Biostatistics is a subspecialty of statistics that focuses on the design and analysis of studies related to biology, health or medicine. Biostatisticians generally have a bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in biostatistics, mathematics, computer science or other scientific fields such as biology or epidemiology. There are some entry level positions in BioPharm for Biostatisticians with bachelor’s degree but most Biostatisticians in industry have advanced Masters or Doctoral degrees in fields such as Biostatistics, Medicine, Epidemiology, or Public Health
Biostatisticians help to design and analyze studies of new drugs and devices in animals and humans. They determine the sample size for the study (i.e. the number of subjects to be enrolled) to provide the best chance to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new BioPharm product. They help choose the study design and work with the pharmaceutical scientists and physicians to analyze and report the results of the study.
Biostatisticians work for BioPharm companies, for Contract Research Organizations, for Universities and Medical Centers, and for Regulatory Agencies such as the FDA. Biostatisticians may work as employees or contractors.
There is an International Society for Clinical Biostatistics (http://www.iscb.info/) that was founded to stimulate research into the principles and methods used in the design and analysis of clinical research. Many Biostatisticians are members of this organization or of a national organizations such as the American Statistical Association (http://www.amstat.org/).
There is a blog page on the American Statistical Association website that discusses “How to Prepare for a Career in Biostatistics”. People with training and experience in biostatistics are in great demand in the BioPharm industry.
Biostatisticians help to design and analyze studies of new drugs and devices in animals and humans. They determine the sample size for the study (i.e. the number of subjects to be enrolled) to provide the best chance to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new BioPharm product. They help choose the study design and work with the pharmaceutical scientists and physicians to analyze and report the results of the study.
Biostatisticians work for BioPharm companies, for Contract Research Organizations, for Universities and Medical Centers, and for Regulatory Agencies such as the FDA. Biostatisticians may work as employees or contractors.
There is an International Society for Clinical Biostatistics (http://www.iscb.info/) that was founded to stimulate research into the principles and methods used in the design and analysis of clinical research. Many Biostatisticians are members of this organization or of a national organizations such as the American Statistical Association (http://www.amstat.org/).
There is a blog page on the American Statistical Association website that discusses “How to Prepare for a Career in Biostatistics”. People with training and experience in biostatistics are in great demand in the BioPharm industry.