Biostatisticians
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics > Science and MathematicsProjected Growth: Much faster than average
Projected Job Openings
Extensive Preparation Needed
Job Description
Your job is to Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.
Common job titles of Biostatisticians include:
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Experience and Education
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
44% said they needed a Master's Degree.
40% said they needed a Doctoral Degree.
Tasks
Write program code to analyze data with statistical analysis software.
Provide biostatistical consultation to clients or colleagues.
Draw conclusions or make predictions, based on data summaries or statistical analyses.
Assign work to biostatistical assistants or programmers.
Analyze clinical or survey data, using statistical approaches such as longitudinal analysis, mixed-effect modeling, logistic regression analyses, and model-building techniques.
Review clinical or other medical research protocols and recommend appropriate statistical analyses.
Develop or implement data analysis algorithms.
Prepare tables and graphs to present clinical data or results.
Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, and talk with colleagues to keep abreast of methodological or conceptual developments in fields such as biostatistics, pharmacology, life sciences, and social sciences.
Design research studies in collaboration with physicians, life scientists, or other professionals.
Monitor clinical trials or experiments to ensure adherence to established procedures or to verify the quality of data collected.
Determine project plans, timelines, or technical objectives for statistical aspects of biological research studies.
Prepare articles for publication or presentation at professional conferences.
Apply research or simulation results to extend biological theory or recommend new research projects.
Analyze archival data, such as birth, death, and disease records.
Collect data through surveys or experimentation.
Design or maintain databases of biological data.
Plan or direct research studies related to life sciences.
Write detailed analysis plans and descriptions of analyses and findings for research protocols or reports.
Calculate sample size requirements for clinical studies.
Prepare statistical data for inclusion in reports to data monitoring committees, federal regulatory agencies, managers, or clients.
Write research proposals or grant applications for submission to external bodies.
Design surveys to assess health issues.
Develop or use mathematical models to track changes in biological phenomena, such as the spread of infectious diseases.
Teach graduate or continuing education courses or seminars in biostatistics.
Tools
Plotters
Personal computers
Mainframe computers
Laptop computers
Desktop computers
Computer laser printers
Computer data input scanners
Technologies
Bash
Git
IBM SPSS Statistics
JavaScript
Linux
MySQL
Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
All TechnologiesPython
Clinical trials database software
Data mining software
Data visualization software
Insightful S-PLUS
Microsoft operating system
Microsoft Visual C#
Oracle software
Patient monitoring systems
Software development tools
STAT! Systems QD Clinical
STATISTICA
Tibco S-PLUS
Wolfram Research Mathematica
Skills
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Programming
Writing computer programs for various purposes.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Abilities
Choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Cognitive Abilities › Quantitative Abilities › Mathematical Reasoning
Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Comprehension
Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Deductive Reasoning
Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Inductive Reasoning
Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Comprehension
Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Expression
Arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Information Ordering
Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Expression
Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Problem Sensitivity
Identify and understand the speech of another person.
Auditory and Speech Abilities › Sensory Abilities › Speech Recognition
Speak clearly so others can understand you.
Auditory and Speech Abilities › Sensory Abilities › Speech Clarity
Generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Category Flexibility
Add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Cognitive Abilities › Quantitative Abilities › Number Facility