MA Company Takes Top Spot in Science Magazine’s Employers Survey; 4 Other MA Companies Make the List

Posted by erik devaney

Science has spoken: the Bay State is the place to be if you want your science career to blossom.

In its 2011 Science Careers Top Employers Survey, which examines companies all over the world, the magazine awarded Cambridge-based, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, the #1 spot. Four other companies based in Massachusetts made the coveted 20-company list.

The goal of the Top Employers Survey is to identify the most reputable companies in science; companies that are innovative, socially responsible, that inspire loyalty and that treat their employees with respect. Science calculated its results using a web-based survey, which engaged 3,784 participants.

2011 marks the first year that a Massachusetts-based company has claimed the survey’s top spot. However, the state’s performances in recent years have also been impressive, with companies frequently hovering at the #3 spot. Let’s take a look…

Top Employers 2007 – 3 MA Companies

• #5 Genzyme Corp (Cambridge)
• #13 Millennium Pharmaceuticals (Cambridge)
• #17 Biogen Idec (Cambridge)

Top Employers 2008 – 4 MA Companies

• #3 Genzyme Corp (Cambridge)
• #7 EMD Serono, Inc. (Rockland)
• #8 Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company (Cambridge)
• #18 Biogen Idec (Weston)

Top Employers 2009 – 3 MA Companies

• #3 Genzyme Corp (Cambridge)
• #5 Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company (Cambridge)
• #15 Biogen Idec (Weston)

Top Employers 2010 – 5 MA Companies

• #3 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Cambridge)
• #4 Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company (Cambridge)
• #8 Genzyme Corp (Cambridge)
• #9 EMD Serono (Rockland)
• #15 Biogen Idec (Weston)

Now let’s take a look at the five Bay State-based top employers from this year’s survey and see what they’ve been doing right…

#1 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Cambridge)

Vertex develops and commercializes medicines that can help people who are suffering from serious diseases. The company recently introduced its first product, Incivek, which treats hepatitis C. Responding to the company’s performance in Science’s recent survey, Vertex’s chief science officer, Peter Mueller, stated, “This recognition is tied directly to the passion and creativity that our 1,800 employees bring to Vertex each day, as we seek to change the lives of people with devastating diseases.”

#5 Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company (Cambridge)

Millennium devotes its resources to developing new treatments for cancer. Currently, the oncology company has 15 such treatments undergoing clinical trials. Experts at Millennium run in-house programs for employees, while the company also provides opportunities for employees to participate in national conferences as well as professional associations.

#10 Biogen Idec (Weston)

Biogen Idec is the oldest independent biotech company in the world. The goal of the company’s R&D program is to develop new molecules that can improve the safety and effectiveness of medicines. To maintain high levels of employee satisfaction, Biogen Idec regularly surveys employees and holds roundtable discussions for soliciting employee feedback.

#12 EMD Serono (Rockland)

EMD Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA, which is based in Darmstadt, Germany. The company develops therapies for cancer as well as for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. For encouraging communication between employees, EMD Serono hosts internal forums and programs, including “Lunch & Learns.”

#13 Genzyme Corp (Cambridge)

Genzyme Corp develops medicines for treating rare genetic diseases, endocrinological disorders, multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The company puts a strong emphasis on career-building and works with employees to create personal development plans.

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5. Check Out MIT’s 2011 List Of Top Innovators Under 35; Who in Boston Made the Cut

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