Career Journal

Neuroscientist
Education Required: Ph.D.; M.D. required for clinical work; Neuroscientists with an
M.D. must complete medical residency and pass the United States Medical Licensing
Examination to treat patients
Responsibilities and daily activities: Neuroscientists typically perform research in
offices or laboratories. Some work in clinics and hospitals to evaluate, diagnose, and
treat patients. Neuroscientists begin experiments by preparing tissue and cell
samples. They make use of antibodies, dyes, and gene probes to identify different
components of the nervous system. Tools and equipment used to monitor brain and
nerve activity include magnetic resonance imagers and microelectrodes. Some use
computers to create nervous system models, while others study the simplified
nervous system of insects to better isolate certain behaviors.
Salary Range: $82,240-$104,310 annually with 8% job growth
Documentation of sources:
http://www.sfn.org/
http://study.com/articles/Neuroscientist_Job_Description_Duties_and_Requirements.h
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Relation to what we are studying: We are studying different body systems and the
organs within them. That includes the brain of which neuroscientists study. They
test the brain and study it to help us learn more about the brain and nervous
system that we will study this year.
Feelings: I think this would be an interesting career to consider. I would prefer more
time in hospitals rather than a lab, but they seem to do both. If I could treat
patients more often than not, I would be interested in this career.