Working at Novartis Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA: 15 Employee Job Reviews by Real Employee working in Cambridge, MA Area

"It is a strong research company. A lots of talent people there ."

"I have worked at Novartis (NIBR) for 4 years. In that time, I have been a part of a huge cultural change that has included leaving a more inclusive and collaborative environment. In my department, there is a unity that allows anyone to be approachable and ask questions. Unbossed also allows us to individually take charge of fulfilling our tasks at our own unique pace."

"Unbossed atmosphere. Great place to work"

"Why is this part of my application?"

"I've worked for Novartis Vaccines for almost a year and a half now. I joined the company in interesting times when they announced the company was for sale. Now, the company is sold to GSK and the company is gradually transitioning. I've had a great experience working for this company and with everyone here. This company indulges in good science and practices ethics in research. I would recommend applying to the new Novartis Vaccines (GSK vaccines) as the company might change but the people will not."

"My division was good in terms of values, benefits and compensation as well as being in a challenging work setting. However all of these topics differ heavily from division to division and country to country. Main challenge for the company is cultural differences and communication barriers across the globe. Considering a global company with over 120k employees, I guess, all of this is understandable."

"For almost eight (8) years working as a Desktop/Laboratory IT Support at Novartis Institutes of BioMedical Research, Inc. in Cambridge, my responsibilities included purchasing, designing, setting-up and testing to make sure all system is working properly including PC Workstations, PC standards and laptops for entire Cambridge facility."

"At Novartis, I was surrounded by people who are very bright and work hard, and felt they were doing meaningful work. For IT, the driving goal was supporting the scientists, not any bottom line, and the atmosphere was truly agile and genuinely collaborative. There was little bureaucracy - if you felt a new technology was the right one was a given task, you were free to argue for and use it. As a result, I was exposed to many new technologies and ideas."

"Great place to work, Excellent IT teams across the organization."

What do you like about working at Novartis Pharmaceuticals?

"Dynamic work and responsibilities. Many opportunities to pursue creative interests."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Make sure that you're willing to do the work that pays the bill."

What don't you like about working at Novartis Pharmaceuticals?

"It can be pretty chaotic. There's a lot of tribal knowledge floating around."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"I'd establish a calmer working environment and fewer mobile employees. Everyone deserves a desk."

What do you like about working at Novartis Pharmaceuticals?

"Good collaborative environment and research focuses on treatment of unmet medical needs."

What don't you like about working at Novartis Pharmaceuticals?

"Bureaucracy and having to deal with problems from other business units."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Better mitigation of problems as they pertain to certain departments and not having to implement company-wide reforms to address these issues."

What do you like about working at Novartis Pharmaceuticals?

"European culture, somewhat laid back atmosphere, great benefits, good pay."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Ask your interviewers how your role will advance your career. What advancement opportunities can they see you achieving in 18-24 months? How does the company feel about contributing to further education, graduate school, etc?"

What don't you like about working at Novartis Pharmaceuticals?

"It is such a giant company that individual employee advancement slips through the cracks. The company forgets that people want to climb a ladder and feel a sense of achievement in their career. Novartis would be perfectly happy under-utilizing an employee for years and years, as long as it works out for the company."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"If I were running my department I would encourage my employees more with opportunities for advancement."

"They took a chance and both sides won."