (USC) is a research company headquartered in the Los Angeles, CA area, that employs 5001 to 10000 people. The company has its best ratings for paid time off (3.5 stars) and equal opportunities for women and men (3.4 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for University of Southern California (USC):
"I haven't worked here that long so I cannot answer for certain things, but so far it has been wonderful working here. There are many female managers and women in leadership, as..."
18. Baylor College of Medicine
2.7 stars
Baylor College of Medicine is a research company headquartered in the Houston, TX area, that employs 5001 to 10000 people. The company has its best ratings for paid time off (3.7 stars) and wellness initiatives (3.5 stars).
19. UT Health San Antonio (UTHSCSA)
2.6 stars
UT Health San Antonio (UTHSCSA) is a research company headquartered in the San Antonio, TX area, that employs 5001 to 10000 people. The company has its best ratings for paid time off (4.0 stars) and management opportunities (3.2 stars).
20. Waters Corporation
2.5 stars
Waters Corporation is a research company headquartered in the Milford, MA area, that employs 5001 to 10000 people. The company has its best ratings for wellness initiatives (3.7 stars) and the people you work with (3.2 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Waters Corporation:
"Your experience in Waters will depend on your group and immediate manager. Some are lax and some are micromanaging. The company is undergoing a "changing of the guard" and the ..."
Companies with ratings and reviews from at least 10 current or former US-based employees are eligible for this list. Company ratings accurate as of January 3, 2020.