Pros
It pays well. If you happened to be in a good group, you work may be reward.
Cons
1. Hard to be a good scientist when they EH&S department is totally out of control. Scientists spend more time on mindless compliance than on science itself. 2. What counts is how many papers you publish in good journals. Nothing else matters. 3. Politics is pervasive. Infighting is insense. You well need to engage in one-on-one knife fights to get your funding (figuratively speaking) The atmosphere in a big center like JCAP is toxic. The place is ruled by professors. If you are not one, it is almost impossible to move up. 4. Over half its funding is for renewable energy R&D. With Trump and Rick Perry in charge, that's all going away. I predict some very painful years ahead.