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Overall employee rating

3.3
Based on 40 reviews
Rating distribution: 0 reviews rated 5 out of 5 stars. 1 reviews rated 4 out of 5 stars. 36 reviews rated 3 out of 5 stars. 3 reviews rated 2 out of 5 stars. 0 reviews rated 1 out of 5 stars.
5
4
3
2
1
Detail Ratings
Work life balance
3.0
Career Growth
3.0
Work flexibility
3.0
Job Security
4.0
Pay and benefits
4.0
Leadership
3.0
Company Culture
3.0
Disclaimer: Reviews on Jobstore are independently submitted by users; we do not guarantee the accuracy or truth of any individual submission. Read more
Associate Scientist
2.9
9 July 2026

Solid company, but job security feels shaky now.

MSD offers decent stability, especially as a big pharma player in drug development. However, recent restructuring and layoffs have made some employees, including Associate Scientists, question their job security, particularly in offices like Rahway, NJ.


Pros

For a long time, working as an Associate Scientist in drug development felt really stable here. It's a big pharma company, so generally, job security was a strong point and benefits are solid. You rarely worried about your role just disappearing overnight.


Cons

Lately, though, that stability isn't what it used to be. There have been multiple rounds of layoffs and reorganizations, even in the Rahway, NJ office. It's made a lot of us feel uncertain about our long-term future here, which is tough.


Advice to Management

Be more transparent about future plans and potential restructures. The constant uncertainty is really bad for morale and makes people look elsewhere. Clear communication about job security would help.


Ratings by topic
3.0
Work life balance
3.0
Career Growth
3.0
Work flexibility
2.0
Job Security
4.0
Pay and benefits
2.0
Leadership
3.0
Company Culture

Similar reviews
Senior Research Scientist
3.6
1 May 2026
Stable Pharma Career with Great Learning
Pros: MSD provides a stable environment for Senior Research Scientists in pharma. I value the supportive colleagues and ample learning opportunities. The R&D culture is collaborative, letting me work on impactful projects and grow my career.
Cons: Work-life balance can be challenging during peak times. While job security is fine, internal approval processes can be slow, impacting project timelines. More streamlined procedures would definitely help.
Advice to Management: Focus on streamlining internal approval processes to improve project velocity and reduce unnecessary stress during critical phases. Re-evaluate workload distribution to better support work-life balance for R&D teams.
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Associate Scientist
3.7
27 April 2026
Stable Pharma Role with Good Learning Opportunities
Pros: As an Associate Scientist in pharmaceutical R&D, I appreciate the stable environment and impactful work in drug development. The company offers solid learning opportunities and a supportive culture. Colleagues are smart and dedicated, making daily collaboration rewarding.
Cons: Career progression can feel a bit slow due to the large corporate structure. Some processes are bureaucratic, requiring multiple approvals which can delay project timelines. It's a common challenge in large pharma.
Advice to Management: Consider streamlining some of the internal approval processes to accelerate project timelines and empower teams. Providing clearer career paths or mentorship programs could also help address concerns about slower progression.
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Associate Scientist
4.0
27 April 2026
Great Environment for Career Growth and Stability
Pros: I've really enjoyed my time at MSD as an Associate Scientist. The culture here is incredibly supportive, especially within the R&D teams. There are tons of learning opportunities, and I feel like I'm always growing professionally. The compensation and benefits package is competitive for the pharmaceutical industry, which is a huge plus. It's a stable environment, and I appreciate the hybrid work flexibility. Great place to build a long-term career.
Cons: One area that could use some improvement is the speed of internal promotions. It can sometimes feel a bit slow, especially compared to smaller companies. Also, getting approvals for projects can be a lengthy process due to the large corporate structure. Communication about broader strategic shifts could be more frequent too, but day-to-day team communication is solid.
Advice to Management: Keep fostering the strong learning culture and supportive team environments. Consider ways to streamline internal promotion paths and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for project approvals to empower employees more efficiently.
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