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Biostatistician

I want to be one
Who This Career is For?
To become a biostatistician, it is important for the individual to possess analytical skills that enable them to asses a situation and analyze it effectively. They must also be willing to work in a group with ease to succeed in this career. The individual must also know how to use a computer and pay a strong attention to detail.

Biostatisticians must also have good time and resource management skills as well as be good at mathematics to become successful at their jobs. Another skill that the biostatistician must have is that he/she must possess excellent interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively, both written and verbally.
Want to know more about it?
Biostatisticians usually use their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and science to research on matters of healthcare. They can work privately for specific organizations or they can work in the public sector for the government.
They work along side researchers in finding and evaluating data that will answer many medical questions such as the relationship between two variables etc. Working with the researchers, they find the best way to collect the data by offering tips on what techniques can be used to collect the data or calculating the number of people that will be needed in a research to make it meaningful.

Biostatisticians usually examine the performance of the assigned project employees as well as outline timelines for statistical and data management of various projects in accordance with clinical and medical guidelines. Biostatisticians must also monitor that these timelines are being followed.

They must also review the clinical studies and statistical and data management documents that are made by others to make sure they are correct. Biostatisticians also train new biostatisticians as well as write Statistical Analysis Plans for the projects that they are assigned too.

The progress of Data Management plans is supervised by a biostatistician for specific projects in report forms. Biostatisticians also plan and execute professional development for their organizations and provide knowledge and leadership in solving complex problems and maintaining the organizations goals.

A bachelor's degree is adequate to become a biostatistician; however, more complex work typically requires a Master of Science (M.S.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biostatistics, Mathematics or Statistics.
Entry-level positions entail having a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics or Statistics. It is not necessary to join professional organizations but many aspiring biostatisticians join the ones associated with their occupation.
What are Salary Prospects?
A biostatistician who only has one year of experience usually earns approximately $46,000-$76,000 in the United States and increases as the number of years that the individual has worked also increases.

For a biostatistician who has five to nine years of experience, they will earn approximately $69,000 to $99,000 and those with more than ten years of experience usually earn as much as $117,000 per annum.

In India, the salary for a biostatistician usually ranges from Rs.160, 000 to Rs. 1,460,000 per year.
How is Life?
A

biostatistician

usually works inside the office all day, usually at their computer. There is a lot of team work in this field and some time is spent with other researchers or other biostatisticians.

Biostatisticians have some travelling involved in their job which they do to meet with clients or facilitate DMC meetings. On a given day a

biostatistician

will be working on two to five projects at a time, thus keeping him/her very busy.

Biostatisticians also teleconference a lot and spend a lot of time writing and planning.
What Perks come along with this career?
Being a biostatistician has many perks, the first being that it offers a large salary for the work that is done. Another advantage is that the working environment is nice and can be made personalized by adding bits and pieces to the office or desk.

Along with that, a biostatistician is contributing to solving medical queries which have haunted professionals for years, and so it is satisfying for the individual when they figure the solution to the problem.
Which Downsides are there in this career?
The biggest downside to being a biostatistician is that it can be a monotonous and boring job. Unless the biostatistician truly has a passion for statistics, there will be times where he would want to quit.

The work itself is also very difficult and it can take years before projects are completed by the individual.
How is Competition?
There is a lot of competition in the market because the job industry for biostatisticians at the moment is contracting while there are many new graduates entering this field every year. This however is expected to change in the future because of the continued growth of the pharmaceutical sector.

Jobs for statisticians as a whole were expected to grow by approximately 13% between 2008 and 2018, with about 11% leaving the workforce every year.
Locations where this career is good?
Biostatisticians are usually found in the Middle East, India, USA, UK, and in other parts of the world.

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