16 Best Jobs for Neuroscience Majors
October 24, 2024
An ever evolving and complex field, neuroscience is the study of the nervous system. Driven to understand how the nervous system develops and functions, neuroscientists focus on the brain, spinal cord, and nerve cells. Specifically, they investigate how our neural circuits affect our behaviors, memories, perceptions, emotions, and bodily functions (Scroll down for the 16 Best Jobs for Neuroscience Majors).
16 Jobs for Neuroscience Majors鈥擶hat Is Neuroscience?
At first glance, you might think neuroscience belongs under the umbrella of biology, but it is actually a highly interdisciplinary field that combines biology with anatomy, psychology, physics, computer science, medicine, engineering, linguistics, and statistics. People with neuroscience majors often work within medical fields, conducting research or treating patients, but this degree has many uses outside of medicine and potential jobs for neuroscience majors are more diverse than you think. Neuroscientists working in medicine have greatly advanced our understanding of conditions like Down syndrome, Alzheimer鈥檚, chronic pain, and autism. But neuroscientists also tackle public policy issues, work in sales, and teach.
Curious to learn more about jobs for neuroscience majors? We鈥檝e got everything you need to start exploring careers. Below, we鈥檒l cover:
- Common Neuroscience Major Classes
- Specializations
- Neuroscience Jobs You Can Pursue with a B.S.
- Neuroscience Jobs You Can Pursue with a Graduate Degree
- More Resources
16 Jobs for Neuroscience Majors鈥擟ommon Neuroscience Major Classes
Since neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field, undergraduate students can expect to master a wide range of topics as they pursue their degree. Common prerequisites for a neuroscience major include:
- Math (algebra or calculus)
- Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Life Sciences
- Physics
- Statistics
Core neuroscience major classes typically include studies in:
- Cellular systems
- Functional anatomy
- Molecular biology
- Developmental neuroscience
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Cognitive psychology
- Advanced chemistry and biochemistry
16 Jobs for Neuroscience Majors鈥擲pecializations
Once a neuroscience major masters foundational topics, they can go on to an array of specializations and advanced topics. Since it is an interdisciplinary field with ties to psychology, physics, medicine, engineering, linguistics, and many other fields, specializations can lead to any number of unique neuroscience jobs. Specializations within the field include:
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Cell and molecular neuroscience
- Computational neuroscience
- Oral neuroscience
- Neural engineering
- Cultural neuroscience
- Neuropsychology
- Neurolinguistics
Like many medical and science fields, higher level jobs require advanced degrees. After completing their undergraduate degree, some neuroscientists go on to medical school. Others go on to masters鈥 or PhD programs in science, psychology, or business.
16 Jobs for Neuroscience Majors鈥擭euroscience Jobs You Can Pursue with a B.S.
While most neuroscience jobs require a graduate degree or even a medical degree, there are some entry-level positions open to those with B.S. degrees.
1) Research Assistant
If you love hands-on work in a lab, a career as a research assistant might be the perfect fit. Neuroscience research assistants work underneath head researchers, often in university or clinical settings. A critical role for any lab setting, they conduct experiments, gather and organize data, interpret findings, and create presentations and reports.
2) Laboratory Technician
A great neuroscience job for people who love to be on the go, laboratory technicians typically work in research or hospital settings. If providing patient care, laboratory techs help run diagnostic tests or record data. In a research setting, they prepare samples, collect data, and inventory lab supplies. In a nutshell, lab techs make sure all the day-to-day operations of a lab run smoothly. To learn more, check out our full guide on How to Become a Lab Tech.
Jobs for Neuroscience Majors (Continued)
3) Medical or Technical Writer
If you鈥檙e exploring neuroscience jobs outside labs and clinical settings, becoming a medical or technical writer can be a great way to put your expertise to work. A role that requires scientific knowledge and strong written communication skills, medical writers produce documents that help explain scientific information and research findings. Often, medical writers write a write range of documents, including articles, marketing materials, and educational documents. They鈥檙e akin to translators, taking complex scientific information and making it easier for a general audience to understand.
4) Health Educator
Another neuroscience job that combines science and communication, health educators help people access information about healthy choices and habits. A multi-faceted career path, health educator鈥檚 work can be wide-ranging. Some health educators go out into the field and provide public trainings. Others work with nonprofits and to advocate for policy change and health initiatives.
Jobs for Neuroscience Majors (Continued)
5) Teacher
While most K-12 schools don鈥檛 teach neuroscience classes, this major can still be applied to a variety of primary school topics. Since neuroscience covers a wide span of science, math, and psychology topics, people who graduate with this major are qualified to teach quite a few subjects. If you love working with kids, consider adding teacher education classes on to your B.S. degree.
16 Jobs for Neuroscience Majors鈥擭euroscience Jobs You Can Pursue with a Graduate Degree
If you have a love of learning and want to go the distance, a masters鈥 or PhD program in a neuroscience field might be the right choice for you. Each of the highly specialized career paths below is accessible only with an advanced degree.
6) Neurologist
Likely the career path that first comes to mind when you think 鈥渘euroscience jobs,鈥 a neuroscientist is a doctor who specializes in neurological disorders. Neurologists treat a wide range of conditions such as Parkinson鈥檚, migraines, epilepsy, and spinal injuries. They typically work in a clinical setting, ordering tests, diagnosing patients, and creating treatment plans. The first step on the path to becoming a neurologist is medical school.
Jobs for Neuroscience Majors (Continued)
7) Neuropsychologist
Neuropsychologists are experts in understanding how brain disorders and injuries affect a patient鈥檚 mood, behavior, and cognitive function. Although some work in research settings, many work directly with patients, diagnosing conditions such as autism, ADHD, and Alzheimer’s. While a neurologist is a medical doctor who treats physical symptoms, a neuropsychologist focuses on behaviors and mental effects.
8) Clinical Neuroscientist
A great neuroscience job for students who love research, clinical neuroscientists focus their energy on developing treatments for neurological disorders. In their day-to-day job duties, they run clinical trials, analyze data, write academic papers, and present their findings at conferences. A highly collaborative job, clinical neuroscientists work with fellow scientists at the forefront of new discoveries, seeking innovative solutions alongside their teams.
Jobs for Neuroscience Majors (Continued)
9) Speech-Language Pathologist
One of the most rewarding neuroscience jobs, speech pathologists work with children and adults who have speech, language, or swallowing difficulties. Speech-language pathologists typically diagnose and treat patients and can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, and private practices.
10) Neurosurgeon
One of the most complex and rigorous neuroscience jobs, neurosurgeons go through one of the longest training periods in the field. Their education, residency, and fellowship roles typically last 14-16 years, including undergraduate studies. It鈥檚 easy to understand why: neurosurgeons perform high-stakes surgery on the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Jobs for Neuroscience Majors (Continued)
11) Dentist
This neuroscience job option may come as a surprise, but neuroscience is important to the field of dentistry because the nervous system can impact oral-facial health. A neuroscientist in the dental field diagnoses and treats muscular and neural conditions in the face and mouth. If you鈥檙e interested in pursuing this field, plan to attend a dentistry school graduate program with a neuroscience concentration.
12) Biostatistician
One of the more fascinating neuroscience jobs outside of direct patient care, biostatisticians use their math skills to collect, analyze, and interpret data. A biostatistician might work in clinical development, helping a pharmaceutical company develop statistical support for a clinical trial. But you might also find them at a nonprofit or government organization, using data to support public health initiatives. A master鈥檚 degree in biostatistics or public health can help you enter into this career role.
Jobs for Neuroscience Majors (Continued)
13) Nurse Practitioner
A hands-on career field with a significant patient care workload, nurse practitioners examine and diagnose patients and perform certain treatments. Nurse practitioners specializing in neuroscience will help patients manage neurological disorders, provide education, and offer post-operation care. To become a nurse practitioner, students must complete a B.S. in nursing, become a registered nurse, and complete a master鈥檚 degree.
14) Pharmaceutical Sales
One of the best neuroscience jobs for great communicators, pharmaceutical sales representatives share information about new medicines with physicians. People working in pharmaceutical sales are often on the road, traveling to meetings, education sessions, and conferences. A degree in neuroscience will allow a to specialize within the medical field.
Neuroscience Degree Jobs (Continued)
15) Researcher
For those who want to pave new pathways in the field, a career in neuroscience research might be a great fit. Researchers generally don鈥檛 work with patients. Instead, they conduct clinical trials and experiments to develop new drugs, diagnostic methods, and treatments. A highly collaborative field that requires a master鈥檚 or PhD, researchers can work for government agencies, hospitals, private companies, and universities.
16) Professor
If you have a passion for sharing knowledge, becoming a professor can allow you to train the next generation of neuroscientists. University professors typically split their time between research and teaching and are expected to publish and stay up to date on the latest findings in the field. Typical of all academic careers, a doctorate degree is the first step on the pathway to becoming a neuroscience professor. People with neuroscience PhDs are also often qualified to teach psychology courses.
16 Jobs for Neuroscience Majors鈥擬ore Resources
Ready to learn more about a neuroscience education? Check out these expert guides:
- 40 Best Colleges for Neuroscience
- Best Summer STEM programs
- Pre-Med Requirements
- Blog Archive: Medical School Admissions
Curious to explore other related careers? Read more about:
