What Does a Biostatistician Do?
Biostatisticians collect data from medical research and analyze it to draw conclusions or make predictions. They develop and execute research studies in collaboration with other statisticians and scientists and monitor clinical trials to ensure the integrity of the results. Biostatisticians must have exceptional written communication skills as they write research proposals and submit their findings to the scientific community. Some biostatisticians may also teach at universities while conducting their research, splitting time between the lab and the classroom. They are required to have an in-depth understanding of advanced statistical techniques, be familiar with analyzing clinical trials, and have excellent knowledge of epidemiology and statistics. The ability to plan, develop, and manage complex statistical computer databases is also important in this role.
Biostatisticians typically work in medical research, pharmaceuticals, public health, and clinical investigations. They should be familiar with specialized computer programs to analyze statistics and lab results. This role requires good collaboration skills as biostatisticians often interact with other scientists and researchers.
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National Average Salary
Biostatistician salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Biostatistician is:
$95,689
Biostatistician Job Descriptions
It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a biostatistician. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting the best available talent for your team.
General Biostatistician (Sample)
As a biostatistician for [Your Company Name], you’ll design, analyze, and interpret data for scientific research. The biostatistician combines epidemiological knowledge with statistics to work in areas such as medical research, pharmaceuticals, public health, and clinical investigations.
You will interact closely with a research team, so it helps to communicate well. The ability to produce readable reports, which summarize their findings and generate hypotheses, is essential. You must know how to use statistical programs like SAS Software. The ideal candidate should also be familiar with other software packages, including Java Programming Operations Research (JOR) Package, Minitab Statistical Packages, S-Plus Statistical Packages among others.
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Programming knowledge of at least one statistical software package such as SAS, JMP, STATA, or R.
- Statistical analysis of medical research data
- Interpret statistical analysis to draw conclusions on a wide range of topics
- Design and conduct experiments, surveys, observational studies, and clinical trials as needed
- Summarize findings in reports or presentations.
- Communicate with team members regularly via email, phone calls, or meetings.
- Maintain a database of research materials
Education and experience
- Master’s degree in statistics, biostatistics, or related field
- Many employers prefer candidates with 5-7 years of experience
- A master’s degree will enable you to apply to entry-level positions in biostatistics
- Some people do choose to pursue a doctoral degree, but this is not necessary
Required skills and qualifications
- Good communication and presentation skills
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Creativity, resourcefulness, and the ability to mentor junior staff
- Knowledge of epidemiology and medical terms is a plus
- Knowledge of public health and clinical trials is a plus
Preferred qualifications
- Knowledge of various statistical software packages, including SAS Software, Minitab Statistical Packages, S-Plus Statistical Packages, among others
- Able to demonstrate the use of statistical approaches and techniques in analyzing data related to biomedical research
- Knowledgeable about statistical analysis, probability theory, and modeling for generating predictions
- Familiar with Microsoft Excel
Entry-level Biostatistician
Our biostatisticians are responsible for
- Assisting in the analysis of research studies by using appropriate statistical methods and/or mathematical techniques
- Meeting with clinicians, scientists, and other research personnel to discuss research projects, goals, and hypotheses
- Providing support for statistical analyses by extracting data and ensuring accurate data files
- Using statistical software packages (e.g., SAS and/or R) to write computer programs to analyze data
- Preparing memoranda to effectively document data issues, statistical methodology, and analysis results and interpretations, including results in tabular and graphical forms
- Assisting investigators with abstract and manuscript development to disseminate research results
Duties are performed under the guidance of a faculty member.
Ideal knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Knowledge of statistical methods
- Knowledge of SAS and/or R statistical software
- Strong oral and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate statistical methodology and results to non-statisticians
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines in a professional manner
Candidate may be hired at a career level that best fits her or his individual qualifications
Education requirements
- Master’s Degree in biostatistics, applied statistics, or related field
- Minimum of two (2) years of work experience consistent with that expected of the Statistical Analyst position
Mid-level Biostatistician
As a biostatistician, you will be given access to cutting-edge in-house technology, allowing you to work on global projects across various therapeutic areas. Thanks to our development opportunities and mentoring at all levels, you can progress your long-term career in the direction you choose.
- You will develop statistical methods sections of protocols and review case report forms (CRFs)
- Prepare analysis plans and write specifications for analysis files, consistency checks, tables, and figures
- Communicate with clients regarding study protocol or statistical analysis issues as they arise
- Interpret analyses and write statistical sections of study reports
Key responsibilities
- Act as a statistical lead on single studies
- Working closely with the Project Team Lead and supervisor to deliver on time, with high quality, and within budget
- Writing and performing quality control (QC) reviews of Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) and Shells
- Writing and maintaining programming specifications. Programming assigned datasets to industry standards
- Assisting with protocol development, sample size calculation, and case report form (CRF) review
- Building and maintaining effective customer relationships, driving statistical discussions, providing support, and/or guidance for statistical activities
- Managing the scope of work and budget, and providing revenue and resource forecasts for single studies
- Training and mentoring junior staff. Supporting colleagues and providing motivation as needed
Requirements
- BSc or MSc degree in Biostatistics or related field, and 2-4 years relevant experience within the life-science industry
- Familiarity with moderately complex statistical methods that apply to applicable clinical trials
- Good working knowledge of SAS and CDISC
- Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and projects
Principal Biostatistician
[Company] is a global CRO that offers high-quality one-stop service to biopharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer products clients. Some of these services include clinical operations, project management, biostatistics, data management, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, and pharmacovigilance. [Company] has established major delivery centers across the US, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, and the Philippines. It has over 3,000 employees globally, with a strong and talented team and a growing clinical operations presence in seven countries across Asia, North America, and Europe.
The goal of the principal biostatistician is to provide Biostatistical support and work on key client deliverables involving designing and analyzing clinical trials.
Responsibilities
- 3+ years’ experience preferred, leading late-phase studies • Modeling experiences such as Mixed Models, Cox Models, Kaplan, Mier Estimates, and Poisson Modeling would be a plus·
- Responsible for protocol development, including study design, sample size calculation, randomization, and statistical analysis plan for assigned studies.
- Provide statistical oversight to studies and ensure adequate quality and consistency with project requirements.
- Responsible for assuring that data for statistical analyses are complete, accurate, and consistent.
- Responsible for statistical analysis plans and the accuracy and timeliness of statistical input into reports or decisions.
- Responsible for the validity of the analysis and exploring alternative analysis strategies as needed.
- Demonstrates extensive understanding of statistical concepts and methodologies. Recognizes and corrects flaws in scientific reasoning and statistical interpretation.
- Responsible for the accuracy and consistency of statistical tables, figures, and data listings, accuracy of report text, and consistency between summary tables in the body of reports and the corresponding source tables and listings.
- Responsible for the statistical methods section of the reports. Identifies and corrects common flaws in the interpretation of results, inconsistency in presentation or inference, adherence to the report guidelines, and ensures project-wide consistency.
- Effectively mentor peers about statistical methodology and provide appropriate training to less experienced statisticians.
- Manage activities of statisticians across projects by appropriately coordinating assignments and reviewing work so that projects are delivered on time with high quality.
Requirements
- MS or Ph.D. in Statistics, Biostatistics, or related field. Ph.D. with 3-5 years of experience or MS with 6-8 years of experience.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate internally and with clients.
- Demonstrated understanding and insight into statistics, drug development process, and relevant FDA regulations.
- Pharmaceutical, CRO, or related industry experience with clinical trials, including interaction with Regulatory Agencies, especially the FDA.
Research Biostatistician
The primary purpose of the research biostatistician position is to carry out data preparation responsibilities related to cancer clinical trials, develop skilled statistical programs, perform statistical analysis associated with clinical data, and prepare written reports to investigators. In addition, this position prepares statistical considerations for basic trial designs or grants and performs biostatistical reviews of protocols.
Key Functions
- Statistical Consulting and Collaboration
- Compiles, analyzes, and reports statistical data for various projects, including but not limited to manual and computer-aided data abstraction and evaluation, clinical trials, computerized imaging, and bioinformatics.
- Prepares statistical considerations for basic trial designs and carries out uncomplicated statistical analyses independently, but completes statistical responsibilities for more complex projects with supervision.
- Assists faculty in the development of new statistical methodology for measurement and analysis of data.
- Applies advanced statistical methods, simulation models, and skilled statistical programming as needed.
- Assesses relevant literature as well as existing data, evaluates the quality of data used in reports, and assists with the preparation and distribution of data for committee and scientific meetings.
- Attends project meetings with collaborators with or without supervisor as directed by supervisor.
- May present findings at relevant meetings both inside and outside of the institution as requested.
- Protocol Review
- Participates in the protocol review process jointly with supervisor.
- Statistical Reporting
- Prepares written reports to investigators jointly with supervisor.
- May present findings at relevant meetings both inside and outside of the institution as requested.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education
Required: Master’s degree in Biostatistics, Statistics, Bioinformatics, Mathematics or related field.
Preferred: PhD in Biostatistics, Statistics, Bioinformatics, Mathematics, or related field.
Experience
Required: Two years experience with mainframe and/or PC databases, document processing, and statistical software such as SAS and S-Plus. With preferred degree, no required experience.
Preferred: Statistical software experience with an emphasis in biostatistics and clinical trials.
Biostatistician Qualifications to Look For
Previous experience
- Collaborated with scientific teams to design robust experiments and clinical trials
- Applied statistical theories and methods to solve complex biological problems
- Collected, analyzed, and interpreted data from biological experiments and trials
- Utilized statistical software such as R, SAS, or SPSS for data analysis and modeling
- Provided insights on findings through reports, graphs, and other visual means
- Reviewed and ensured data integrity and accuracy
- Assisted in the publication of research findings, ensuring statistical soundness
- Contributed to grant writing processes with a focus on the statistical design and analysis components
- Developed new statistical methodologies or adapted existing ones to better meet research needs
- Provided guidance on sample size determination, experimental layout, and data collection methods
Soft skills
- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Detail-oriented
- Effective collaboration and teamwork skills
- Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
Education
- Master’s degree in Biostatistics, Statistics, or a related field is often the minimum requirement; however, many positions, especially in academic research or advanced pharmaceutical work, may require a Ph.D.
- Knowledge of specialized statistical software such as R, SAS, or STATA
- For those working on clinical trials, familiarity with regulatory guidelines (like those from the FDA or EMA) can be beneficial
- Continuous learning to stay updated with advancements in both biological sciences and statistical methodologies
Certifications
- Mastering Software Development in R Certification by Johns Hopkins University (Coursera). This specialization in R programming provides rigorous training in R language and also teaches the best software development practices for building data science tools that are not only robust, modular and reusable but also collaborative (thus suitable for use in team-based and community environments). Through this program candidates will gain the necessary skills for handling complex data, building R packages, and developing custom data visualizations.
- SAS Certified Clinical Trials Programmer Using SAS 9. This programmer works exclusively with clinical trial data, transforming raw data into polished, validated reports. There are two different paths to achieving this certification:
- Clinical Trial Programmer Exam: The certification exam features 90 to 100 multiple-choice questions, a three-hour time limit, and candidates must answer at least 70 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam. There are no prerequisites required to take this exam.
- Clinical Trial Programmer – Accelerated Exam: The certification exam features 70 to 75 multiple-choice questions, a 120-minute time limit, and candidates must answer at least 70 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam. Candidates must already have completed the SAS Base Programmer certification before they can sit for this accelerated exam.
- Certificate in Applied Biostatistics – Online (Harvard Catalyst). This advanced-level program is for candidates with an MD, Ph.D., or equivalent degrees. The comprehensive classes provide a comprehensive introduction to biostatistics in medical research. Review the common techniques in this field as well as the ways in which they can be applied in standard statistical software. End the lectures by choosing an appropriate study design, calculating the sample size needed to complete the study, analyzing the collected data, and communicating the results from their experiments.