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Post-doctoral scientist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Robin Verble,

Richard Boyatzis Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical post-doctoral scientist skills. We ranked the top skills for post-doctoral scientists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 8.0% of post-doctoral scientist resumes contained research projects as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a post-doctoral scientist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 post-doctoral scientist skills for your resume and career

1. Research Projects

Here's how post-doctoral scientists use research projects:

Provided cell biology technical support and instruction for research projects of novel cloned human genes function with colleagues of other departments.
Collaborated with faculty members on research and assisted in the completion of research projects.

2. Molecular Biology

Here's how post-doctoral scientists use molecular biology:

Managed and trained 15+ students in molecular biology and animal handling, behavior, and surgical techniques.
Travel Award from the Keystone symposia for attending Molecular Biology of Bone diseases (1999).

3. PI

PI is the execution of all research's components such as preparation, conduction, and administration.

Here's how post-doctoral scientists use pi:

Facilitate communication between PI and collaborators.
Managed day to day operations of a developmental biology lab at a major university under the direct supervision of a PI.

4. 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 post-doctoral scientists use rna:

Studied m-RNA and micro RNA profile of patient thymus samples and identified several target genes and deregulated micro RNAs.
Obtained direct biochemical evidence that the human Sfn protein is both a RNA and DNA-specific 3' to 5' exonuclease.

5. Cell Biology

Here's how post-doctoral scientists use cell biology:

Screened 70,000 small molecules in robotic HTS format at the ICCB (Institute of Chemistry and Cell Biology).
Utilize biochemical, genetic, molecular and cell biology skills to conduct experiments.

6. Cell Culture

Here's how post-doctoral scientists use cell culture:

Developed a novel micro-textured, thermo-responsive cell culture substrates for cell sheet engineering.
Investigated the role of novel modulators of Parkinson's Disease (PD) pathology using mammalian cell culture and Drosophila.

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7. CRISPR

Here's how post-doctoral scientists use crispr:

Established working protocols for targeted genome editing using CRISPR technology.
Completed mice handling training and currently using CRISPR technology to knockout genes in cell lines.

8. Flow Cytometry

Flow cytometry (FC) is a procedure used to recognize and gauge the physical and compound attributes of a populace of cells or particles. In this cycle, an example containing cells or particles is suspended in a liquid and infused into the stream cytometer instrument. Stream cytometry is a research center technique used to recognize, distinguish, and check explicit cells. This technique can likewise distinguish specific parts inside cells. This data depends on actual attributes and additionally markers called antigens on the phone surface or inside cells that are special to that phone type.

Here's how post-doctoral scientists use flow cytometry:

Flow cytometry, 12 years 2.
Purify lymphocytes from human clinical samples and analyze populations of interest using specific cell markers using Multichannel Flow Cytometry.

9. Data Analysis

Here's how post-doctoral scientists use data analysis:

Configured newly acquired two-photon system and developed signal processing Matlab code for data analysis.
Experienced in mass spectrometry data analysis using various software tools - Biopharmalynx, Mass Hunter, PLGS etc.

10. 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 post-doctoral scientists use python:

Implemented a family of python scripts to ensure stability and reliability of particle accelerator data.
Automated precision orbit determination process using Python scripting language to generate orbit products in timely manner without human intervention.

11. Research Findings

Here's how post-doctoral scientists use research findings:

Presented research findings at several scientific conferences.
Presented updated assay results to collaborators (Pfizer) and latest research findings at Keystone and ASCB Conferences, 2000.

12. Animal Models

Here's how post-doctoral scientists use animal models:

Studied mechanisms and biomarkers of immune-mediated hypersensitivity and autoimmune disease, and developed animal models and appropriate assays for such reactions.
Designed and carried out biomarker studies for various animal models for human cancer.

13. Scientific Journals

Here's how post-doctoral scientists use scientific journals:

Compiled, analyzed, and presented research at scientific meetings while writing manuscripts for scientific journals.
Write manuscripts based on data generated for publication in high impact scientific journals.

14. 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 post-doctoral scientists use elisa:

Developed high sensitivity ELISA to measure BoNTA proteolytic activity.
Conducted research in the epidemiology of Bluetongue virus in China using ELISA, PCR, serum neutralization reaction and so on.

15. Drug Discovery

Drug Discovery, in the scientific fields of medicine and pharmacology, refers to the exploration and discovery of new and effective medicinal substances and compounds, most usually through years of dedicated research and a large number of studies, conducted tests, and revisions.

Here's how post-doctoral scientists use drug discovery:

Performed oncology drug discovery for brain and skin cancers in high throughput platforms.
Supported early drug discovery and Daclizumab programs by performing MOA studies.

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What skills help Post-Doctoral Scientists find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on post-doctoral scientist resumes?

Dr. Robin Verble

Professor, Missouri University of Science and Technology

I think we will continue to see remotely staffed positions, more environmental health positions opening up as employers start to consider their workplace safety on a finer level, and a renewed interest in creating outdoor spaces for public use, which will generate jobs in a variety if ways.

What soft skills should all post-doctoral scientists possess?

Richard Boyatzis Ph.D.

Distinguished University Professor, H.R. Horvitz Chair of Family Business, Case Western Reserve University

The technical skills are clearly knowledge of the brain, neural networks, and imaging techniques. Technical skills needed include research design skills, operating skills for fMRI, EEG, at the minimum. Technical skills in using CARAT and other neural data processing software.

What hard/technical skills are most important for post-doctoral scientists?

Richard Boyatzis Ph.D.

Distinguished University Professor, H.R. Horvitz Chair of Family Business, Case Western Reserve University

The most crucial skills for determining effectiveness as a researcher or faculty are emotional and social intelligence skills.

What post-doctoral scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Neal Palmer Ph.D.

Chair, Associate Professor, Christian Brothers University

The answer to that question likely won't change from pre- to post-pandemic. Southern cities such as Nashville and Memphis were booming before the pandemic, and that will likely continue. These are good places to find jobs because the cost of living is relatively low, there are vibrant culture and entertainment, and there is not as much college-educated competition for jobs as in larger cities.

What type of skills will young post-doctoral scientists need?

Scott Gronert Ph.D.

Dean of the College of Letters and Science, University of Wisconsin

As always, students need an excellent understanding of the fundamentals of Chemistry to be successful, but employers are asking for graduates also to bring strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in teams. They can teach new employees techniques, but they are not prepared to develop their soft skills set.

What technical skills for a post-doctoral scientist stand out to employers?

Shahir Rizk Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Indiana University South Bend and Indiana University School of Medicine

Any research experience will be an important asset to have as you go into the job market. Beyond the ability to conduct and design experiments, it shows that you have had experience in problem-solving, analytical skills. Another very important aspect is writing and oral communication. In virtually all sectors of science jobs, the ability to communicate information to different levels of audiences is crucial to success. In some cases, experience in business administration or public policy can be an added benefit to success in scientific fields.

Do you want to know more?

List of post-doctoral scientist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a post-doctoral scientist resume and required skills for a post-doctoral scientist to have include:

Research Projects
Molecular Biology
PI
RNA
Cell Biology
Cell Culture
CRISPR
Flow Cytometry
Data Analysis
Python
Research Findings
Animal Models
Scientific Journals
Elisa
Drug Discovery

Research Results
Stem Cells
NIH
DNA
Molecular Mechanisms
Immunotherapy
Next-Generation Sequencing
Animal Handling
C++
Cell Lines
Extraction
Protein Expression
Adaptive
Autism
Biomarkers

Cancer Research
Scientific Articles
FACS
Experimental Data
Mass Spectrometry
Western Blotting
Synthesis
Gene Expression
T-Cell
Blot
Cancer Cells
Statistical Analysis
RT-PCR
LC-MS
Profiling

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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