Generous leave but struggles with micromanagement and culture - Anonymous employee Lhasa Employee Review

Being whittled away, at an increasing pace.

It's almost as if the CEO wants to continue to make this company a worse place to work. There has recently been another rush of people leaving, many experienced, senior members of both the science team and the software team. People who could no longer abide the ridiculous changes in working conditions, line management and how the company was being run. And now today, a further rollback of our remote working conditions. I am sure this will result in some more departures. Furthermore, there does not seem to be any more to replace the members of science or software. And yet there's an ever increasing parade of member-facing and marketing people. Weird. If you don't have people to build the product, you won't be able to market or sell it. Ah but of course, AI is going to build everything!!! Or so we are continually told. If you are offered a job outside of development or science, it may be worth considering. Otherwise, avoid. These two departments are constantly being made the scapegoat for all issues. Unpleasant.

I’ve worked at Lhasa Limited as a Senior Scientist for several years, and it’s genuinely one of the most rewarding roles I’ve had. The organisation is not-for-profit and mission-driven, which really shows in the culture and day-to-day work. The focus is always on enabling safer chemical decision-making and supporting the wider scientific community, rather than chasing short-term commercial wins. The science is strong and collaborative. You’re surrounded by knowledgeable, thoughtful people who care deeply about data quality, transparency, and applying the best available science. There’s a real respect for expertise, and your input is valued regardless of seniority. Cross-functional working is encouraged, particularly between scientists, software developers, and commercial teams, which makes the work both challenging and interesting. Lhasa is also a supportive place to grow your career. There are opportunities to develop technically, contribute to publications and conferences, and get involved in wider initiatives across the business. Leadership is approachable, and there’s a genuine emphasis on trust, flexibility, and work–life balance. Overall, Lhasa is a great fit if you want to do impactful science in a collaborative, values-led organisation where your work makes a real difference.

Because Lhasa is consensus-driven and scientifically rigorous, decision-making can sometimes feel slower than in more commercially driven organisations. The not-for-profit model means budgets and resources can be tighter than in large corporates, so prioritisation is important. If you’re used to highly structured career ladders, progression can feel less clearly defined and more self-directed.