Biostatistician Job Descriptions, Average Salary, Interview Questions

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

Our biostatisticians are responsible for

• Assisting in the analyses 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

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 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

[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 Poison 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 assure 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 communications 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 FDA.

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 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.