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Phd In Neuroscience Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Astera

In Vitro Neuroscientist

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$60K - $150K/yr

PhD in Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering, Physiology, or related discipline * Strong track record of hands-on experimental neuroscience research * Expertise in one or more of the ...

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How much do phd in neuroscience jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for phd in neuroscience in California is $29.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.14 and $32.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common collaborative opportunities for someone with a PhD in Neuroscience within academic and industry settings?

With a PhD in Neuroscience, you can expect to work closely with diverse teams, including biologists, psychologists, data scientists, and clinicians. In academia, collaboration often involves interdisciplinary research projects, grant writing, and co-authoring publications. In industry, you may partner with pharmacologists, engineers, or product development teams to advance neurotechnology or therapeutics. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as many projects require integrating expertise from multiple fields to tackle complex questions about the brain and nervous system.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD in Neuroscience, and why are they important?

To thrive as a PhD in Neuroscience, you need a deep understanding of neurobiology, experimental design, and data analysis, typically supported by a doctoral degree in neuroscience or a related field. Experience with advanced laboratory techniques, neuroimaging software, and statistical programming tools like MATLAB or Python is highly valuable. Strong critical thinking, perseverance, and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly set top candidates apart. These skills and qualities are essential for driving impactful research, publishing results, and collaborating effectively in multidisciplinary scientific environments.

Is it worth doing a PhD in neuroscience?

A PhD in neuroscience prepares individuals for research, academia, and specialized roles in healthcare or industry, often requiring strong analytical and laboratory skills. It can lead to higher-level positions and increased earning potential but involves significant time, effort, and financial investment. Career prospects depend on research experience, publication record, and networking within the field.

What is the highest paying job for a neuroscience PhD?

The highest paying jobs for a neuroscience PhD typically include roles such as pharmaceutical executive, biotech director, or senior research scientist, often in the private sector. These positions usually require advanced research skills, leadership abilities, and experience with clinical or laboratory environments, with salaries often exceeding $150,000 annually depending on the industry and location.

What is a PhD in Neuroscience?

A PhD in Neuroscience is a doctoral degree focused on the scientific study of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and neural networks. Students in these programs conduct original research to understand how the nervous system works at molecular, cellular, and systemic levels. Graduates are trained to pursue careers in academia, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or healthcare. A PhD in Neuroscience typically requires several years of coursework, lab rotations, and the completion of a dissertation based on novel research.

What jobs can you do with a PhD in neuroscience?

A PhD in neuroscience qualifies individuals for roles such as research scientist, university professor, clinical research coordinator, or neuroimaging specialist. These positions often require strong analytical skills, knowledge of laboratory techniques, and familiarity with data analysis tools like MATLAB or Python.

How much can I earn with a PhD in neuroscience?

A PhD in neuroscience can lead to salaries ranging from $70,000 to over $120,000 annually, depending on the industry, experience, and location. Academic positions, research roles, and industry jobs such as biotech or pharmaceutical companies typically offer higher compensation with advanced research skills and publications.
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Phd In Neuroscience jobs near you
Infographic showing various Phd In Neuroscience job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,443 per year, or $29.1 per hour.

Research Scientist / Engineer, Two-Photon Imaging & Holographic Optogenetics

Astera

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$180K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Position Summary
Astera Neuro is a neuroscience research company building the tools and infrastructure required to understand how the brain works at scale. This role is central to that mission. You will lead development of a miniaturized two-photon microscope capable of simultaneous cellular-resolution imaging and holographic two-photon photostimulation in head-stabilized and freely-behaving mice and rats. The result will be all-optical readout and targeted perturbation of neural circuits at single-cell and ensemble resolution, with transformative implications for systems neuroscience.
The ideal candidate is a scientist-engineer who can carry the work end-to-end. You can perform a stereotaxic surgery in the morning, align an SLM-based beam path in the afternoon, and write the analysis pipeline that evening. You want the institutional support and freedom to move fast on a problem that matters. All animal research at Astera Neuro is conducted under IACUC-approved protocols with dedicated veterinary support, following the 3Rs framework and AAALAC standards.
About Astera Neuro
Astera Neuro is a neuroscience research company building the tools and infrastructure required to understand how the brain works at scale. We develop cutting-edge hardware and recording systems, with the goal of enabling the next generation of discoveries about neural circuits, cognition, and behavior.
What You'll Do
  • Perform stereotaxic rodent surgeries: AAV viral vector delivery, chronic cranial window implantation, and GRIN lens or miniscope head-mount installation in mice and rats.
  • Design, build, and iterate on a miniaturized two-photon microscope incorporating spatial light modulators for holographic photostimulation.
  • Develop and optimize two-photon optogenetics protocols for single-cell and ensemble-level activation with minimal off-target excitation.
  • Lead computational analysis of large-scale neural population data, including dimensionality reduction, population decoding, generalized linear models, and circuit-level inference.
  • Collaborate with optical engineers, software developers, and neuroscientists to integrate hardware, software, and biology into a coherent experimental platform.
  • Contribute to publications and internal technical documentation.

What We're Looking For
  • PhD in neuroscience, bioengineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent demonstrated expertise.
  • Hands-on rodent surgery experience: stereotaxic injection, cranial window preparation, and secure implant fixation in mice and/or rats.
  • Practical experience with two-photon imaging systems, including optical alignment, system characterization, and in vivo use.
  • Proficiency in scientific computing for neural data analysis. Python and/or MATLAB, with familiarity with Suite2p, CaImAn, or comparable pipelines.
  • Strong foundational understanding of nonlinear optics, ultrafast laser physics, and fluorescence microscopy.
  • Bonus: direct experience with two-photon optogenetics (SLM-based holography, temporal focusing, or spiral scanning photostimulation); custom optical engineering with ultrafast pulsed lasers (Ti:Sapphire, fiber); miniaturized imaging systems; rat-scale stereotaxic surgery and freely moving behavioral paradigms; or machine learning applied to neural data.

Education
PhD in neuroscience, bioengineering, physics, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent demonstrated expertise will also be considered.
Compensation
The base salary range for this role is $180,000 to $230,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Compensation also includes a comprehensive benefits package.
  • Benefits summary

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