Pros
It's a tough job to manage a small biotech company in Providence. Boston is a big magnet for talent, and so EpiVax is always open to interviewing people who may not exactly fit the job but who are interested in becoming team members. We work hard to keep our great employees, and while we do lose some to higher paying companies (in Boston for example), it's important to know that many EpiVax employees have enjoyed working for the company over the long term and there are opportunities to grow with the company (especially now!). EpiVax has a flat organizational structure and dedication to innovation. We say that we practice Science without Fear, and we work to improve human health everywhere, in our commercial work, and in our support of non profits (see GAIAvaccine.org, and aplacetobehealthy.org, for example. We are also dedicated to enabling our employees to grow, while they are on the job. More than one employee has benefitted from EpiVax-supported technical training, and others have pursued masters degrees while still employed for the company. We organize (with iCubed see www.immunome.org) an annual conference that employees attend without charge. The conference is in its 9th year! In response to a review here on glass door, as CEO of the company, I travel roughly one third of the work week, so I'm grateful for the advantages that my "frequent flyer" miles give me. I am able to take adantage of business class upgrades for long distance flights to Asia and Europe, where I represent EpiVax. I It makes it possible to work on those long flights, and it also makes it possible to arrive fresh to do the business that keeps everyone employed. When I am not traveling to one of the three continents where we have clients, I work hard to move the science forward. With my business partner, we're happy to report that we've been cash flow positive and have kept between 16 to 24 employees gainfully employed over the past 17 years - not a bad track record for a small, privately owned biotech company. Salaries at EpiVax are competitive for our location, which is in the amazing city of Providence and the beautiful state of Rhode Island - a real plus for employees, even though none of our salaries are on par with Boston. The eight minute commute to work and cultural opportunities that co-exist with the biotech industry in this small city more than make up for that, I think!
Cons
The only negative aspect of working in a small company are the long work days. Yes - the work hours can extend into the evening when you are working on a paper or a grant - due to my responsibilities, I will admid that I devote practically every waking hour to EpiVax or to one of my two active not-for profits that are linked to, and supported by EpiVax: Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic and GAIA Vaccine Foundation. I feel fortunate to have such an opportunity to move science forward, but I will admit - but I go in to work every day with optimism and interest, which is more than I can say about most other jobs that I am aware of!