Neural Engineering Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Jobs in neural engineering focus on helping research and design biomedical devices like prosthetic limbs and artificial organs. In these roles, you may determine the best way to implement designs for each situation, figure out the best way to link mechanical systems to the human brain, and find the most cost-effective ways to build devices. Neural engineering differs from engineering regular prosthetic limbs in that they receive instructions directly from the brain and often send information back, rather than simply being attached to the body. This often involves programming specialized software and figuring out how to make devices that can teach the brain how to use them. In recent years, neural engineering has started to move out of the medical realm, and there may be more jobs of that nature in the future. Neural engineering is a specific type of biomedical engineering, but should not be confused with jobs in the broader category.

The primary qualifications for getting a job in neural engineering are a master's degree and some industry experience. Many neural engineers start as interns or work in research institutions while still in school. This is a higher educational requirement than other biomedical engineers, primarily because neural links are still a relatively new technology and require significant amounts of specialized education. Experience is beneficial in this field, so the more you have, the more likely you are to stand out from other neural engineers. If you want to focus exclusively on research, rather than building biomedical devices, consider pursuing a doctorate instead. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a job in neural engineering requires research skills, interpersonal skills, and sometimes the ability to travel to conferences and industry events.