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Research specialist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Charlotte Kunkel,

Harriet Phinney Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical research specialist skills. We ranked the top skills for research specialists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 6.8% of research specialist resumes contained data collection as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a research specialist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 research specialist 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 specialists use data collection:

Collaborate with investigators to optimize CRF design, optimize quality data collection and ensure regulatory compliance; specialize in clinical trials.
Performed and mastered the procedures and processes required for non-intrusive biological research and data collection on whale shark behavior and social interactions

2. Patients

Here's how research specialists use patients:

Managed an Adult/Pediatric Outpatient Clinic that was once weekly to follow-up with any oncology/hematology patients in need of nutrition support.
Demonstrated the ability to deal with patients and insurance companies regarding sensitive financial matters and recaptured unpaid balances.

3. Research Projects

Here's how research specialists use research projects:

Participate in the development, coordination and execution of various research projects involving the development of colitis and its secondary effects.
Created the optimal conditions and background for the problem-free research projects ordering research supplies and communicating with scientific/biotechnology companies.

4. Data Analysis

Here's how research specialists use data analysis:

Carried out protocols pertaining to resuscitation in a swine model, assisted in data analysis, and designed/fabricated instrumentation.
Coached graduate students and junior associates in experimental design, execution, data analysis and interpretation.

5. Molecular Biology

Here's how research specialists use molecular biology:

Designed experiments, performed all assays in molecular biology and tissue culture, analyzed data and maintained laboratory records.
Conducted research project in immunology and molecular biology investigating the latency activation of Epstein - Barr virus.

6. Cell Culture

Here's how research specialists use cell culture:

Maintained cell culture lines and experiments using strict aseptic techniques for 10+ laboratory members without using anti-bacterial or anti-fungal agents.
Managed various established mammalian cell culture lines and general laboratory maintenance.

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7. PI

PI is the execution of all research's components such as preparation, conduction, and administration.

Here's how research specialists use pi:

Coordinate with PI's, Data Coordinating Centers and other data managers for various data-related tasks as needed.
Collaborated with PI and clients in the development of protocols and interpretation of results as needed.

8. Media Preparation

Here's how research specialists use media preparation:

Participated in laboratory maintenance activities such as sterilization and cleaning of equipment, ordering of supplies, inventory and media preparation.
Experienced in media preparation and DNA extraction.

9. 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 specialists use analyze data:

Analyze data/reports for over utilization/patterns/trends and billing practices and communicate results to the Chiropractic Consultant and Management.
Analyze data collected as part of program evaluations and develop reports, including program recommendations.

10. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how research specialists use data entry:

Coordinated data entry procedures necessary for the elimination of trucking reciprocity tax and subsequent refunds.
Solved numerous shareholder problems involving financial miscalculations and data entry errors.

11. Laboratory Equipment

Here's how research specialists use laboratory equipment:

Monitor the appropriate functioning of all laboratory equipment such as freezer, centrifuge, and computer software for daily laboratory operations.
Use computers to perform scientific experiments Maintain laboratory supplies Keep inventory using Excel spreadsheet program Maintain laboratory equipment

12. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how research specialists use customer service:

Interfaced daily providing excellent customer service via telephone, correspondence and email inquiries regarding plan benefits, eligibility and claim processing.
Coordinate activities with other internal Beacon Health Options departments to provide optimal customer service to network providers and internal customers.

13. 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 specialists use rna:

Addressed technical challenges, such as optimized purification of RNA from newly discovered microorganisms.
Assisted in surgical procedures on both rabbits and rats to obtain tissue specimens for RNA isolation for subsequent RT-PCR

14. Technical Support

Technical support or tech support are the services provided by any hardware or software company to users. They help in solving the technical difficulties the customers face with their products or services. Moreover, the tech support employees maintain, manage, and repair the IT faults. They are also responsible for resolving the network problems, installing and configuring hardware and software.

Here's how research specialists use technical support:

Assisted faculty with test construction and interpretation of test results and provided academic and administrative departments with personal computer technical support.
Provide regulatory oversight and technical support in the area of animal usage for laboratory personnel.

15. Research Findings

Here's how research specialists use research findings:

Presented research findings to faculty and presented data in poster form at the International Feline Retrovirus Research Symposium
Collaborated with senior management to implement programs and policies based on research findings.

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What skills help Research Specialists find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on research specialist resumes?

Dr. Charlotte Kunkel

Professor of Sociology, Luther College

The skills that will stand out on resumes are the ability to grapple with the complexities of a rapidly changing world, the ability to view the world from a critical perspective, and the ability to research social issues impacting society. It will also be an advantage to be able to critically analyze scholarship and synthesize sociological theory and ideas. Employers will be looking for skills to evaluate evidence and offer solutions. Sociology helps students to develop proficiency in the use of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, conduct scholarly research, gain proficiency in data analysis, and offer solutions at the root of social problems.

What soft skills should all research specialists 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 specialists?

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

Ben Brown

Professor, Ohio State University

Always the soft skills of holding a conversation and working with people, regardless of the pandemic.

What type of skills will young research specialists need?

Bart Elmore

Associate Professor of Environmental History, Ohio State University

There really is no profession that does not lean on history. Politicians speak of what the "Founding Fathers" believed in trying and getting legislation passed. Business leaders have to look back at old annual reports and financial records to understand economic trends and predict problems that might arise in the future. Even doctors have to learn how to examine health data compiled decades ago to understand how best to treat their patients. I'm not sure people think of history this way, but the truth is, knowing how to digest historical data and translate it into useful information that can help guide decisions in the present is what historians do. I cannot think of a more powerful discipline when it comes to learning skills that will help young graduates live better lives once they leave the university.

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

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

Data Collection
Patients
Research Projects
Data Analysis
Molecular Biology
Cell Culture
PI
Media Preparation
Analyze Data
Data Entry
Laboratory Equipment
Customer Service
RNA
Technical Support
Research Findings
Research Data
Flow Cytometry

Statistical Analysis
Western Blotting
PowerPoint
Research Studies
Clinical Trials
Tissue Culture
CRISPR
DNA
Data Management
IRB
Informed Consent
Literature Reviews
Extraction
SPSS
Next-Generation Sequencing
Genotyping
Animal Handling

Experimental Design
Research Results
Elisa
Immunization
SAS
Cell Lines
RT-PCR
Lab Equipment
Stem Cells
FDA
QA
Immunofluorescence
Technical Assistance
Electrophoresis
NIH
GEL Electrophoresis

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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