How To Become A Neuroscientist
As a neuroscientist, you will conduct research aimed at improving the health for the human population. You are passionate about medicine and science, and you are interested in coming up with new procedures and technologies that can help people live longer, more prosperous lives. You spend much of your time conducting scientific research and working in a laboratory. Becoming a neuroscientist requires several years of education, including obtaining a PhD.
Why Become A Neuroscientist
As we age, we often develop chronic illnesses – things like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, different types of cancers, and more. These types of illnesses have patients going to the doctors for relief. Many diseases and illnesses have no cure, and some may not even have effective treatment options.
Neuroscientists are medical scientists and researchers. Their responsibility is to study chronic illnesses and develop new and improved methods for treating the illnesses that plague people today. This may involve designing and conducting studies with new medications. They may analyze medical samples, in order to understand pathogens better. They may create new medical devices, or test out their functionality in a laboratory. They may standardize drug potency and dosages, preparing it for mass distribution into the market. Often this position requires grant money to conduct research, and neuroscientists might write research grants in order to seek funding for their research.
This is a good career choice for somebody who loves science and the health care profession, somebody who would prefer to work in research than work directly with patients, and somebody who has a creative mind and can come up with original ways of solving problems.
Neuroscientists should possess the following qualities and skills:
- Enjoys research
- Enjoys health care
- Creative mind
- Attention to detail
Neuroscientist Work Environment
Most neuroscientists work in laboratories. In this context, they work in research and development, working to understand medical conditions and medicines better. They work inside of a laboratory, performing experiments. They analyze their results and look at data. Their research often leads to breakthroughs in the medical field. This work often involves working on a team. It involves working with medical equipment.
They may work with biological samples, chemicals and other biohazards. Neuroscientists who don’t want to work in a laboratory often end up working in a college or university. About one-third of neuroscientists currently have jobs working in a university as professors and research scientists.
The median annual salary for medical scientists was $80,530 in 2016, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. This category includes neuroscientists.
Medical careers tend to be very lucrative, due to the high level of education and training needed to obtain a career in this field. Salary may vary depending on what industry a person is employed in. Neuroscientists employed in medicine and pharmaceutical manufacturing could make a median salary of $114,000. Meanwhile, those employed by universities as professors earned a median salary of $58,000 in 2016. It is important to think about the industry you want to be in when thinking about salary.
Neuroscientist Career Outlook
Employment for medical scientists, including neuroscientists, is expected to increase by eight percent from 2014 to 2024. This is about as fast as all other job occupations within the United States.
Medical professions will always be necessary. New healthcare laws introduced in the United States will see more people going to doctors. There has recently been a renewed interest in people wanting to take care of their health. There is a growing elderly population, and this population needs more care. Neuroscientists will be needed to use their knowledge for researching and treating chronic illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease, AIDS, and different cancers. Neuroscientists will continue to be needed because they make a positive contribution to the health of the human population.
If you would like to become a neuroscientist, read below to find out how.
Step 1: Undergraduate education. In order to become a neuroscientist, you will need to go to college. Choose a major in a natural science field, such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, health sciences, or anything else that is related. You will learn all about humans and basic medical knowledge. This will be a great basic step into this career path and learning if this field is a good choice for you. It takes four years to receive your bachelor’s degree.
Step 2: Graduate school. If you want to become a neuroscientist, you will need to obtain a PhD. You should look at universities that have doctorate programs for neuroscience, neurobiology, or another related field. Look into universities that are well known for their programs. Apply, be accepted and enroll. During this time you will take advanced coursework, learning about medicine and the human body. You will also be able to do research in your field. It takes about six years to receive your PhD in neuroscience.