Institute with glorious past and questionable present
Pros
The institute has several groups. The infrastructure found in some of the groups are available only in few R&D labs in the world. The institute has great potential for conducting cutting-edge R&D. Institute's location is great for research. Good salary combined with several benefits. Few (very few) scientists working in the lab are excellent
Cons
Too much hierarchy, red tape, bureaucracy and filthy office politics. Narrow mindset affecting young researchers. No professionalism, even at the higher level at present. Intrusive, no sense of personal space. Moral policing. You will be ridiculed if you bring up concerns of mental health. No platform to raise issues concerning equality, diversity, inclusion and discrimination. Personal verbal attacks are common. The supervisor may use indecent language and threaten the subordinates without the fear of any consequence. Getting a harrassing, intimidating whatsapp message from team leader at 11 PM has to be expected. Most of the project fellows do mundane jobs. So, do a background search if possible, before joining the institute as a PF. The senior scientists just don't care about their PhD or Masters students except when it comes to matters of publications. No supervisor cares if the PhD thesis drags on for years. The entire blame only falls on the student. But the supervisors proudly flaunt the number of students carrying out thesis work under them.
