Switching from Public Health to Clinical Trials

I've been a data analyst for almost two years for a federal agency doing statistical analyses (using SAS extensively and SUDAAN) for surveillance and epidemiologic research. I would really like to move from the public health arena into pharmaceutical/clinical trials research. Many job postings state experience in pharma/cro/etc. Is it impossible for me to switch even though I have SAS experience and completed a MS in Biostats (& took a clinical trials methodology course as a part of my degree, but no professional clinical trials exp)?

RJ in Atlanta, Georgia said: I've been a data analyst for almost two years for a federal agency doing statistical analyses (using SAS extensively and SUDAAN) for surveillance and epidemiologic research. I would really like to move from the public health arena into pharmaceutical/clinical trials research. Many job postings state experience in pharma/cro/etc. Is it impossible for me to switch even though I have SAS experience and completed a MS in Biostats (& took a clinical trials methodology course as a part of my degree, but no professional clinical trials exp)?

As part of a recruiting firm specializing in placing Biostatisticians in the pharma/biotech industry, I can tell you it is not easy to make the switch into clinical trials experience.

Given your Masters, you might try a CRO. They can be easier to get into. You might considering going back for your PhD. Or you might go back to your grad school biostats dept to see if they have been contacted by any companies looking for interns.

Without the PhD or industry experience, it will not be easy to make the switch, but it's not impossible.

RJ in Atlanta, Georgia said: I've been a data analyst for almost two years for a federal agency doing statistical analyses (using SAS extensively and SUDAAN) for surveillance and epidemiologic research. I would really like to move from the public health arena into pharmaceutical/clinical trials research. Many job postings state experience in pharma/cro/etc. Is it impossible for me to switch even though I have SAS experience and completed a MS in Biostats (& took a clinical trials methodology course as a part of my degree, but no professional clinical trials exp)?

I am a biostatistican in clinical environment now. I recommend starting off as a SAS programmer and go through a recruiting company. That will definately get you in the door. Then while your at the company try to express interest in duties performed by the biostatistician. Finally, you have to move to where the jobs are. At least I did. The bay area is great, East coast too.

Jay in Oakland, California said: I am a biostatistican in clinical environment now. I recommend starting off as a SAS programmer and go through a recruiting company. That will definately get you in the door. Then while your at the company try to express interest in duties performed by the biostatistician. Finally, you have to move to where the jobs are. At least I did. The bay area is great, East coast too.

Thanks for your recommendation. I'll give it a shot (however here in the Atlanta area, many CRO's & pharma co's are in the process of layoffs) May have to wait it out until the economy picks up or I'm able to move. Thanks again for your input.

RJ, Have you find a job as a biostatistician in clinical environment ? how much salary do you make working as Statistical analyst now ?

thanks

Have u found a new job RJ ? what's the salary range for statistical data analyst ?