Neuroscientist
Join the quest to understand the inner workings of the brain. Your research could lead to the next big breakthrough in treating brain disease and mental illness.
About the job
What it's like
Neuroscientists study our bodies’ most compelling element – the brain. As we still know relatively little about how the mind works, this is a field where your research can make a big difference.
You’ll track brain and nerve activity and examine cells and tissue to increase our understanding of the nervous system. You might use MRI scans or sensors attached to someone’s head. Or you might model nervous system behaviour on a computer to see what happens under certain conditions.
Neuroscience experiments can take months or even years to complete. So you’ll need to stay focused and consistent to make sure your findings are reliable.
Your discoveries could inform treatments for brain or nerve-related injuries and illnesses. They could even help to stop these illnesses occurring in the first place.
When your research is complete, you’ll write a detailed report that you might then send to academic journals. If the journals’ editors think your work is robust, they’ll publish it. Published scientists are held in high regard, and can find it easier to get funding for further research.
What you’ll do
Prepare tissue and cell samples for analysis under a microscope
Use chemical tests to highlight different parts of the nervous system
Use an fMRI or MEG scanner to map brain activity
Monitor experiments closely and collate accurate data
Analyse data to find patterns and trends
Run statistical analyses to show that your findings are driven by cause and effect rather than coincidence
Meet with colleagues to discuss the progress of your research
Write research papers and send to neuroscience journals
Read journals to keep up to date with the latest breakthroughs
Contribute to data analyses in drug trials
Provide information and evidence for funding applications
Go to conferences to meet other neuroscientists and present your research
Teach or lecture in neuroscience
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Top skills
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It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- analysing
- attention to detail
- researching
- questioning
- working with numbers
- problem solving
- written communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Biology
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Chemistry
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Computing Science
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Human Biology
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Maths (Mathematics)
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Physics
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Scientific Technologies (Laboratory Skills)
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Applications of Mathematics
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Neuroscientists are research scientists and will usually be expected to have a science based degree followed by a PhD and many will also have completed a Masters – relevant subjects would include:
Health sciences (biomedical sciences, biochemistry, pharmacology)
Computer science
Physics/Chemistry
Engineering
Apprenticeships
You can gain skills and qualifications in the workplace through options such as:
Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) are chosen as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 but include hands-on learning at a local employer or college. They are the same level as a Higher.
You might want to consider an FA in areas such as:
Scientific technologies
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Life Sciences and related science industry
Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are designed for industry and you'll spend most of your time learning on the job but you'll also go to uni. You'll get a job, get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider a GA in areas such as:
Data science
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