PhD Neuroscience: Eligibility, Admissions 2025, Exams, Fees, Job & Salary

Updated on Mar 27, 2025

Kirti Mehendiratta

Ph.D Neuroscience is a doctorate course for a period of 3 to 6 years depending on research progress. The course aims to produce a deep understanding of neuroscience and behavioral sciences.

To be eligible for a PhD Neuroscience, candidates must have a master's degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Biotechnology, Psychology, Life Sciences, or a related field, with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks. Some of the popular entrance exams for a Ph.D Neuroscience include JEST, UGC NET, CSIR NET, DBT JRF, ICMR JRF, and CUET-PG.

Ph D Neuroscience aims to offer candidates with a comprehensive understanding of the nervous system and brain by combining molecular, cellular, and system-level techniques to uncover intricate neutral mechanisms. Some of the job roles available for them are Lecturer, Clinical Neuroscientist, Neurologist and Biostatistician.

Salaries for fresh PhD graduates are competitive and vary by sector and expertise. PhD holders in Neuroscience can expect an average package in the range of INR 6 - 10 lakhs per annum.

PhD Neuroscience Course Highlights

The basic details of PhD Neuroscience are as follows:

Particulars	Course Details
Course Name	Ph D Neuroscience
Duration	3 - 6 Years
Eligibility	Candidates must have a master's degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Biotechnology, Psychology, Life Sciences, or a related field, with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks.
Admission Process	Entrance Based
Entrance Examinations	JEST/ UGC NET/ CSIR NET/ DBT JRF/ ICMR JRF/ and CUET-PG
Average Course Fees	INR 1,50,000-3,00,000
Career Prospects	Lecturer, Clinical Neuroscientist, Neurologist and Biostatistician
Average Package after PhD	INR 6 - 10 lakhs per annum

What is PhD Neuroscience?

Ph D Neuroscience is a 3 to 6 year doctorate course that involves advanced study on the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. Brain function, neural diseases, cognitive neuroscience, and neuropharmacology are some of the subjects covered in the course. A doctorate in neuroscience gives candidates access to sophisticated laboratory methods, excellent analytical abilities, and knowledge of brain research.

To prepare graduates to contribute to ground-breaking discoveries in the discipline, the curriculum offers practical experience in neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and computational neuroscience, preparing graduates to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries in the field.

Why Study PhD Neuroscience?

A PhD in Neuroscience offers students with various career options in research, academia, and the healthcare industry. The course provides deep insights into how the nervous system functions and how neurological disorders can be diagnosed and treated.

The course is in high demand due to the increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, mental health disorders, and the need for brain-computer interface development. Neuroscientists play an important role in developing treatments for neurological disorders, advancing brain-machine technology, and contributing to mental health research.

After completing the course, one can work in universities, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and research institutions focusing on areas like cognitive science, neurogenetics, or behavioral neuroscience. The course also provides students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, to make significant contributions to neuroscience and healthcare advancements.

PhD Neuroscience Eligibility

Students should have the following eligibility to take admission in Ph D Neuroscience:

The candidates must have a master's degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Biotechnology, Psychology, Life Sciences, or a related field
Candidates must have a minimum grade of 55%.
Candidates should have cleared entrance exams like JEST, UGC NET, CSIR NET, DBT JRF, ICMR JRF, and CUET-PG.

PhD in Environmental Science Entrance Exams

Some of the popular entrance exams for a PhD in Environmental Science include JEST, UGC NET, CSIR NET, DBT JRF, ICMR JRF, and CUET-PG.

Entrance Examination	Registration Date	Date of Examination
UGC NET	19 November to December 10 2024	3 to 16 January 2025
CSIR-NET	May 2025	June 2025
CUET (PG)	2 January to 8 February 2025	13 March to 1 April 2025
DBT JRF	28 February to 28 March 28 2025	13 May 2025
ICMR JRF	April 2025	July 2025
JEST	1 January 2025 to 22 January 2025	6 April 2025

PhD Neuroscience Syllabus

Neurobiology, Neurochemistry, Cognitive Neuroscience, Neurophysiology, and Neurogenetics, with a focus on research and critical thinking, Immune cells in the brain, Understanding of immune-CNS interactions in neurological diseases (such as Multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre) Autoimmunity and Tolerance, Vaccines Tumor immunology-Tumor immune evasion and immune surveillance

Top Colleges in India for Ph D Neuroscience

Some of the top colleges for Ph D Neuroscience based on NIRF Ranking 2024 is as follows:

NIRF Ranking 2024 (Overall)	College Name	City, State	Fees
4 (Medical)	National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences	Bangalore,	-
13 (Medical)	Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences	Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala,	-
32 (University)	Amity University	Noida, Uttar Pradesh	INR 3,00,000
-	SGT University	Gurugram, Haryana	INR 1,50,000
-	Era University	Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh	INR 1,70,000

Ph D Neuroscience vs MSc Neuroscience

A Ph.D. in Neuroscience is a research-intensive program that provides students with the knowledge of molecular neuroscience, computational neuroscience, or neurodegenerative diseases. A Ph.D. prepares individuals for high-level research, academic positions (professors, scientists), and leadership roles in biotech and healthcare. The course is ideal for those who want to lead independent research, direct clinical trials, or develop new treatments for neurological disorders.

While an M.Sc. allows for quicker entry into industry jobs, a Ph.D. opens doors to cutting-edge research, university teaching, and advanced neurotechnology careers. M.Sc. in Neuroscience provides a strong foundation for students in topics like neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and cognitive neuroscience. After M.Sc. in Neuroscience one can pursue career in biotech and pharmaceutical companies, research labs, healthcare, data analysis, and science communication. Some graduates also work in neuropsychology, artificial intelligence, or clinical research.

Ph D Neuroscience Jobs

The basic details of jobs after a Ph.D. in neuroscience are as follows:

Industry: A Ph.D. in neuroscience can lead to jobs in various sectors like academia, research, healthcare, industry (pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices), and government.
Employment Demand: Ph.D. neuroscience is in high demand, offering jobs like Lecturer, Clinical Neuroscientist, and Biostatistician.
Average Salary: The average salary after PhD Neuroscience varies depending on experience, industry, and location. The average salary is between INR 6- 10 lakhs per annum.

There are various job roles available for PhD holders in Neuroscience. As per Payscale, the average package of various job roles according to the years of experience are mentioned in the table below:

Job Roles	Entry level	Experience level
Clinical Neuroscientist	INR 4-6 LPA	INR 10-12 LPA
Lecturer	INR 7-10 LPA	INR 10-12 LPA
Biostatistician	INR 4-6 LPA	INR 7-10 LPA
Neurologist	INR 6-10 LPA	INR 10-12 LPA

Fig: Salary of jobs after PhD Neuroscience

Ph D Neuroscience FAQs

What are the key skills required to excel in a PhD in Neuroscience program?

To excel in a Neuroscience PhD, candidates need to have critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Strong lab techniques, data analysis, and statistical knowledge are also essential. Scientific writing and communication skills help in publishing research papers.

What are the common research topics in PhD Neuroscience programs?

PhD students explore brain function, neural circuits, and cognitive processes. Research often focuses on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s. Other common areas include neuroplasticity, mental health disorders, and brain-computer interfaces.

What are the most popular specializations within Neuroscience PhD programs?

Various specializations are there in Neuroscience PhD like Molecular neuroscience which focuses on genes and proteins in brain function, Cognitive neuroscience studies focuses on how the brain processes thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and Computational neuroscience focuses on AI and models to analyze brain activity.

What are the typical research projects undertaken by Neuroscience PhD students?

Projects involve studying brain cells and their connections using advanced imaging techniques. Some research focuses on understanding memory, learning, and decision-making processes. Others work on developing treatments for brain disorders using gene therapy or new drugs.

What are the differences between a Neuroscience PhD and a Neuroscience Master's program?

A Neuroscience PhD is research-intensive, focusing on original discoveries and academic publications. A Master’s degree focuses more on coursework with some research but less depth. PhD graduates often pursue academia, while Master’s graduates may enter industry roles. A PhD prepares students for independent research, while a Master’s provides foundational knowledge.

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