Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Biological scientist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.,

Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical biological scientist skills. We ranked the top skills for biological scientists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 8.7% of biological scientist resumes contained data analysis as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a biological scientist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 biological scientist skills for your resume and career

1. Data Analysis

Here's how biological scientists use data analysis:

Played key role on anti-inflammatory project by handling data analysis and data entry to the database.
Contributed to infectious disease project by providing raw data and presenting data analysis to the team.

2. Cell Culture

Here's how biological scientists use cell culture:

Experience with cell culture of peripheral blood, bone marrow cells, primary leukemia cells and leukemia cell lines.
Maintained cell culture media and viral cultures.

3. RNA

A Ribonucleic acid (RNA) has a vital role in determining the biological macromolecule commonly found in all bodily cells. It is the synthesis of protein, carriers message instruction from the Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. RNA is a kind of single-stranded cell that has different forms. It allows the molecule to go back and forth to its original condition.

Here's how biological scientists use rna:

Developed a binding experiment utilizing fluorescence polarization to screen discovery compounds for interaction with various RNA constructs.
Characterized the therapeutic RNA product, for tumor-source and process-related impurities.

4. Cell-Based Assays

Here's how biological scientists use cell-based assays:

Purified antibodies and antigens for antibody affinity screens, biochemical and cell-based assays, immunizations, and GLP toxicology studies.
Provide expert consultation to NCI-Investigators in cell-based assays, imaging, protein identification and validation of protein interactions.

5. Technical Reports

Technical reports are a type of document that is used to indicate either the progress, result, or process of scientific research or the state of problems occurring within such research. A technical report may also showcase the report's overall conclusion and may also include recommendations. This kind of report does not require a peer review and isn't published officially but distributed within the organizations where it was formed.

Here's how biological scientists use technical reports:

Prepared quarterly research reports for the department and prepared technical reports and oral presentations for the team and the department.
Prepared and presented technical reports for clients.

6. Western Blotting

Here's how biological scientists use western blotting:

Aided in the development of a system that utilized LICOR technologies for Western Blotting experiments within the company.
Demonstrated target engagement in target issues by western blotting.

Choose from 10+ customizable biological scientist resume templates

Build a professional biological scientist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your biological scientist resume.

7. Next-Generation Sequencing

Here's how biological scientists use next-generation sequencing:

Led execution of research evaluation study to prepare Small-RNA sequencing libraries from clinical samples for Next-Generation sequencing.
Develop automation and tracking schemes for the high-throughput production of next-generation sequencing libraries.

8. DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or only DNA, which is considered the king of molecules, is a macromolecule that contains the main component of chromosomes. Shaped like a double helix, DNA is usually found in the nucleus of a cell. It is a type of material that transports characteristics in many forms, developed in nucleotides around one another.

Here's how biological scientists use dna:

Performed high molecular weight DNA extraction from bacterial cells using microbiology and molecular biology methods.
Performed digestion and DNA sequencing techniques using genetic sequencing analyzers.

9. Elisa

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or ELISA is an examination or test to measure and detect a person's specific antigen, antibodies, and protein. This type of test will identify if the sample component is infected with a relative disease or condition such as HIV infection, anemia, Zika Virus, and Lyme disease with just a single experiment.

Here's how biological scientists use elisa:

Experienced with ELISA, PCR, Flow Cytometry, Vitek, Vidas and API 20E biochemical differentiation.
Experienced scientist in standardizing ELISA assays for existing and synthetic molecules in cancer therapy for Personalized Drug Management.

10. Public Health

Here's how biological scientists use public health:

Participate in cross-training related to public health emergencies.
Assist with public health education, awareness, and intervention activities for individuals exposed to or at risk of Hepatitis infection.

11. Molecular Biology Techniques

Here's how biological scientists use molecular biology techniques:

Performed histological and radiological analyses, molecular biology techniques, animal surgeries.
Developed the procedures and protocols for various molecular biology techniques, maintained records for laboratory accreditation and wrote clinical reports.

12. Cell Lines

Here's how biological scientists use cell lines:

Designed, developed and implemented protocols for culturing different cell lines and experimental protocols.
Experienced screening tumor cell lines and gene expression using taqman & open array platform.

13. Research Projects

Here's how biological scientists use research projects:

Spearheaded research projects pertaining to development of a fast and accurate diagnostic method, which was applied to an epidemiological survey.
Aided in many research projects exploring the effects of dietary and/or pharmacological interventions on behavior, memory, and aging.

14. Extraction

Here's how biological scientists use extraction:

Prepared and processed plasma and serum samples from various studies using liquid and solid phase extraction (SPE) techniques.
Validate Biomerieux EasyMag total nucleic extraction for optimized production.

15. Experimental Design

Experimental design is the process of researching in an objective and controlled manner to maximize precision and draw specific conclusions about a hypothesis statement. It is a concept used to efficiently organize, conduct, and interpret the results of experiments to ensure that as much useful information as possible is obtained by conducting a small number of trials. This minimizes the effects of the variables to increase the reliability of the results.

Here's how biological scientists use experimental design:

Collaborated with Lead Researchers with computer analysis/reports, experimental design/implementation for horticultural and agronomic research
Managed investigations from incident to CAPA closure including experimental design, collaboration with team members, and organizing and reporting results.

5 Biological Scientist resume examples

Build a professional biological scientist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 5+ resume templates to create your biological scientist resume.

Create my resume

Build a professional resume in minutes using this template.

What skills help Biological Scientists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on biological scientist resumes?

Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Chemistry, Director of Dual Degree Engineering, Meredith College

When I help students revise their resumes, I have them focus on transferable skills that they gained through their experiences. It may not necessarily be what students do that is important to companies, but their learned experience that students can take and apply in their new job. Students need to add a metric to their descriptions and how they have made an impact on a project, a job position, an organization, etc.

What hard/technical skills are most important for biological scientists?

Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Chemistry, Director of Dual Degree Engineering, Meredith College

This one is tough because it depends on the position! I think what is valuable for a chemist is being knowledgeable of working with instrumentation such as chromatography and mass spectrometry. Employees that are likely more attractive for a job position than another person have had the independent experience of working with instruments and can troubleshoot problems. Employees need to be able to explain the data that they obtained from an experiment and describe what the data mean. (Data is a plural term!) Problem-solving and critical thinking is very important for scientists.

What soft skills should all biological scientists possess?

Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Chemistry, Director of Dual Degree Engineering, Meredith College

From what I've heard (from employers), companies look for employees that they can work with. I know that sounds silly, but companies want employees that are team players and work well with other individuals and in groups. These employees also need to work independently when asked to work on a project. They need to be organized, reliable, and trustworthy. Employees also need to be able to communicate well by writing and speaking. They must be able to follow directions.

What biological scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Nicole Browning Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biology, Biology Coordinator, Brenau University

A gap year should be filled with efforts to gain hands-on experience in the specific job field the candidate is hoping to enter. This may include volunteer work, internships, shadowing, or research work. A great place to look for these opportunities is with faculty at your alma mater. Faculty are often looking for cheap (or free) labor from graduates in the form of TAs, research assistants, lab assistants, and so on. This can provide invaluable experience, make you more competitive in the job market, and allow the graduate with real-world experience to ensure this is the position (or not).

What type of skills will young biological scientists need?

Dr. Douglas Capone Ph.D.

Professor, University of Southern California

In addition to the essential skill set of an oceanographic discipline (biological, chemical, physical or geological fields) - being adaptable, having a breadth of knowledge and ability to cross disciplinary boundaries and communication skills e.g., the ability to talk to regulators, policymakers, and the general public will all help.

Do you want to know more?

List of biological scientist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a biological scientist resume and required skills for a biological scientist to have include:

Data Analysis
Cell Culture
RNA
Cell-Based Assays
Technical Reports
Western Blotting
Next-Generation Sequencing
DNA
Elisa
Public Health
Molecular Biology Techniques
Cell Lines
Research Projects
Extraction
Experimental Design
PowerPoint

Data Collection
Stem Cells
Data Entry
Animal Handling
Project Management
FDA
Profiling
Scientific Data
Statistical Analysis
Electrophoresis
Rna Extraction
GLP
PD
Data Management
Immunoassay
Genotyping

Equipment Maintenance
RT-PCR
Research Data
Harvest
Visualization
Lims
ISO
Analytical Methods
Real-Time PCR
New Assays
Lab Equipment
Biomarkers
RNAi
Research Efforts

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Biological Scientist
Biological Scientist Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs