Biostatisticians

Key Responsibilities

• Apply research or simulation results to extend biological theory or recommend new research projects.
• Develop or implement data analysis algorithms.
• Collect data through surveys or experimentation.
• Analyze archival data, such as birth, death, and disease records.
• Design or maintain databases of biological data.
• Monitor clinical trials or experiments to ensure adherence to established procedures or to verify the quality of data collected.
• Write research proposals or grant applications for submission to external bodies.
• Design surveys to assess health issues.
• Teach graduate or continuing education courses or seminars in biostatistics.
• Plan or direct research studies related to life sciences.
• Prepare statistical data for inclusion in reports to data monitoring committees, federal regulatory agencies, managers, or clients.
• Determine project plans, timelines, or technical objectives for statistical aspects of biological research studies.
• Analyze clinical or survey data, using statistical approaches such as longitudinal analysis, mixed-effect modeling, logistic regression analyses, and model-building techniques.
• Draw conclusions or make predictions, based on data summaries or statistical analyses.
• Calculate sample size requirements for clinical studies.
• Review clinical or other medical research protocols and recommend appropriate statistical analyses.
• Write detailed analysis plans and descriptions of analyses and findings for research protocols or reports.
• Develop or use mathematical models to track changes in biological phenomena, such as the spread of infectious diseases.
• Assign work to biostatistical assistants or programmers.
• Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, and talk with colleagues to keep abreast of methodological or conceptual developments in fields such as biostatistics, pharmacology, life sciences, and social sciences.
• Prepare tables and graphs to present clinical data or results.
• Prepare articles for publication or presentation at professional conferences.
• Provide biostatistical consultation to clients or colleagues.
• Design research studies in collaboration with physicians, life scientists, or other professionals.
• Write program code to analyze data with statistical analysis software.