Career Paths

Managing to Manage Science

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. ;Visit today ;to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

In this webinar, you will come away with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of a having a career as a scientific manager in an academic institute or department, research foundation, nonprofit, or company. You will also be able to identify ways to gain experience and knowledge to prepare for this career niche.

Making the Switch: Tips for Successfully Transitioning Between Academia, Industry, and Government

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

With different opportunities and environments in academia, industry, and government, how can neuroscientists determine the right career path for them? Understanding what to expect in each field can help you make informed choices that lead to satisfaction and success whether you are just starting out or transitioning later in your career.

In this webinar, representatives from academia, industry, and government will showcase the unique characteristics of each workplace and share advice on what to consider when contemplating a career move based on their own transitions.

Right after the panel discussion, head to the Neuronline community for a special live chat with the webinar speakers, where they will take your career path questions.

This webinar and live chat are open to all SfN members. Not a member? Join or renew your membership today.

Transitioning from the Bench to a Career in Science Policy

Mon, 24 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT

This webinar will expose participants to science policy career opportunities and the skills needed to be successful in these careers. Participants will hear from a panel of scientists who successfully secured science policy positions in higher education, consulting, and government. Panelists will share their transition stories and explain the importance of science communication and policy analysis skills when collaborating with non-scientists. Attendees will leave the workshop with an increased understanding of career options that connect science to society and the skillset common to success in these careers.

After this webinar, participants will be able to:

Identify science policy career opportunities in higher education, government, and consulting
Describe how science communication and policy analysis skills can be used to impact society ;
Explain how to leverage these skills to effectively work with federal, private, and nonprofit clients and collaborators
Gain insight into career transition strategies and opportunities

Call for Contributors!

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 16:14:00 GMT

We want to hear from you! Neuronline is seeking contributors to share how they’ve applied their neuroscience training in real-world careers and collaborations.

Science Writing Strategies to Advance Your Career

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. ;Visit today ;to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Every scientist can write about their science in a way that brings attention to and educates nonscientists about their work.

Watch this video for examples of successful science writing, questions to help you think about the story you want to tell, and components of the science writing process. You’ll also hear advice for writing clear and effective research summaries.

The Postdoctorate Dilemma

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:36:00 GMT

Hugo Sánchez Castillo shares his journey of finding a postdoctoral position after completing his doctoral studies at the National University of Mexico. He discusses the challenges he faced, including societal pressures and the importance of aligning personal interests with the chosen institution. Ultimately, he emphasizes that a postdoc is not just an opportunity for scientific growth, but also for building networks, learning about culture, and personal development.

Your Roadmap to PhD

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 10:58:00 GMT

Welcome to the PhD Roadmap! Here, you’ll find two types of information: “soft” insights (hard-to-find advice, based on lived experience) and “hard” facts (practical, straightforward information easily found online). Both types of information are equally valuable and deeply interconnected.

Considerations for Translational Research Jobs

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Yasemin Gürsoy-Özdemir leads the neuroscience graduate program at Koç University in Istanbul, Turkey. This program seeks to increase innovative translational research. In this interview, she offers insight into key skills for a translational research career and how studying abroad and working with global collaborators can enrich your training.

What was your training path?

I started my education at Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine. After I got my degree, I entered the residency program in neurology. At that time, I realized doing the clinical work was not enough, as I wanted to understand the mechanisms underlying the neurological diseases.

There was a neuroscience PhD program at Hacettepe University, so I enrolled. After finishing my PhD education, I went to Massachusetts General Hospital to do my postdoctoral studies. I stayed for two and a half years, after which I returned to Turkey and worked at my previous university.

Four years ago, I moved to Koç University, in Istanbul. Currently I’m the director of the neuroscience PhD program, as well as the director of the Graduate School of Health Sciences.

Tips for Getting Hired at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution

Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Full-time faculty positions at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) are becoming increasingly competitive. Like any career, working at a PUI has its rewards and challenges —; the first of which is securing a position at one.

Nowadays, undergraduate institutions —; and students —; expect a lot from faculty: a joy in fostering student success, an ability to explain complex research projects at an undergraduate level, a capacity to train the next generation of scientists on a modest budget and with shared equipment, and most of all, passion for both teaching and research.

As you prepare for a career at a PUI, seek out training in the following areas to be a more competitive candidate and successful faculty member.

Conveying the Excitement of Scientific Discovery Through Fiction

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. ;Visit today ;to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

For over 40 years, Nick Ingoglia researched the presence and function of RNA in growing axons. Now retired from a career in neuroscience, Ingoglia has been working toward writing a novel, Madame Lasagna and the Dead Frog, that combines neuroscience research with the fictional lives of a diverse group of characters. In this interview, Ingoglia shares how he incorporates his research experience into his writing, what he hopes audiences take away from his novels, and tips for scientists looking to explore a writing career.

Combining Neuroscience and the Arts in Grad School

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 14:45:00 GMT

Graduate school is a time filled with excitement, discovery, and, at times, stress, and anxiety. The complexity of learning what your interests are and planning your career during this time can be especially amplified for students pursuing transdisciplinary careers in the arts and sciences.

As an undergraduate, I chose to study both music and the brain, and was encouraged to and discouraged from pursuing a career that combined the two by various faculty and departments —; often in equal parts. But, I couldn’;t pass up the opportunity to combine my loves of music and the brain.

Introducing: Entrepreneurial Women Combining Neuroscience, Engineering, and Tech

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The moment is promising for women in neuroscience and related fields, in which women have been —; and are —; underrepresented.

Studies have shown that women are conditioned to believe they are better suited for the arts than for science. Studies also suggest, however, that having female scientist role models increases women's ability to see themselves in male-dominated spaces.

This series highlights the scientific accomplishments and careers of female leaders working across disciplines. It provides role models to female scientists working or considering careers in neuroscience, engineering, and technology, the boundaries of which are dissolving to define new, intermediary fields like neural engineering, becoming more like sketches than bold lines.

Cynthia Chestek on Her Career Bridging Neuroscience and Electrical Engineering

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 10:15:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. ;Visit today ;to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Cynthia Chestek brings an electrical engineering approach to discover how to allow movement of multiple fingers simultaneously following paralysis or amputation, using a brain-machine interface. In this interview she recounts the moment she knew she'd pursue a career in neuroscience, describes the rewards of that career, and looks to the future of neural interface technology, including neural networks. She also offers advice to women in engineering for a successful graduate education and career.

This article is part of Neuronline's interview series "Entrepreneurial Women Combining Neuroscience, Engineering, and Tech," which highlights the career paths and scientific accomplishments of female leaders and role models who are creatively bridging disciplines to improve lives.

Ranu Jung on Neural Engineering and Her Philosophy Behind Bringing Discoveries to Humans

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

As director of the Adaptive Neural Systems Laboratory and the owner of more than a half dozen patents, Ranu Jung designs neural engineering projects that drive the process of transforming basic discoveries into clinical applications. In this interview she explains how collaborative projects can at once advance the understanding of the brain and the development of medical devices. She also talks about what sparks questions for her, the advantages of adaptability, and where to find support.

Vivian Mushahwar on Challenging Herself in Spinal Cord Injury Research

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Vivian Mushahwar designs rehabilitation interventions for people with spinal cord injuries. Director of a state-of-the-art center for researchers from engineering, medicine, rehabilitation, computer science, and neuroscience, she's working to alleviate the effects of spinal cord injury through innovation and entrepreneurship. In this interview she walks through her career path in detail, shares how mentors have guided her, and offers advice for trainees on discovering your passion, choosing a faculty position, and navigating challenges as a woman in science.

Rewards and Challenges of a Faculty Career at a Teaching-Focused Institution

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. ;Visit today ;to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Of all of the four-year colleges and universities in the U.S., relatively few are classified by the Carnegie Foundation as R1 (“very high research activity”) or R2 (“high research activity”) schools. While research universities tend to be larger and have more faculty, the small number of them means that most faculty job opportunities are actually at teaching-focused institutions. ;

While each institution and department is unique, faculty who build their careers at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs), experience some common rewards and challenges, many of which I’;ve observed first-hand. Here’;s what a faculty career at an undergraduate institution can look like.

My Advice for Running a Lab Where Trainees Feel Empowered

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 10:47:00 GMT

As new faculty at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Annegret Falkner is also new to managing a lab. In this interview, she shares who and what has defined her approach to running the Falkner Lab, her advice for empowering curiosity and decision-making in trainees, and the rewards of coaching others as a PI.

This interview is a complement to SfN’;s podcast series, History of SfN: 50th Anniversary. Guests on the podcast were asked to nominate individuals whose careers are making positive cultural or scientific impacts that will shape the next 50 years of neuroscience. Annegret Falkner was nominated by Mickey Goldberg, David Mahoney Professor of Brain and Behavior at Columbia University.

Four Ways Science Training Prepares Us as Writers

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Since I was a child, I’;ve had two passions: science and storytelling. For the vast majority of my career, I’;ve pursued the former. I majored in neuroscience at Smith College and went on to earn my doctorate at Northwestern University. I recently completed my postdoctoral training at Columbia and will soon open my independent laboratory in the Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology at the University of California Davis.

Sounds like a typical climb up the academic ladder, right? Yet despite this traditional career trajectory, my passion for storytelling was ever-present. After nearly a decade as a scientist, I decided to combine it with my longstanding commitment to science education as a children’;s book writer. My debut science adventure series, The Magnificent Makers, was recently published by Random House Children’;s Books. As I delved into the world of writing for kids, I discovered four key aspects of my scientific training that were directly applicable to my journey as an author.

Lena Ting on Creative Thinking and Bridging Disciplines to Study Movement Disorders

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 15:36:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. ;Visit today ;to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Lena Ting is in the liminal space between computation and neurophysiology, illumining how the brain works with the nervous and musculoskeletal systems to move the body. In this interview she explains how her diverse training experiences allow her to make waves in a new discipline, as director of the Neuromechanics Lab at Emory University, and to bring together researchers from different scientific backgrounds to study movement disorders. She also offers advice for embracing nonlinear thinking and charting your own path.

Teaching Computation in Neuroscience

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Discover best practices for teaching computation for neuroscience. In this video, you’ll learn:

The statistical background students need.
Programming languages that are the most useful for computational neuroscience.
Computational methods for physiological data.
Practical aspects of teaching computational neuroscience.

You’ll also come away with resources for teaching and learning computational modeling in neuroscience.

A Former NIH Research Administrator on Transitions and Success

Fri, 16 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

No two careers are identical. Yet, all neuroscientists will likely share certain commonalities: the first sparks of scientific curiosity, difficult challenges, resilience to press on, accomplishments large and small, hard-earned wisdom, and support from professional and personal communities.

Here, Connie Atwell, whose last position was extramural research director at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, focuses on what it was like transitioning from academia to research administration, and why the role was so fulfilling.

What You Should Know About Pharma and Biotech Jobs

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT

In A Look at One Neuroscientist’s Career in Pharma and Biotech, Khan Ozol, a neuroscientist and global head of talent scouting at Novartis, shared his career journey and how he got to where he is today. Here, in part two of this interview, Ozol describes the types of positions available to neuroscientists in industry and shares advice on how to be competitive candidates for them.

Broadly speaking, what are different types of bench positions available in industry?

There are many career opportunities for neuroscientists in industry — it just depends on where you’re at and what that company is focused on.

Master’s students can work at the bench as research and senior research associates with different neuroscience specializations in many pharmaceutical and biotech companies in Europe and the United States.

Where Mitochondrial Disease Research Is Heading

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Xinnan Wang is an assistant professor of neurosurgery at the Stanford University School of Medicine. She led a breakout group at the 2016 Neurobiology of Disease Workshop, From Pediatric Encephalopathy to Alzheimer's: Linking Mitochondria to Neurological Diseases, and presented in the 2017 follow-up webinar, Linking Mitochondria to Neurological Disease. Here, she shares what inspired her to work in the mitochondrial research field, what questions she is trying to answer through her current research, and how she thinks the field can continue to make advances against certain diseases. As told to, and edited by, SfN staff.

Careers in Translational Drug Discovery

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 12:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. ;Visit today ;to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Careers in translational drug discovery offer exciting opportunities to apply your biomedical research training to the development of much-needed treatments for disease.

While pursuing a career in drug discovery in the past has meant exiting the academic setting to join the pharmaceutical industry, this is no longer the case. Translational drug discovery efforts are occurring in a variety of settings including those in academia and the government.

This Neuroscience 2017 event provides an overview of career opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, academic drug discovery centers, and NIH Intramural Research Programs and showcases examples of how basic and innovative biology can be turned into a drug discovery program in a variety of research settings that will lead to new medicines for patients who need them.

How to Navigate Career Transitions in Neuroscience

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

This workshop provides insight for participants who are approaching a career transition, either as progression in the academic pipeline or from one career path to another. Panelists include scientists at various stages of their careers across academia, industry, government, and science social media. They discuss the paths they have taken and what helped them obtain their positions. Their goal is to highlight the number of different opportunities that neuroscience offers and provide information on how to choose and prepare for these career transitions.

Insights to Make Smart Career Transitions

Wed, 12 May 2021 10:17:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Your next position doesn’t have to lock you into a career path.

“There’s people transitioning all the time,” says Kip Ludwig, who’s steered his own career through academia, industry, federal agencies, and back into research.

In this video, Ludwig draws on his experience hopping sectors to share encouragement and practical advice for transitioning into a different area of the field.

Science Policy Careers: The Difference Neuroscientists Can Make

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT

What value do neuroscientists offer to the policy making process?

A scientific approach creates quality legislation by adding a critical filter to analyses and by contributing to a general regard that conclusions must be backed up independently.

A Senator in the state of California represents nearly one million constituents and votes on more than 5,000 bills every two-year cycle. In such a fast-paced environment, legislators rely on a system of information delivery that takes the form of timely, packaged ideas gleaned from news articles, the legislator’s own staff or personal network, advocacy groups, think tanks, and lobbyists.

Lobbying firms, considered the “Third House” of the legislative branch, hold particular power because they have the means to constantly present information to decision-makers and their staff at the right time, with clear context and vision, and with a sophisticated strategy for enacting legislation.

Government plays a role in creating the conditions necessary for scientific progress, primarily via public funding and patterns of regulation. However, scientific progress needs scientists at each step of the research pipeline, from extracting experimental data to fostering market and legal viability.

Applying my scientific training often takes the form of evaluating statements of variable credibility, Googling like an expert, and communicating recommendations. A rigorous process akin to bench research is not always possible, often for reasons such as urgent timing or a simple lack of data, but the more policy is based in fact, the stronger it will be.

My Journey From Synapse to Circuit and Behavior

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

This an audio-only recording captured at Neuroscience 2018.

Camilla Bellone started her career working on cellular mechanisms underlying the synaptic function of defined neuronal circuits during postnatal maturation.

Neurophysiology Guiding Recovery After CNS Injury

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

This an audio-only recording captured at Neuroscience 2018.

Monica Perez started her career as a physical therapist in South America, moving to the United States to conduct research at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.

The scientists and clinicians at The Miami Project take innovative approaches to understanding the intersection of science and rehabilitation in relation to spinal cord and brain injuries. Perez’;s lab aims to understand physiological mechanisms that contribute to the control of movement following spinal cord injury, and to use this information to develop procedures that enhance voluntary motor output.

In this Meet the Expert, Perez outlines the steps along the path that got her where she is today, including training at the University of Copenhagen and at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. She discusses her translational science experiences and how she built a research program from a basic mechanistic question to design approaches that aim to improve clinical rehabilitation.

She also shares guiding questions that have helped her understand the relationship between anatomy and behavior and will help any neuroscientist make strategic decisions at the start of their career.

Pursuing an MD/PhD? How and Why to Balance Basic and Clinical Training

Tue, 21 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT

This an audio-only recording captured at Neuroscience 2018.

Through seeking out clinical learning opportunities as a graduate student, you’ll open yourself up to career paths you may not have considered, as well as inspiration for your research now and in the future.

This Meet-the-Clinician-Expert features Y. Joyce Liao, a physician-scientist and the director of Neuro-Opthalmology at Stanford University, who walks through ways to strategically structure your training.

“As a person hoping to cross the basic research and the clinical realm, it's really important that you're growing on both sides continuously. While you're in graduate school, you want to be doing good research so that you can graduate and learn all the skills to be a scientist, but you should be doing some clinical research too,” she shares.

Career Planning and Explorations for Biomedical PhD Scientists and Physician-Scientists

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

A wide range of careers in neuroscience is available to students pursuing a biomedical PhD or an MD/PhD. This workshop offers strategic advice, considerations, and resources for discovering your options and choosing your career path.

Careers in Making Medicines: Translating Basic Research Into Therapeutics

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

“Drug discovery doesn't only happen in the pharmaceutical industry. It happens in academia, small biotech companies, and government,” says Fiona Randall, head of external innovation at Eisai Andover Innovative Medicines Institute.

This workshop provides an overview of career opportunities in making medicines. Through panelists’; personal stories, hear how basic science can inform drug discovery programs that lead to new medicines.

Transitioning to the Business World: Why I Left the Bench

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Christopher Tobias, the executive vice president and managing director of Dudnyk, tells the story of how he chose to leave academia after 10 years of basic science research. He explains how the strengths he gained from doctoral work equipped him with a number of skillsets that helped him build a successful business career.

In this informative talk, Tobias describes the path that led him to the decision to leave academia, outlines the challenges he faced, and lists some things he might have done differently during his transition to the world of business.

What It's Like to Do Interdisciplinary Neuroscience

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 12:55:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Catherine Hartley is an assistant professor of psychology and neural science at New York University (NYU), and a researcher within NYU’s Institute for the Study of Decision-Making. Her research focuses on the neuroscience of learning and decision-making and how these processes change over the course of development. She works at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and developmental psychology, drawing heavily upon perspectives and approaches from disciplines such as behavioral economics and computer science. To accompany SfN’s webcast, Training at the Intersection of Neuroscience and Other Disciplines, Hartley shared her experience with and perspectives on interdisciplinary research.

Have a Master's? Consider These Research Paths

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Paul McGonigle shares the research opportunities that exist for neuroscientists with a Master’s degree.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Core Director and Educator

Thu, 05 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Robert Carnahan, the director of the Vanderbilt Antibody and Protein Resource Core at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, talks about how his PhD program helped lead to his current role.

A Look at One Neuroscientist's Career in Pharma and Biotech

Wed, 29 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

As Khan Ozol, the global head of talent scouting at Novartis, was completing his postdoc about cell transplantation and gene therapy for delivering trophic factors to the brain, he realized that he wanted to pursue a different path: an entrepreneurial career, but still focused on science.

Q&A: One Neuroscientist Talks Working in Philanthropy

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Sarah Caddick is a trained neuroscientist. After completing her postdoctoral fellowship, she decided not to continue her research and instead pursue a career in philanthropy. Now, Caddick serves as the neuroscience adviser to Lord Sainsbury of Turville and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. Here she discusses what she learned in her transition to a career away from the bench and the ins and outs of what it’;s like to work as a neuroscientist in philanthropy.

"Beyond the Lab" With an Immunologist

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Nuruddeen Lewis is a scientist with the Cellular and Translational Immunology group at EMD Serono. Lewis talks about how he found EMD Serono and what a day in his lab looks like.

Why This Researcher Studies Mitochondria

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Phillip West is an assistant professor of microbial pathogenesis and immunology at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center. He led a breakout group at the 2016 Neurobiology of Disease Workshop, From Pediatric Encephalopathy to Alzheimer's: Linking Mitochondria to Neurological Diseases, and presented in 2017 follow-up webinar, Linking Mitochondria to Neurological Disease. Here, he shares what led him to this research path and why it excites him. As told to, and edited by, SfN staff.

On Finding My Path and How You Can, Too

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 10:24:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. ;Visit today ;to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

I’ve been interested in science, literature, and writing — creative writing especially — since I was young. I ended up studying science (biochemistry), literature, and creative writing in college and faced a tough career decision when I graduated. I chose science and thought my writing career had ended.

But later, when I started considering careers away from the bench I realized that I could combine my writing and literature interests with my science interests. That inspired me to move to the journal editing field where I evaluated papers and manuscripts in many fields of science. Now, I serve as the Director of Research Administration at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute, where I focus on science communication and writing in the context of research development and global engagement.

What It's Like to Do Research at a Small Institution

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Melissa Harrington is the interim associate vice president for research, director of the Delaware Center for Neuroscience Research, and professor of biology at Delaware State University (DSU). In My Advice for Finding Mentors, she shared what qualities to look for in potential mentors and how to begin and maintain mentoring relationships. Here, Harrington details her work environment and research approach at DSU, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) with approximately 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students.

From Basic to Clinical Research: Approaches to Translational Research

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 12:29:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Roberta Brinton, director of the University of Arizona Center for Innovation in Brain Science, and Bill Mobley, professor at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, share an overview of translational research, including its key goals and challenges.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Biotech Strategy Consultant

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 09:31:00 GMT

Walt Gall, a strategy consultant for Biotechnology Enterprises, discusses the skills he developed during his PhD program and how they help him in his current role.

One Neuroscientist’s Path to Studying Brain Development

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 10:54:00 GMT

Gabriella D’Arcangelo explains why she pursued a career in researching and finding therapies for human brain malformations.

Why This Doctor Became an Epileptologist

Thu, 02 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

I work on malformations of cerebral cortical development. These are congenital abnormalities of brain development that are highly associated with epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, and autism. My lab works on figuring out the genes that are responsible for these malformations and trying to understand new strategies for therapy to treat them.

7 Paths to the Career You Want

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Explore these resources and personal stories highlighting different career path opportunities in the field.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Scientific Grants Manager

Thu, 12 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Jerome Jourquin, a scientific grants manager at the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, talks about the crucial skills he developed in his PhD program, and how he applies this skills to his current position.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Research Administrator

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Andrea Bauman-Carnegie is the director of administrative operations for the Center for Clinical and Translational Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She talks about her career path from her PhD program at Vanderbilt University.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Program Administrator

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Dina Stroud, an administrator for Fisk-Vanderbilt Master’s to PhD Bridge Program, talks about her experience in biomedical research, and how her current role continues to help students and research.

"Beyond the Lab" with a Senior Medical Writer

Thu, 19 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Erin Flynt is a senior medical writer at Envision Communications. Flynt talks about how the skills she developed during her PhD program are integrated in her current role as a medical writer.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Media and Communications Specialist

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 09:12:00 GMT

Nicole Garbarini is a media and communications specialist at NIH in the Office of the Director/Office of Extramural Research. Garbarini talks about the importance of her PhD in this role, and why she fit into this communication role.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Editing and Journal Publishing

Tue, 03 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT

At the Careers Beyond the Bench workshop, Katja Brose, editor of Neuron, explains how she transitioned from research to science publishing. While she is not behind the bench, Brose’s role in publishing keeps her involved and active within the neuroscience community.

Steer Government Decisions with a Career in Science Policy

Tue, 05 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Learn how to get involved with science policy and advocacy either as a career or as part of a research career. Chris Schaffer talks about AAAS fellowships as a great way to introduce yourself to the world of being a scientist working in the government.

My Journey Out of Academia ... and Back

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

When I started my career, I assumed that I would always stay in academia. I got my PhD from a large, well-respected institution (University of Michigan Medical School), did a postdoc at another great school (UCLA), and was lucky enough to find two faculty positions (first returning to the University of Michigan, and then several years later at Mount Sinai).

I was happy with my career. I was applying for grants and publishing papers. In hindsight, though, I wish someone had told me that there were other options for careers in science — ones that did not involve being at an academic institution, or even at the bench.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Strategic Consultant

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Nicole Speed is a strategic consultant for The Lockwood Group. Speed talks about the skills she developed in her PhD program, and how they are applied in her consultant role.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Medical Writer

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Leah Potter is a medical writer for Synchrogenix. Potter talks about her path from Vanderbilt, and how her PhD experience prepared her for a career in medical writing.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Senior Engagement Manager

Tue, 27 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Erik Prentice, a senior engagement manager at Proactive Worldwide, talks about how his doctoral program helped prepare him for a career in government and the private sector.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Managing Director

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Sydika McKissic is the managing director of the Institute for Research on Men's Health at Vanderbilt University, and speaks about the wide range of skills she attained in her PhD program and other experience, and how she applies these skills to her current position.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Management Consultant

Tue, 05 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Laura Terry is a management consultant with McKinsey & Co. Terry talks about the path her career has taken since her PhD program, and what her daily responsibilities are as a consultant.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Director of Research Programs

Thu, 26 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Amy Moore, the director of research programs at Georgia Research Alliance, talks about how her PhD program developed skills she is still using in her current role.

How Clinical Training Impacted This Physician’s Choice to Research Pediatric Developmental Disorders

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Joseph Gleeson explains why he dedicated his career to studying and pursuing treatments for developmental brain disorders.

Help a Broader Array of People by Working in Academic Administration

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Working as a dean can allow you to interact and aid a wider array of people than in a typical professor role. Joanne Berger-Sweeney shares her experiences as Dean of Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences where she deals with a variety of administration issues every day while still maintaining a research laboratory.

The Benefits of Creating Art While Working in Science

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 12:46:00 GMT

It is widely argued that the processes of science and art are very different. Most of the debaters are neither scientists nor artists, or only one of the two professions. I am both, however, and I suggest remarkable similarities between the artistic and scientific methods.

“We Are Still Alive As Scientists”: A Ukrainian Scientist’s Story of Perseverance

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 11:16:00 GMT

Nana Voitenko, PhD, an SfN member based in Kyiv, Ukraine, and her lab members kept working even as Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Her work, which is focused on how the immune system affects chronic pain at a molecular and cellular level, was halted, however, Oct. 10, 2022, as Russia launched missile airstrikes on Kyiv and across Ukraine. In this interview with Voitenko, hear how the war in Ukraine has altered her life and research, and how scientific communities like SfN are more important than ever before.

Finding Work-Life Balance One Task at a Time

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 10:51:00 GMT

In neuroscience, flexibility is esteemed as a direct reflection of mature executive function. As a trainee, a mentor told me to be the bonsai version of the oak. The oak is strong, but if it doesn’;t bend when the wind blows, it will be easily uprooted. The bonsai, although small, moves with the wind, adapting to changes. Combine the two, and you will be strong and nimble.

Lead, Manage, Impact: A Career in Academic Administration

Fri, 03 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT

No matter the task, you take an energetic, creative approach. No matter how busy you are, you’re willing to help others because you value their success. If you thrive on managing multiple projects at once and want to positively impact university neuroscience programs, a career in academic administration may be the right path.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Science Writer

Fri, 13 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Kathleen Goss, senior science writer and director of strategic partnerships for the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, describes how she uses skills developed in the research lab in her career.

How Can a Neuroscientist Work for the Government?

Fri, 01 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT

It may not be the most obvious career path, but working in the government can utilize scientific skills and knowledge developed during your PhD training.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Program Manager

Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Don Wyma, assistant director of planning and portfolio support at Abbott/AbbVie, describes how he uses skills developed in the research lab in his career.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Patent Attorney

Fri, 14 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Seth Ogden, a patent attorney with a PhD in cancer biology, describes how he uses skills developed in the research lab in his career. This video is a part of Vanderbilt University’s Beyond the Lab video series, which shows how biomedical PhDs can be used in a variety of career paths.

"Beyond the Lab" with a Nonprofit Scientific Adviser

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Steve Roberds, chief scientific officer of the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, talks about how his PhD training shaped his work as a scientific adviser to a nonprofit organization.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Community Mentor

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Abby Cheng, volunteer program manager of the Science Club for Girls, describes how she uses skills developed in the research lab in her career.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Clinical Director

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Mary Kosinski, the clinical director at Nusirt Biopharma Inc., describes how she uses skills developed in the research lab in her career.

"Beyond the Lab" with a Consultant

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Meghana Rao, PhD, Consultant, Campbell Alliance, describes how she uses skills developed in the research lab in her career.

Why Get a Master's Before Going Into Biotech

Tue, 25 May 2021 09:40:00 GMT

The biotechnology industry works to find new treatments and create better technologies. With these goals in mind, the industry prefers to hire neuroscientists with a master’s degree because they:

What to Ask Yourself If You Want an Academic Research Career

Fri, 08 May 2015 13:15:00 GMT

You enjoy seeking out the answers to big problems. You aren’t frustrated when you can’t find a solution right away. You like collaborating with others in a lab. If this is you, you may be interested in the field of academic research.

Academic research doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all approach, so thinking through your interests and capabilities will help you tailor this career path.

Become an Agent for Change with a Career in Science Advocacy

Wed, 02 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Are you constantly thinking about science with the big picture in mind? Do you thrive in a high-energy environment? Are you committed to staying current with the latest research?

Becoming involved in policy and advocacy work is a powerful way to use your scientific expertise to influence change.

How to Prepare for a Science Policy Career

Tue, 03 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Are you interested in a career in science policy? Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or looking for ways to enhance your resume in anticipation of your job search, here are six tips for preparing for a science policy career.

Why Work in Pharma? Two Words: Collaboration Opportunities

Fri, 08 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Pharmaceutical research allows scientists to work as a team on projects that develop cures for different neurological problems. Bill Martin discusses why working in industry aligned so well with his career goals and allows him to work on many aspects of each of the projects he contributes to.

The Ins and Outs of a Career in Government

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Explore how to use your science degree to do outreach and program management in government. Michelle Jones-London discusses her career at the NIH, including how to get started, what brought her to the field, and how a typical day is never typical.

Success in Academia: Different Strategies for Different Stages

Thu, 23 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Your to-do list in academia is long; you have to secure funding, publish, teach, manage your time, manage others, and somehow find time for a personal life. How do you prioritize these demands? How do you determine if you’;re prioritizing successfully? Listen to neuroscience leaders talk about creative and effective ways they’;ve defined and attained success in academic life.

So a Neuroscientist Walks Into a Start-Up...

Bradley Voytek, an assistant professor at the University of California, San Diego, discusses his unconventional neuroscience career beginning with a brief "start-up sabbatical."

Learn What Being a Science Editor Really Means

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT

There are a lot of career options in the science publishing field outside of editing. Katja Brose discusses her experience being the editor of a primary research journal, Neuron, as well as the variety of choices in the publishing field other than being an editor.

Planning for the Future: Individual Development Plans

Fri, 08 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT

This resource was featured in the NeuroJobs Career Center. Visit today to search the world’;s largest source of neuroscience opportunities.

Individual Development Plans (IDPs) help mentors and mentees create customized goals and draw a training map that allows them to measure success.

The World of Science Publishing: Find the Career That Works for You

Fri, 01 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT

When thinking of a career in science editing and publishing, most people assume it means working for a peer-reviewed journal, like The Journal of Neuroscience. While that is certainly one type of editing, the breadth of the science publishing field includes many other options.

Best Degrees for Nonacademic Careers

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 14:48:00 GMT

Do you know what career trajectories are available with an MS versus a PhD in neuroscience? Andrew Bean, and others, talk about the differences between degrees, and what’s really needed for a non-academic career.

"Beyond the Lab" With a Licensing Analyst

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Thomas Utley, a licensing officer in the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization at Vanderbilt University, describes how he uses skills developed in the research lab in his career.

What to Expect When Teaching at a Liberal Arts School

Fri, 22 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Considering a career in academia? Small liberal arts institutions are just one of many options. See if they’re the right fit for you by learning about the opportunities and challenges in this type of environment.

Researching Treatments: A Pharmaceutical Industry Career

Fri, 08 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Do you dream of researching treatments for Alzheimer’s or other neurological diseases? Do you have the tenacity and drive to withstand the challenges of drug discovery for neurological diseases? If so, have you thought about a career in pharmaceutical research?

Science Writing: A Career That Can Fit Any Lifestyle

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMT

While a successful career in academia can be a very set path, a career in science writing has the breadth of options to fit a wider range of lifestyles. Whether it’s more structured work at an office or the more fluid life of a freelance position, a scientist can find a writing career that suits them.

Travel Worldwide and Learn About the Latest Discoveries as a Science Writer

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMT

A career in science writing allows you to explore the newest and most exciting discoveries in neuroscience and use your passion for writing to explain them to the world. Greg Miller discusses how his jobs at Science and Wired Magazine led to amazing opportunities to travel around the world and meet fascinating people from every walk of life.

Careers Outside Academia: What’s the Reality?

Fri, 01 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Many students want to find a non-academic career after graduation. Preparing for these paths takes a different set of skills than academia. Andrew Bean discusses this reality, and the variety of career options that are available for neuroscientists.

A Busy Parent’s Guide to Pursuing a STEM PhD

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 10:47:00 GMT

It may be unconventional, but having children before or during your PhD is not career suicide. Now, in the midst of my PhD training, I have two girls: one is ten and the other is three. Here are some lessons and advice for those who may find themselves in a similar situation.

Careers in Neuroscience: Neurosurgeon and Professor

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:07:00 GMT

In this Careers in Neuroscience ;profile, learn about Valéria Marques Figueira Muoio, MD, PhD, a neurosurgeon and professor at University of São Paulo- Brazil. Muoio discusses how she decided to pursue neurosurgery, research, and teaching simultaneously, and the necessary skills for all three career paths.

Careers in Neuroscience: Translational Researcher

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:07:00 GMT

To kick off Neuronline’;s Careers in Neuroscience ;series, read on to learn about Suet Theng Beh, PhD, a translational researcher at Banner Sun Health Research Institute, and what skills and experiences can help you in pursuing a career in this field.

Careers in Neuroscience: Science Policy Communicator

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 14:09:00 GMT

Science policy and communication are more important than ever. In this next installment of Neuronline’;s Careers in Neuroscience series, hear from Naomi Charalambakis, PhD, director of communications and science policy at Americans for Medical Progress. Learn about how she draws upon her neuroscience training to communicate effectively with nonscientific audiences and advocate for biomedical research and what qualities you may need for a similar career path.

Careers in Neuroscience: Researcher and Professor

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 12:18:00 GMT

In this installment of the Careers in Neuroscience series, meet Hugo Sánchez-Castillo, PhD, a researcher and professor at National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Read on to learn about what drove his passion for science, how he incorporates his diverse background as a researcher and professor, and the importance of curiosity in science.

Careers in Neuroscience: Professor

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:09:00 GMT

In this Careers in Neuroscience ;profile, hear from Curtis Neveu, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at McGovern Medical School, a part of UTHealth Houston. A dedicated teacher and researcher, Neveu shares how what tangible and intangible skills helped him in his professional journey and offers advice to those looking into a similar career path.

Careers in Neuroscience: Neuroinformatics and Science Training Leader

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:54:00 GMT

In this Careers in Neuroscience ;profile, ;meet Mathew Birdsall Abrams, PhD, director of science and training at the International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility (INCF) and operations director at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. In both roles, Abrams blends over 25 years of experience in both experimental neuroscience and clinical psychiatry, as well as 12 years of experience in community coordination, community building, and product development in neuroinformatics. Learn more about his journey as a neuroscientist and what skills are necessary to follow a similar career trajectory.

Postgraduate Journeys: United States

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:32:00 GMT

If you are deciding between a postdoctoral fellowship in the United States versus a European country, this resource is for you.

SfN and FENS collaborated on a panel discussion ;on Sept. 24, 2025, to explore the similarities and differences between PhD and postdoctoral training in the United States and Europe. Hear more from the speakers on the ;United States postdoctoral perspective of this webinar below and gain invaluable insights into your academic path.

To learn more from the speakers who conducted their postgraduate research in Europe, read more here.

Life at the Bench and Beyond: Daniel van den Hove, PhD

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:03:00 GMT

In this interview, 2025 Neuronline Community Leader Maria-Tzousi Papavergi speaks to ;Daniel van den Hove, PhD, professor in neuroepigenetics and head of the Section Fundamental Neuroscience in the Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Read on to learn about the person beyond the bench and the experiences that have shaped van de Hove's journey as a scientist.

Life at the Bench and Beyond: Cynthia Lemere, PhD

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:56:00 GMT

In this interview, 2025 Neuronline Community Leader Maria-Tzousi Papavergi speaks to Cynthia Lemere, PhD, professor of neurology in the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Read on to learn about the person beyond the bench and the experiences that have shaped Lemere's journey as a scientist, as well as her advice to young scientists.

Careers in Neuroscience: Neuroscientist and Science Policy Leader

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

In this Careers in Neuroscience ;profile, the spotlight is on Michael W. Nestor, PhD, board director of the Government–University–Industry–Philanthropy Research Roundtable ; at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and founder and chief scientific officer of Autica Bio. Learn about his cross-sector work on neuroscience and science policy and what skills, education, and experiences you need to succeed in these fields.

Why Partial Retirement Might Be the Right Choice for You

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 11:04:00 GMT

Is it time for me to retire?

You are 60 years old and head a large laboratory with many exciting ongoing research projects and stable funding. Why would you consider retiring? This was my situation in 2017 when I was Chief of the Laboratory Sciences at the National Institute of Aging (NIA) Research Center in Baltimore. Despite the pleasures of working with lab members and collaborators, I was experiencing several recurring thoughts about science, society, and my family. First, the daily work towards and on research publications was becoming monotonous at times. Second, I was witnessing some graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and even junior investigators leaving science, and at the same time, the general public's trust in science was declining. There was also a data-driven reason for me to make room for younger scientists. Having spent more than 30 years studying brain aging, I was well aware that there is a progressive decline in brain performance - particularly processing speed, working memory, and creativity - that becomes evident in the fourth and fifth decades of life. Finally, I had spent 36 years devoting about 60 hours a week to research and had spent too little time with my family and had lost touch with the outside world.

Careers in Neuroscience: Science Program Strategist

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:28:00 GMT

Learn about Crystal L. Lantz, PhD, chief of extramural activities at the NIH BRAIN Initiative, in this new ;Careers in Neuroscience ;profile. ;rom deciding between a medical degree and a PhD to the work she does in her current role at NIH, Lantz shares the skills and experiences that have shaped her professional journey and offers advice to those considering a career outside of academia.

Postgraduate Journeys: Europe

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:31:00 GMT

If you are deciding between a postdoctoral fellowship in a European country versus the United States, this resource is for you!

SfN and FENS collaborated on a panel discussion ;on Sept. 24, 2025, to explore the similarities and differences between PhD and postdoctoral training in the United States and Europe. Hear more from the speakers on the ;European postdoctoral perspective of this webinar below and gain invaluable insights into your academic path.

To learn more from the speakers who conducted their postgraduate research in the ;United States, read more here. ;