When it comes to work environments, biotechs and contract research organizations are far from interchangeable. But, Pashazadeh said, “When you’re sitting within a biotech, you’re the one driving the bus. Advantages of biotechs: deeper connection, greater influenceAs to the advantages biotechs offer, Pavyde said they include giving people the chance to deeply invest in one mission. CRO vs. biotech: making the callIf someone is trying to decide between working at a contract research organization or biotech , Pavyde usually asks them one simple question: Do you enjoy variety, or do you enjoy depth? While it’s relatively unusual for someone to move back and forth between biotechs and contract research organizations, Pashazadeh said, he can see his friend potentially returning to a CRO someday.