Table 1.

Study sample characteristics

Demographic variableValuen (%)
Current positionResearch-focused academic396 (51%)
Teaching-focused academic101 (13%)
Nonacademic research134 (17%)
Science-related, nonresearch150 (19%)
GenderWoman422 (54%)
Man359 (46%)
Representation statusWR658 (84%)
UR123 (16%)
Social identityWR man298 (38%)
WR woman360 (46%)
UR man61 (8%)
UR woman62 (8%)
Do you have a disability?No758 (97%)
Yes23 (3%)
First person/generation to graduate from 4-year college?No602 (77%)
Yes179 (23%)
PhD field (recoded)Neuroscience349 (45%)
Biological sciences281 (36%)
Other sciences/engineering76 (10%)
Other social sciences75 (10%)
Age range20–2419 (2%)
25–29270 (35%)
30–34377 (48%)
35–3977 (10%)
40–4421 (3%)
45–5011 (1%)
51 or older5 (1%)
Prefer not to answer1 (0%)
Median years since PhD6
Undergraduate institution in National Science Boarda top 50 research university?No661 (85%)
Yes120 (15%)
Master's degree in biomedical research discipline before PhD program?No658 (84%)
Yes123 (16%)
Doctoral institution in top 50 research university?No383 (49%)
Yes398 (51%)
Ever been a postdoctoral fellow?No203 (26%)
Yes578 (74%)
Career goal changed from research-based to outside of research?No, still is research-based509 (65%)
No, never was research-based47 (6%)
Yes, changed away from research225 (29%)
Primary way respondent found current position (recoded)Directly contacted by employer/recruiter32 (4%)
Former advisor/supervisor79 (10%)
Job posting292 (37%)
Previous position at same organization103 (13%)
Professional networking (other than advisor)217 (28%)
Other58 (7%)
  • Basic demographic information about the sample of 781 PhD neuroscientists who responded to the survey and labeled themselves as currently “professionals in the field.” Totals may not equal to 100% due to rounding.

  • a Top 50 research university is measured by research and development expenditures (National Science Board, 2016).