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Research biochemist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Christopher Nygren Ph.D.,

Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical research biochemist skills. We ranked the top skills for research biochemists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 15.6% of research biochemist resumes contained assay development as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a research biochemist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 research biochemist skills for your resume and career

1. Assay Development

Assay development is a process in molecular biology to test or measure the activity of a drug or biochemical substance in an organic sample or organism and to screen putative compounds to determine the interaction and/or modification of the target. The aim is to standardize the assay and to be able to use it repeatedly and reproducibly.

Here's how research biochemists use assay development:

Produced proteins in large scale for structure determination, HTS screens and in-vitro assay developments.
Supported basic research by providing high quality purified monoclonal antibodies from mammalian, hybridoma culture for preclinical development and assay development.

2. Protein Analysis

Here's how research biochemists use protein analysis:

Study Director for regulatory studies requiring detailed GLP protein analysis for submission to Global regulatory agencies.
Developed purification and characterization methods related to plant- and microbe-derived protein analysis and degradation.

3. R

R is a free software environment and a language used by programmers for statistical computing. The R programming language is famously used for data analysis by data scientists.

Here's how research biochemists use r:

Created R Shiny applications for variant analysis and data visualization to support complex queries, exploratory analysis, and result interpretation.
Explored generalized linear models and generalized additive models using R statistical software and ArcGIS software.

4. Research Projects

Here's how research biochemists use research projects:

Acquired Skills: Management: Designed and supervised independent research projects.
Performed statistical analyses for quantitative/qualitative research projects.

5. HPLC

Here's how research biochemists use hplc:

Conducted TNT extraction efficiency experiments using HPLC methodology.
Developed both a radioactive TCA precipitation and HPLC assays for the Insulin Receptor Activator program to quantify bound vs. unbound substrate.

6. Data Analysis

Here's how research biochemists use data analysis:

Worked extensively with data analysis/interpretation and presentation.
Train and supervise undergraduate students in study design, assay development and validation, experiments, and data analysis and interpretation.

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7. 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 research biochemists use elisa:

Performed ELISA assay platform optimization, validation, and transfer assessments to maximize quality and quantity of clinical trial data reporting.
Evaluated compounds for cancer research programs in the cell-based ECL and ELISA assays.

8. RT-PCR

Here's how research biochemists use rt-pcr:

Established single-cell nested RT-PCR technique.
Designed and optimized RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR assays.

9. Sops

A standard operating procedure or simply SOP is a particular operation that needs to be done in accordance with the rules and guidelines of a company or an industry. It is an important way for a company to run smoothly, especially in small businesses. It is like a practice wherein everything an individual or an employee is under a particular standard that is implemented.

Here's how research biochemists use sops:

Developed, optimized protocols and recorded SOPs.
Created SOPs for operation, CIP and troubleshooting of fermenters.

10. 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 research biochemists use rna:

Studied hormonal regulation of animal cell gene expression Purified and characterized yeast mitochondrial RNA polymerase
Sub-cloned and end-labeled neuropeptide cDNAs for use as templates for RNA probes in the ribonuclease protection assay.

11. SDS-PAGE

Here's how research biochemists use sds-page:

Characterized purified product by SDS-PAGE, Western blot and BCA/Bradford.
Ensured quality of purified protein by SEC-HPLC, SDS-PAGE and LAL analysis.

12. Cell Lines

Here's how research biochemists use cell lines:

Constructed monitor vectors to measure Flu virus replication in cell lines and established two 293 cell lines for Flu virus.
Established an indicating gene (SEAP) expressing method to detect delivered gene expression in cell lines and animals.

13. 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 research biochemists use dna:

Conducted recombinant DNA technology studies to support both HIV and Hepatitis A Vaccine programs.
Investigated DNA / protein homologies between species using DNA analysis software.

14. FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services that regulates the production and sale of food, pharmaceutical products, medical equipment, and other consumer goods, as well as veterinary medicine. The FDA is now in charge of overseeing the manufacture of products like vaccines, allergy treatments, and beauty products.

Here's how research biochemists use fda:

Prompt method development of protein aggregation assays, which enabled process and formulation groups to make FDA approved products.
Coordinated IQ/OQ/PQ testing for new equipment and maintenance of PQ testing as per FDA guidelines.

15. Analytical Assays

Here's how research biochemists use analytical assays:

Trouble shooting for Process and Manufacturing groups using analytical assays.
Support R&D efforts through development/implementation of analytical assays for small molecule drug candidates.

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What skills help Research Biochemists find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on research biochemist resumes?

Dr. Christopher Nygren Ph.D.

Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh

I think that languages stand out. Foreign languages (and let me be clear that I include computer coding languages here) teach people to think in new ways. Mastering another language requires one not only to contort their tongue to produce different sounds, but also to bend their mind to understand a different mode of thinking, a different grammatical structure. Human thought is produced according to a stunning variety of grammatical structures and being able to think beyond the one you grew up with is, I believe, one of the keys to creativity.

What soft skills should all research biochemists 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 hard/technical skills are most important for research biochemists?

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 research biochemist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Karen McNeal Ph.D.

Assistant Department Chair, Geology, Auburn University

I would say getting familiar with how to process Big data and enhance GIS skills would be potential skill areas to continue to build up. There are some online courses one could l take without being enrolled in graduate/undergraduate programs to continue to build these skills (I do not have the plans offhand, but a google search would probably find some). Besides that, I would also say that trying to fine-tune communication skills about science to non-technical audiences would be good. If they are taking a gap year, use the opportunity to talk with the new people you are meeting about science in non-technical ways. See what works, what doesn't. Start building your confidence and experience doing so.

What type of skills will young research biochemists need?

Alice Deckert

Professor, Allegheny College

You might be better off asking employers this question. From what I have read, they are looking for people with good problem-solving skills, good teamwork skills, and good communication skills. These are all skills that we emphasize in all of our course work (not just Chemistry) at Allegheny College.

What technical skills for a research biochemist stand out to employers?

Dr. Bobby Burkes

Interim Department Head/Professor, Grambling State University

Technical skills in addition to having a full and thorough understanding of your area of expertise will be the ability to communicate interactively via computational systems and other communication platforms. The ability to communicate (convey and express ideas) in a direct and remote setting is becoming an essential asset. The ability interact with and possibly develop simulations of experimental design and process flow paths are also technical skills that are in demand in most industries.

Do you want to know more?

List of research biochemist skills to add to your resume

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

Assay Development
Protein Analysis
R
Research Projects
HPLC
Data Analysis
Elisa
RT-PCR
Sops
RNA
SDS-PAGE
Cell Lines
DNA

FDA
Analytical Assays
Enzymes
Biomarkers
Molecular Biology Techniques
QC
HPV
GMP
Clinical Trials
Gene Expression
Cell-Based Assays
HTS
Electrophoresis

Basic Research
Clinical Studies
GLP
Immunoassay
NMR
SAR
Clinical Samples
Hazardous Materials
Clinical Development
Pharmacokinetics
PowerPoint
Data Management
Lims

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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