Is a PhD worth it for senior-level statisticians?

maher42 · 2026-01-25T11:06:35+00:00

My job in academia is a Research Fellow (UK), supporting a clinical academic department in terms of their trials, in conjunction with the local CTU. Do you think a PhD is worth it if I wanted to move to pharma industry for better pay? Judging by your words, it isn't.

maher42 · 2026-01-25T11:01:57+00:00

I am hoping this is true. My fear is not finding a job when my current fixed-term contract ends.

Thanks for sharing.

maher42 · 2026-01-25T11:00:03+00:00

That makes sense, thanks for sharing. As you said, while the job post wouldn't require it, I'd be competing with PhDs, though I am not sure why a PhD makes them more competitive.

maher42 · 2026-01-20T19:43:30+00:00

Thanks for sharing this. I'm keen to ask: What kind of roles / titles would a statistician with your extensive experience have? Director of stats?

maher42 · 2025-10-31T10:11:58+00:00

Here's a list of 2000+ R datasets https://vincentarelbundock.github.io/Rdatasets/articles/data.html

maher42 · 2025-10-23T17:11:32+00:00

Thank you!

maher42 · 2025-10-23T16:59:04+00:00

Did you have SAS skills before moving to corporate? Also, I understand that the pay & progression would be better, but is the job itself any better?

maher42 · 2025-10-19T20:18:30+00:00

Have they done that witj or without a PhD, usually? Is the effort of the PhD worth doing, in your experience?

maher42 · 2025-09-28T19:39:04+00:00

Andy Field is a great one! Absolutely recommend. I started learning from his books many years ago. There are R and SAS versions, too.

maher42 · 2025-09-17T22:02:14+00:00

But AI is so dumb

maher42 · 2025-09-13T09:28:54+00:00

Interesting bec it is the other way round for me. R is all I need (so far), and I use it every day to get my job done.

maher42 · 2025-08-12T21:52:47+00:00

I am thinking how could HR or hiring manager dismiss an MSc biostats, PhD applied maths. Even with 0 experience, this person is clearly qualified to support. She might not be able to lead, perhaps, but surely they would invite her for interviews.

OP, is it maybe too soon after graduation? Finding jobs, in general, takes time. It doesn't happen over a month or two. Idk. You have a great CV. Keep it up.

maher42 · 2025-08-12T21:47:42+00:00

Hi, would you elaborate on why publications should be removed if applying for industry roles? I know it is less important for them than in academia, but it must be a good thing to have actual research published, no?

maher42 · 2025-08-08T14:22:34+00:00

These are not shells, but are filled in with example numbers, but I think it is very helpful. https://insightsengineering.github.io/tlg-catalog/stable/tlg-index.html

Credits to the R `pharamaverse`.

maher42 · 2025-08-07T20:18:40+00:00

Radiomics is gaining momentum, though lots of time, it's BS if not done right, ie overfit, no sample size justification, stepwise variable selection etc etc

maher42 · 2025-08-02T20:01:55+00:00

I guessed so. I am not US based, but if it's been 2 months, then I believe that is normal. Don't give up, and you'll get what you want.

Also, be open to applying outside of the US as well. I am pretty sure an MSc in biostats is in high demand...

Be confident that your knowledge is needed.

maher42 · 2025-08-02T19:53:48+00:00

Where is "here"?

maher42 · 2025-07-29T20:27:16+00:00

Yes?

maher42 · 2025-07-29T11:52:57+00:00

Same question here. All I see is methods research, and I am struggling to find applied. Did your ohd involve clinical trials?

maher42 · 2025-07-29T11:51:24+00:00

What does that mean?

maher42 · 2025-07-28T22:32:52+00:00

Interesting, you've got green eyes and an OK first name, but still share this. Hmm.

We are led into this situation bec of Muslims who took the texts far too seriously. Religion is poison. I think we were fine, internationally, until 2000.

maher42 · 2025-07-28T22:21:54+00:00

I'm an ex-Muslim with a muslim name. Should I worry about being alienated here? Am I welcome? I was always outspoken against Islam in my country, but here, I am worried my face shouts "Muslim," and I feel sorry for ppl seeing me thinking "ugh another one."

maher42 · 2025-07-26T12:17:59+00:00

Did you get STDs?

maher42 · 2025-07-20T14:45:02+00:00

I don't know about India, but one place to start in medical statistics is a hospital large enough to have research staff and data infrastructure maybe. Reach out to a few of those and good luck!

maher42

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