Yes, definitely depends on your institute and type of job. I'm in a clinical position and am very happy. My group is very family friendly as well.

I work there - overall good culture and in-agency programs for employees. Very much just depends on your manager.

Agree with PP - have a number of friends at NIH. Different experiences in different divisions, like many workplaces. But overall good.

well...if you want a job, please use the exact phrases in the KSAs b/c the people who review the applications are completely different from the people who hire.

there is no one NIH. Every institute, every research lab, every group is different. I worked in intramural research and it was a great lab. I worked in a policy office at an institute and it sucked. Good luck.

I'm interested in working for the NIH, but I'd like to hear more about the culture. Everything I've been told by people I know who work there has been positive - I don't think I've met an NIH employee who doesn't like working there.

The application process also seems daunting. I've never applied for a federal job before, and between the KSAs and reports of hundreds of applicants for each position, I'm amazed anyone can find a job there. I'm just starting to do my job search homework, and I'm not planning on looking in earnest for a few months.