Become a Biostatistician

Biostatisticians apply statistical methods to analyze issues and trends within the healthcare, pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. Biostatisticians perform clinical research, concentrating on the design of surveys, selection of the sampling groups, formatting the collection methods and interpretation of the results. Results of these studies are used to analyze risk factors, origins and possible intervention and treatment for diseases. Becoming a biostatistician involves achieving a certain level of education, networking with other professionals and job hunting.

Steps

Getting the Right Education

1. Ensure you have the proper skillset. Biostatisticians need a strong background in mathematics before pursuing college degrees in this field. Before deciding to pursue this field, you should evaluate your skills, interests and affinities. Aspiring biostatisticians should ensure they have the following characteristics:
   • Capacity for teamwork and solo work.
   • Strong organization skills.
   • Affinity and interest for mathematics, statistics and biology.
2. Acquire a bachelor's degree in a related field. A bachelor's degree is the minimum education required for entry level positions, such as that of a research assistant. Some schools might not offer degrees in biostatistics, but a degree in statistics or applied mathematics can serve just as well. You should also ensure you pursue courses in your desired field of interest; for instance, choose health and political science courses if you intend to research trends in public health.
3. Look into obtaining higher education in biostatistics, mathematics or statistics. While a bachelor's degree is sufficient for entry-level work in biostatistics research, many positions require a Master's degree or PhD. If you don't want to be limited in your career choice, consider pursuing higher education. At the Master's and Doctorate degree level, you can begin to focus your education and become more specialized:
   • If you intend to perform advanced academic research, a Master of Science is more beneficial.
   • Master of Public Health (MPH) programs if you are interested in the practical application of statistics to public health data.
   • Doctorate programs allow for further specialization along both the science and public health tracks through academic research.
4. Apply for grants or fellowships. Grants and fellowships are funding programs that provide the opportunity to gain valuable experience developing and carrying out various projects. Organizations such as Public Health Online provide a directory of grants and fellowships available to biostatistic students, ranging from $1000 scholarships to $30,000 research grants. The biostatistics department at your school can help obtain these in several ways:
   • They can guide you in finding the right grant or fellowship.
   • Some funding programs require that you be nominated by your biostatistics department.

Networking

1. Apply for internship opportunities. Internships give you the opportunity to experience the field before starting your career, and can usually be sought out before graduation. Beyond providing valuable work experience, internships can help you build important relationships that will serve you throughout your career. Whether you're interested in the minutiae of statistics or practical public health problems, you can find an institution offering an internship suited to your specialization.
   • Universities, such as Carnegie Mellon, sometimes offer internships within their statistics departments.
   • Pharmaceutical companies such as Bayer also offer internships within their research and development departments.
2. Join a professional association. These associations, such as the American Statistical Association (ASA), give their members access to several important resources throughout their careers. The ASA provides access to the broader statistician communities, scholarly resources as well as various career opportunities. Additionally, the ASA provides fellowship opportunities in association with other institutions, which bring together statisticians and professionals from other fields for research projects. The ASA accepts applications from all individuals with preferential pricing for the following groups:
   • Students
   • Retired biostatisticians
   • Residents of developing countries.
3. Attend meetings, conferences and workshops for biostatisticians. Many institutions make various events available for professionals in this field. Many of these events are designed to discuss advancements and standards of statistical methods while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. Other events are designed specifically for networking, giving you the opportunity to meet potential employers and future colleagues.

Finding Work

1. Attend job fairs. These events are perfect for meeting company representatives and finding employment opportunities in your field. They allow you to ask questions of a company's representatives and thoroughly research job opportunities. Universities often organize these in order to provide better employment options for their graduates. Before attending a job fair, be sure to practice your introduction: this is your “elevator pitch.” Make sure it includes the following:
   • Your specialty/preference. If you've specialized in applying statistical models to public health issues, you'll have a specific skillset better suited to particular organizations.
   • Your educational background. Especially important if you've yet to find work, your education is the best gauge of your suitability.
   • Your interest in the organization/position. It's important to research organizations prior to the job fair, so that you can accurately tailor your introduction to each one.
2. Use online job boards. Online job boards are a useful resource for any profession. Biostatistician positions, especially entry-level work, can be found across websites such as Indeed, Glassdoor and LinkedIn. These job postings give you the chance to research specific companies and tailoring your resume and cover letter for each application.
3. Apply to companies directly. Job postings for biostatisticians are not always widely advertised. You can often find contact information for hiring managers and human resources individuals on websites such as LinkedIn. Do not hesitate to send your resume and cover letter to individuals with these positions within companies that hire biostatisticians. You might apply at just the right time when there is an available job posting. Otherwise, they'll keep your application for consideration when a position becomes available.

References

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