Monsanto, a global agricultural biotechnology company based out of St. Louis, Mo., ranked No. 1 among large companies in this year's Best Places to Work in Industry survey. With a focus on world hunger and improving the lives of farmers, there's a sense of optimism among employees that pulls everyone together. "I believe in the company and its mission, and I feel that my colleagues do as well," says Sonya J. Franklin, director of the protein technologies group.

In 2008 Monsanto, along with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, began a partnership to develop genetically modified corn in Africa that is tolerant to droughts and unstable water conditions. Currently, the gene from the first generation of the corn is undergoing trials in Africa, while a second-generation product is still in early development. Former farmer Danette Ward, a senior scientist at Monsanto, says she sees the work "as an opportunity to give back to the farming community."

Franklin also enjoys the academic-like working environment at Monsanto. Three years ago Franklin traded in her academic career at the University of Iowa for the Monsanto job. But "the things I expected to miss most"--such as mentoring and scientific autonomy--"I find I haven't had to leave behind," she told The Scientist.

Monsanto employees also note the way the company takes care of its own. When a major highway through St. Louis was closed, for example, Monsanto offered shuttle services from a nearby Metro stop to ferry employees to work. The company also offers flexible hours and competitive benefits, including on-site child care and tuition benefits. --Lauren Urban

Nestled along the Ipswich River on a garden-laden, 145-acre campus, New England Biolabs ranked as the No. 1 small company in this year's Best Places to Work in the Industry survey. Employees of this biotechnology company rave about the company's family-like feel and cooperative research environment.

"It all goes back to the founder [and current owner] Don Comb and the fact that he loves science," says William Jack, Research Director with New England Biolabs. "Even at 82, you can find him in the lab tinkering around."

The long tenure of its employees isn't limited to Comb--many have been with the company since its beginning 35 years ago, which gives New England Biolabs a strong community and family-like feel, Jack says. "I feel like a new kid on the block because I've only been here for 22 years."

The on-site cafeteria, which offers free soup and salad for employees on Thursdays and local produce during the summer, serves as a "very good uniting place for the company," Jack says, and is often the venue of retirement and birthday parties--even an annual "publication celebration" to mark the research publications that come out of the company each year.

Employees are also proud of the company's green ethic. Their building is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified--an internationally recognized green building certification system--and they have their own state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant right on site. Additionally, company employees recycle almost everything they use, from their Styrofoam shipping containers to laboratory chemicals and pipette tips. "We have a very strong environmental focus that's been with the company since the beginning," says Richard Roberts, chief scientific officer and 1993 Nobel Laureate for the discovery of introns and exons. "Most people who work for the company themselves have become environmentalists." --Cassandra Brooks

While most of the companies that topped this year's Best Places to Work in Industry survey offer a variety of benefits--including good health care, paid leave and a 401K--some go above and beyond, offering half-day Fridays, allowing dogs in the workplace, and even kazoo caroling.

Wyatt Technologies, ranked No. 2 for small companies, believes that having dogs in the office increases staff morale and reduces stress. "Dr. Philip Wyatt"--the owner of the laser instruments company--"brought his dogs in and decided what was good for him was good for the company," says Steven Trainoff, director of engineering at Wyatt. Trainoff, who has two greyhounds he regularly brings to work, generally agrees with the philosophy, noting that "for some people, it's the highlight of their day to come by and give my dogs some treats."

Employees at pharmaceutical company Astellas, ranked No. 9 for large companies, enjoy support for their extracurricular aspirations. In addition to providing tuition reimbursement and support for professional development, the company also matches employee charity donations and allows 5 days off per year specifically for volunteer work. One employee took advantage of this perk to help out on a medical mission trip to a clinic in Ecuador, where he and 15 others provided basic medical care to the locals. Others use the time to volunteer locally--at animal shelters, women's shelters, and even local school science fairs as judges.

And while the raises, bonuses, and stock incentives offered by Amgen, ranked No. 6 for large companies, are praised by employees, they say it's the little extras that make their workday enjoyable. "The kazoo band goes caroling around the halls on special occasions, fantastic coffee baristas provide my afternoon caffeine pick-me-up, and there's always a walk outside along the Puget Sound if you need to clear your head," Heather Arnett, a principle scientist at Amgen tells The Scientist. --Cassandra Brooks