Data Analyst

Summary of the role

Data Analysts turn raw data into actionable insights that drive business decisions, from drug discovery to manufacturing. They collect, clean, processes, and interpret large, complex datasets to help their organisation make informed decisions. They are the storytellers of the data, translating numbers and trends into clear, understandable narratives for stakeholders like scientists, managers, and executives.

Typical Duties

The duties will vary depending on the specific area (e.g. clinical trials, manufacturing, R&D), but some common responsibilities include:

• Data Collection and Management: Sourcing data from various systems, such as electronic health records (EHRs), lab information management systems (LIMS), or manufacturing batch records. You’ll ensure the data is accurate, complete, and well-structured for analysis.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation: Using statistical methods to identify patterns, trends, and anomalies in the data. For example, you might analyse clinical trial data to assess a therapy’s efficacy or investigate manufacturing data to identify potential process bottlenecks.
• Creating Reports and Visualizations: Building dashboards, charts, and reports using tools like Tableau or Power BI to present complex findings in a clear and compelling way. This is a critical skill for communicating your insights to non-technical audiences.
• Predictive Analytics: Developing predictive models to forecast outcomes, such as predicting patient admissions, identifying potential issues in a manufacturing process, or even forecasting disease outbreaks.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Working closely with a wide range of teams, including R&D, manufacturing, quality assurance, and clinical operations, to understand their data needs and provide them with the insights they require.

While the core skills are the same for advanced therapies and broader Life Sciences, the data you work with will differ:

Advanced Therapies: The data would be highly focused on areas like cell and gene therapy manufacturing, clinical trial data for specific patient cohorts, and genomic data. You’d be analysing things like cell viability, viral vector yields, and patient responses to a new therapy.

Wider Life Sciences: This could encompass a broader range of data, from traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing data (e.g., protein purification yields) to clinical trial data for small-molecule drugs or even public health data for epidemiology.

Key Skills and Qualifications (UK)

Essential Qualifications: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a relevant life sciences discipline (e.g. Bioinformatics, Biology) with a strong data-focused component.

Essential Technical Skills:

• Programming Languages: Proficiency in at least one key language for data analysis, such as Python (with libraries like Pandas and NumPy) or R.
• Database Languages: Strong knowledge of SQL for querying and manipulating data in databases.
• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with a tool like Tableau, Power BI, or similar software is highly valued.
• Statistical Analysis: A solid understanding of statistical methods is crucial for making valid inferences from data.

Essential Soft Skills:

• Problem-Solving: The ability to think critically and analytically to solve complex problems.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to present findings to diverse audiences.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulousness in data cleaning and analysis to ensure accuracy.
• Subject Matter Knowledge: A foundational understanding of life sciences, biology, and chemistry is often what sets a good data analyst apart in this industry.

Salary Expectations (UK)

Starting Salary: For an entry-level Data Analyst in the UK, a starting salary typically falls within the range of £25,000 to £35,000 per year. This can be higher in major cities like London.

After 3-4 Years: With 3-4 years of experience and a strong track record, you can expect to move into a Senior Data Analyst role, with a salary range of £40,000 to £60,000 or more, depending on your skills, the company, and location.