Becoming a Biostatistician: Career Overview.

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, or a health-related field and are interested in making a difference in the lives of others, it could be time to consider pursuing an advanced degree and working toward a career as a biostatistician. From designing clinical trials to conducting important research studies on public health and disease, your future work as a biostatistician could help inform public health policy and prevent the spread of disease. The key is to acquire the right education and skills necessary to thrive in this dynamic field.

What is a biostatistician, exactly, and what does their work look like? Read on to gain a better understanding of how to embark on this career path.

What Is a Biostatistician?

A biostatistician is a professional who analyzes data related to the fields of biology, public health, and medicine. They work to extract meaningful insights from raw data, which can then be used to make critical healthcare and policy decisions.

The world needs knowledgeable and skilled biostatisticians for a number of reasons. For example, the work of many biostatisticians can be effective in limiting or even stopping the spread of certain diseases by identifying patterns in their spread and risk factors. Meanwhile, insights from biostatisticians can inform public health policy, in turn promoting healthier and safer communities. In some scenarios, biostatisticians may even work alongside other medical experts to contribute to new discoveries in the field.

Becoming a successful biostatistician calls for expertise in mathematics, plus a keen eye for detail and strong analytical skills. Below, we delve into more specifics about what a biostatistician does, where they may be employed, and how to become one.

What Does a Biostatistician Do?

The daily work and responsibilities of a biostatistician can vary slightly based on their specific employer — be it a government agency or university. Still, many professionals may carry out certain basic tasks on a regular basis:

• Data collection – Biostatisticians determine which type of data is most relevant to their research as well as how to collect it ethically and accurately.
• Study design – Many biostatisticians are responsible for designing research studies from the ground up, including clinical trials.
• Data analysis and interpretation – Once data is collected, biostatisticians work to make sense of it, leveraging their analysis skills and data tools.
• Report writing and sharing of findings – Based on the results of studies and their interpretations of data, biostatisticians write reports to summarize their work and share their findings with other stakeholders.

At times, biostatisticians are also responsible for ensuring that their research and work adhere to industry-related regulatory compliance requirements (such as HIPAA and others). Because non-compliance can lead to significant fines, penalties, or even legal action, biostatisticians must be well-versed in topics like data security and patient data privacy.

How to Become a Biostatistician

To become a biostatistician, there are certain expectations and requirements in place when it comes to education and skill level. While these requirements may vary from one role to the next, they can be a helpful starting point as you plan for your future.

Education

Generally speaking, biostatisticians need to earn an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree in mathematics, public health, or a related field. Many professionals who proceed to become biostatisticians may start off with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or statistics and gain some entry-level experience in a math-related position before returning to school for a graduate-level degree. For instance, for nurses looking to narrow their focus in data and statistics in the health field, a Master of Public Health (MPH) can be an ideal next step.

As part of your educational experience, you might also consider pursuing an internship or taking part in research opportunities to gain practical, hands-on experience in the field. These kinds of experiences can help you develop key analytical and mathematical skills as well as technical proficiency with the statistical software you’ll need to use down the road.

When pursuing a graduate-level education, you can also take advantage of opportunities to collaborate directly with clinicians and other professionals in the field. This collaborative experience can prove invaluable, especially in future roles where you may be expected to work alongside other researchers, statisticians, and clinicians.

Skills Needed

In order to succeed as a biostatistician, begin building some essential skills now. Among the most notable are:

• Analytical skills – Biostatisticians must examine large volumes of raw data, applying their analytical thinking skills to identify patterns and extract key insights.
• Critical thinking skills – Biostatisticians should also be prepared to think critically and logically when designing studies, evaluating data, and interpreting data.
• Mathematical proficiency – Naturally, biostatisticians need to have an excellent understanding of math. This includes calculus, statistics, and linear algebra, as they commonly rely on all three in their line of work.
• Creative problem-solving skills – The work of a biostatistician often entails solving problems in the realm of public health, healthcare, or a related field. Therefore, they must have excellent problem-solving skills as they devise potential solutions.
• Collaboration skills – Biostatisticians seldom work on projects alone; instead, they may team up with other statisticians and even clinicians. With this in mind, these professionals benefit from the ability to work well with others — exhibiting a team mindset at all times.
• Communication skills – Biostatisticians will ideally possess strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively discuss and share the findings of their research with other stakeholders and decision-makers. And, because some of these stakeholders may not speak statistical jargon, they must be able to communicate in a way that can be understood by others outside the field.

Biostatistician Career Outlook

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for statisticians and mathematicians is projected to grow 8% between 2024 and 2034. This is considerably faster than the national average for all occupations, yielding approximately 2,200 job openings each year.

Breaking it down even further, BLS data shows that the majority of the growth among mathematicians and statisticians will be for statisticians, with a projected 9% growth for this specialty between 2024 and 2034.

Common Work Settings

Where do biostatisticians work? Most often, these professionals are employed in the following spheres:

• Government – Government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels hire biostatisticians to research and address public health concerns. These professionals may be employed by bodies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Healthcare – Biostatisticians might also work directly in the healthcare field, such as for hospitals and healthcare systems. In these types of roles, biostatisticians may be responsible for analyzing patient data to improve outcomes and quality of care.
• Nonprofits – Some nonprofit organizations that focus on public health and research may employ biostatisticians to perform research that is relevant to their cause
• Pharmaceuticals – Many pharmaceutical and biotech companies hire biostatisticians to design and perform clinical trials, which are used to test the safety and efficacy of certain drugs and medical devices.

Discover More in a Public Health Degree Program

Interested in a career path with many potential work settings and areas of specialization? Committed to making a difference in public health through critical research and data analysis? Consider pursuing your Online MPH or On-Campus MPH from Boston University.

In our Online MPH program, you can enjoy the flexibility and convenience of 100% online classes that allow you to work at your own pace. For those who prefer the engagement of live coursework, this program offers weekly live sessions and virtual coffee hours — presenting plenty of opportunities to connect with peers, professors, and others in the field.

If an in-person program is more your speed, we also offer an On-Campus MPH that follows the same curriculum.

In our holistic, CEPH-accredited curriculum, students have the opportunity to develop the statistical analysis and critical thinking skills crucial to the work of biostatisticians. You’ll even be able to demonstrate your knowledge gained at the end of your program with a final capstone module.

Get in touch today to learn more about Boston University’s MPH degree programs, or take the next step by completing your online application for admission.