Choices in neuroscience careers are discussed by Tamas Bartfai, Tom Insel, Gord Fishell and Nancy Rothwell in the Viewpoint in the May issue of Nature Reviews Neuroscience (9, 401-405; 2008).

What factors should young scientists (PhD students and postdoctoral researchers) consider to ensure they choose wisely when selecting their field of study, place of study, laboratory and mentor? Most students and postdoctoral researchers aiming for a successful career in neuroscience ask themselves these questions. In this article, Nature Reviews Neuroscience asks four successful neuroscientists for their thoughts on the factors one should consider when making these decisions, with the hope of creating a useful resource for junior neuroscientists who have to make important and sometimes difficult decisions that might have long-lasting consequences for their careers.