To help those who are looking to start a career in this sector we recently conducted an interview with one of our contractors who is a Biostatistician working within the pharmaceutical industry. We wanted to find out what a Biostatistician does, what a typical day is like, what are the best bits and where can this career lead you. They really gave in-depth and inspirational answers to the questions, which will help anyone considering a career in this area:
Clinical Biostatisticians work in all of the four phases of clinical development, and work closely according to regulatory guidance documents (where these exist). Biostatisticians may also become involved in the analysis of efficacy and safety data which are integrated across studies in an appropriate manner. Biostatisticians at all levels routinely work globally, where the ability to communicate using email, teleconferences and internet meetings is as important as face-to-face meetings.
10 general questions
What interests you about the field of biostatistics?
What do you consider to be your greatest strength and greatest weakness as a biostatistician?
How important is confidentiality in biostatistics?
What do you hope to achieve as a biostatistician at our organization?
Root cause analysis, as the name suggests, is a method used to solve problems by first identifying the root cause of the problem.
Example: If the higher crime rate in a city is directly associated with the higher sales in a red-colored shirt, it means that they are having a positive correlation. However, this does not mean that one causes the other.
Causation can always be tested using A/B testing or hypothesis testing.
What is exploratory data analysis?
Exploratory data analysis is the process of performing investigations on data to understand the data better.
In this, initial investigations are done to determine patterns, spot abnormalities, test hypotheses, and also check if the assumptions are right.
The standard normal curve has a total area to be under one, and it is symmetric around zero. True or False?
True, a normal curve will have the area under unity and the symmetry around zero in any distribution. Here, all of the measures of central tendencies are equal to zero due to the symmetric nature of the standard normal curve.
What are the scenarios where outliers are kept in the data?
There are not many scenarios where outliers are kept in the data, but there are some important situations when they are kept. They are kept in the data for analysis if:
Results are critical
Outliers add meaning to the data
The data is highly skewed
Does a symmetric distribution need to be unimodal?
A symmetric distribution does not need to be unimodal (having only one mode or one value that occurs most frequently). It can be bi-modal (having two values that have the highest frequencies) or multi-modal (having multiple or more than two values that have the highest frequencies).
What is the probability of throwing two fair dice when the sum is 5 and 8?
There are 4 ways of rolling a 5 (1+4, 4+1, 2+3, 3+2):
P(Getting a 5) = 4/36 = 1/9
Now, there are 7 ways of rolling an 8 (1+7, 7+1, 2+6, 6+2, 3+5, 5+3, 4+4)
P(Getting an 8) = 7/36 = 0.194
17 Biostatistician Interview Questions and Answers
Are you familiar with the use of R and other programming languages in biostatistics?
The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with using programming languages in your biostatistics work. If you do, share an example of how you used the language to complete a project or task. If you don’t have any experience with programming languages, you can explain that you are comfortable working with data and statistics without them.
Example: “I am familiar with R and other programming languages, but I haven’t had much opportunity to use them in my previous roles. However, I find that I’m able to complete most tasks without needing to use these languages. For instance, when I was working as a research assistant at University A, I helped develop a database for tracking student enrollment. We were able to create a spreadsheet program that we could use to enter information into the database.”
What are some of the most important skills for a biostatistician to have?
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for a biostatistician and explain why they are so important.
Example: “The two most important skills for a biostatistician are critical thinking and problem-solving. These skills allow me to analyze data, interpret results and make recommendations based on my findings. I also think communication is an important skill because it allows me to share my insights with others and collaborate with other professionals.”
How would you approach the analysis of a clinical trial with a negative result?
This question can help interviewers understand how you approach failure and whether you have the ability to learn from it. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and critical thinking skills.
Example: “In my experience, a negative result is often just as important as a positive one because it helps us better understand what doesn’t work. In this situation, I would first make sure that there were no errors in the data collection or analysis process. Then, I would analyze the results of the trial to see if there was any evidence of bias or confounding variables. If I couldn’t find anything wrong with the study, I would repeat the experiment using different parameters.”
What is the most interesting project you’ve worked on as a biostatistician?
This question can give the interviewer insight into your personality and what you find interesting. It also gives them an idea of how much experience you have in the field. When answering this question, try to pick a project that shows off your skills as a biostatistician while also being personally interesting.
Example: “The most interesting project I’ve worked on was for a pharmaceutical company where we were trying to determine if there was a correlation between certain medications and patient outcomes. We had to take into account many different factors including age, gender, weight, medical history and more. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between the medication and patient outcome. This helped the company save money by not having to change their production methods.”
Provide an example of a time when you had to communicate complex statistical information to a non-statistical audience.
This question can help interviewers understand your communication skills and how you might interact with other employees in the company. Use examples from previous jobs to show that you have experience communicating complex information to non-statistical audiences.
Example: “In my last position, I was tasked with creating a presentation for senior management about our current research on patient outcomes. The presentation included data analysis of several different factors that could affect patient health outcomes, including age, gender, race and socioeconomic status. I had to make sure that the presentation was easy to understand so that it would be useful to all members of the senior management team.”
If you had to choose, which area of biostatistics interests you the most?
This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your qualifications for the position. It also helps them understand what you might focus on if you were hired. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an example of how you would use that area in your work.
Example: “I find both research and data analysis equally interesting. However, I think my skills are best suited for research because I enjoy finding new ways to solve problems. In my last role, I was tasked with researching why some patients weren’t responding well to a certain medication. After looking at all the patient’s records, I found that they had been taking other medications that could have interfered with the treatment. Once we adjusted their dosage, they responded much better.”
What would you do if you noticed a mistake in your calculations while analyzing a large dataset?
This question can help interviewers understand how you handle mistakes and challenges in your work. Use examples from past experience to show that you are willing to take responsibility for errors, learn from them and correct them as quickly as possible.
Example: “In my last role, I noticed a mistake in one of my calculations while analyzing data for a large pharmaceutical company. The client was expecting the results within two weeks, so I had to act fast. I immediately contacted my supervisor and explained what happened. She helped me find an alternative solution to complete the project on time. We both learned from this experience and implemented new processes to ensure it didn’t happen again.”
How well do you think you can work in a team of other biostatisticians to complete projects on time?
Working in a team is an important skill for biostatisticians. Employers ask this question to make sure you can collaborate with others and work well as part of a team. Use your answer to show that you are willing to work together with other members of the team. Explain how you will be able to communicate effectively with your colleagues.
Example: “I think I am quite good at working in teams. In my previous position, I worked alongside two other biostatisticians on several projects. We were all responsible for different aspects of each project, but we also communicated with one another about our progress. I feel like having multiple people working on a project makes it more efficient because there are so many perspectives involved.”
Do you have any experience working with large data sets from clinical trials or other research projects?
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with working in a biostatistics department. Use examples from previous work to highlight your ability to analyze large data sets and interpret results.
Example: “At my current position, I have worked on several projects that required me to manage large amounts of data. For example, one project involved analyzing patient records for thousands of patients who were part of a clinical trial. My team and I had to organize this information into spreadsheets and databases so we could perform statistical analysis on the data. We also had to ensure that all of our calculations were accurate and consistent.”
When analyzing a dataset, do you have a process you follow to ensure accuracy?
Interviewers may ask this question to determine how you approach a task and whether you have the skills necessary to complete it. Use your answer to highlight your attention to detail, analytical skills and ability to work independently.
Example: “I always start by reading through all of the information in the dataset before I begin my analysis. This helps me understand what data is available and gives me an idea of what to expect when analyzing the numbers. Next, I organize the data into groups based on specific criteria so that I can compare different variables within each group. Finally, I use statistical software to analyze the data and ensure that the results are accurate.”
We want to improve our accuracy when predicting the likelihood of a patient getting a disease based on their lifestyle. What statistical methods would you recommend we add to our analysis?
This question allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to apply statistical methods in a real-world setting. You can answer this question by describing the steps you would take to improve accuracy when predicting disease likelihood based on lifestyle factors.
Example: “I would recommend using logistic regression, which is a type of modeling that predicts the probability of an event occurring based on input variables. In this case, I would use it to predict the likelihood of a patient getting a certain disease based on their lifestyle factors. This method has been proven effective for analyzing complex data sets and making predictions about future events.”
Describe your process for checking the accuracy of your calculations when analyzing a large dataset.
The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you ensure the accuracy of your work and whether you have a process for doing so. Use your answer to highlight your attention to detail, ability to follow protocols and commitment to quality work.
Example: “I always check my calculations before I submit them to my supervisor or client. In my last role, I had to analyze large datasets on a regular basis, which required me to develop a system for checking my work. I typically use two different methods for double-checking my work. The first is by comparing my results with those of another biostatistician who has worked on similar projects in the past. The second method is through automated software that compares my data against industry standards.”
What makes you the best candidate for this biostatistician position?
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your relevant education and work experience as well as any unique or transferable skills you have.
Example: “I am passionate about working in healthcare because I enjoy helping people. In my previous position, I helped develop new treatment plans for patients with cancer based on data analysis. My research led me to discover some alternative treatments that were not yet available at our hospital. This inspired me to pursue a career as a biostatistician so I could continue making a difference in people’s lives.”
Which statistical software programs are you most familiar with?
This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with specific software programs. List any statistical software you have used in previous positions and explain how it helped you complete your job duties.
Example: “I am most familiar with SPSS, SAS and R. I learned to use these programs while completing my bachelor’s degree program at State University. My statistics professor required us to use these programs for all our assignments, so I became comfortable using them early on. In my last position as a biostatistician, I primarily used SPSS to analyze data and create reports.”
What do you think is the most important aspect of data analysis for biostatisticians?
This question can help interviewers understand your approach to data analysis and how you prioritize the information you collect. Your answer should show that you know what is important in biostatistics and why it’s important.
Example: “I think the most important aspect of data analysis for biostatisticians is understanding the research questions they’re trying to answer with their data. I’ve worked on projects where we didn’t have a clear idea of what we were looking for, which made it difficult to find relevant patterns in our data. When I work on a project now, I make sure my team knows exactly what they are looking for so we can focus on finding that specific information.”
How often do you update your knowledge and skills as a biostatistician?
This question can help an interviewer understand your commitment to continuous learning. It is important for biostatisticians to stay up-to-date on the latest research and developments in their field, so it’s beneficial if you have a passion for professional development. In your answer, try to explain how you keep yourself informed about new developments in biostatistics.
Example: “I am passionate about my career as a biostatistician, so I make sure to read journals and attend conferences regularly. I also subscribe to several newsletters that provide me with valuable information about recent studies and findings. I believe that staying current is essential to being a successful biostatistician.”
There is a bug in the statistical software you’re using to analyze a dataset. How do you handle this?
This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. In your answer, you should explain how you would identify the bug, what steps you would take to fix it and how you would communicate with others about the issue.
Example: “I would first try to determine if there was an error in my code or if the software itself had a bug. If I determined that the software had a bug, I would report this to my supervisor immediately so they could inform the appropriate people at the company. Then, I would begin working on a solution by using another statistical software program until the company fixed the bug in their software.”
