Pros
Merck offers opportunities to work on independent projects and publication is highly encouraged. This is particularly straightforward in the chemistry department, which is very well resourced.
Cons
The culture at Merck has become one of indifference to innovative bioscience, which is reflected in the mood of employees and management alike: low enthusiasm for the science and apathy toward influencing the next generation of therapeutics. It was discouraging to see great colleagues’ talent go unused and their drive to impact patients be neglected. Conversations in the labs rarely touched on scientific topics as people bided their time before the commute home, meetings focused on box-checking exercises to fulfill year-end goals, and managers closed their office doors to read the news and trade stocks. Over the course of 2018-2021, many experienced colleagues departed the company, leaving those content with the status quo and ensconcing a culture of indifference.