I am undergoing my MSc in Data Science. I am looking forward to starting a career in Cancer Data Science. Although my background is Chemical Engineering. I would like useful tips on how to go about it.
Congratulations on pursuing an MSc in Data Science and having a specific career goal in mind! Here are some tips that may be helpful for starting a career in Cancer Data Science:
Learn about cancer biology: Since you have a background in Chemical Engineering, it may be helpful to gain some knowledge of cancer biology, including the mechanisms of cancer development and progression, the different types of cancer, and the current treatments available. This will help you understand the context of the data you will be working with and the challenges of the field.
Develop skills in data analysis: As a Data Scientist, your core skills will be in data analysis, including statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization. It is important to become proficient in programming languages such as Python and R, as well as the relevant data analysis libraries.
Gain experience with cancer data: There are various publicly available cancer datasets that you can use to gain experience in analyzing cancer data. Examples of such datasets include the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genomic Data Commons. Participating in Kaggle competitions or other data analysis challenges can also help you gain practical experience in working with cancer data.
Network with professionals in the field: It is important to build connections with professionals in the field, including researchers, clinicians, and data scientists. Attending conferences, joining relevant professional associations, and reaching out to people on social media or LinkedIn can help you establish valuable connections and learn about career opportunities.
Look for job opportunities in cancer data science: Finally, it is important to actively search for job opportunities in cancer data science. There are various roles that may be relevant, such as data analysts, bioinformaticians, or research scientists. You can search for job openings on job boards, company websites, and professional associations.
Best of luck in pursuing your career in Cancer Data Science!
Cancer reserach itself is a huge area. Select one type of cancer and do the literature survey to get some domian knowledge which is useful while handling the relevant data and building a model.