u/Zurdito_Fumon

Hi everyone,

I hold a Psychology degree and I'm finishing a health sciences PhD [neuroscience] and a postgraduate specialization in statistics with a health sciences focus (both expected to wrap up within a year). My research has involved applied statistical analysis using R, which is my main tool. Python is basic but functional, Excel is solid. No SAS, no SQL, no GitHub presence yet. I'm based in Argentina and looking for remote roles — not planning to relocate.

I'm genuinely done with academia and looking to transition into something more applied and economically sustainable. Beyond the usual frustrations of academic life, working in Argentine academia means dealing with extreme labor precarity — salaries that don't keep up with inflation, chronic underfunding, and a system where even senior positions barely cover basic living costs.

So I've heard about Junior Biostatistician or Statistical Analyst roles in pharma, CROs, or health-adjacent organizations.

I'd like to know...

1. Is this a realistic path for someone coming from a health sciences PhD without prior industry or clinical trials experience?
2. For those who made a similar transition — what was the actual bottleneck? What do you wish you'd known?
3. Any honest takes on remote hiring for non-US candidates in this field?

Hi everyone,

I hold a Psychology degree and I'm finishing a health sciences PhD [neuroscience] and a postgraduate specialization in statistics with a health sciences focus (both expected to wrap up within a year). My research has involved applied statistical analysis using R, which is my main tool. Python is basic but functional, Excel is solid. No SAS, no SQL, no GitHub presence yet. I'm based in Argentina and looking for remote roles — not planning to relocate.

I'm genuinely done with academia and looking to transition into something more applied and economically sustainable. Beyond the usual frustrations of academic life, working in Argentine academia means dealing with extreme labor precarity — salaries that don't keep up with inflation, chronic underfunding, and a system where even senior positions barely cover basic living costs.

So I've heard about Junior Biostatistician or Statistical Analyst roles in pharma, CROs, or health-adjacent organizations.

Does anybody know...

1. Is this a realistic path for someone coming from a health sciences PhD without prior industry or clinical trials experience?
2. For those who made a similar transition — what was the actual bottleneck? What do you wish you'd known?
3. Any honest takes on remote hiring for non-US candidates in this field?

Thanks in advance

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for honest feedback from people actually working in the field, not just general career advice.

I hold a Psychology degree and I'm finishing a health sciences PhD [neuroscience] and a postgraduate specialization in statistics with a health sciences focus (both expected to wrap up within a year). My research has involved applied statistical analysis using R, which is my main tool. Python is basic but functional, Excel is solid. No SAS, no SQL, no GitHub presence yet. I'm based in Argentina and looking for remote roles — not planning to relocate.

I'm genuinely done with academia and looking to transition into something more applied and economically sustainable.

So I've heard about Junior Biostatistician or Statistical Analyst roles in pharma, CROs, or health-adjacent organizations.

What I want to know:

1. Is this a realistic path for someone coming from a health sciences PhD without prior industry or clinical trials experience?
2. How much does the lack of SAS specifically hurt at entry level? Is R enough to get a foot in the door, or is it a dealbreaker?
3. For those who made a similar transition — what was the actual bottleneck? What do you wish you'd known?
4. Any honest takes on remote hiring for non-US candidates in this field?

Thanks in advance