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Physical scientist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.,

Dennis Doverspike Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical physical scientist skills. We ranked the top skills for physical scientists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 23.4% of physical scientist resumes contained chemistry as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a physical scientist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 physical scientist skills for your resume and career

1. Chemistry

Chemistry is the branch of science that tells us about the composition, properties, and structure of elements and compounds. The processes these elements undergo and how they undergo change all come under the branch of chemistry.

Here's how physical scientists use chemistry:

Supervised the Organic Chemistry (OC) and Environmental Chemistry (EC) functional groups.
Operated mobile XRF unit for dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis in support of research chemistry work.

2. Environmental Compliance

Environmental compliance means to fulfill official environmental requirements. It comprises environmental rules, laws, and regulations, and permits regarding which sites to operate. Environmental concerns have raised compliances across the globe. Environmental compliance includes managing and monitoring the required permits for correct parameters, performing and processing calculations, generate daily compliance reports, and record data with compliance to any risk alert

Here's how physical scientists use environmental compliance:

Avoided potential environmental damage and penalties from environmental regulators by coordinating environmental compliance assessments.
Served on higher headquarters environmental compliance assessment team at Kirtland AFB.

3. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how physical scientists use dod:

Served as TEC liaison to DoD and intelligence community, coordinating collaboration and providing support.
Co-hosted a Joint Chiefs of Staff meeting on coordinate systems used in DoD.

4. Hazardous Waste

Here's how physical scientists use hazardous waste:

Developed Operation and Maintenance Plans, Best Management Practices, and Standard Operation Procedures for hazardous waste operations.
Performed tech duties including hazardous waste disposal and proper disposal of chemicals.

5. Research Projects

Here's how physical scientists use research projects:

Performed statistical and numerical modeling research projects in the field of hydrology.
Participated in numerous environmental research projects worldwide.

6. 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 physical scientists use technical reports:

Managed and reviewed project budgets, resources, funds, and technical reports.
Maintained environmental recordkeeping systems up to date.-Prepared and reviewed technical reports to comply with local and federal regulations.

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7. DOE

DOE, DOX, or design of experiments is a term used to refer to a part of applied statistics whose main focus is to conduct and observe controlled tests with the ultimate goal of understanding and explaining how information and results might vary under different hypotheses and circumstances and how such variables affect the results and tests. Design of experiments is used in marketing, politics, various sciences, and, of course, experiments.

Here's how physical scientists use doe:

Created critical documents for DOE, RCRA permit, and WIPP Environmental Monitoring/Hydrology group by researching regulatory requirements and administrative record.
Worked directly with DOE program office on the qualification and compatibility of polymer-carbon composites.

8. 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 physical scientists use data collection:

Improved data collection, archiving, analysis and production; drafted user manuals/operator training.
Conducted dredging and oceanographic research studies including field data collection and documentation of results.

9. Interagency

Here's how physical scientists use interagency:

Represented the USAPHC in departmental and interagency workgroups and committees.

10. EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a US-based organization established to sustain and improve the environmental and human health standards across the United States. EPA was established by US President Richard Nixon by executive order in December 1970. The EPA formulates laws and releases guidelines to promote the health of individuals and the ecosystem.

Here's how physical scientists use epa:

Authored technical review correspondences to EPA and co-authored sections of several articles and reports.
Analyze potential new cases and determine if the EPA should take enforcement action.

11. Data Analysis

Here's how physical scientists use data analysis:

Research in Experimental Physics focused on Computing and Data analysis using C++/Linux
Coded macros, modeled, and applied several graphing techniques for data analysis and interpretation.

12. Remote Sensing

Here's how physical scientists use remote sensing:

Collect supporting data such as climatic and field survey data to corroborate remote sensing data analyses.
Lead Instructor of USACE Remote Sensing training classes.

13. Python

Python is a widely-known programming language. It is an object-oriented and all-purpose, coding language that can be used for software development as well as web development.

Here's how physical scientists use python:

Integrated an XML parser into an open source project for reading in data in a specified XML format using python.

14. Visualization

Here's how physical scientists use visualization:

Managed the installation and testing of new satellite data visualization software within the Division and provide training to users.
Devised numerous processing and data visualization tools for analysis and assessment of multi-beam data quality.

15. Technical Support

Technical support or tech support are the services provided by any hardware or software company to users. They help in solving the technical difficulties the customers face with their products or services. Moreover, the tech support employees maintain, manage, and repair the IT faults. They are also responsible for resolving the network problems, installing and configuring hardware and software.

Here's how physical scientists use technical support:

Staff geologist providing geological, hydrological and risk assessment technical support to the Environmental Restoration Program of the Nevada Operations Office.
Provided technical support to other divisions with HTS optimization, target identification and cell-based assay development.

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What skills help Physical Scientists find jobs?

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

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

Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.

Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Quinnipiac University

The first and foremost would be Critical Thinking. We live in a world where facts can be easily acquired, sometimes even by asking Siri/Alexa/ChatGPT/Google/etc. But critical thinking is timeless and priceless. I can ask anyone on the street what xyz is and they can look it up, but can they provide advice or interpret.

Also being a good steward towards science and being willing and able to communicate not just with peers as we are trained, but also with the public, the politicians, the board members. John Holdren*, stated that Scientists should be tithing at least 10 percent of their time to public service ... including activism. In the ever growing science denialism that is happening in our country being able to communicate science with the public is important. As Peter Hotaz states, "Anti-science propaganda is "killing Americans in unprecedented numbers,""

*Holdren is an American scientist who served as the senior advisor to President Barack Obama on science and technology issues through his roles as assistant to the president for science and technology, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and a Research Professor in Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government

What type of skills will young physical scientists need?

Dennis Doverspike Ph.D.

Chief People Scientist, Doverspike Consulting/HR LItehouse

Seemingly a paradox, there will continue to be a need for very general, but highly fungible, skills and demand for too specialized skills, requiring advanced education. Coding, statistics, and data analysis related skills will remain a hot growth area. The aging of the baby boomers will create demand for medical and healthcare-related regions, especially nursing, nursing aides, and emergency services. Despite the automation of many people facing jobs, there will continue to be a demand for interpersonal and people skills, including various types of sales. The switch to remote work, due to COVID, will create a substantial future market to fill the leadership and managerial skills gap. In many areas of Technology and engineering, it is already challenging to find a combination of technical knowledge and people skills, and this demand will intensify.

What technical skills for a physical scientist stand out to employers?

Daniel Greenwood Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor, Director, Human Performance Center, The University of Memphis

Given the broader work landscape, the ability to understand your skills and how they translate across contexts is more important than ever. It is adaptability, problem solving, and the fundamental skill to 'get things done' which are valued. The technical skills only get you in the door, the personal skills are the ones that differentiate you from your peers.

What soft skills should all physical scientists possess?

Chandralekha Singh

Professor, University of Pittsburgh

Agility and adaptability are very important since job specifications can change quickly. Recent graduates must enjoy learning new content as well as skills. Soft skills such as the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing are very important for all graduates. Good communication skills can make an employee indispensable particularly if the person has the ability to communicate effectively not only with the team members but also with those with less technical knowledge of relevant issues. Moreover, leadership skills and ability to work effectively with others on a team is extremely important. Always being willing to help the team members in difficult circumstances and making sure the team meets the goals within the allocated time can make an individual a valued member of the team. In addition to technical competence, taking initiative and always being willing to brainstorm with colleagues and think critically about important issues can be valuable. Moreover, self-regulation and time management skills can help greatly. Being caring and empathetic and supportive of colleagues can make the work environment fun and productive.

Do you want to know more?

List of physical scientist skills to add to your resume

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

Chemistry
Environmental Compliance
DOD
Hazardous Waste
Research Projects
Technical Reports
DOE
Data Collection
Interagency
EPA
Data Analysis
Remote Sensing

Python
Visualization
Technical Support
GIS
USGS
Hazardous Materials
Water Quality
Technical Assistance
Laboratory Reports
Environmental Data
GPS
Air Quality

R
Government Agencies
ArcGIS
Environmental Policy
Water ACT
Geotechnical
Linux
Cultural Resources
NWS
HQ
Sops

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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