Anyone wishing to apply their love for math and research in the rewarding public health field should consider becoming a biostatistician.
Biostatistics is a specialized healthcare branch that focuses on collecting and analyzing data about living beings. Also called biometricians, biostatisticians are trained to use statistical methods for testing various medical conditions. As America’s large baby boomer population ages, biostatisticians will be in high demand to conduct clinical trials on innovative treatments and technologies. Greater access to healthcare and pharmaceuticals under the Affordable Care Act will also spike job growth.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment of biostatisticians will skyrocket by 34 percent through 2024. The following is a brief job profile to help determine whether biostatistics is right for you.
What Biostatisticians Do
Biostatisticians are responsible for using statistical analysis to study the varying factors that influence the well-being of people. It’s their duty to design and implement research that will effectively test how diseases, medical conditions, or pharmaceuticals impact health. Biostatisticians could be involved in running a clinical trial, collecting genetic data, reviewing disease structure, or identifying the source of an illness outbreak. Most biostatisticians will monitor every step of the research process from writing the proposal and analyzing data to publishing scientific reports of their findings. Some teach university classes while conducting their research. Biostatisticians play many pivotal roles in gathering statistically accurate data on diverse human populations.
Where Biostatisticians Practice
It’s estimated that there are about 30,000 jobs in statistics and biostatistics in the United States. The highest percentage, 15 percent, of biostatisticians are employed by the federal government. Jobs are commonly found with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Biostatistics positions are also available at private research institutes, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, colleges or universities, health insurance carriers, nonprofits, and scientific consulting services. Most biostatisticians work full-time in a laboratory or office setting. Traveling may be required occasionally to oversee the collection of clinical data and collaborate with research members.
Education Requirements in Biostatistics
There’s a long educational journey required for careers in biostatistics. Biostatisticians typically must attend graduate school to acquire at least a master’s degree. Most choose to complete a four-year baccalaureate program in statistics, mathematics, calculus, or another quantitative field. Biostatisticians can then pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a specialization in biostatistics or epidemiology. Make certain that the program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). For independent research and teaching jobs in academia, holding a PhD in Biostatistics will be necessary. Participate in internships, research assistantships, or fellowships to build practical experience in biostatistics. Also consider joining the American Statistical Association (ASA) for networking.
Biostatisticians are highly trained professionals who apply complex statistical tactics to answer scientific questions about human or animal health. Their research can cover diverse biomedical topics, such as AIDS, heart disease, air pollution, lung cancer, Alzheimer’s, drug addiction, depression, and organ transplant. Biostatisticians gather data from clinical trials and epidemiologic studies to expand knowledge in healthcare. According to PayScale, biostatisticians are rewarded with a median yearly salary of $77,860. Becoming a biostatistician will place you in an in-demand data science career where you could improve the health of millions.
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