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Biology research assistant skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Katina Lillios,

Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical biology research assistant skills. We ranked the top skills for biology research assistants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 5.4% of biology research assistant resumes contained laboratory equipment as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a biology research assistant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 biology research assistant skills for your resume and career

1. Laboratory Equipment

Here's how biology research assistants use laboratory equipment:

Operated laboratory equipment, including chemical reagents and provided animal care through feeding and cleaning.
Manage laboratory equipment, inventory, and grant information.

2. Laboratory Techniques

Here's how biology research assistants use laboratory techniques:

Ensured policy and procedure adherence when working with those learning laboratory techniques.
Analyzed biology samples and reported results through laboratory techniques and procedures.

3. Cell Culture

Here's how biology research assistants use cell culture:

Performed cell culture with proper sterile technique and various assays on numerous cell lines
Trained in BSL-2 tissue processing and aseptic cell culture.

4. Analyze Data

Analyze data or data analysis refers to the practice of studying, organizing, and transforming data to make it more useful. It also includes the cleansing of non-useful information which helps in better decision making regarding any particular matter. Analyze data is a practice that is used widely in the field of business, social sciences, and science.

Here's how biology research assistants use analyze data:

Retrieve, organize and analyze data.
Analyze data using Excel, Access, and SPSS.

5. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how biology research assistants use data collection:

Developed spreadsheet for data collection and analysis using Microsoft Excel.
Assisted in experimental design, set-up, data collection and analysis

6. Animal Handling

Here's how biology research assistants use animal handling:

Experience with live animal handling and care with rats.
Performed marineanimal handling, restraint, feeding, physical exams, clinical treatment, and necropsy.

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7. Research Projects

Here's how biology research assistants use research projects:

Managed tissue culture projects, assisted post-doctoral fellows with specified research projects, managed daily laboratory activities and supply requirements.
Worked to develop independent research projects, conduct pilot experiments, and alter experiments according to data collected.

8. Tissue Culture

Here's how biology research assistants use tissue culture:

Designed and constructed new tissue culture room.
Performed tissue culture, DNA gel electrophoresis, Southern transfer procedure, preparation of radioactive DNA probes for gel hybridization

9. Lab Equipment

Here's how biology research assistants use lab equipment:

Assembled graphs/presentations of data collected and operated lab equipment such as imaging machines and fluorescent imaging machines.
Trained in the use of lab equipment, sample collection, slide preparation, dissecting and light microscopy.

10. Laboratory Procedures

Here's how biology research assistants use laboratory procedures:

Maintained an organized notebook with documented laboratory procedures and observations.
Maintained and updated laboratory procedures and notebooks as needed.

11. Data Analysis

Here's how biology research assistants use data analysis:

Prepared weekly written reports, compiled data analysis, and formulated conclusions.
Provided data analysis in tabular and spreadsheet formats.

12. PowerPoint

Here's how biology research assistants use powerpoint:

Worked in designing and developing advanced experiments using PowerPoint and Excel.
Created Georgia Southern University Biological Science display using Microsoft PowerPoint.

13. Lab Notebook

Here's how biology research assistants use lab notebook:

Recorded results in lab notebook for reporting to lab supervisor.
Develop protocols, ordering, maintain Lab notebooks and records.

14. 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 biology research assistants use dna:

Performed lab assistant activities including preparing solutions, DNA extraction, DNA sequencing preparation
Gained experience in molecular biology including PCR and DNA sequencing

15. Extraction

Here's how biology research assistants use extraction:

Helped train in new volunteers, undergrad researchers and graduate students on extraction and PCR techniques.
Performed protein extraction on larvae.

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What skills help Biology Research Assistants find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on biology research assistant resumes?

Katina Lillios

Professor, Department Chair, The University of Iowa

While the precise skills that are desired depend on the job, there are some that all graduates from an Anthropology program should work on developing. These include experience contributing to group projects, collaborating with diverse communities, strong communication and writing skills, versatility, and mastery of a specialized skill, such as GIS, a foreign language, statistics, and other digital technologies.

What soft skills should all biology research assistants possess?

Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology, Paine College

Flexibility, Communication, Leadership, Team work, thorough understanding of underlying concepts for biological principles, etc., are required for Biology students.

What hard/technical skills are most important for biology research assistants?

Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology, Paine College

I would say knowledge of Biological Techniques, about following the protocols for the ease of use, Experimental plan and design, Research Protocols, Analytical methods, etc.

What biology research assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Christopher Herren Ph.D.

Teaching Assistant Professor, Kansas State University

For a gap year, get a job related to your major.

What type of skills will young biology research assistants need?

Scott Cooper Ph.D.

Professor of Biology and Director of Undergraduate Research and Creativity, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Students will need traditional lab skills, good record keeping, and the ability to do calculations in the lab and clinical settings. All jobs are using more technology, so facility with programs and databases is essential.

What technical skills for a biology research assistant stand out to employers?

Tawnya Cary Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology, Beloit College

The ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively are important skills to develop. These have always been true for most any employer, but in light of the pandemic, they are even more vital. Technically, this means that you need to be able to manage video conferencing platforms, and be able to effectively share information whether via a digital database or presentation. Specifically in biology, employers need scientists that are diligent, detail-oriented, and inquisitive, whether they are collecting data in the lab or the field.

Do you want to know more?

List of biology research assistant skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a biology research assistant resume and required skills for a biology research assistant to have include:

Laboratory Equipment
Laboratory Techniques
Cell Culture
Analyze Data
Data Collection
Animal Handling
Research Projects
Tissue Culture
Lab Equipment
Laboratory Procedures
Data Analysis
PowerPoint
Lab Notebook
DNA
Extraction
Statistical Analysis

RNA
Chemistry
Cell Biology
Genotyping
GEL Electrophoresis
Protein Expression
PI
RT-PCR
Molecular Biology Techniques
Electrophoresis
Biological Research
Tissue Samples
Elisa
Experimental Data
CRISPR
Western Blotting

Cell-Based Assays
R
Experimental Design
Rna Extraction
Independent Research
Cell Lines
Zebrafish
Next-Generation Sequencing
Research Support
HPLC
GPS
SDS-PAGE
Centrifuges
Stem Cells
Drosophila
Quantitative Pcr

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.

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