Job Profile: Research Scientist (Academia)
Brief introduction: Dr. Priyanka Ghosh is a Cognitive Neuroscientist based in Boston, USA who studies how the brain shapes behavior in children and adults. She earned Ph.D. in Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience from National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, India. M.Sc. Life Sciences from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India and B.Sc. (H) Zoology from Hindu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India.
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/drpghosh/
PhD | Cognitive Neuroscience | Research Scientist | Academia | Postdoc | USA
Part 1: General Information
1. Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience. My research focuses on understanding how early-life experiences (both positive and adverse) affect the development of brain networks in human babies, using EEG and machine learning tools.
2. Company: Centre for Cognitive and Brain Health, Northeastern University
3. Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Part 2: Career Path and Education
4. What was your PhD specialization? From which university did you obtain your PhD?
I obtained my PhD in Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience from the National Brain Research Centre in Manesar, Haryana. My thesis focused on understanding the neural dynamics of attentional networks involved in processing salient (pop-out) distractors during goal-directed tasks. Simply put, I investigated how our brain instantly shifts attention when a car suddenly zooms by, even when we’re focused on navigating traffic while listening to our favorite podcast (given my research institute was on NH-8, it wasn’t hard to imagine this problem!). To study these mechanisms, I designed and conducted two original psychophysical experiments in the auditory and visual sensory modalities.
5. Could you briefly outline your career path since completing your PhD? What were the key steps and decisions that led you to your current position?
I submitted my thesis in August 2022, only to find that the post-pandemic academic job market was highly competitive. While opportunities were reopening, the reduced intake during the lockdown had created a backlog of highly qualified candidates, making it challenging to secure positions at top research labs. With fewer openings and an influx of applicants from previous years, standing out required more than just expertise—it demanded a clear research vision. Anticipating this, I started my job search early, making the most of virtual networking opportunities that had become the norm. This approach helped me secure an offer before my thesis defense, and I officially moved to the United States in early 2023.
6. How important was your PhD in securing your current position? Did it provide you with specific skills or knowledge that were essential for your role?
My PhD training played an immensely important role in securing my current position. My early academic background was rooted in experimental and molecular biology, where I worked with model organisms like mice and applied wet lab techniques such as PCR, DNA isolation, and Western blotting. During my PhD at the National Brain Research Centre, I made a pivotal shift— I chose to study human behavior and brain signals using electroencephalography (EEG) and computational models to explore fundamental questions about cognition and brain networks. At that time, I had no formal training in programming or computational tools, but I embraced the challenge, teaching myself MATLAB, EEG analysis methodologies, and statistical modeling from scratch. What began as a curiosity-driven exploratory transition soon became a source of fun and growing interest. Developing these skills while working with a team of physicists, doctors, and computer engineers not only shaped my interdisciplinary understanding but also enabled me to bridge gaps between experimental and computational science.
Part 3: Job Role and Responsibilities
7. Could you describe a typical workday for you? What are your primary responsibilities and tasks?
Each workday is essentially a blend of critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork. I spend time in meetings with collaborators, brainstorming new projects, and refining research outcomes. A significant portion of my day is dedicated to developing and troubleshooting preprocessing pipelines, managing large datasets, conducting statistical analyses, manuscript writing, grant writing, presentations, attending workshops, and networking. Through all this, there’s always an ongoing process of learning and adapting to diverse cultural contexts and backgrounds, which adds to my professional and personal growth.
8. What key skills (technical and soft) are essential for your role? How did your PhD help you develop these skills?
The technical skills I developed during my PhD—ranging from understanding EEG hardware and software to signal processing, programming, statistical analysis, data visualization, and scientific writing—are all essential for my current role as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The soft skills like time management, effective communication, leadership, and networking are also equally important (if not more). In my opinion, the academic training in our system places far less emphasis on imparting soft skills compared to technical skills. We are often expected to acquire these skills naturally or through observation. However, since everyone’s starting point is different, incorporating a more structured approach to developing soft skills as part of the curriculum would be highly beneficial.
9. What are the biggest challenges and rewards of your job?
Transitioning from Cognitive Neuroscience to Developmental Neuroscience during my postdoc has been both exciting and challenging. What I initially saw as a natural expansion of my research interests turned out to be a vast and multidimensional field of its own, requiring me to rapidly learn and integrate new knowledge. Keeping up with the literature, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks has been an ongoing process. My research focuses on how early life experiences shape brain development in childhood, particularly through time windows of heightened plasticity that influence socioemotional and cognitive outcomes. I investigate how everyday experiences like caregiving and language, as well as adverse conditions like stress and environmental unpredictability, impact neural networks, and behavioral development. Addressing these questions is incredibly rewarding for me, as they offer hope by holding real-world implications for early interventions in atypical childhood development.
10. How do you balance your work and personal life? What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance?
In academia, the line between “work” and “life” often blurs, but I strive to protect evenings and weekends for personal time. My regular stress buster is cooking, which I initially took up as a survival skill but have now ended up enjoying as a hobby. I experiment with a new recipe almost every week, and fortunately, most of my experiments in this area are successful. What also helps me reset is getting back to my childhood hobbies– I read, sing, dance, and paint in my free time, and that gives me immense joy!
Part 4: Future Opportunities
11. What are the potential career paths and opportunities for someone in your position?
The evolving neurotech landscape offers some exciting opportunities for neuroscientists, with companies increasingly seeking expertise in biomarker development. This includes advancing EEG-based approaches to identify early neural markers of developmental conditions and leveraging machine-learning models to predict individual trajectories, such as assessing risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders or resilience in the face of early-life adversity. Startups focused on early childhood interventions, educational technologies, or digital therapeutics can benefit from scientists who can translate foundational research into pragmatic tools.
12. What are the current trends and challenges in the biotech industry? How do you see your role evolving in the future?
The biotech industry is rapidly evolving with trends like AI-driven precision medicine, gene editing, and wearable health technologies while facing challenges such as regulatory hurdles, high R&D costs, and data security concerns. Future success depends on driving innovation while implementing sustainable practices and ensuring equitable global access.
13. What advice would you give to early-career researchers who are aspiring to work in the biotech industry?
I think it is important to stay curious and adaptable, especially in interdisciplinary research. My advice to younger researchers would be to build a strong foundation in both theory and technical skills and embrace challenges as learning opportunities. Seek the right mentors, believe in yourself, and remain resilient in the face of setbacks because science thrives on perseverance.
14. Are there any resources, networks, or training programs that helped you in your career that you would recommend?
Throughout my career, several resources and workshops have been invaluable. During my PhD, educational platforms like Coursera and Udemy provided supplementary learning in programming, statistics, and neuroscience. I presented my work at national conferences like the Annual Conference of Cognitive Sciences multiple times and benefitted from the resources of international societies such as the Society for Neuroscience. The Neuromatch Academy, which emerged during COVID-19, has an enthusiastic cohort of computational neuroscientists where both mentors and mentees can benefit from its rich knowledge base. The scientific community on Twitter (now X) has helped me stay updated with the latest research and scientific dialogue exchange (although many researchers are now migrating to Bluesky and Mastodon). Currently, being part of postdoctoral associations and organizations like MASS-AWIS has allowed me to connect with a supportive community of STEM researchers, fostering learning through shared experiences.
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