Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalary

Skills

What They DoEducationDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesRemote JobsJob OutlookCompareFull Time jobsWork From Home jobsLocations
zippia ai icon

Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Senior principal scientist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted experts
Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.,
Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical senior principal scientist skills. We ranked the top skills for senior principal scientists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 7.8% of senior principal scientist resumes contained chemistry as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a senior principal scientist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 senior principal scientist skills for your resume and career

1. Chemistry

Chemistry is the branch of science that tells us about the composition, properties, and structure of elements and compounds. The processes these elements undergo and how they undergo change all come under the branch of chemistry.

Here's how senior principal scientists use chemistry:
  • Conducted synthetic medicinal chemistry research and project progression in discovery projects.
  • Monitored financial aspects of Inflammation Chemistry research operations.

2. 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 senior principal scientists use drug discovery:
  • Initiated four antiviral drug discovery programs and concurrently managed up to six antiviral drug discovery projects in-house.
  • Developed drug discovery toxicology programs and screening assays to expedite selection of candidates with optimal safety profiles.

3. 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 senior principal scientists use java:
  • Developed computational cognitive models of human performance in task interruption experiments using ACT-R cognitive architecture, Lisp and Java.
  • Developed GUI-based Java application for distribution of data files to client application.

4. Data Analysis

Here's how senior principal scientists use data analysis:
  • Manage all aspects of interactions between data owners and data specifications necessary for performing data analysis.
  • Lead data analysis and extraction of pertinent data from FDA's database.

5. Clinical Development

Here's how senior principal scientists use clinical development:
  • Acted as Clinical Development Team lead and clinical representative on project and study execution teams.
  • Implemented fit for purpose compliance oversight to manufacturing and analytical operations based upon stage of clinical development.

6. Clinical Trials

Here's how senior principal scientists use clinical trials:
  • Key member of the clinical trial development-manufacturing team.
  • Prepared experimental vaccines for human clinical trials.

Choose from 10+ customizable senior principal scientist resume templates

Build a professional senior principal scientist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your senior principal scientist resume.

7. Visualization

Here's how senior principal scientists use visualization:
  • Facilitated customer acceptance of demand forecast by developing visualization processes, tutoring clients in methodology, and providing detailed walk-through examples.
  • Developed optical system/technique for optical visualization and otherwise characterizing traveling ring vortex and related fluid phenomena in air.

8. Regulatory Submissions

Regulatory Submissions offers a readable and clearly written road map for effective submission of documents for required regulatory reviews during product development.

Here's how senior principal scientists use regulatory submissions:
  • Provided study reports for regulatory submission.
  • Author and Review CMC regulatory submissions for US and European agencies.

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 senior principal scientists use biomarkers:
  • Identified several candidate biomarkers that were confirmed in internal experiments.
  • Selected appropriate biomarkers to determine mechanism of toxicity.

10. Early Development

Here's how senior principal scientists use early development:
  • Harmonized early development activities across global sites.
  • Designed and implemented pre-clinical proof of concept studies, driving advancement of lead molecules into early development.

11. Development Projects

Development Projects include all contracts, constructions, and projects that may develop an area for housing or commercial construction. These projects frequently require multiple departments to prepare the space for construction projects, including how the construction will take place, who will finance the project, and whether any refurbishments or renovations will be needed.

Here's how senior principal scientists use development projects:
  • Manage teams to run development projects at various stages.
  • Consulted to biotechnology clients for drug discovery and development projects.

12. 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 senior principal scientists use c++:
  • Constructed very accurate cycle-accurate memory controller models (10,000+ lines of C++) to support tradeoff analysis.
  • Developed deliverable software and served as configuration manager for C++ search planning product.

13. Analytical Methods

An analytical method is a method used to determine the chemical or physical property of a substance. It is a procedure to determine the relationship between different variables. This method can be conducted by combining scientific methods with any kind of formal process to solve a problem or prove a fact.

Here's how senior principal scientists use analytical methods:
  • Designed, developed, optimized and validated analytical methods for characterization/quality control of therapeutic protein candidates and delivered on project commitments.
  • Presented in AAPS conferences ** Developed and/or implemented many new analytical methods.

14. IND

IND which stands for "Investigational New Drug" are drug applications submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some IND is submitted to start clinical trials to gain marketing approval for commercial purposes while others are purely research-oriented to study an unapproved drug for a patient population or new evidence.

Here's how senior principal scientists use ind:
  • Study directed pivotal toxicology studies, co-authored the nonclinical safety assessment, and reviewed and edited IND documents.
  • Developed drug product specifications and enabled IND filing.

15. 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 senior principal scientists use technical reports:
  • Author of manufacturing procedures and equipment IOQ protocols and technical reports.
  • Prepared development plans, technical reports and operation procedures.
top-skills

What skills help Senior Principal Scientists find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on senior principal scientist resumes?

Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Chemistry, Director of Dual Degree Engineering, Meredith College

When I help students revise their resumes, I have them focus on transferable skills that they gained through their experiences. It may not necessarily be what students do that is important to companies, but their learned experience that students can take and apply in their new job. Students need to add a metric to their descriptions and how they have made an impact on a project, a job position, an organization, etc.

What hard/technical skills are most important for senior principal scientists?

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 soft skills should all senior principal scientists 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 senior principal scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Michi Tobler

Associate Professor, Kansas State University

In terms of technical skills, that depends a lot on what sector of the life sciences you may want to enter. If you are interested in molecular biology, working in a lab to master the necessary skills is excellent. If you are more interested in natural resources and conservation, it may be more advisable to work on a field crew and hone your skills collecting data in the wild. Check with your academic advisor to come up with an appropriate plan. Either way, gap years are an excellent opportunity to learn how to work effectively in a team and figure out what you like and what you don't.
Last but not least, I think it is essential to have fun during a gap year. College is challenging and stressful. Whether as a graduate student or in the industry, you are entering the professional world - it is challenging and stressful. Using the gap year to broaden your horizon and recharge your batteries simultaneously is essential.

What type of skills will young senior principal scientists need?

Dr. Douglas Capone Ph.D.Dr. Douglas Capone Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor, University of Southern California

In addition to the essential skill set of an oceanographic discipline (biological, chemical, physical or geological fields) - being adaptable, having a breadth of knowledge and ability to cross disciplinary boundaries and communication skills e.g., the ability to talk to regulators, policymakers, and the general public will all help.

What technical skills for a senior principal scientist stand out to employers?

Dr. Joey Neilsen

Assistant Professor, Villanova University

I think programming skills and data analysis/statistics are especially valuable right now, while data science is so big. Our students take a year of Computational Physics in Python, and we integrate Python into some of our upper-level courses and labs as well. Our recent graduates, both in academia and the private sector, report using those skills on a regular basis. Two other skills that US Physics graduates report using regularly are technical problem solving and technical writing. This makes lots of sense from an employer perspective: you want to hire people who can identify and solve problems and then clearly explain the solution to your team. This is a great reason to let those lab reports shine!
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about senior principal scientist

List of senior principal scientist skills to add to your resume

Senior principal scientist skills

The most important skills for a senior principal scientist resume and required skills for a senior principal scientist to have include:

  • Chemistry
  • Drug Discovery
  • Java
  • Data Analysis
  • Clinical Development
  • Clinical Trials
  • Visualization
  • Regulatory Submissions
  • Biomarkers
  • Early Development
  • Development Projects
  • C++
  • Analytical Methods
  • IND
  • Technical Reports
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Candidates
  • CMC
  • Clinical Studies
  • PK/PD
  • GMP
  • Direct Reports
  • Method Development
  • Drug Metabolism
  • FDA
  • R
  • GLP
  • Assay Development
  • Elisa
  • Medical Devices
  • HPLC
  • DOE
  • Cell-Based Assays
  • Drug Products
  • NDA
  • CRO
  • Ms
  • ICH
  • Leveraged
  • PCR
  • Profiling
  • ADME
  • QC
  • API
  • ISO
  • Drug Substance
  • QbD
  • Immunogenicity

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs