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Research biologist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Katina Lillios,

Joseph Kezele

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical research biologist skills. We ranked the top skills for research biologists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.6% of research biologist resumes contained laboratory equipment as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a research biologist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 research biologist skills for your resume and career

1. Laboratory Equipment

Here's how research biologists use laboratory equipment:

Perform general maintenance on laboratory equipment and troubleshoot where necessary.
Provided expertise for various laboratory equipment maintenance and calibration.

2. Research Projects

Here's how research biologists use research projects:

Managed all aspects of protocol driven research projects conducted under Standard Operating Procedures and the Good Laboratory Practices guidelines.
Designed experiments, performed rodent surgeries, administered compounds and collected tissue/fluid samples for various research projects.

3. Molecular Biology

Here's how research biologists use molecular biology:

Used skills in data evaluation and interpretation and practical knowledge of molecular biology analysis software and databases.
Evaluated and implemented new state-of-the-art molecular biology methodologies and DNA purification technologies adaptable to high throughput testing.

4. Cell Lines

Here's how research biologists use cell lines:

Developed stable cell lines used for multiple projects to screen for active compounds.
Coordinated generation and development of all new cell lines for screening.

5. 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 biologists use r:

Identified systematic errors in electronic medical record using a combination of SQL queries and R visualizations.
Maintain a statistical database utilizing R programming for scientific analyses.

6. Research Findings

Here's how research biologists use research findings:

Published first author original research articles in peer reviewed scientific journals and presented research findings at national conferences.
Teach, create and implement with local staff research protocols, present research findings and recommendations.

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7. Experimental Procedures

Here's how research biologists use experimental procedures:

Coordinated and consulted effectively with the team members for various experimental procedures and streamlined research teamwork.
Conducted animal care and experimental procedures for hundreds of animals daily, including primates.

8. 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 biologists use assay development:

Assay development in biological fluids.
Bioassay development for pre-clinical toxicity testing for product ingredients, formulations, and prototype testing

9. Biomarkers

Biomarkers, also known as biological markers, are measurable characteristics of a body that tells or describes one's condition. They play a significant role in the medical field as they can help physicians diagnose and treat different kinds of medical issues and concerns. Biomarkers may also be associated with blood pressure, cholesterol levels, x-rays, scan results, blood and urine tests, and body mass index.

Here's how research biologists use biomarkers:

Designed primers/probes and performed TaqMan analysis of biomarkers and interested genes for Target identification.
Research focused on discovering biomarkers and mechanisms of action for novel therapeutic agents.

10. 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 biologists use fda:

Supported COX-2 franchise and submitted annual non-clinical pharmacology updates to regulatory group for FDA submission.
Ensured facilities and personnel compliance with FDA and OSHA guidelines and regulations.

11. RT-PCR

Here's how research biologists use rt-pcr:

Use of BLAST to generate primers pairs for RT-PCR and Ribonuclease Protection assays.
Conducted immunological testing and RT-PCR to assist research in pregnancy and ovarian cancer.

12. Statistical Analysis

Here's how research biologists use statistical analysis:

Implemented quality control techniques that maintained an environment conducive for bio-statistical analysis for all stages of their life cycle.
Performed statistical analysis using gene expression software, Spotfire and proprietary analysis tools.

13. 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 research biologists use data collection:

Performed laboratory experiments requiring data collections and entry of such data.
Reviewed data collection for accuracy and consistency.

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 research biologists use elisa:

Screened antibodies and optimized conditions for an indirect ELISA used to characterize a vaccine product.
Designed and executed various troubleshooting experiments to enhance the quality of various ELISA assays.

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 research biologists use drug discovery:

Directed the facility's automated drug discovery operations and high throughput screening robotics laboratory, overseeing 3 scientists.
Drug discovery research for anti-parasite and insecticide products.

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What skills help Research Biologists find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on research biologist 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 research biologists possess?

Joseph Kezele

Associate Professor of Biology, Arizona Christian University

The ability to think and reason logically. Too many young people cannot do so because they were spoon-fed and then expected to regurgitate that back.

What hard/technical skills are most important for research biologists?

Joseph Kezele

Associate Professor of Biology, Arizona Christian University

Microscope work

What research biologist 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 research biologists need?

Meredith O'Hara Ph.D.

Associate Dean at College of Science and Engineering, Houston Baptist University

Regardless of principal or career interest, computer literacy is undoubtedly an imperative skill in today's workforce, and likely this won't change, even after Zoom and other virtual platforms are no longer a necessity for our safety. Even biologists need to be computer savvy to search online databases for protocols and previous research articles, analyze experimental data, and present data in a concise, accurate, and visually-pleasing ways. Another skill biologists will always need is the ability to think independently and collaboratively. This may sound contradictory, but as much as scientists and doctors work independently, their ability and willingness to collaborate is just as important. This becomes even more crucial during times like this when we are facing so many unknowns.

What technical skills for a research biologist 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 research biologist skills to add to your resume

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

Laboratory Equipment
Research Projects
Molecular Biology
Cell Lines
R
Research Findings
Experimental Procedures
Assay Development
Biomarkers
FDA
RT-PCR
Statistical Analysis
Data Collection
Elisa
Drug Discovery
Cell Culture
Data Analysis

Technical Reports
Field Testing
GLP
GPS
Biotechnology
Animal Models
Biological Samples
GIS
Immunology
EPA
Immunoassay
Clinical Research
Clinical Trials
CDC
Diabetes
Blot
Tissue Culture

IV
Molecular Techniques
Stem Cells
Target Validation
HPLC
Electrophoresis
Bioassays
GMP
Rna Extraction
Enzymes
QC
Blood Collection
PowerPoint
Genotyping
Gene Expression

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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