Last week, we ran an advance look at the annual survey of the best places to work, as determined by readers of The Scientist, the vast majority of whom toil in laboratory or clinical research. The results, however, are released officially today and so here are the 15 most important factors that shape job satisfaction.

1 - personal satisfaction;
2 - contribution to the team is appreciated;
3 - needed equipment and services are provided;
4 - research mission is logical and practical, and role is understood;
5 - ethical standards are set and met;
6 - pay adequately covers expenses and leisure activities;
7 - good communication between research and other departments;
8 - included by managers in decisions that have immediate affect;
9 - pay is consistent with or above industry standards;
10 - opportunity exists for professional enhancement;
11 - top management is scientifically knowledgeable and values research;
12 - colleagues work with integrity and professionalism;
13 - when problems occur, a chance to explain is given;
14 - adequate and affordable health benefits are provided;
15 - improvements in performance and capabilities are recognized.

Guessing which items will appear on such a list is rather easy, but the ranking is interesting, yes? Teamwork is highly valued, despite increasingly competitive pressures in some labs where cost-cutting and added metrics are becoming more common. Pay, of course, is important, while perhaps many assume a health care company will offer good health benefits.

Meanwhile, ethical standards rate very highly in an era which pharma and biotech are regularly attacked over a growing number of issues, from price and safety to promotion and research results. This rates as much more important than execs who understand science and value research, despite complaints from some quarters that sales backgrounds aren’t sufficient.

You can read the accompanying article here and details about the survey respondents here.

Our thanks to The Scientist.[tags]Jobs[/tags]