A person with an advanced degree who wants to work in a career that involves both math and science may be interested in the jobs available with a Master of Science in Biostatistics. Knowing the details of a job including the work environment, the job duties and the ultimate purpose of the work can help individuals decide if the job is right for them. Consider a few examples of jobs for someone who has a master of science degree in biostatistics.
A Biostatistician
A biostatistician uses his or her knowledge of statistics to work in the healthcare field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This professional collects data and analyzes it to come up with better treatments for various illnesses. Or, a biostatistician may use statistics to determine the link between environmental hazards and a particular disease. Generally, these professionals work in public health organizations, pharmaceutical companies or for medical device manufacturers. Along with a Master’s of Science degree in biostatistics, this professional must pay a lot of attention to detail. This personal quality is helpful when a biostatistician is organizing or clarifying data for an important study. Dedication to improving the overall health of the public is also a valuable quality for someone in this line of work.
A Research Associate
A person working as a research associate assists a biostatistician or project leader in collecting and analyzing data. This professional may be in charge of ‘cleaning up’ data. This is the process of looking at data collected by another professional and evaluating it. Is it accurate? Were the appropriate collection procedures followed? A research associate may also reexamine a colleague’s data to find any inaccuracies or other issues. Research associates work in public health organizations and laboratory environments where these types of statistics are analyzed.
A Research Bioinformatician
A research bioinformatician uses computer technology to analyze health-related statistical information. For instance, this professional may work on a project that involves evaluating statistical information on DNA. The person may try to find statistics that connect certain genes with a particular health condition. A successful research bioinformatician focuses on the accuracy of his or her work and uses proper procedure when analyzing data. Any variation in the procedure can cause errors in a set of results. This makes the results invalid. A research bioinformatician may work at a public health agency, a medical products manufacturer or medical research organization.
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Finally, someone with a master’s degree in this field should care about the accuracy of his or her work. Proper procedures and guidelines must be followed when data is being collected in order for the results to be valid. Someone with a math background who has interest in a career in the healthcare field would likely enjoy any of these careers. In addition, this type of work can be very satisfying for someone who wants to be a part of new developments in the field of healthcare. Fortunately, there are many more jobs available with a Master’s of Science in Biostatistics.
