Do you have the brain to make waves in science?
ANEW breakthrough in neuroscience seems to appear every week — and would you like to be a part of it?
Ginny Smith, 27, from Cambridge, who talks about neuroscience in schools, the media and at educational events, says: ‘I got interested in neuroscience [the science of the brain and nervous system] studying natural sciences at Cambridge and went on to specialise in neuroscience and psychology.
‘It was part of my first job as a research assistant, looking into how children learn about physics, and now most of my talks in schools are on neuroscience. There are so many questions about how the brain works, and we have only been able to see inside the living brain for about 30 years — so much is still being discovered.’
Ginny, who will be giving talks introducing neuroscience to children at the Big Bang Science Fair (Birmingham NEC, March 15-18), says: ‘A neuroscience degree can lead to a research career, but it also gives you skills useful in many jobs.’
Anne Cooke, chief executive of the British Neuroscience Association (BNA), says: ‘There is a lot of funding for neuroscience research at present, although there’s also competition for research jobs.
‘A career in pure neuroscience research requires a PhD, but a neuroscience degree can open up a career in pharmaceuticals, medicine, the medical devices industry, teaching, as a research technician or lab manager, and in science communication.’
The number of neuroscience courses on offer is increasing as its popularity grows. ‘It is a popular choice, so entry is quite competitive, but it is a very rewarding career,’ she says.
‘Further qualifications and work in the industry will boost your career prospects,’ adds Anne
The BNA offers a careers guide on its website bna.org.uk, and its Festival of Neuroscience in Birmingham on April 10-13 includes public events, lectures, workshops and hands-on exhibits.
The Big Bang Fair includes talks, hands-on exhibits and careers information and advice about all areas of science, technology engineering and maths. See thebigbangfair.co.uk.