Experts in biostatistics are in high demand in the full spectrum of the health sciences: data management and analysis; pharmaceutical and clinical trials; academic and industrial positions; and government at the federal, state and local levels. For example, biostatisticians are needed to show whether the seemingly good results of a drug were likely because of the drug rather than just the effect of random variation in patient outcomes.
Where are our graduates working?
Our alumni find careers in a number of institutions and organizations. They are faculty and research statisticians at universities, biostatisticians at biotechnology companies and federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and surveillance administrators at state health departments.
| Category | Organization |
| Academia | Airforce Institute of Technology Amherst College Chung-Ang University The Ohio State University Texas Tech University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences University of Cincinnati University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center |
| Industry | AbbVie Amgen Eli Lilly Genentech Medpace Novartis Solutions through Innovative Technologies |
| Government | U.S. Census Bureau National Institutes of Health (Postdoc) |
| Nonprofit | Mario Negri Institute |
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 30 percent of statisticians work for federal, state, and local governments, including research universities. Other employers include contract research organizations, scientific research and development services as well as financial and insurance firms. The field of biostatistics should continue to experience employment growth, primarily because of the booming pharmaceutical industry. As pharmaceutical companies develop new treatments and medical technologies, biostatisticians will continue to be needed to conduct research and analyze clinical trial data.
A master's degree is the minimum educational requirement for most jobs as a biostatistician. However, research and academic jobs generally require a PhD.
