Statistician
Statisticians are concerned with the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of quantitative information. They work in a range of sectors including health, education, government, finance, the environment, transportation, market research as well as throughout industry, business and commerce.
Statisticians design and manage experiments and surveys. They deal with the initial collection of data. They process and analyse the data in context, looking for patterns to help make decisions. They advise on findings and recommend strategy.
Statisticians often work in teams, usually including professionals from other disciplines. Strong analytical and IT skills are essential, as are interpersonal and communication skills in order to share findings with colleagues and clients.
Often with the aid of mathematical techniques and software, statisticians interpret data and communicate results to their clients. They ensure that complex statistical concepts are explained in a way the client can understand and often advise on strategy.
Below is a list of typical work activities undertaken by statisticians:
Graduates who have a degree with a quantitative component may have an advantage but those of any discipline are accepted. People from other professions can also apply to work in medical statistics usually after they have taken a Masters degree in the subject.
Examples of quantitative degrees include:
Competition for statistician posts in the Civil Service can be intense. The Government Statistical Service (GSS) operates three schemes: a Fast Stream Assistant Statistician Recruitment Scheme; a mainstream statistical officer scheme; and a temporary statistical officer scheme on a fixed-term contract. Applicants to these schemes are expected to have a first or second class honours degree in a numerate subject. However, those who do not have a degree but can demonstrate at least two years' experience in a statistics-related field plus continuous professional development (CPD) leading to relevant qualifications, can also apply to the GSS statistical officer (SO) posts.
The Government Statistical Service (GSS) has imposed a ban on the recruitment of statistical officers (SOs) and temporary statistical officers (TSOs), although applications for TSOs will be filed away for consideration when the recruitment freeze is lifted. It is unknown how long the ban will be in force but it looks set to be for the foreseeable future. Recruitment to the Fast Stream Assistant Statistician Recruitment Scheme continues to operate as normal.
An MSc in medical statistics may offer a competitive advantage. In the National Health Service (NHS) the availability is often affected by changes in government priorities. People holding MSc degrees in statistics are also much sought after by employers in the pharmaceutical industry. The industry does recruit at degree level, but companies often then expect the employee to obtain an MSc by part-time study or distance learning and may sometimes sponsor the course. Some MSc courses are extension courses, designed for graduates who wish to specialise in particular areas. Others are conversion courses, designed for graduates of other disciplines, as well as people from other professions, as a means of gaining entry to the profession. Holders of PhDs are also in great demand and a PhD would often be necessary in university teaching and research roles.
Alternative qualifications such as a foundation degree, HND or Graduate Diploma in Statistics awarded by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) may be acceptable.
It is also possible to qualify for entry through the RSS qualifications: the Ordinary Certificate; the Higher Certificate; and the Graduate Diploma, which is the equivalent of a good honours degree. Candidates who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma are automatically eligible for the status of graduate statistician and after five years' suitable professional training and experience they may apply to be a chartered statistician. These examinations may be of particular interest to people seeking a career change.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
The choice of final year dissertation can be significant. These projects can provide a way of making useful contacts within the profession and acquiring knowledge, which would be of great value in the labour market.
Joining the RSS or Statisticians in the Pharmaceutical Industry (PSI) provides access to events, training, and informative newsletters featuring job listings.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
In most cases, training takes place on the job. New recruits gain experience by working under the supervision of experienced staff until they are ready to work alone. Statisticians are expected to keep their knowledge up to date by reading current literature and attending conferences.
Many employers will support part-time study for an MSc in Statistics. For information about postgraduate courses see Postgraduate Statistics Opportunities .
It is also possible to seek the professional qualification of Chartered Statistician (CStat), which gives professional affiliation to the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) . This requires a portfolio of five years of experience and is the society's highest professional grade.
Short courses run by organisations such as the RSS and the Statisticians in the Pharmaceutical Industry (PSI) are also available. PSI provides training for new recruits through its 'Introduction to Industry Training' programme, which introduces different aspects of pharmaceutical research. E-learning courses are also available.
Hundreds of other short courses in statistics and statistical software packages (SAS, SPSS, Minitab) are offered by universities and other organisations such as the Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute .
Promotion within the Government Statistical Service (GSS) depends on performance and merit. Assistant statisticians are generally encouraged to move post every two years to ensure that they are exposed to as many different areas of statistics as possible. In order to obtain promotion, assistants are required to sit formal promotion boards, which are held fairly frequently for all grades.
The assistant statistician (AS) grade is a training grade. The higher grades at AS level can offer line-management responsibilities. Progression to a statistician grade will most likely involve heading up a statistics branch and managing a small team of ASs and administrators. In general, this progression would take around eight years. Senior statisticians manage a number of statistics branches and provide strategic leadership.
Outside the GSS, most organisations employ statisticians in smaller numbers, which means that opportunities for internal promotion may be limited. Promotion may be easier to find by changing employers. It is usually possible to switch between the different sectors after gaining a few years' experience.
There are many career options and opportunities for diversification or specialisation at a later stage. With a PhD, prospects exist in research and possibly teaching at a medical school. Larger companies usually have a promotion structure that allows for advancement into more senior management positions.
The Government Statistical Service (GSS) is the biggest recruiter of statisticians in the UK with over 1,400 staff in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and around 30 government departments across the country. Corresponding opportunities are offered in many branches of local government and government agencies, particularly dealing with performance data and resourcing.
The manufacturing and service sectors are also significant employers of statisticians. Other employers of statisticians include higher education institutions, operational and scientific research establishments, the National Health Service (NHS) (see NHS Careers ), pharmaceutical companies, market research companies, investment companies, insurance companies, private consultancies and banks.
Examples of specific employers of statisticians include:
Recruitment agencies such as Datatech Search and Selection and Access-ScienceJobs sometimes handle vacancies.
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