Do I absolutely need to get a degree in this area to participate in this kind of research? Absolutely not. Every research lab I've ever known, even at MIT, has

Do I absolutely need to get a degree in this area to participate in this kind of research? Absolutely not. Every research lab I've ever known, even at MIT, has significant needs for what's called a Technical Assistant. It's similar to a Research Assistant, but you help code experiments, program analytic scripts, create visualizations and write reports. These labs run the gamut from single unit recording to whole brain imaging. Do they need software development expertise? Yes, all do. Is it difficult to adjust my skillset from being just a software developer? That answer depends on the lab and its existing group of researchers, assistants, and students. There's a learning curve but you are far better off than the many, many researchers and students who have no programming background. How does division of labor usually work in groups like these? The principal investigator (PI) is responsible for everyone and is the one to get the major grants, have or seek tenure, and plot the general direction of the research based on their history of publications. Post-doctoral researchers are recruited on their way to becoming PIs of their own labs. Graduate students usually work on their own research, sometimes with their own smaller grants. Research and technical assistants work for all of the above on the day-to-day responsibilities. I imagine there are always some biology- and some software-oriented folks in one group. What could be my first step in that direction? It depends foremost on geography and your interests. Before uprooting your life, look for research groups at the nearest university. Find the PIs whose research is most interesting to you. Write them a very brief email (4-6 sentences) explaining your background and interest in working part-time on technical software challenges they might have. If you don't have many PIs near you, it will be more challenging. You won't hear back from most. But remember, you're looking for experience. If you are dependable and professional, you'll find some to grow with. Then you'll be better positioned to seek a full-time job in a great lab that really fits your interests. After a few years, you'll be qualified for graduate school. You don't necessarily need an undergraduate degree if you are working with a leading researcher who can vouch for you.