Statistician I - Job Opportunity at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, US
Full-time
Entry-level
Posted: June 1, 2025
On-site
USD 88,331.42 - 105,000 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive university benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and educational opportunities
Access to professional development funding for conferences and training
University-sponsored research environment with access to cutting-edge facilities
Opportunity to contribute to high-impact publications in prestigious journals
Collaborative academic environment with world-class researchers

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design and development of statistical analysis plans that drive critical research decisions in environmental health and exposomics
Execute sophisticated statistical analyses using R to uncover patterns in complex multi-omics datasets that advance scientific understanding
Translate complex statistical findings into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders including researchers, clinicians, and funding agencies
Establish and maintain quality control frameworks that ensure the integrity and reproducibility of research data
Author comprehensive statistical reports and presentations that influence research direction and funding decisions
Contribute to manuscript development and grant proposals that secure millions in research funding
Shape study design and data management strategies for multi-center research initiatives
Foster interdisciplinary collaboration across research teams to maximize scientific impact
Maintain expertise in cutting-edge statistical methodologies to ensure research competitiveness
Mentor and develop the next generation of biostatisticians and researchers

Requirements

Education

Doctoral degree in Biostatistics, Statistics, or related field

Experience

Minimum of 1 years of relevant experience in biostatistics, statistics, computational biology, computer science or related disciplines

Required Skills

Strong statistical analysis skills fluency in R is required Experience with large and complex datasets Excellent written and oral communication skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team Experience analyzing large biological datasets (e.g. metabolomics, microRNA, etc.) Experience developing code in a team environment using git/GitHub
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The exposomics field is experiencing unprecedented growth as researchers increasingly recognize the critical importance of understanding how environmental exposures across the lifespan impact human health, creating substantial demand for statisticians who can handle complex exposure-outcome relationships. Multi-omics integration has become the gold standard in biomedical research, requiring specialized statistical expertise to combine genomics, metabolomics, and other high-dimensional datasets, positioning statisticians with these skills at the forefront of precision medicine initiatives. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) research has exploded due to growing regulatory concerns and public health implications, creating a specialized niche for statisticians experienced in environmental chemical analysis and exposure assessment methodologies.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of $88,331 - $105,000 is competitive for an entry-level academic statistician position in Los Angeles, considering the high cost of living and the specialized nature of exposomics research. This range aligns well with recent PhD graduates entering academic research positions and reflects USC's commitment to attracting quality talent in this emerging field.

Role Significance

The position involves working within a mid-sized research team of approximately 8-12 members, including principal investigators, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and research coordinators. The statistician will serve as a key technical specialist while collaborating across multiple concurrent projects within the Center for Translational Exposomics Research.
This Statistician I position represents an entry-level role for recent doctoral graduates, offering significant autonomy in statistical analysis while providing mentorship opportunities and direct collaboration with principal investigators. The role balances independent research execution with structured learning opportunities typical of early-career academic positions.

Key Projects

Large-scale longitudinal cohort studies examining environmental chemical exposures and health outcomes across diverse populations Multi-center collaborative research initiatives investigating PFAS exposure patterns and associated health risks Integrative analysis projects combining exposomics data with genomics, metabolomics, and other omics datasets Methodological development projects advancing statistical approaches for high-dimensional environmental health data

Success Factors

Developing deep expertise in environmental epidemiology and exposure assessment methodologies will be crucial for understanding the unique challenges of exposomics data, including issues of detection limits, exposure misclassification, and temporal variability that distinguish this field from traditional biostatistics applications. Building strong collaborative relationships with environmental scientists, toxicologists, and public health researchers will be essential for translating statistical findings into meaningful public health insights and ensuring that analytical approaches align with biological plausibility and regulatory requirements. Mastering advanced computational skills beyond basic R programming, including high-performance computing, database management, and reproducible research practices, will be critical for handling the massive, complex datasets typical of modern exposomics research. Cultivating excellent scientific communication skills to translate complex statistical concepts for diverse audiences, from molecular biologists to policy makers, will be fundamental for maximizing the impact of research findings and securing future funding opportunities.

Market Demand

Demand for statisticians with exposomics and environmental health expertise is exceptionally high, driven by increased federal funding for environmental health research, growing industry awareness of chemical exposure risks, and the expanding field of precision environmental health. The combination of statistical expertise with environmental health knowledge creates a highly sought-after skill set.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced R programming proficiency is absolutely essential as it serves as the primary tool for all statistical analyses, data manipulation, and visualization tasks. The ability to write efficient, reproducible code and develop custom statistical functions will determine success in handling the complex, high-dimensional datasets typical of exposomics research. Experience with large and complex datasets is crucial because exposomics research routinely involves integrating multiple data types including environmental monitoring data, biomarker measurements, and health outcomes across thousands of participants. The ability to manage, clean, and analyze such datasets efficiently will directly impact research productivity and quality. Strong statistical analysis skills form the foundation of the role, as the position requires not just applying standard methods but also adapting and developing new approaches for the unique challenges of environmental health data, including issues of detection limits, exposure mixtures, and time-varying exposures.

Beneficial Skills

Git/GitHub experience for collaborative code development will become increasingly valuable as research teams adopt more sophisticated software development practices and as reproducible research standards continue to evolve in the academic community. Multi-omics data analysis experience, particularly with metabolomics and other high-throughput biological datasets, will provide significant advantages as the field moves toward more integrative approaches combining environmental exposures with biological response measurements. Knowledge of environmental chemistry and toxicology will enhance the ability to design appropriate statistical models and interpret results in the context of biological mechanisms, leading to more impactful research contributions and stronger collaborative relationships with domain experts.

Unique Aspects

The focus on exposomics represents participation in one of the most cutting-edge areas of environmental health research, positioning the role at the intersection of environmental science, epidemiology, and precision medicine.
Direct involvement with PFAS research places the position at the center of one of the most pressing environmental health issues of our time, with significant policy and regulatory implications.
The multi-center study design experience provides valuable exposure to large-scale collaborative research that is increasingly common in modern biomedical research.
The combination of environmental exposures and multi-omics data analysis represents a highly specialized skill set that is in tremendous demand across academia, industry, and government sectors.

Career Growth

Career progression to senior statistician roles typically occurs within 3-5 years with demonstrated excellence in research productivity and methodological innovation. Advancement to independent researcher or PI status generally requires 5-8 years of experience plus a strong publication record and successful grant funding.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Statistician or Biostatistician positions with increased project leadership responsibilities and independent research programs Research Scientist roles combining statistical expertise with domain knowledge in environmental health or exposomics Principal Investigator positions leading independent research programs with federal funding Industry roles in pharmaceutical companies, environmental consulting firms, or regulatory agencies focusing on risk assessment

Company Overview

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a prestigious private research university and a member of the Association of American Universities, with the Keck School of Medicine ranking among the top medical schools nationally. The Department of Population and Public Health Sciences is recognized for its innovative research in environmental health, epidemiology, and population sciences, with particular strength in exposure assessment and health outcomes research.

USC maintains a strong competitive position in biomedical research, consistently ranking in the top tier of universities for NIH funding and research output. The university's location in Los Angeles provides unique advantages for environmental health research, including access to diverse populations and collaboration opportunities with industry and regulatory agencies.
Los Angeles serves as a major hub for environmental health research on the West Coast, with USC playing a central role in regional research networks and policy initiatives. The position offers excellent opportunities for collaboration with other leading institutions, regulatory agencies like the California Environmental Protection Agency, and industry partners in the biotechnology sector.
USC fosters a collaborative, innovative research environment that emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and translational research. The academic culture supports work-life balance while maintaining high standards for research excellence, with strong institutional support for professional development and career advancement.
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