How To Put Research On Your Resume (With Examples)

In the competitive job market of 2026, demonstrating your research experience and skills on your resume is crucial. Hiring managers and recruiters are increasingly looking for candidates who can leverage research skills to foster innovation, effectively solve problems, and contribute creative solutions for growth.

If you are seeking a job and want to highlight your research skills on your resume, this guide will walk you through how to list your research, where to position it on your resume, and provide practical examples.

Key Takeaways:

• If you lack formal research experience, focus on the relevant skills you’ve applied in previous roles.

• Create a dedicated research section in your resume if you have extensive research experience, or incorporate it into sections that need enhancement.

• Research experience is a valuable asset on a resume; actively seek out opportunities to build this skill set.

What Are Research Skills?

Research skills encompass your ability to locate, extract, organize, and evaluate relevant data on specific topics. This includes investigation, critical thinking, and effectively presenting or utilizing findings.

Research skills can significantly influence your chances of landing a job, as most positions require some level of research competency. You may already possess many of these skills.

Research skills are not a singular ability but a combination of various competencies, including organization, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and specific technical skills like coding, data analysis in Excel, and content creation.

Where to Include Research Experience on Your Resume

Incorporating research experience into your resume is flexible. Consider how your research experience enhances your overall application.

You can feature your research experience in several sections of your resume, such as:

• Academic Achievements

• Research Experience

• Work Experience

• Extracurricular Activities

• Volunteer Work

• Presentations and Publications

• Skills Section

If you have smaller research roles without formal titles, emphasize the skills relevant to those research activities within your work history. Conversely, if your job history includes formal research roles, naturally include them in the work experience section. You can also merge sections depending on the job you’re applying for.

For example, consider creating a “Research and Education” or “Research and Publications” section. If your research is unrelated to your educational background or if you lack publications, a standalone “Research” section can be beneficial.

How to Include Research on Your Resume

To effectively incorporate your research on your resume, compile all pertinent information and quantify your achievements. Follow these steps to articulate your research experience:

1. Gather Necessary Information. Start by collecting key details, including the title of the research project, its location, the principal investigator (if applicable), and the project dates. List these details similarly to how you would for a previous employer.

2. Read the Job Description Carefully. Tailor each resume and cover letter to the specific job. Ensure you include relevant research skills mentioned in the job posting.

   Highlight the appropriate research skills in your resume and job applications.

3. Quantify Your Accomplishments. While detailing your role in the project, summarize your achievements and deliverables. Hiring managers appreciate quantifiable results. Include specific metrics to demonstrate your impact.

4. Incorporate into Work History. If you utilized research skills in previous jobs, include these in your work experience section. Document any presentations, publications, and recognitions your research received.

   If your research occurred in an academic setting, mention your presentations (oral and poster) alongside your publication titles.

5. Enhance Your Research Section. Highlight skills specific to your research projects in the skills section of your resume. Skills may vary based on the subject matter and can include coding languages, interview techniques, software proficiency, management skills, and public speaking if you presented your research at conferences.

6. Include Research in Your Skills Section. If the specific research is less critical than the skills you employed, emphasize these in your skills section. This allows you to streamline your work or educational history while showcasing your research competency.

   Be specific about any research methodologies you excel in, as the skills section offers less room for detailed explanations.

7. Disperse Research Throughout Your Resume. If you possess extensive research experience, integrate it across various sections of your resume. The more practical research experience you have, the better your chances for roles that require it.

Examples of Research on a Resume

Here are examples of how to effectively include research on a resume:

1. University Research Example

   EDUCATION

   Undergraduate Thesis, University of Connecticut, Dec. 2017-May 2018

   Collaborated with UCONN English Department head Penelope Victeri to research the poetry of New England writers of the 20th century, exploring common themes in the works of Elizabeth Bishop, Wallace Stevens, and Robert Lowell.

   • Conducted thorough online and in-person research on historical documents relevant to each author, considering the political, religious, and economic context of the era.

   • Analyzed poetic works from each author and drew comparisons to contemporary regional authors.

   • Authored a 20,000-word thesis titled “Place, Allegory, and Religion: Three 20th Century New England Poets” and defended my arguments before a panel of English professors.

2. Customer Service Research Example

   WORK EXPERIENCE

   • Conducted interviews with 20 customers weekly to gain insights into user experiences with company products.

   • Utilized Google Analytics to identify high-traffic pages, resulting in an 11% increase in website traffic.

   • Reviewed thousands of customer surveys and compiled findings into monthly reports, complete with graphical representations.

   • Presented key findings at weekly marketing meetings to inform the marketing team of emerging trends in customer experience.

3. Laboratory Research Example

   RESEARCH

   • Conducted experiments on rat brains by introducing various novel chemical compounds and controlling oxygen levels.

   • Applied electrical stimulation to brain slices to observe interactions between different chemical compounds and active brain cells.

   • Prepared sterile samples for daily checks, maintaining an 89% yield throughout a three-month study.

   • Presented findings in a comprehensive 15-page research report and presentation to the Research and Development team.

Common Research Skills to List on Your Resume

Consider these examples of research skills that you may have overlooked:

• Conducting competitive business analysis

• Distributing customer satisfaction surveys

• Summarizing existing policies and laws relevant to a given topic

• Designing lesson plans aligned with current educational standards

• Reviewing literature and implementing changes in clinical practice

• Attention to detail

• Problem-solving skills

• Critical thinking

• Project management skills

• Effective communication skills

FAQ: How to Put Research on Your Resume

1. Why Are Research Skills Important?

   Research skills are essential because they empower you to identify problems, gather relevant information, and assess its significance. Showcasing your research skills on your resume signals to hiring managers that you can propose innovative ideas and help organizations adapt to industry changes.

2. What Are Research Skills?

   Some common research skills include:

   • Attention to detail

   • Critical thinking

   • Computer proficiency

   • Problem-solving skills

3. Can I List Research as a Skill?

   Yes, listing research as a skill on your resume is beneficial. Highlighting your research skills can demonstrate to potential employers your capability to generate new ideas and apply critical thinking to problem-solving. Most research skills involve attention to detail, problem-solving, and project management.

References

1. California State University San Bernardino – Incorporating Research Project Experience on Your Resume

2. University of Missouri – How to Put Research on Your Resume

Author

Heidi Cope

Heidi Cope is a former writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog. Her writing focused primarily on Zippia's suite of rankings and general career advice. After leaving Zippia, Heidi joined The Mighty as a writer and editor, among other positions. She received her BS from UNC Charlotte in German Studies.