JUMP TO CONTENT

4 reasons to consider becoming a Biostatistician

Posting date: 07/08/2020
Author: Inside ICON

Biostatisticians take on the responsibility of statistical aspects of both preclinical and clinical research studies. It’s their job to advise pharmaceutical companies on the number of participants to recruit at each stage of a clinical trial and the duration in order to find that perfect balance between reliability and costs. Biostatisticians therefore have the chance to work on some of the most impactful studies and in return benefit from high job security.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted a 30% increase in demand for mathematicians and statisticians in just a 10-year period – far faster than most professions - and with the global clinical trial market booming these professionals will be highly demanded by clinical research organisations and pharmaceutical companies. With that in mind, here are four reasons why you should consider becoming a biostatistician.

Work in a booming industry

The symbiotic relationship between clinical trials and pharmaceuticals assures that growth in one translates into growth for the other, and since it’s been a decade of growth for Pharma, clinical research is a great place to take your career. Whether you’ve got a bachelor’s degree in biostatistics, statistics or mathematical degree or have advanced to get a master’s degree in a related area this is a great field of work to bring your number-crunching skills and analytical mind-set.

Develop a strong medical expertise

Though it’s often overlooked, biostatisticians are involved in the preclinical stage of a trial. These professionals are consulted when addressing the feasibility of clinical research and therefore are not confined to analysing the data as many people would believe. It’s their role to raise any biostatistical issues that would impede the progress of the clinical trial, such as whether the sample is reflective of the population and how to limit errors in reporting.

Therefore, biostatisticians play an important role in the lead up to a study and the many personnel involved - including physicians - rely on them for their medical expertise. Additionally, as you refine your knowledge of more complex issues clients will depend on you to report the statistics in a way that they understand, asserting your position as the expert in the room. If you’re working in a multifunctional team it will also be up to you to explain statistical reasoning to colleagues who don’t come from a statistical background, such as clinical research assistants.

Develop your communication and interpersonal skills

Being key contributors to the success of clinical research, biostatisticians are involved right from the point of case report form (CRF) development where they’ll coordinate with clinical trial managers, investigators and data managers. Later in the process, they participate in the statistical analysis and interpretation of data, sometimes presenting this under the supervision of the senior biostatistician. This requires both a combination of written communication when writing up reports and verbal communication when presenting findings in client and investigator meetings. A biostatistician job is a great career to build up these skills and develop confidence in talking in front of healthcare professionals and clinical research personnel.

HTML Image as link

Help bring life-changing treatments to market

Though the various stages of a clinical trial mean that it can take 12 years for a drug to make it to market - with only 1 in 1,000 being successful - biostatisticians experience huge satisfaction knowing that their work is helping to develop potentially life-changing treatments that will be administered to patients some years down the line. But it won’t necessarily all be about the long-term gain, just take the development of a coronavirus vaccine as an example. Never has there been a tighter deadline for a drug to pass through the stages of a clinical trial and the biostatisticians working on Covid-19 projects around the world are at the forefront of one of the most impactful moments in drug development.

Apply for a biostatistician job with ICON

Join us and you’ll be working alongside a bright and enthusiastic team who will ensure you have an exciting career because at ICON it’s people that set us apart. As one of the leading the CROs, operating in 40 countries, you’ll get the chance to work on some of the most exciting and ground-breaking projects in the pharmaceutical market. Find our latest biostatistics jobs here and start your application or take a look at these 5 reasons why you should consider a career in clinical research.

List #1

Related jobs

Senior Statistical Programmer PK/PD

Salary

Location

Kenya, Europe, South Africa

Department

Biometrics Roles

Location

Any EMEA Location

South Africa

Kenya

Remote Working

Remote

Business Area

ICON Strategic Solutions

Job Categories

Statistics

Job Type

Permanent

Description

ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation. From molecule to medicine, we advance clinical research providing outsourced services to pharmaceutical, biotech

Reference

2023-105328

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Serena Milanesi Read more Shortlist Save this role
Principal Biostatistician

Salary

Location

Regional United States (PRA)

Location

Canada

Multiple US Locations

Remote Working

Remote

Business Area

ICON Full Service & Corporate Support

Job Categories

Biostatistician

Job Type

Permanent

Description

At ICON, it’s our people that set us apart. Our diverse teams enable us to become a better partner to our customers and help us to fulfil our mission to advance and improve patients’ lives. Our ‘Own I

Reference

JR108024

Expiry date

01/01/0001

David Tucker

Author

David Tucker
Read more Shortlist Save this role
Biostatistician II

Salary

Location

Regional Brazil (PRA)

Department

Full Service - Early Clinical and Bioanalytical Solutions

Location

Brazil

Peru

Remote Working

Remote

Business Area

ICON Full Service & Corporate Support

Job Categories

Biostatistician

Job Type

Permanent

Description

Biostatistician IIRemote based in Mexico or South America We currently have an opportunity for a Biostatistician to join our Early Phase team.At ICON, it’s our people that set us apart. Our diverse te

Reference

JR109789

Expiry date

01/01/0001

David Tucker

Author

David Tucker
Read more Shortlist Save this role
Principal Biostatistician

Salary

Location

UK, Livingston (ICON)

Location

Sofia

Paris

Dublin

Amsterdam

Warsaw

Lisbon

Madrid

Reading

Mechelen

Livingston

Remote Working

Remote

Business Area

ICON Full Service & Corporate Support

Job Categories

Biostatistician

Job Type

Permanent

Description

Principal BiostatisticianThis is an exciting opportunity to work on our high impact and pioneering Vaccines program. Join ICON and be part of ground breaking Vaccines research! Position Summary This p

Reference

JR111320

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Rowena Deswert Read more Shortlist Save this role
View all
List #1

Related stories

Mastering the "Tell Me About Yourself" Question in Job Interviews

Teaser label

Career Progression

Content type

Blogs

Publish date

09/13/2023

Summary

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking experiences, but with the right preparation, you can stand out and make a lasting impression. One of the most common and yet often challenging questions aske

Teaser label

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking experiences, but with the right preparation, you can stand out and make a lasting impression.

Read more
A picture of Debora Oh
How to excel as a CRA in a Clinical Research Organisation

Teaser label

Our People

Content type

Blogs

Publish date

08/29/2023

Summary

To excel as a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) in a Clinical Research Organization (CRO), you need a combination of education, skills, and the right mindset. Brazil-based CRA II Debora shares her

Teaser label

Brazil-based CRA II Debora Oh shares her tips on how to become a great CRA and provides insight into life at ICON.

Read more
ICON's Global CRA Academy Program and the Argentina Success Story

Teaser label

Career Progression

Content type

Blogs

Publish date

08/25/2023

Summary

Empowering Excellence: ICON plc's Global CRA Academy Program and the Argentina Success Story In the ever-evolving realm of clinical research, the role of Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) contin

Teaser label

While ICON's CRA Academy program is a global initiative, our focus is on the success story that has unfolded in Argentina.

Read more
View all
List #1

Recently viewed jobs

Browse popular job categories below or search all jobs above