employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

Lawrence Berkeley Lab

Is this your company?

Not What I Expected - Research Assistant Lawrence Berkeley Lab Employee Review

2.0
3 Dec 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The overall lab is very laid back with a great community and wonderful post-docs to help advise you on the path towards higher education. They will give you the lab experience you're looking for, but be prepared for a very hands-off approach to your learning.

Cons

Highly unstructured and I did not feel personally cared for as an employee. I came in with a very clear message that I was seeking laboratory bench experience, and I definitely got this, but my mentor was not great at explaining the work and only got frustrated with me when I wasn't understanding. I saw other mentors were different, so my case might just be specific, but from what I understand from the other interns coming from the college is that the post doc mentors are very busy and unless you have good chemistry and communication with your mentor, it's going to be you by yourself figuring out your own problems with little help. Don't expect a bachelor's pay even if you got your degree. Prepare to live and breathe your job for little pay because the lab culture expects you to devote your free time to your work. The people who can do this are amazing, but it is very mentally draining to be here. Work-life balance does not exist here.

Explore other reviews about Lawrence Berkeley Lab

5.0
4 May 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Interesting work and beautiful environment

Cons

Space can be a bit tight

3.0
27 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Beautiful location, you oversee the Bay, Golden Gate Bridge and SF. Research environment, great bridge for academics to transition to a more applied research. Benefits quite good

Cons

Low wages, especially in the scientific staff. Basically no career progression. Offices are a mixed bags (some departments have brand new buildings, others have very old buildings). Do not rely on their immigration services to get anything beyond temporary work visas.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All