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What careers someone interested in neuroscience can do?

What is neuroscience?


Neuroscience, also known as neural science, is the study of the nervous system focusing mainly on the brain and how it develops, its structure, and what it does. Neuroscience also often studies the effect of neurological, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders on the nervous system. Neuroscience is often thought of as a subdivision of biology which includes many other subjects such as maths, linguistics, engineering, computer science, chemistry, philosophy, psychology, and medicine. 



What are the different branches of neuroscience you can go into?


Affective neuroscience – studies how particular structures, chemicals, and networks in the brain relate to emotions. Affective neuroscientists carry out investigations to observe the activation of certain neural networks corresponding to various emotions in both humans and animals.


Behavioral neuroscience – Looking at how the brain and the rest of the nervous system affect behavior in both humans and nonhumans. Behavior neuroscientists carry out experiments to do this using brain imaging and artificial stimulation.


Cellular neuroscience – the study of neurons, including their form and physiological properties at the cellular level.


Clinical neuroscience – study, prevents, and treats mental and nervous system disorders eg Alzheimer's. A clinical neuroscientist carries out scientific research and analyses data on brain and nervous system function and how they relate to various mental disorders but isn't actually involved in treating patients who suffer from them.


Cognitive neuroscience – the study of higher cognitive functions in humans and the neural mechanisms that control our thinking and perception. Cognitive neuroscientist neuroscientists aim to understand cognitive functions from a neural point of view to explore how the brain gives rise to mental processes and abilities.   Cognitive neuroscience draws from linguistics, neuroscience, psychology, and cognitive science.


Computational neuroscience – uses computer modeling and mathematical, physics, and other computational techniques/tools to attempt to understand how the brain works at a chemical and neural level based on data from studies on humans and nonhumans.


Cultural neuroscience – looks at how beliefs, practices, and cultural values are shaped by and shape neurobiological systems through socialization. It investigates how the influence of culture makes neurobiological systems accustomed to their environment.


Developmental neuroscience – looks at how the brain and nervous system form and change due to age and how this affects an individual's perception and thinking. 


Neuroengineering –combines engineering and medical science to study and manipulate specific neural systems using engineering techniques to better understand, replace, repair, or improve them.


Neurophysiology– looks at the relationship of the nervous system and its functions rather than its structure using physiological techniques to help diagnose and monitor neurological diseases.


Social neuroscience – this is the study of how the brain implements and understands social processes and behaviors such as its connection to other people. Social neuroscience gathers biological concepts and methods to inform and refine theories of social behavior. Social neuroscientists aim to explain the evolution of the brain through social interactions and how the brain is affected by different aspects of social life.


A few very popular careers in neuroscience:

  • Neurologist: 

Average salary: $234,951 per year.

Average satisfaction level: most of their career satisfaction a ⅘ meaning they are the 9% of careers in terms of satisfaction.

It takes at least 12 years to become a neurologist including 4 years of undergraduate bachelor's degree, 4 years of med school, and a 3 year residency program. Neurologists specialize in diagnosing and treating brain and nervous system diseases medically but not surgically. They order and interpret neurological tests, prescribe medication or treatment plans related to neurological disorders or conditions, and work with other medical professionals to provide neurological insight for patient cases.

  • Research scientist:

Average salary: $87,624 per year.

Average satisfaction level:3.3 out of 5 stars which puts them in the top 46% of careers.

A neuroscience researcher is a neuroscientist who may work in the academic or public sectors and design and analyze information to do with understanding and developing our understanding of neuroscience. They carry out experiments to test theories regarding the nervous system and then log their findings and present them to others in their industry. they are conducting studies to test theories regarding the nervous system and diseases affecting it. Researchers cover a broad field of analysis, performing studies ranging from molecular to cognitive to genetic. They may develop and test drugs for biopharma, as well.

  • Clinical neuroscientist:

Average salary: $96,196 per year.

Average job satisfaction:3.3/5

Clinical neuroscientists study brain functions and how diseases affect it as medical doctors or researchers in hopes of conducting research and developing new treatments for brain diseases in patients into medical practice. Techniques used by clinical neuroscientists include clinical observation and testing in human patients, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy, MR tractography, quantitative immunoassays, histopathology, electroencephalograms, and analytical neurochemistry.

  • Biostatistician:

National average salary: $131,234 per year.

Average job satisfaction: 3.6/5 with 55% being very satisfied with their job

Biosaticians design, study, and oversee the research of statistical strides and analyze them to answer questions relating to neuroscience using mathematics and statistical analysis. They have a more data-driven role rather than a clinical one where they treat patients and often use the information gained from studies to test new drugs in clinical trials.

  • Professeur:

Average salary ​$79,640 per year.

Average job satisfaction: 3.6/ 5 which puts them in the top 25% of careers

Professors teach neuroscience at the undergraduate or graduate level, design curriculum as well as contribute to the study of neuroscience through research and publications. Neuroscience professors may choose specialties in the field, like surgery or neurobiology.  In order to become a professor of neuroscience you need to first gain an undergraduate degree in neuroscience or a related field eg biology. Then you can either earn a master of science degree in neurosciences where you need to conduct original research and publish the results or you could go to medical school for 4 years and then around 3 years in residency.

  • Neurosurgeon:

National average salary: $126,273 per year.

Average job satisfaction: 4.2/5

Neurosurgeons are medical doctors who diagnose disorders and specialize in surgical procedures of the brain and spinal cord. To be a neurosurgeon it takes a total of around 14-16 years with them having one for the longest training periods due to how complex their job is with them having to go through undergraduate education, medical school, internship, and then residency. 

  • Physician Assistant:

Average salary: $105,068 per year.

Average job satisfaction: 3.7/5 with 70.5 percent of PAs being completely or mostly satisfied with their jobs

Neuroscience physician assistants are responsible for examining, diagnosing, and treating patients with neurological conditions. They usually need the supervision of medical doctors and prepare patients or their families for what their treatment plan will be like and how to care for them. They examine patients, collect medical histories, and write prescriptions as well as reveal tests. To be a physician assistant you need to get your bachelor's degree then enter the PA program and pass the PANCE (physician assistance national certifying exam).






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