A biometrician is a professional who applies statistical and mathematical methods to examine continuous traits, such as those related to genetics and inheritance. They are involved in the field of quantitative genetics, which focuses on the analysis of complex traits and genetic variation.
Biometricians play a crucial role in using statistical techniques to understand and interpret biological data, particularly in the context of complex trait genetics. The term “biometrician” is rooted in the historical debate between biometricians and Mendelians, reflecting different approaches to studying inheritance and genetic variation. Today, biometricians continue to contribute to the advancement of quantitative genetics and its applications in various domains, including plant breeding and human genetics.
Biometricians typically carry out the following tasks:
Oversee the collection and management of biological data, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and ethical handling of information.
Apply advanced statistical techniques to analyze biological datasets, including regression analysis, Bayesian methods, and multivariate analyses, to identify patterns, relationships, and trends.
Contribute to the design of experiments and research studies, providing input on statistical methodologies that will yield robust and meaningful results.
Develop and implement biostatistical models to interpret complex biological phenomena, such as genetic inheritance patterns, population dynamics, or disease spread.
Analyze genetic data to identify genetic markers, assess population structure, and investigate associations between genetic variations and phenotypic traits.
Apply statistical methods to ecological data to understand biodiversity patterns, species interactions, and ecosystem dynamics.
Participate in epidemiological studies, analyzing data related to the spread of diseases, assessing risk factors, and contributing to public health research.
Create clear and effective visualizations of biological data, using graphs, charts, and other tools to communicate findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Collaborate with biologists, geneticists, ecologists, or other scientists to integrate statistical analyses into broader research projects.
Implement quality control measures to ensure the reliability and validity of statistical analyses and results.
Contribute to research publications by providing statistical analyses and interpretations for inclusion in scientific journals or reports.
Biometricians typically work in academic institutions, research organizations, government agencies, or private industries involved in biological research. The role may involve a combination of desk work, laboratory collaboration, and fieldwork, depending on the nature of the research.
A master’s or Ph.D. in statistics, biostatistics, or a related field is typically required for a career as a biometrician. Practical experience gained through internships, research projects, or collaborations with biologists enhances the skills and knowledge of biometricians. Proficiency in statistical software, strong analytical skills, and a solid understanding of biological concepts are essential for success in this role. Continuous learning, staying updated on statistical methodologies and tools, and effective communication skills contribute to the effectiveness of biometricians in their field.
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of biometrician.
Biometrics: The science that statistically analyses human characteristics such as retina, voice or DNA for identification purposes.
Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and the formulation of new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
Statistics: The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments in order to forecast and plan work-related activities.
Scientific modelling: Scientific activity consisting in selecting the relevant aspects of a situation and aiming to represent physical processes, empirical objects and phenomena to allow a better understanding, visualisation or quantification, and to enable simulation that shows how this particular subject would behave under given circumstances.
Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing a hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
These skills are necessary for the role of biometrician.
Interpret current data: Analyse data gathered from sources such as market data, scientific papers, customer requirements and questionnaires, which are current and up-to-date in order to assess development and innovation in areas of expertise.
Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
Apply statistical analysis techniques: Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.
Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Develop scientific research protocols: Develop and record the procedural method used for a specific scientific experiment in order to enable its replication.
Plan research process: Outline the research methodologies and schedule in order to ensure that the research can be thoroughly and efficiently executed and that the objectives can be met in a timely manner.
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of biometrician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
SAS language: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in SAS language.
Biology: Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
Statistical analysis system software: Specific software system (SAS) used for advanced analytics, business intelligence, data management, and predictive analytics.
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of biometrician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Write research proposals: Synthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the relevant subject and field of study.
Prepare exercise session: Prepare equipment and facilities for the session ensuring compliance with industry and national guidelines for normal operating procedures. Plan timings and sequences for the session.
Prepare lesson content: Prepare content to be taught in class per curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples, etc.
Manage database: Apply database design schemes and models, define data dependencies, use query languages and database management systems (DBMS) to develop and manage databases.
Assist in clinical trials: Work with fellow scientists on clinical trials in order to improve medical methods for preventing, detecting, diagnosing, or treating diseases.
Create software design: Transpose a series of requirements into a clear and organised software design.
Apply teaching strategies: Employ various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating arguments when necessary. Use a wide range of teaching devices and methodologies appropriate to the class content, the learners’ level, goals, and priorities.
Conduct public surveys: Conduct the procedures of a public survey from the initial formulation and compilation of the questions, identifying the target audience, managing the survey method and operations, managing the processing of acquired data, and analysing the results.
Develop scientific theories: Formulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.
Contribute to development of biometric systems: Contribute to the development or optimisation of technological systems that rely on specific biological data run through algorithms in order to identify people.
Gather experimental data: Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
Write work-related reports: Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
Manage data collection systems: Develop and manage methods and strategies used to maximise data quality and statistical efficiency in the collection of data, in order to ensure the gathered data are optimised for further processing.
Develop statistical software: Participate in the various development stages of computer programs for econometric and statistical analysis, such as research, new product development, prototyping, and maintenance.
Prepare visual data: Prepare charts and graphs in order to present data in a visual manner.
Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
Provide lesson materials: Ensure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.
Assist scientific research: Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
Advise on legislative acts: Advise officials in a legislature on the propositioning of new bills and the consideration of items of legislation.
Assess environmental impact: Monitor environmental impacts and carry out assessments in order to identify and to reduce the organisation’s environmental risks while taking costs into account.
