If you are wondering, “What can you do with a neuroscience degree?” or “Is neuroscience a good degree?” read on because this article will provide you with the key information regarding your questions.
We have compiled a list of jobs you can find with such a degree, and you can also get information on the salaries of these particular job positions. But before we get to that, let’s answer the first question.
What Is a Degree in Neuroscience?
Neuroscience is a study of science that works in conjunction with other disciplines, including linguistics, engineering, chemistry, philosophy, mathematics, medicine, psychology, and computer science.
A neuroscience degree is an academic program dedicated to studying the brain and nervous system, two of the most complex biological entities known to humankind. As a student of this program, a degree in neuroscience will allow you to investigate behavior, ideas, awareness, and emotion in connection to the neurological system as a student in the program.
Neuroscientists explore and study the nervous system’s cellular, functional, behavioral, evolutionary, computational, molecular, cellular, and medical aspects.
What Can You Do With a Neuroscience Degree in Switzerland?
This mostly depends on the specific area you are going to work in. As a neuroscience graduate, you can work in different establishments as listed below:
- Institutes of higher education and research,
- Health care organizations and hospitals,
- Biotechnology/chemical industries,
- Clinical psychology practices,
- Governmental organizations,
- Mental health clinics,
- Non-profit and non-governmental organizations,
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies,
- Social services agencies,
- Public and private recreation organizations, and
- Public health organizations.
Below, we have compiled a list of the 12 most popular jobs you can get in Switzerland after graduating.
Research scientist
Research scientists are responsible for designing, conducting, and interpreting data from laboratory studies, experiments, and trials. You will make hypotheses, collect data and analyze the study results to answer questions about humans and the natural world. As a research scientist, you can work for government laboratories, environmental organizations, specialized research organizations, or universities.
Salary
In Switzerland, the estimated total compensation for a research scientist is 103,481 CHF per year. The extra salary is anticipated to be CHF 5,756 per year. Cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit-sharing are all possibilities for additional compensation.
Clinical psychologist
As a clinical psychologist, you will identify the patients’ emotional, mental, and behavioral problems. After the identification phase, a clinical psychologist is responsible for diagnosing the existing or potential problems/disorders. The third phase includes formulating a treatment program according to the client’s needs.
Salary
It is worth noting that the salaries vary in accordance with the level of education and experience. In Switzerland, the average annual compensation for a psychologist is 126,840 CHF. The highest yearly income is approximately 183,250 CHF, while the lowest annual income for a psychologist is 101,837 CHF.
Neurologist
Two of the main duties of a neurologist are diagnosing and providing treatment for brain diseases, nerves, and muscles. Neurologists focus on treatments that include medications but not surgeries. They analyze a patient’s mental and physical well-being, provide medical tests and scans, and analyze the data to identify and plan a treatment program.
Salary
The average gross income for a neurologist in Switzerland is 274,698 CHF or 132 CHF per hour. They also get a bonus of 15,191 CHF on average. Meanwhile, the average starting pay for a neurologist with one to three years of experience is around 183,092 CHF. On the other hand, a senior-level neurologist makes an average of 360,054 CHF each year.
Counselor
As qualified individuals, counselors use counseling methods to help clients overcome and manage their mental and emotional issues. A daily or weekly process includes listening to the patient and developing treatment plans according to the client’s needs. As a counselor, you can work in hospitals and schools.
Salary
A person working as a mental health counselor in Switzerland typically earns around 176,000 CHF per year. A mental health counselor with less than two years of experience makes approximately 92,000 CHF annually.
In comparison, someone with an experience level of between two and five years is expected to make 123,000 CHF per year, 34% more than someone with less than two years of experience.
Neurophysiologist
During surgery, the neurophysiologist tests and monitors the nervous system to aid surgeons in preventing or decreasing consequences such as hearing loss, paralysis, or stroke (depending on the operation) by recognizing incipient harm in time to avoid or mitigate it.
A master’s or doctoral degree in natural sciences, neuroscience, biology, audiology, or a related discipline is needed for you to become a neurophysiologist.
Salary
The average gross compensation for a neurophysiologist in Switzerland is 106,877 CHF per year. The average income for an entry-level neurophysiologist is 67,260 CHF. On the other hand, a senior-level neurophysiologist earns an average of 145,762 CHF.
Speech-language pathologist
Listening and communicating to determine issue identification and provide solid solutions are two of the main duties of a speech-language pathologist. The patients consult a speech-language pathologist when they have speech articulation issues, language disorders, or even voice quality problems.
Salary
The average annual salary for a speech and language pathologist in Switzerland is 92,497 CHF. The average income for an entry-level speech and language pathologist is around 65,686 CHF. A senior-level speech and language pathologist, on the other hand, gets an average income of 114,107 CHF.
Biostatistician
A career in biostatistics is preferable if you enjoy research, science statistics, and data analysis. Biostatisticians usually work closely with biologists, chemists, and government officials. The statistical modeling they provide depends on the use of computer databases.
Salary
The average salary for a biostatistician is 110,653 CHF. An early career biostatistician with one to four years of experience earns 108,090 CHF, while a mid-career biostatistician with five to nine years of experience earns approximately 114,752 CHF.
Physician assistant
A physician assistant’s work is supervised by a doctor or a surgeon. However, this does not mean that they don’t get to work independently in any case. It mainly depends on the institution they work. Sometimes they consult with the experts only when they need help with unidentifiable causes.
Salary
A physician assistant’s gross salary in Switzerland is approximately 122,955 CHF, or an equivalent hourly rate of 59 CHF. Additionally, they earn an average bonus of 2,447 CHF.
A physician assistant with one to three years of experience makes around 85,694 CHF. On the other end, a senior-level physician assistant earns approximately 152,303 CHF.
Pharmaceutical project manager
Pharmaceutical project managers supervise the whole medication development process. They determine technical needs, set timetables and budgets, manage other team members, and prepare reports. Their general tasks are similar to project managers in different fields.
Salary
This is one of the highest-paying jobs in Pharma and Biotech. The average gross income for a project manager in the pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland is 130,343 CHF. They also receive an average bonus of 2,789 CHF.
The average compensation for an entry-level pharmaceutical project manager is 93,884 CHF, while a senior-level pharmaceutical project manager makes an average income of 159,868 CHF.
Health educator
If you like sharing awareness and making people’s lives easier, you might consider choosing this career path. Health educators mainly work with communities to share tips on preventing health risks and promoting health wellness. If you seek a career with a positive influence on society, this is the right path for you.
Salary
In Switzerland, the average gross compensation for a health educator is 59,879 CHF. They also receive an average bonus of 760 CHF. The average salary for a beginner in the field is about 45,803 CHF, while a senior-level health educator earns an average of 71,074 CHF a year.
Medical writer
A medical writer is a specialized individual in charge of writing scientific documents. Medical writers use science and research skills to present data in a written format and produce the proper documents. Generally, a medical writer can find employment in online healthcare portals, journals, hospitals, etc.
Salary
A career as a medical writer can be very profitable. The average salary for a medical writer is 91,180 CHF per year. Medical writers with one year of experience can expect to get an average of 81,118 CHF. The highest experienced medical writer with (up to twenty years of experience) earns approximately 100,000 CHF per year.
The Bottom Line
Neuroscience, a complex but rewarding degree, can be an ideal starting point for a career in psychology, medicine, or research science. Whether you have decided to get a degree or are simply looking for a job, Switzerland offers you some of the best job opportunities with rewarding salaries. On top of everything else, you will get to do what you love while enjoying some of the most beautiful views in the world.
