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Research environmental scientist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

James Tinjum Ph.D.,

Dr. Pascale Biron Ph.D.

Research environmental scientist example skills

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical research environmental scientist skills. We ranked the top skills for research environmental scientists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 20.4% of research environmental scientist resumes contained data collection as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a research environmental scientist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 research environmental scientist skills for your resume and career

1. 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 environmental scientists use data collection:

Conducted data collection, analysis and interpretation- recorded, calculated and presented data to supervisor and program teams.
Performed data collection and analysis and prepared technical reports for ecological and water resource studies, environmental assessments and permit applications.

2. Data Analysis

Here's how research environmental scientists use data analysis:

Prepared field reports and data analysis for remedial construction projects.
Collaborated with principal and co-investigators in data analysis and interpretation, report writing and the presentation of findings.

3. GIS

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, managing and presenting various forms of geographic data.

Here's how research environmental scientists use gis:

Utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to develop interpretive maps and analyze data.
Advised and supported GIS technicians on actual field data to represent electronic data accurately.

4. Statistical Analysis

Here's how research environmental scientists use statistical analysis:

Performed statistical analysis, reported findings to investigators, and oral presentation of results.
Compiled and verified data for the statistical analysis of biosimilarity using JMP.

5. 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 research environmental scientists use technical reports:

Developed research plans and peer-reviewed several EPA documents, extramural technical reports and acted as a peer-reviewer for reputed scientific journals.
Prepared regulatory technical reports for activities including groundwater monitoring, monitored natural attenuation, corrective measure studies, and subsurface investigations.

6. Extraction

Here's how research environmental scientists use extraction:

Supervised the extraction and preparation of primary raw material components.
Use of Watson LIMS program for organization and tracking of sample extractions.

7. Water Quality

Here's how research environmental scientists use water quality:

Identify the sampling points and develop the potential water quality model.
Monitor the water quality from secondary effluent.

8. Environmental Issues

Environmental issues refer to a number of harmful events and effects as a result of human activity. This includes pollution, deforestation, endangering specific species, and any other issue caused by humans. Environmental issues are commonly studied by environmental organizations and research laboratories, one side providing the scientific evidence of humans' harmful effects and the other promoting the research and studies.

Here's how research environmental scientists use environmental issues:

Conducted an environmental research trip in China studying the environmental issues related to economic development, culture, and policies.
Coordinated and recommended best available technologies regarding environmental issues with other public and private agencies.

9. Environmental Data

Here's how research environmental scientists use environmental data:

Major clients included National Environmental Title Research and Banks Environmental Data.

10. Scientific Research

Here's how research environmental scientists use scientific research:

Worked with a team to conduct and translate environmental and scientific research.

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 research environmental scientists use independent research:

Conducted independent research with fellow students.

12. HPLC

Here's how research environmental scientists use hplc:

Validated cleaning verification method for residuals on production surfaces for pharmaceutical products using HPLC.
Coordinated HPLC analysts and Electron Microscopy preparation.

13. Analyze Data

Analyze data or data analysis refers to the practice of studying, organizing, and transforming data to make it more useful. It also includes the cleansing of non-useful information which helps in better decision making regarding any particular matter. Analyze data is a practice that is used widely in the field of business, social sciences, and science.

Here's how research environmental scientists use analyze data:

Used ArcGIS to analyze data for biases and trends.

14. Academic Research

Here's how research environmental scientists use academic research:

Navigate the Boundary Waters Canoe Area & Wilderness while conducting academic research.

15. Water Samples

Here's how research environmental scientists use water samples:

Prepared soil, organism, plant, and seawater samples for metal analyses for thesis data.
Analyze water samples from breeding sites.

What skills help Research Environmental Scientists find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on research environmental scientist resumes?

James Tinjum Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Program Director — Environmental and Energy Geotechnics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Active participation in undergraduate research opportunities, student organizations, and co-ops or internships with engineering firms tend to stand out. Many of our students are very active in the Geological Engineering Club, Engineers without Borders, the Society of Women Engineers, and the Department of Energy Wind Competition, to name a few.

What soft skills should all research environmental scientists possess?

Dr. Pascale Biron Ph.D.

Professor, Concordia University

Critical thinking skills to:
- understand the underlying processes relevant to environmental and sustainability sciences
- acquire and interpret analytical data
- understand physical processes of our planet and interpret data related to climate change and sustainable environmental management
- assess the situation within a given ecosystem in an integrated fashion

What hard/technical skills are most important for research environmental scientists?

Dr. Pascale Biron Ph.D.

Professor, Concordia University

- Geographical Information Systems, remote sensing, and geospatial data analysis
- Statistics
- Computer programming

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

Scott Johnson

Professor and Director, University of Maine

This would depend on the student's goals. If interested in working in the environmental industry: HAZWOPER training, obtaining a Professional Geologist certification, developing programming skills. The PG can be obtained through self-study to pass the exam; then, the experience is needed to receive official accreditation. HAZWOPER training can be obtained through short courses. Programming skills in many popular languages can be learned online and with freely available material on the internet. I'd also advocate for people getting work experience, if possible. On a general note, computer programming skills, math/physics knowledge, GIS/remote sensing, and UAV training are valuable ways to use a gap year. Students can do these things effectively from anywhere, as long as they have a computer. There are many online options and even apps to improve knowledge in these fields and are needed for what we do.

What type of skills will young research environmental scientists need?

Sami Mejri Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Science, Assistant Dean, Graduate Programs, Tiffin University

A college education is key to personal, professional, and intellectual growth and is considered one of the best vehicles for upward social mobility. However, in a globalized, interconnected, and ever-changing job market, a college degree is not enough. There is no guarantee that the graduate's first job will be directly related to their study areas. To this end, college graduates must be versatile in various domains and strive to acquire skills related to problem-solving, oral and written communication, and digital technology. Additionally, in a diverse workforce, graduates should embrace collaboration and teamwork, which require interpersonal skills and sensitivity to the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Do you want to know more?

List of research environmental scientist skills to add to your resume

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

Data Collection
Data Analysis
GIS
Statistical Analysis
Technical Reports
Extraction

Water Quality
Environmental Issues
Environmental Data
Scientific Research
Independent Research
HPLC

Analyze Data
Academic Research
Water Samples
GPS

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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