Postdocs Rank Scripps a "Best Place to Work"

Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego was ranked among the top 40 U.S. institutions listed as “Best Places to Work: Postdocs” in the March 2011 issue of The Scientist magazine.

Of the West Coast institutions listed, Scripps Oceanography was ranked number five. Survey respondents, all of whom were nontenured life scientists working in academia, industry, or noncommercial research institutions, recognized Scripps for its strengths in the categories of “Equity” and “Family and Personal Life.”

Survey-takers responded positively to statements about Scripps such as “there is no discrimination against postdocs based on their gender, religious beliefs, or ethnic background” and “the lab staff cooperate so that people can take time to solve family problems or take care of personal responsibilities.”

Scripps shared company on the list with fellow University of California institution UC San Francisco.

This is not the first recognition Scripps has received in recent years for its desirable working atmosphere. The Scientist magazine’s 2010 listing of “Best Places to Work in Academia” ranked Scripps number seven among West Coast institutions and the same publication’s 2007 listing of “Best Places to Work: Postdocs” ranked Scripps number four among West Coast institutions and number 11 in North America.

NOTE: The results of these annual surveys should be assessed noting large variations from year to year based on fluctuating numbers of self-selecting survey participants.