What can you do with a PhD in Neuroscience?
The Neuroscience Program at Michigan State University recognizes
that this question is often on the minds of our applicants. Below we provide
several resources that will inform you about career options for PhDs in Neuroscience.
Those opportunities are diverse and in some cases offer surprising niches for
Neuroscientists. To name a few, besides the traditional academic career paths,
Neuroscientists can and have put their research and problem-solving skills to work
in pharmaceutical companies, science journalism, grants administration, consulting,
law, and policy-making in government
Upcoming Events:
The Society for Neuroscience "SfN, http://web.sfn.org" meets every fall in October or Novermber. This meeting provides many opportunities to learn traditional and non-traditional career opportuinities for Neuroscientists. We encourage our students to become members of SfN and attend this meeting annually.
MSU library:
URL: http://www.lib.msu.edu/guides/subjects/biology/sciencecareers/
links you to a page entitled "Biological Science Careers Resources". It lists various books on academic and research jobs, books on alternative careers and online resources.
Presentations:
“Career Choices for Neuroscientists”
Download presentation
By Dr. Diane Witt, Program Director for Behavioral Neuroscience at the National Science Foundation
Particular points of interest in this Presentation:
|
Books: Put Your Science to Work: The Take-Charge Career Guide for Scientists
by Peter S. Fiske Ph.D., Aaron Louie (Illustrator)
Book Description:: The job market is more complex and challenging than ever before. Although young
scientists and engineers are facing a larger array of career choices, many of them are not getting the job hunting and
career development advice they need to make wise decisions.
From the Author: This Book Is About Creating Options and Recognizing Opportunities.
Jump Start Your Career in BioScience
by Chandra B. Louise ( Peer Productions, March, 1998)
Book Description: If you're looking to learn more about your career options in the biosciences, this book is for you!
This book is designed to provide you (or your advisees) with a basic understanding of the working world, how it functions, and how this
information can translate into different career opportunities in the biological and biomedical sciences. It describes positions both at
and away from the laboratory bench. It is intended for students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, career counselors, and anyone else who
is interested in learning more about the different types of careers in the biosciences. Topics addressed in this book include:
- Descriptions of specific positions for scientists in various fields, specifically as they relate to particular types of work and/or organizations.
- Categories of potential employers.
- Hints on how to identify specific job opportunities.
- Tips on how to get a scientifically and financially rewarding job.
- A listing of additional resources (professional societies, publications, websites, and more).
Alternative Careers in Science
by Cynthia Robbins-Roth (1998, Academic Press)
Review: Alternative Careers in Science is a concise description of the many
options available to those interested in science and wondering if there is a way to earn a living
while satisfying their curiosity. The writing style is personal enough to be interesting to the
public and concise enough to appeal to scientists. The job descriptions include prerequisites, daily
activities, and future opportunities. It provides inspiration for anyone, from high school students to
underemployed Ph.D.s, considering a scientific career. It should be in every career center and public library
so that job seekers will be inspired to think farther than the industrial job listings they came for."
--KATHERINE L. MOORE, Ph.D., Bay Area Bioscience Center
Guide to Nontraditional Careers in Science
by Karen Young Kreeger ( Taylor & Francis Group, 1998)
Book Description: Offering practical advice and stories from scientists and professionals, this guidebook aids the reader in evaluating and finding career
opportunities in non-academic research fields. It demonstrates that choices are available, providing many examples of fields (for example publishing, law, public policy and business)
in which people can use their scientific training to nurture a satisfying professional life. Yet it also acknowledges that there are trade-offs involved with any veer from the traditional path.
Opportunities in Biotechnology Careers
by Sheldon S. Brown ( McGraw-Hill, 2000)
Book Description: Opportunities in Biotechnology Careers offers job seekers essential information about a variety of careers within the biotechnology field and includes training and education requirements, salary statistics, and professional and Internet resources.
|
