Scientists Rank Fox Chase Cancer Center as One of the Best Places to Work in Academia

PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 5, 2006)-In a survey conducted by The Scientist Magazine, researchers say Fox Chase Cancer Center is among the best places to work when it comes to conducting academic research. Fox Chase is the highest-ranking cancer center and ninth in a list that includes university giants such as California Institute of Technology, Purdue University and Stanford University.

The Scientist ranked 58 institutions in United States. The survey results appeared in the Oct. 1, 2006 issue of The Scientist (www.the-scientist.com).

Fox Chase received high marks for peer interaction, research infrastructure and work environment. Fox Chase’s ranking reflects an overall philosophy of providing a stimulating work environment at every level of the institution. Fox Chase also ranked among the top 10 (number six) best places to work for postdoctoral researchers in a separate survey published by The Scientist in March 1, 2006.

“What makes Fox Chase unique, I believe, is the sense of common mission among all employees” said Fox Chase principal investigator Glenn Rall, Ph.D., in The Scientist article that accompanied the new survey “As a cancer center that sees many patients each day, we are constantly reminded of our singular emphasis. We may do different things, but our work is all to reduce the burden of human cancer.”

Authors of The Scientist article summed up what they found after reviewing more than 1,500 “Best Places” surveys: Around the world, scientists ranked personal fulfillment as the number one factor in determining workplace satisfaction. Good working relationships with peers, institutional management and tenure procedures also ranked among the most important factors.

“We’re proud to be able to provide this information to our readers year after year,” said Richard Gallagher, The Scientist publisher. “It’s important for scientists to be able to tell their peers exactly how they feel about where they work.”

Tenured or tenure-track life scientists working in academia or other non-commercial research were invited to take part in an online survey used for the rankings. The questionnaire asked respondents to assess their working conditions and environments by indicating their level of agreement with 39 positive statements in eight different areas. Respondents also indicated which factors were important to them.

To calculate the institutions’ overall rankings, The Scientist first weighted each factor based on the percentage of respondents who considered it important. The overall rankings are based on the average score per institution from all respondents on all factors, weighted according to their regional importance.

Fox Chase Cancer Center was founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as the nation’s first cancer hospital. In 1974, Fox Chase became one of the first institutions designated as a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center. Fox Chase conducts basic, clinical, population and translational research; programs of prevention, detection and treatment of cancer; and community outreach. For more information about Fox Chase activities, visit the Center’s web site at www.fccc.edu or call 1-888-FOX CHASE.

# # #