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Postdoctoral scholar skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Jeffrey Hughes,

Dr. Jeffrey Hughes

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical postdoctoral scholar skills. We ranked the top skills for postdoctoral scholars based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 10.0% of postdoctoral scholar resumes contained chemistry as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a postdoctoral scholar needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 postdoctoral scholar 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 postdoctoral scholars use chemistry:

Completed projects related to atmospheric chemistry, specializing in simulation of regional air quality and the impacts of energy conversion technologies.
Total Synthesis of Natural Products and Organic chemistry.

2. 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 postdoctoral scholars use python:

Developed a fully automated computational method for computing binding free-energies using semi-empirical quantum mechanics (MOPAC) in Python.
Implemented various object oriented libraries for text searching and calculation of biological information, using C++ / Perl / Python.

3. Patients

Here's how postdoctoral scholars use patients:

Reviewed literature, recorded and categorized medicinal plants collected from traditional healers who treat symptomatic HIV patients.
Conducted psycho-diagnostic testing and psychological assessment of acutely ill patients in a large inpatient state hospital.

4. Data Analysis

Here's how postdoctoral scholars use data analysis:

Used qualitative data collection techniques and data analysis.
Mentored and guided new graduate students on research methodologies, experiment design, equipment operation, and data analysis.

5. NIH

NIH stands for the National Institutes of Health. This organization oversees a series of research institutions, each focused on a different area of study involving anatomical systems or diseases. As the organization is affiliated with the government, a great deal of the funding institutions receive come from Congress.

Here's how postdoctoral scholars use nih:

Participated in experimental research proposals design and scientific writing of grants from NIH, USDA and California almond board.
Submitted 3 grant proposals to National Institutes of Health (NIH).

6. C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that is used to create high-performing applications. It was invented as an extension to the C language. C++ lets the programmer have a high level of domination over memory and system resources. C++ is an object-oriented language that helps you implement real-time issues based on different data functions

Here's how postdoctoral scholars use c++:

Developed a parallel framework to simulate and predict biological experiments involving NGS machines, using C++ and MPI.
Developed artificial intelligence software prototypes in C++ on IBM PC running under Windows.

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7. Mathematics

Here's how postdoctoral scholars use mathematics:

Helped students with homework (reading and mathematics) and fill out applications for both college and businesses.
Conducted original mathematics research with faculty in the department of mathematics at MIT.

8. Research Projects

Here's how postdoctoral scholars use research projects:

Performed independent computational research in biophysics and statistical mechanics, mentor and assist graduate students with computational tasks and research projects.
Discipline: developed research projects in areas of national interest reporting to appointed tutor

9. Cell Culture

Here's how postdoctoral scholars use cell culture:

Performed ATP assays and oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) experiments on cell cultures, with and without laser treatment.
Project#1: stem cell culture techniques and biological assays.

10. 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 postdoctoral scholars use data collection:

Created and implemented a campus-wide data collection system to monitor student matriculation patterns.
Work with developmentally challenged children and supervise data collection in clinical settings.

11. Independent Research

Independent research or study is an academic activity undertaken by a student with little or no supervision. In high schools or colleges, instructors sometimes assign a topic of research to a student and give them a free hand on how to research and how many hours to dedicate to that research to get an agreed amount of credits.

Here's how postdoctoral scholars use independent research:

Developed and conducted independent research on 10 Latino high school students in a low income community through interpersonal interviews.
Carried out independent research with HIV patient-activists, clinicians, government workers, and non-profit organizations on treatment access and adherence.

12. CRISPR

Here's how postdoctoral scholars use crispr:

Developed web software for researchers utilizing the gene editing biotechnology CRISPR, encompassingdatabase management, data visualization, and web design.
Established working protocols for targeted genome editing using CRISPR technology.

13. Synthesis

Synthesis refers to the process of combining a number of things to become something new. Depending on the field of work, this may mean combining ideas, products, and new influences into a new service or product. Overall, the process is focused on reviewing and analyzing different data points to make something new.

Here's how postdoctoral scholars use synthesis:

Design and synthesis of organic conjugated small molecules/polymers for solution processed solar cells.
Prepared DNA-binding organic molecules by solid-phase synthesis.

14. 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 postdoctoral scholars use rna:

Design novel techniques to control the behavior/morphology of mammalian cells using these engineered RNA molecules.
Total RNA isolation with RNA STAT-60 6.

15. 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 postdoctoral scholars use doe:

Lead a writing section of a proposal that was eventually funded by DOE.
Sponsor: US DOE and Korea Ministry of Knowledge Economy).

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What skills help Postdoctoral Scholars find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on postdoctoral scholar resumes?

Dr. Jeffrey Hughes

Deputy Director, University of St Andrews

Evidence of working between and across disciplinary boundaries. Evidence of new and innovative research premised on multiple disciplines. Evidence of synergies developed from combining one or more research disciplines.

What soft skills should all postdoctoral scholars possess?

Dr. Jeffrey Hughes

Deputy Director, University of St Andrews

The ability to communicate to academics and practitioners from out-with immediate disciplinary boundaries. The ability to listen to differing perspectives and work to understand differing perspectives through bridging knowledge gaps.

What hard/technical skills are most important for postdoctoral scholars?

Dr. Jeffrey Hughes

Deputy Director, University of St Andrews

This would be dependent upon the disciplines involved and would be hugely varied.

What postdoctoral scholar 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 postdoctoral scholars 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 postdoctoral scholar stand out to employers?

Sya Kedzior Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Towson University

The ability to understand technical or complex scientific processes and communicate that information with the public is one of the most attractive skills for an entry-level worker to possess. Many employers may not have staff skilled in the latest GIS technologies or social media trends. While the ability to use last year's software or network via Instagram might not seem particularly novel to recent graduates, these are skills less likely to be found in the workforce of even 10 years ago. Geographers are particularly well prepared for today's workforce because they've often had coursework across the "hard" and social sciences, along with training in technical skills (usually GIS or quantitative analysis) and written and oral communication skills. Another skill in high demand today is data collection and analysis. I often talk with potential employers who want to hire people who can develop and administer a public survey, and then analyze and write up the results. That requires understanding human behavior, public communication, and different forms of data analysis. But, these are skills that can be developed in perhaps only a few classes as part of a major or minor in Geography and other cognate fields.

Do you want to know more?

List of postdoctoral scholar skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a postdoctoral scholar resume and required skills for a postdoctoral scholar to have include:

Chemistry
Python
Patients
Data Analysis
NIH
C++
Mathematics
Research Projects
Cell Culture
Data Collection
Independent Research
CRISPR
Synthesis
RNA
DOE
Public Health

Animal Models
National Security
Statistical Analysis
Flow Cytometry
Patient Care
NMR
Stem Cells
Electron Microscopy
Experimental Design
Research Findings
Molecular Biology Techniques
Protein Expression
DNA
SEM
NSF
SAS

Java
Animal Handling
TEM
Immunofluorescence
Experimental Data
Western Blotting
Next-Generation Sequencing
Pathogens
Fortran
Biomarkers
SPSS
Raman
CFD
Literature Reviews
UK
Remote Sensing

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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