Editing Neuroscientist (section)

== Job overview ==

=== Job description ===
[[File:Sheep_Brain_Dissection_2_-_black_background.png|thumb|A dissected sheep brain]]
Neuroscientists focus primarily on the study and research of the [[nervous system]]. The nervous system is composed of the [[brain]], [[spinal cord]] and [[nerve]] cells. Studies of the nervous system may focus on the cellular level, as in studies of the [[ion channel]]s, or instead may focus on a systemic level as in behavioural or cognitive studies. A significant portion of nervous system studies is devoted to understanding the diseases that affect the nervous system, like [[multiple sclerosis]], [[Alzheimer's disease|Alzheimer's]], [[Parkinson's disease|Parkinson's]], and [[Lou Gehrig's disease|Lou Gehrig's]]. Research commonly occurs in private, government and public research institutions and universities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://study.com/articles/Neuroscientist_Job_Description_Duties_and_Requirements.html|title=Neuroscientist: Job Description, Duties and Requirements|website=Study.com|access-date=2016-03-29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326183906/http://study.com/articles/Neuroscientist_Job_Description_Duties_and_Requirements.html|archive-date=2016-03-26}}</ref>

Some common tasks for neuroscientists are:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm#tab-2|title=Medical Scientists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|website=www.bls.gov|access-date=2016-03-29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325183059/http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm#tab-2|archive-date=2016-03-25}}</ref>
* Developing experiments and leading groups of people in supporting roles
* Conducting theoretical and computational neuronal data analysis
* Research and development of new treatments for neurological disorders
* Working with doctors to perform experimental studies of new drugs on willing patients
* Following safety and sanitation procedures and guidelines
* Dissecting experimental specimens

=== Salary ===
The overall median salary for neuroscientists in the United States was $79,940 in May 2014{{where?|date=April 2016}}. Neuroscientists are usually full-time employees. Median salaries at common work places in the United States are shown below.<ref name=":0" />
{| class="wikitable"
!Common Work Places
!Median Annual Pay
|-
|Colleges and universities
|$58,140
|-
|Hospitals
|$73,590
|-
|Laboratories
|$82,700
|-
|Research and Development
|$90,200
|-
|Pharmaceutical
|$150,000
|}

=== Work environment ===
Neuroscientists research and study both the [[biological]] and [[psychological]] aspects of the nervous system.<ref name=":0" /> Once neuroscientists finish their post doctoral programs, 39% go on to perform more doctoral work, while 36% take on faculty jobs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/where-are-neuroscience-jobs|title=Where Are the Neuroscience Jobs?|website=www.sciencemag.org|access-date=2016-03-29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317054857/http://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2011/11/where-are-neuroscience-jobs|archive-date=2016-03-17|date=2011-11-18}}</ref> Neuroscientists use a wide range of mathematical methods, computer programs, biochemical approaches and imaging techniques such as [[magnetic resonance imaging]],  [[computed tomography angiography]], and [[Diffusion MRI|diffusion tensor imaging]].{{define}}<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wisegeek.com/what-should-i-expect-from-a-neuroscience-job.htm|title=What Should I Expect from a Neuroscience Job? (with pictures)|website=wiseGEEK|access-date=2016-03-29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416140408/http://www.wisegeek.com/what-should-i-expect-from-a-neuroscience-job.htm|archive-date=2016-04-16}}</ref>  Imaging techniques allow scientists to observe physical changes in the brain and spinal cord, as signals occur. Neuroscientists can also be part of several different neuroscience [[:Category:Neuroscience organizations|organizations]] where they can publish and read different research topics.

=== Job outlook ===
Neuroscience is expecting job growth of about 8% from 2014 to 2024, a considerably greater than average job growth rate when compared to other professions. Factors leading to this growth include an aging population, new discoveries leading to new areas of research, and increasing utilization of medications. Government funding for research will also continue to influence the demand for this specialty.<ref name=":0" />

=== Education ===
Neuroscientists typically enroll in a four-year undergraduate program and then move on to a PhD program for graduate studies. Once finished with their graduate studies, neuroscientists may continue doing postdoctoral work to gain more lab experience and explore new laboratory methods.  In their undergraduate years, neuroscientists typically take physical and life science courses to gain a foundation in the field of research. Typical undergraduate majors include [[biology]], [[behavioral neuroscience]], and [[cognitive neuroscience]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences-neuroscience|title=Neuroscience College Degree Programs - The College Board|website=bigfuture.collegeboard.org|access-date=2016-03-30|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420063955/https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences-neuroscience|archive-date=2016-04-20}}</ref>

Many colleges and universities now have PhD training programs in the neurosciences, often with divisions between [[Cognitive neuroscience|cognitive]], [[Cellular neuroscience|cellular]] and [[Molecular neuroscience|molecular]], [[Computational neuroscience|computational]] and [[Systems neuroscience|systems]] neuroscience.

=== Interdisciplinary fields ===
[[Neuroscience]] has a unique perspective in that it can be applied in a broad range of disciplines, and thus the fields neuroscientists work in vary. Neuroscientists may study topics from the large hemispheres of the brain to neurotransmitters and synapses occurring in neurons at a micro-level. Some fields that combine psychology and neurobiology include [[cognitive neuroscience]], and behavioural neuroscience. Cognitive neuroscientists study human [[consciousness]], specifically the brain, and how it can be seen through a lens of biochemical and biophysical processes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://careersinpsychology.org/becoming-a-cognitive-neuroscientist/|title=How To Become A Cognitive Neuroscientist {{!}} CareersinPsychology.org|website=careersinpsychology.org|access-date=2016-03-29|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20160329032751/http://careersinpsychology.org/becoming-a-cognitive-neuroscientist/|archive-date=2016-03-29}}</ref>  Behavioral neuroscience encompasses the whole nervous system, environment and the brain how these areas show us aspects of motivation, learning, and motor skills along with many others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.psychology.ucsd.edu/research-areas/cognitive-behavior-neuroscience.html|title=Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience|website=www.psychology.ucsd.edu|access-date=2016-03-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401111758/http://psychology.ucsd.edu/research-areas/cognitive-behavior-neuroscience.html|archive-date=2016-04-01}}</ref> Computational neuroscience uses mathematical models to understand how the brain processes information.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Computational neuroscience - Latest research and news {{!}} Nature|url=https://www.nature.com/subjects/computational-neuroscience|access-date=2020-11-16|website=www.nature.com}}</ref>