Careers

What do Biostatisticians do?

Biostatisticians at the University of Minnesota work with researchers on studies aimed at improving human health and preventing disease. Projects include a $43 million study of treatments for AIDS and HIV in the U.S. and 25 foreign countries, and several other large studies in AIDS, lung disease, heart disease, cancer, ear infections in children, and other health concerns.

Our faculty work with other University of Minnesota researchers within our School of Public Health, at the Cancer Center, the Medical School, and the Dental Research Center.

Biostatistics faculty also do extensive work in developing new methods for data analysis. At our school, the most active areas of research include Bayesian methods, high-speed computing and simulation, survival analysis, analysis of geographical patterns of disease, longitudinal data analysis, and methods for analyzing data from epidemiologic studies and clinical trials.

One of our goals is to train students in the kind of work that we do. Our Division of Biostatistics operates the Coordinating Centers for Biometric Research. This is one of the largest such facilities in the world, and provides many opportunities for graduate students to gain first-hand experience in data analysis, study design and operation, and the use of computers to carry out research, under the supervision of internationally recognized experts in the field.

Job Opportunities

Job prospects for new masters and Ph.D. graduates in biostatistics are excellent. Typical starting salaries range from $40,000 to $70,000 for master's degrees and from $75,000 to $125,000 for Ph.D. degrees. Career opportunities for graduates include:

• Teaching and research at universities
• Research in drug development and testing at pharmaceutical companies
• Research in large medical clinics

Recent graduates have been hired by companies and institutions such as:

• Merck Research Laboratories,
• Eli Lilly,
• Johns Hopkins School of Public Health,
• University of Washington,
• Mayo Clinic,
• Guidant,
• Health Partners,
• 3M,
• Medtronic,
• Minnesota State Health Department,
• University of Minnesota Academic Health Center,
• National Institutes of Health.