Neuroscientist

As a neuroscientist, you'll study how the brain functions, develops and works - for example, what happens to the brain when we learn or carry out a creative task or how the brain changes as it ages. You may also help advance treatments for a range of neurological conditions, such as anxiety disorders, epilepsy, motor neurone disease (MND) and Alzheimer's disease.

Most neuroscientists are involved in research, working in settings such as universities, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies or government agencies.

Neuroscientists are research scientists, distinct from neurologists and neurosurgeons who are medically qualified doctors. They're also different from neuropsychologists, who are clinical psychologists with additional training in neuropsychology.

Types of neuroscientist

Neuroscience is a fast-moving, multidisciplinary field that has advanced rapidly in recent years. It has developed a highly collaborative approach that combines elements from disciplines such as biology, computer science, chemistry, medicine, engineering, linguistics and mathematics.

As a result, neuroscientists work across a range of sectors, including:

• academia (research and teaching)
• clinical sciences
• biotechnology and contract research
• pharmaceutical and drug development
• neuropsychology
• computational neuroscience
• neuroimaging or brain imaging
• regulatory affairs, policy and research administration
• science communication and public engagement.

Within these areas, you can focus on a particular neuroscientist specialism. For example, you could concentrate on cognitive neuroscience, working to understand how the brain creates and controls thought, memory, language and behaviour, or in development neuroscience, investigating how the nervous system grows, changes and develops.

For more information on the different areas of neuroscience, see BrainFacts.org.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will depend on the sector you work in and your area of specialism, but in general, you'll need to:

• design and carry out experiments and clinical trials to understand more about the brain and nervous system
• use techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) to study brain activity
• analyse and interpret data using theoretical, statistical and computer-based models
• research and develop new treatments or technologies for neurological disorders
• work with doctors and other health professionals to trial new drugs or therapies
• conduct literature reviews to keep up to date with current neuroscience research
• collaborate with colleagues to plan, discuss and evaluate research projects
• write and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals
• present research at national and international conferences
• supervise or manage research staff and students, depending on your level of experience.

Salary

• Research assistants and early-career neuroscientists typically earn between £24,000 and £37,500 per year, depending on their level of responsibility and experience.
• Postdoctoral researchers can expect salaries in the region of £35,000 to £47,500.
• Experienced neuroscientists usually earn between £40,000 and £60,000, while senior neuroscientists, such as research leads or principal investigators, can earn between £65,000 and £100,000. Directors of neuroscience in major pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies may earn more than this.

Salaries vary significantly depending on your location, the sector you work in, the type of employer you work for, your area of specialisation and your level of responsibility. Neuroscientists working in London, for example, tend to earn more.

Roles in industry, particularly with large pharmaceutical, biotechnology or medical technology companies, generally offer higher pay than equivalent positions in universities or research institutes.

Most UK universities use a nationally agreed single pay spine. See the University and College Union (UCU) or individual university pay webpages for up-to-date salary scales. Your experience, publication record and the ability to attract research funding can also influence pay progression in academic roles.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are usually standard office hours, from 9am to 5pm. However, you may need to be flexible to accommodate participants in research projects or to attend conferences.

Many research projects run for a set period, typically one to three years. This means that contracts are often fixed term. Roles within industry, such as the pharmaceutical sector, are more likely to be permanent.

What to expect

• Much of the work is lab based, although you'll also spend time carrying out administrative tasks and data analysis in an office setting.
• Although neuroscience is a growing field, jobs are not available in large numbers so you may need to be flexible and willing to relocate to find suitable opportunities.
• Neuroscience is an exciting and evolving discipline, with many discoveries yet to be made. Your research could have a direct impact on people's lives, for example by contributing to new treatments for conditions such as Parkinson's disease.
• Neuroscience is a global discipline, offering opportunities to work internationally and to attend conferences and develop research collaborations around the world.

Qualifications

Most neuroscientists complete a science-based undergraduate degree followed by a PhD. Some will also study for a Masters degree.

There are several neuroscience undergraduate courses available, as well as combined degrees such as neuroscience with psychology. For a list of neuroscience undergraduate and postgraduate courses, see the British Neuroscience Association (BNA).

Neuroscience draws on multiple scientific disciplines, so the following physical and life sciences degrees can provide a strong foundation:

• biochemistry
• biology
• biomedical sciences
• pharmacology
• physics
• psychology.

It's also possible to enter neuroscience with a degree in computer science, chemistry, or engineering, before specialising at postgraduate level.

While you may be able to start work as a research assistant without a Masters or PhD, competition for these roles is high, and a postgraduate qualification will give you an advantage. Postgraduate study also helps you develop the advanced research and laboratory skills essential for a neuroscience career.

After completing a PhD, you'll usually move into a postdoctoral research position to gain further laboratory experience, although some graduates progress directly into industry roles.

Skills

You will need to have:

• well-developed research skills in experimental design, implementation and analysis
• the ability to think critically and apply both deductive and inductive reasoning
• strong numeracy and data analysis skills
• excellent communication skills to collaborate with colleagues and, where relevant, research participants or clients
• scientific writing skills for contributing to reports, journals and other publications
• the ability to use programming, statistical methods and mathematical analysis in your work
• patience, resilience and adaptability, as research can progress slowly or take unexpected directions
• excellent organisational and time management skills
• the motivation to stay up to date with scientific developments and apply new knowledge to your research.

Work experience

There are several ways to gain practical experience and insight into working in research or industry. For example, many large pharmaceutical companies offer summer internships, and some degree programmes include an industry placement year. Both provide valuable opportunities to develop your research and technical skills, although competition for places can be strong.

The BNA lists organisations that fund undergraduate summer research placements. Applications are usually made by your supervisor, and you may both need to be members of the relevant society. Some universities offer opportunities to assist academics or postgraduate students with research projects during term time or over the summer.

You may also be able to take part in research experiments run by students on other degree programmes. This experience exposes you to different research methods, which can be useful when designing your own experiments.

There are also voluntary opportunities with charities that support people affected by neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, dementia or brain injury. This experience provides insight into the lived experience of neurological disorders or degeneration. Paid, care-based roles in the NHS or private sector can provide similar exposure.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships available.

Employers

Neuroscientists are employed across the public and private sectors, often working in laboratory-based environments within:

• universities
• government departments
• contract research organisations (CROs)
• the NHS
• the pharmaceutical industry
• food and biotechnical companies.

Research tends to move in cycles, with different types of employers often focusing on similar challenges, such as dementia. This means it's possible to move between sectors, as the skills and experience you develop are highly transferable. Even when research topics differ, many neuroscientists transition successfully from one type of organisation to another.

Neuroscientists are also employed in areas such as medical or scientific publishing, science communication and journalism.

Look for job vacancies at:

• British Neuroscience Association
• Jobs.ac.uk - especially for research/academic roles.

Professional development

Continuing professional development (CPD) is an essential part of a neuroscientist's career, helping you maintain high research standards, adapt to new technologies and progress into more senior or specialised roles.

The training and development opportunities available will depend partly on the sector you work in - for example, academia or industry. Wherever you work, you'll need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date throughout your career.

In academia, training often focuses on key areas, such as getting your work published in academic journals and writing successful bids to win funding for your research. In industry, you may undertake training in areas such as the legal and regulatory aspects of clinical trials or the drug development process.

In either setting, you'll be encouraged to attend conferences, collaborate with neuroscientists internationally and present your own research findings. You'll also undertake specialist training in emerging experimental methodologies, techniques and technologies.

Membership of the BNA provides access to a range or resources, training and events, as well as opportunities to network with other neuroscientists.

Career prospects

There are several factors driving the global growth in neuroscience. For example, as people live longer, more funding is being directed towards tackling age-related neurological conditions such as dementia. Advances in AI are also increasing demand for neuroscientists to help develop smarter interfaces between humans and machines. Meanwhile, rapid advances in brain imaging technologies place neuroscientists in a unique position to deepen our understanding of human behaviour.

These developments are creating good opportunities for neuroscientists to progress their careers in a wide range of industries, including government policy, education, healthcare and business. However, it can take time to establish yourself and build a career in your chosen area, so flexibility over relocation can be an advantage.

As your career develops, there are opportunities to specialise in areas such as behavioural or developmental neuroscience.

The way your career progresses depends on the sector you work in. In universities, for example, you may follow an academic pathway or teach alongside your research. Academic careers are highly competitive, and you may need to complete several fixed-term contracts before securing a permanent post.

In industry, you'll typically progress into a senior scientist role or become a research or development lead, managing teams and taking responsibility for specific research projects or programmes.

As neuroscience continues to evolve, there's growing demand for researchers with interdisciplinary expertise - for example, combining neuroscience with data science, AI, psychology or biomedical engineering - opening up new and diverse career routes.