Neuroscientist
Unlock the mysteries of the brain - one of science's most exciting and rapidly advancing frontiers.
Neuroscientist Salary in Canada
Neuroscientists in Canada earn about $60,000 at entry level and around $140,000 in senior roles.
- Entry level: $60,000
- Senior level: $140,000
Clinical neuroscientists and those working in pharma or biotech earn more than academic researchers.
About the Career
Brain research is well funded and Canada has world-class neuroscience institutes, but academic and research positions are scarce relative to the number of PhD graduates.
Job Outlook
Competitive demand. Brain research is well funded and Canada has world-class neuroscience institutes, but academic and research positions are scarce relative to the number of PhD graduates.
How to Get There
- BSc (Neuroscience or Biology) + MSc + PhD
- Time to career: 10-12 years post-Grade 12
Degrees That Lead Here
- Neuroscience – high 80s to low 90s
- Biology – mid to high 80s at most schools
- Biochemistry – high 80s
- Psychology – mid to high 80s
- Health Sciences – 95%+ average plus strong supplemental - Canada's most competitive undergrad
Key Skills
- Experimental Neuroscience
- Data Analysis (Python, MATLAB)
- Lab Techniques
- Scientific Writing
- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
Typical Employers
- Universities & research institutes
- Neurological institutes & research centres
- Pharma & biotech
- Hospitals & clinical research
- Government research agencies
High School Roadmap
- Take Biology. Read about how the brain works.
- Enter science fair. Research neuroscience undergraduate programs in Canada.
- Research the Brain and Cognitive Sciences programs at McGill. Aim for 90%+ average.
- Apply to neuroscience, biology, or health sciences undergrad. McGill and UofT are the top Canadian choices.
Top Universities for This Path
- University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
- McGill University – Montreal, QC
- University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC
- McMaster University – Hamilton, ON
- University of Alberta – Edmonton, AB
Insider Tips
- McGill's Montreal Neurological Institute is one of the world's leading brain research centres.
- Neuroscience requires both biology and math/computing skills - the field is increasingly computational.
- Clinical neuroscience (working with patients) and research neuroscience are quite different career paths.