The 20 Best Research Companies to Work For As Rated by the Women Who Work There (August 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 August 1, 2020. Rate your company ›
The 20 best research companies to work for
1. RTI International
3.8 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 (4.4 stars) and flexible work hours (4.2 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for RTI International:
"Fantastic place to work. "
2. PRA Health Sciences
3.5 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 (4.2 stars) and paid time off (4.1 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for PRA Health Sciences:
"Excellent work environment in Blue Bell, PA but increases are below average even if your a hard worker."
3. 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 there…"
4. 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 !"
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):
"I'm the only woman in a group of 20+ people. Every meeting I'm the only female."
6. 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):
"I was specifically at NICHD- DIPHR- Epidemiology ... the experience of working at NIH varies tremendously by department."
7. X (Google X)
3.3 stars
X (Google X) is a research company headquartered in the Mountain View, CA area,. The company has its best ratings for salary satisfaction (3.9 stars) and maternity and adoptive leave (3.8 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for X (Google X):
"Jfjfjfjf"
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 the …"
9. Forrester Research
3.2 stars
Forrester Research is a research company headquartered in the Cambridge, MA area, that employs 1001 to 5000 people. The company has its best ratings for the people you work with (4.2 stars) and management opportunities (3.8 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Forrester Research:
"Forrester is a wonderful company full of opportunity with leaders and mentors that coach you to seizing it. If you are a dedicated top-notch employee, you'll be recognized and enc…"
10. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
3.2 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 (3.7 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for University of California, San Francisco (UCSF):
"The UCSF research and administrative campus I was working on was almost all women! Harassment in the office was never an issue. Pay was dependent on your job title and rank with H…"
11. 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 (4.3 stars) and flexible work hours (4.3 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Abt Associates:
"I think Abt does a great job of hiring women in management roles as well as men who are respectful and socially conscious. The company also provides great flexibility in work hour…"
12. 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 co…"
13. Los Alamos National Laboratory
3.1 stars
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a research company headquartered in the Los Alamos, NM area, that employs 10000+ people. The company has its best ratings for salary satisfaction (4.1 stars) and paid time off (3.9 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Los Alamos National Laboratory:
"This survey doesn't account for differences in the various group, divisions, and directorates."
14. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL
3.1 stars
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL is a research company headquartered in the Richland, WA area, that employs 1001 to 5000 people. The company has its best ratings for flexible work hours (4.3 stars) and ability to telecommute (4.1 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 t…"
15. 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 (3.7 stars) and maternity and adoptive leave (3.5 stars).
Here’s what one woman writes about working for Thermo Fisher Scientific:
"I have been with Thermo Fisher for under a year and plan to stay with them for quite awhile. Everybody is very friendly and the benefits this company offers is awesome! I do wish …"
16. 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 paid time off (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 individuality…"
17. 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).
18. Battelle
2.9 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 wellness initiatives (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 the …"
19. 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):
"USC is a very interesting place to be right now, and I think the administration is starting to pick up on the general dissatisfaction many under the SC umbrella have experienced."
20. UT Health San Antonio (UTHSCSA)
2.7 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 (4.1 stars) and female representation in leadership (3.3 stars).
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 August 1, 2020.