Academic Researcher (Neuroscience)
Impact: Intellectual
Conducts advanced scientific research in neuroscience, designing experiments, analyzing data, publishing findings, and contributing to the academic community. Focuses on understanding the brain, nervous system, and related disorders.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- Team-oriented with significant solo work
- Client facing
- Never
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Moderate
- Schedule flexibility
- Moderate
- Remote work
- Limited Remote
- Typical work hours
- 45-60 hours/week
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $90,000 - $120,000
- Entry-level
- $65,000 - $80,000
- Senior
- $130,000 - $200,000+
- Growth by 2033
- Average
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- High
- Typical student debt
- $100,000 - $200,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Experimental Design
- Data Analysis
- Scientific Writing
- Statistical Modeling
- Laboratory Techniques
Soft skills
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
Technical complexity: Very High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Doctoral or Professional Degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 7
- Years to senior
- 15
- Career switching
- Hard
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Postdoc
- Assistant Professor/Research Scientist
- Associate Professor
- Full Professor/Director
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Low
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 4/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3/10
- Prestige
- 5/10
- Social perception
- High