Biostatistician I

University of Southern California; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

The USC Keck School of Medicine ATRI Biostatistics Section in San Diego seeks a Biostatistician I to lead statistical programming for clinical trials and related research. This early-career role emphasizes hands-on contribution and growing independence in trial design, analysis, and reporting.

Ideal candidates hold a Master’s in biostatistics, strong R skills, and experience with longitudinal data. The position requires on-site presence three days per week and offers a base salary competitive

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biostatistics or statistics.
• 1-2 years of relevant professional research experience following the graduate degree.
• Strong training in statistical theory and methods.
• Excellent R programming skills with a high degree of technical independence.
• Experience analyzing longitudinal or other complex research data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for multidisciplinary collaborators.
• Ability to work effectively within a collaborative biostatistics team.

Responsibilities

• Perform statistical programming and analyses for clinical trials and related research studies under the direction of senior biostatistics staff and faculty biostatisticians.
• Apply appropriate statistical methods to longitudinal and other clinical trial data.
• Prepare, manage, and evaluate analysis-ready datasets and statistical outputs.
• Contribute to quality control and quality assurance of statistical analyses and programming.
• Contribute to statistical methods, analysis descriptions, reports, presentations, and manuscripts.
• Clearly communicate statistical methods and results to statisticians, investigators, and multidisciplinary collaborators.
• Develop an understanding of assigned studies, including design, data structure, objectives, and responsibilities.
• Manage assigned projects with focus on accuracy, reproducibility, and documentation.
• Seek guidance from senior staff when addressing complex issues.
• Take initiative, collaborate, and assume increasing responsibility.

Skills

R programming

Statistical analysis

Longitudinal data

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in biostatistics

Tools

SAS

R

STATA

Job description

The USC Keck School of Medicine, Epstein Family Alzheimer Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI), located in San Diego, California, is an academic institute focused on advancing the development of treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and related dementias through innovative clinical trials.

The ATRI Biostatistics Section provides the statistical leadership for all clinical trials and studies managed by ATRI. We are seeking a highly trained and motivated Biostatistician I with strong statistical programming and quantitative skills who is interested in developing a career in clinical trials biostatistics in an academic research environment.

This position is particularly suited to an early-career biostatistician who already has a strong foundation in statistical methodology and programming and is prepared to contribute substantively to clinical research from the outset.

Responsibilities

• Perform statistical programming and analyses for clinical trials and related research studies under the direction of senior biostatistics staff and faculty biostatisticians.
• Apply appropriate statistical methods to longitudinal and other clinical trial data.
• Prepare, manage, and evaluate analysis-ready datasets and statistical outputs.
• Contribute to quality control and quality assurance of statistical analyses and programming.
• Contribute to statistical methods, analysis descriptions, reports, presentations, and scientific manuscripts.
• Clearly communicate statistical methods and results to statisticians, investigators, and multidisciplinary collaborators.
• Develop a detailed understanding of assigned studies, including study design, data structure, analysis objectives, and statistical responsibilities.
• Manage assigned projects effectively while maintaining high standards for accuracy, reproducibility, documentation, and organization.
• Seek appropriate statistical guidance and work collaboratively with senior biostatistics staff when addressing complex statistical or study-specific issues.
• Take initiative, work collaboratively, and assume increasing responsibility as knowledge and experience develop.

Education and Experience

Master’s degree in biostatistics or statistics. 1-2 years of relevant professional research experience following the graduate degree.

Requirements

• Strong training in statistical theory and methods.
• Excellent R programming skills and demonstrated ability to implement statistical analyses with a high degree of technical independence within an established statistical analysis framework.
• Experience analyzing longitudinal or other complex research data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain statistical concepts and results clearly to multidisciplinary collaborators.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and commitment to high-quality, reproducible statistical work.
• Ability to work effectively within a collaborative biostatistics team, independently manage assigned responsibilities, and seek guidance appropriately from senior biostatistics staff.
• Initiative and ability to adapt to changing priorities.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting clinical trials or clinical research.
• Familiarity with clinical trial design, analysis, and reporting.
• Demonstrated interest in developing a long-term career in academic clinical trials biostatistics.
• Experience contributing to scientific reports, presentations, abstracts, or manuscripts.

Work Location

This position requires regular on-site presence at ATRI in San Diego three days per week. Candidates should apply with the expectation that this is an ongoing requirement of the position.

Compensation

The annual base salary range for this position is $85,894.21 - $108,687.46. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Career Development

This position is designed for a biostatistician who wants to build expertise in Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials and progressively take on greater statistical responsibility. The Biostatistician I will work closely with experienced senior biostatistics staff and faculty biostatisticians while developing deeper expertise in clinical trial design, analysis, and reporting. Successful Biostatistician I staff are expected to demonstrate increasing independence in statistical programming, analysis, communication, and study responsibilities as they gain experience.

USC Fair Chance Statement

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the https://policy.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Background-Screening-Policy-Appendix-D.pdf for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

Minimum Education

Master's degree.

Minimum Experience

1 year, combined education/experience substitution for minimum experience.

Minimum Field of Expertise

Experience in Biostatistics , Statistics or related field. Experience with SAS, R or STATA.

Equal Opportunity Statement

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail].

Company Culture

USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles - a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city - responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region - we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.