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Maybe you could help me out here. I'm split on the whole data science in research vs business. I'm an undergrad Senior majoring in CS (minors in math and Comp

by dev1n 13y ago

Maybe you could help me out here. I'm split on the whole data science in research vs business. I'm an undergrad Senior majoring in CS (minors in math and Computational Science). All the data science jobs I see for research firms require a PhD. I'd much rather work for a research firm than as an analyst for a business (I think). Any suggestions for someone looking to get some experience before pursuing more schooling? (not like I don't enjoy my classes but I'd rather not drop the dough after undergrad if I can get decent experience and a salary to help pay for a graduate program)

Blahah 13y ago
Depending on where you are in the world, you could consider applying for computational jobs at some of the biotech giants (or startups, depending on your cultural preference). There are plenty on the US west coast and around Boston, Seattle, etc. An alternative is to get a programming job doing something relevant (e.g. something with applied machine learning) and use those skills to work on open-source bio projects in your spare time. You'd then have some money, relevant experience, and demonstrated interest which could be a good foundation for graduate work if you decided to go that route, or for a career in data science if you don't.
- dev1n 13y ago
  Cool. Thanks for the advice. My game plan was pretty much just that. Get a solid programming job doing (preferably) some stats work after graduation (maybe the company will pay for grad school?) and then move on from there. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't one weird trick to landing a research job in data science.
singingfish 13y ago
Most jobs in high tech that push on the fronteirs of scientific knowledge that have a group leadership role need a PhD in charge of the team. Back when I worked in biotech, around 3/4 to 5/6ths of the team leaders had PhDs. I wouldn't expect this to have changed. For a commercially viable biotech company, salaries are pretty decent at that level.
- dev1n 13y ago
  That makes sense though. One would definitely want someone in a leadership position with a lot of experience and knowledge, especially at a biotech firm.

by dev1n 13y ago

Blahah 13y ago

Depending on where you are in the world, you could consider applying for computational jobs at some of the biotech giants (or startups, depending on your cultural preference). There are plenty on the US west coast and around Boston, Seattle, etc. An alternative is to get a programming job doing something relevant (e.g. something with applied machine learning) and use those skills to work on open-source bio projects in your spare time. You'd then have some money, relevant experience, and demonstrated interest which could be a good foundation for graduate work if you decided to go that route, or for a career in data science if you don't.

dev1n 13y ago
Cool. Thanks for the advice. My game plan was pretty much just that. Get a solid programming job doing (preferably) some stats work after graduation (maybe the company will pay for grad school?) and then move on from there. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't one weird trick to landing a research job in data science.

singingfish 13y ago

Most jobs in high tech that push on the fronteirs of scientific knowledge that have a group leadership role need a PhD in charge of the team. Back when I worked in biotech, around 3/4 to 5/6ths of the team leaders had PhDs. I wouldn't expect this to have changed. For a commercially viable biotech company, salaries are pretty decent at that level.

dev1n 13y ago
That makes sense though. One would definitely want someone in a leadership position with a lot of experience and knowledge, especially at a biotech firm.