Anyone interested in working in a research position should care a great deal that their management hierarchy is separate from their research hierarchy, and that

Anyone interested in working in a research position should care a great deal that their management hierarchy is separate from their research hierarchy, and that the organization supports researchers working across teams. That will reduce the impact of personality conflicts and assholes. I know that some places feel that the people managers have to be the technical experts but I would strongly advise against working in such a place.