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Research internship skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

William K. Kroen Ph.D.,

Harriet Phinney Ph.D.

One of the most important hard skills a research intern can possess is knowledge of programming languages such as Python or C++. Programming skills are highly marketable, and will give research interns the edge up on other candidates. It's also important for research interns to have the hard skill of data analysis.

When it comes to soft skills, research interns benefit from strong written and verbal communication skills, especially in research internships involving writing. Research interns need to be great at taking direction as well, so good listening skills are also crucial.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical research internship skills. We ranked the top skills for research interns based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.9% of research internship resumes contained python as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a research internship needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 research internship skills for your resume and career

1. 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 research interns use python:

Developed software for simulating experiments and classifying Radio Map data for indoor localization using Python and Java.
Completed and presented a quantitative analysis of gentrification and home-values among diverse neighborhoods using R and Python.

2. 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 research interns use c++:

Developed several applications in C++ and Delphi implementing numerical methods for solving partial differential equations describing processes in Thermodynamics.
Debugged C++ programs to reverse engineer mathematical algorithms.

3. Research Intern

A research internship is a type of program where a student must render a time or hours of work in a particular research company or any related field. Usually, it takes place when a student is about to finish his/her college career. Some of the tasks include having the skill to research work because they will mostly do a lot of data collection, surveys, reports, and developing a new product.

Here's how research interns use research intern:

Research Internship Provided corporate real estate market analysis & commercial real estate research services for this premier professional non-profit association.
Research Intern: Managed electronic database and administered phone screenings for study of biological markers of breast cancer

4. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how research interns use java:

Developed algorithms to partition large networks into sub-networks and communities in Java.
Developed a good understanding of event driven architecture and Java Messaging System.

5. 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 interns use data collection:

Performed data collection, data entry, maintenance of lab protocols including documenting activities while maintaining data integrity and security.
Collaborated with leaders and community stakeholders to identify most desirable methods for data collection for neighborhoods in Baltimore City.

6. Data Analysis

Here's how research interns use data analysis:

Performed literature reviews, data entry/analysis, qualitative interview transcription, participant screening, and secondary data analysis for honors thesis.
Created a comprehensive report on the evolution of perception of the DukeEngage program; employed qualitative data analysis and statistical data analysis

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7. Facebook

Here's how research interns use facebook:

Conducted a psychology experiment using Facebook profiles and DMDX subliminal messaging software.
Researched and compiled resources for the community of participating writers * Managed social media posts and responses through Twitter and Facebook

8. 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 interns use r:

Conducted antibody screening via ELISA to test efficacy of a developing vaccine prototype and implemented database management platforms R and MATLAB
Performed environmental data analysis in Excel and R, with additional experience in EPA government database management and processing.

9. PowerPoint

Here's how research interns use powerpoint:

Analyzed trends within the box office over several decades and displayed data concisely implementing Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint.
Generated extensive databases tracking labor trends in North America and used PowerPoint to create presentations incorporating the information.

10. Cell Culture

Here's how research interns use cell culture:

Assisted in fluorescence resonance energy transfer/fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to investigate conformation of target mutated Syntaxin-4 in live cell culture.
Formulated cell culture medium to replicate the injury to mammalian respiratory epithelium due to chronic exposure to cigarette smoke.

11. TensorFlow

Here's how research interns use tensorflow:

Implemented, trained and tested RNN for Chinese word segmentation in Tensorflow, achieving 96% accuracy.
Used deep learning frameworks, such as Tensorflow and Theano, to implement model.

12. Statistical Analysis

Here's how research interns use statistical analysis:

Performed behavioral testing on primates, including task administration, compilation of data, statistical analysis and overall presentation of results.
Conducted statistical analysis of three STI/HIV related screening tests to determine potential causes for increased infection rates among resident populations.

13. Literature Reviews

Here's how research interns use literature reviews:

Performed experiments, collected and analyzed data, executed literature review, developed a presentation and produced an experimental lab.
Conducted literature review concerning health information technology and investigated the tracking and reporting of chronic disease management in primary care.

14. Supervised Learning

Here's how research interns use supervised learning:

Processed a non-linear time series using the concept of supervised learning and back propagation in Artificial Neural Networks.
Evaluated and implemented various supervised learning algorithms to select the best fit for this use case.

15. Research Data

Here's how research interns use research data:

Scheduled exercise tests and managed the laboratory calendar* Performed graded exercise tests* Collected and organized research data* Developed and conducted undergraduate research
Utilized radio telemetry equipment to monitor radio-marked quail and roadrunners; encoded research data into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and CyberTracker.

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What skills help Research Interns find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on research internship resumes?

William K. Kroen Ph.D.

Professor of Biology, Wesley College

Internships and "real world" research experiences always stand out for employers and graduate schools; that's one of the major reasons that Delaware has a vibrant summer research network. Unfortunately, many of these experiences were closed last summer due to the pandemic. Who knows about June 2021.

What soft skills should all research internships possess?

Harriet Phinney Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Seattle University

Understanding human diversity, effective communication (speaking and writing: the ability to convey complex ideas respectfully to a diverse audience) across differences, adept at working in groups, yet also independent thinkers.

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

Harriet Phinney Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Seattle University

Empirical data collection: Research skills for collecting original data, analyzing the data, writing up the information collected, and presenting it in a professional manner.

What research internship 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 internships need?

Flor E. Acevedo Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, The Pennsylvania State University

Flexibility, teamwork, resilience. They need to be good at what they do.

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

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

Python
C++
Research Intern
Java
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Facebook
R
PowerPoint
Cell Culture
TensorFlow
Statistical Analysis
Literature Reviews
Supervised Learning
Research Data
Augmented Reality

SPSS
Research Findings
SQL
Distributed Computing
Research Results
Feature Selection
Analyze Data
RT-PCR
Research Paper
Market Research
Public Health
Research Study
Research Reports
DNA
Qualitative Data
Quantum Computing

Stata
Linux
B Testing
Twitter
Survey Data
RNA
PI
GEL Electrophoresis
Electrophoresis
SAS
Summer Research
Laser Cutting
Poster Presentation
Symposium
Cryptography

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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