Statistician

Job description

Working in various sectors including health, transport, government and industry, statisticians design surveys and gather data and opinions that inform the future policies of such organisations. They often work in teams at various stages throughout the process, from collecting the data to analysis, identifying patterns and preparing strategies.

Using statistical techniques, they make forecasts on population growth, economic conditions, or the outcome of elections.

Statisticians may have other titles according to their specialty. For example, those who conduct economic research may be called econometricians.

Work activities

• Drawing on their knowledge of probability and sampling they plan ways to collect the information needed.
• Adapting statistical methods in order to solve specific problems in many fields, such as economics, biology and engineering.
• Analysing and interpreting statistical data in order to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
• Applying sampling techniques or utilising complete enumeration bases in order to determine and define groups to be surveyed.
• Identifying relationships and trends in data, as well as any factors that could affect the results of research.
• Planning data collection methods for specific projects, and determining the types and sizes of sample groups to be used.
• Processing large amounts of data for statistical modelling and graphic analysis, using computers.
• Reporting results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
• Supervising and provide guidance for workers collecting and tabulating data.

Work conditions

Travel: can be occasional during the working day.
Working hours: can be flexible but mainly office hours, Monday to Friday.
Location: in towns or cities throughout the country.
Opportunities for self-employment: possible to work as a consultant in private practice or in freelance work.

Typical employers

• Central Statistics Office (CSO)
• Central or local government departments
• Industry, business and commerce.

Career development

Opportunity specialise in fields, such as bio-statistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, economic statistics, or other fields.

Salaries

Salaries will vary greatly depending on employer.

Entry requirements and training

Specific degree subjects required

Open to graduates with sound grounding in statistics (subject areas with a high statistical content).

Other relevant degree subjects

• Business
• Economics
• Geography
• Mathematical studies
• Mathematics
• Operational research
• Political science
• Psychology
• Social science
• Statistics.

Postgraduate study

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not normally a requirement but can be a significant advantage. Those with non relevant first degrees in statistics may be able to take postgraduate degrees in statistics.

Training

Most training takes place on the job.

Tips for applications

Experience of statistical software (SAS and Splus) is an advantage.

Skills and qualities

• Excellent mathematical and numerical skills.
• Logical and methodical approach to work.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Excellent IT and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate results clearly, both verbally and in writing.

Further information

Website carrying job advertisements

www.publicjobs.ie
www.statisticsjobs.org.uk

Professional bodies

Irish Statistical Association
Royal Statistical Society

Further sources of information

Stat central
Central Statistics Office
National Statistics Board
Careers in statistics