Electrophysiologist (Research)

Also called: Patch-Clamp Scientist

Measures the tiny electrical signals of single nerve or heart cells to test drugs and study disease.

A day in the life

Under a microscope, guides a glass needle thinner than a hair onto one neuron to record its electrical 'spikes.' It's like microsurgery, all day.

Pay over a career

Starting
$65k
Typical
$110k
High
$170k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in neuroscience or physiology; some bachelor's-level technical roles.

Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Neuroscience, Physiology, Biophysics.

Outlook

Growing much faster than average (about 8% over 10 years). Estimate.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Automated patch-clamp robots handle some drug screens; delicate single-cell recordings for research stay skilled handwork.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Biology, AP Physics, Chemistry.

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1042.

More Neuroscience careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.