Where can I employ a private research assistant?

What is better research associate at the startup biotech or research assistant at Harvard teaching hospital?

• Recently I had two job offers one is the position of research associate at the startup biotech (there are literary only 3 people there). Another offer is the position of research assistant at the BIMDC, Harvard teaching hospital. The salary is a little higher at the biotech, but there are certain perks at the BIMDC (discount on transportation, lower insurance payment, etc). Currently I have MS in cell and molecular biology, and I am not quite sure what to do in the future. I might go for the PhD, I might not. I really can not decide which position to accept. On one hand it is really nice to have Harvard in your resume, on the other hand if I decide not to continue with my education and look for job in the biotech industry, would biotech experience be more useful than work experience in academia. Then of course there is the fact that this is an extremely small company, and economy is not all that grate, even though they seem to be doing ok now, the future is unclear. I would really appreciate some general advise, perhaps if people know which experience is preferred in biotech? Thank you.

• Answer:

  Biotech is risky, the funding could dry up at any time, it will depend on what you guys discover, and it will take years and years until it pays out when you are at the very beginning (3 people is the very beginning). You will probably be offered stock or stock options at some point if things go well, and you could end up being very very well off. High risk, potential high reward. Harvard teaching hospital - great first job, would mean a lot on your resume, highly stable, but without a PhD you have no future there. But it is great experience and would also be highly sought after if you do decide to go into biotech. You have no bad choices - both are valuable experience.