Biostatisticians
Official O*NET title: Biostatisticians (15-2041.01)
Also called: biostatistics, biometrician, biostatistical consultant, biostatistician, research scientist
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Draw conclusions or make predictions, based on data summaries or statistical analyses
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing biostatisticians work
11 of 25 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Amber (some AI use) — 44%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Draw conclusions or make predictions, based on data summaries or statistical analyses (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, and talk with colleagues to keep abreast of methodological or conceptual developments in fields such as biostatistics, pharmacology, life sciences, and social sciences (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Write detailed analysis plans and descriptions of analyses and findings for research protocols or reports (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Prepare tables and graphs to present clinical data or results (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Write program code to analyze data with statistical analysis software (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Write research proposals or grant applications for submission to external bodies (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Develop or put in place data analysis algorithms (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Design research studies in collaboration with physicians, life scientists, or other professionals (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Prepare articles for publication or presentation at professional conferences (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Analyze clinical or survey data, using statistical approaches such as longitudinal analysis, mixed-effect modeling, logistic regression analyses, and model-building techniques (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Apply research or simulation results to extend biological theory or recommend new research projects (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Calculate sample size requirements for clinical studies (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Provide biostatistical consultation to clients or colleagues (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Review clinical or other medical research protocols and recommend appropriate statistical analyses (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Determine project plans, timelines, or technical objectives for statistical aspects of biological research studies (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Prepare statistical data for inclusion in reports to data monitoring committees, federal regulatory agencies, managers, or clients (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Plan or direct research studies related to life sciences (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Monitor clinical trials or experiments to make sure adherence to established procedures or to verify the quality of data collected (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Design or maintain databases of biological data (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Collect data through surveys or experimentation (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Develop or use mathematical models to track changes in biological phenomena (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Assign work to biostatistical assistants or programmers (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Analyze archival data (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Design surveys to assess health issues (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Teach graduate or continuing education courses or seminars in biostatistics (main task) — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Draw conclusions or make predictions, based on data summaries or statistical analyses”. Try the prompt for: “Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, and talk with colleagues to keep abreast of methodological or conceptual developments in fields such as biostatistics, pharmacology, life sciences, and social sciences”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and biostatisticians
Will AI replace biostatisticians?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 11 of the 25 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Amber rating (some AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 14 of the 25 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which biostatistician tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: draw conclusions or make predictions, based on data summaries or statistical analyses; read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, and talk with colleagues to keep abreast of methodological or conceptual developments in fields such as biostatistics, pharmacology, life sciences, and social sciences; write detailed analysis plans and descriptions of analyses and findings for research protocols or reports.
Which biostatistician tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: calculate sample size requirements for clinical studies; provide biostatistical consultation to clients or colleagues; review clinical or other medical research protocols and recommend appropriate statistical analyses. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 91% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a biostatistician start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Biostatisticians ranks #155 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #26 of 30 in Tech.
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