What does a Biostatistician do?

Biostatisticians enable institutions to make breakthroughs in developing medical devices, medications, procedures and other treatments, as well as gain new insight into the causes and prevention of illnesses and diseases. By designing sound studies, they ensure that institutions use resources appropriately and that research produces meaningful results researchers can draw upon for accurate conclusions.

Through analyzing studies and assisting with report preparation, Biostatisticians can spot errors, omissions and miscalculations that might compromise studies. As a result, they help protect the reputations of the institutions that they work for. Their research proposals can also allow employers to seek and obtain funding for new studies.

Biostatistician skills and qualifications

To perform the duties identified in a Biostatistician job description proficiently, a candidate will need certain skills and qualifications, such as:

• In-depth knowledge of statistical software, such as SAS, JMP, STATA and RStrong written communication skills to produce clear, concise reports

• Extensive knowledge of data analysis, probability, calculus, bioinformatics, epidemiology, public health and research methods

• Robust analytical and problem-solving skills to assess the quality of research results and find solutions for issues that arise during research

• Attentiveness to detail and multitasking skills to work efficiently and accurately on multiple studies at one time

• Interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with researchers and respond positively to requests from outside agencies

• Leadership skills to supervise members of the research team

• Familiarity with regulations that govern medical research and testing

Biostatistician experience requirements

Biostatisticians with no previous work experience typically begin their careers in entry-level positions, assisting more experienced Biostatisticians. With a couple of years of experience, Biostatisticians may be ready to enter mid-level roles performing tasks such as analyzing assigned sets of data independently.

The most senior member of the biostatistics team is the Principal Researcher. This individual typically needs at least three to five years of experience working in the field and is responsible for directing the activities of the team. When writing your biostatistics job description, consider the makeup of your existing team to determine whether you need an entry-level, mid-level or principal Biostatistician.

Biostatistician education and training requirements

Typically, the federal government requires at least a bachelor’s degree, while private employers may prefer candidates with a master’s or doctoral-level degree. To establish any education requirements for your Biostatistician job description, consider the role your new hire will play on your research team. For principal positions, more education may be required to successfully execute tasks.

Many employers prefer candidates who hold supplemental certifications. Relevant certifications that you may wish to mention in your Biostatistics job description include:

• SOCRA-Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) from the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA)

• ACRP Certified Professional (ACRP-CP) from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) from INFORMS

• Certified Clinical Data Manager (CCDM) from the Society for Clinical Data Management (SCDM)

Job description samples for similar positions

If this Biostatistician job description doesn’t fully align with your open position, check out these related jobs:

• Clinical Research Coordinator

• Data Scientist

• Research Analyst

• Statistician

Biostatistician job description FAQs

What’s the difference between a Biostatistician and a Bioinformatics Engineer?

Both Biostatisticians and Bioinformatics Engineers work with clinical scientific data but in different ways. Bioinformatic Engineers develop computer algorithms to analyze large amounts of research data. Their work may assist Biostatisticians, who design and analyze medical research studies.

What’s the difference between a Biostatistician and a Data Scientist?

Data Scientists analyze complex data used in a variety of industries, including financial services, healthcare and manufacturing. Biostatisticians work exclusively in the field of medical research, designing and interpreting studies.

How do I make my biostatistics job description stand out?

To draw attention to your biostatistics job description, add a bulleted list of the key benefits of working for you. Consider mentioning perks such as retirement plans, tuition reimbursement programs, insurance benefits packages, continuing education allowances for maintaining certifications and flexible working hours.