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Virologist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Verónica Gutiérrez Ph.D.,

Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical virologist skills. We ranked the top skills for virologists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 34.5% of virologist resumes contained cell culture as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a virologist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 virologist skills for your resume and career

1. Cell Culture

Here's how virologists use cell culture:

Performed virus production and expansion as well as general cell culture on mammalian cell lines.
Established and maintained six cell cultures lines and evaluated novel cell culture processing technologies.

2. Immunology

Immunology is a branch of medical service that deals with studying the immune system of a person. This particular specialization focuses on the function of the immune system and how it affects the entire body. It is usually an activity where it develops a mechanism that helps prevent and susceptibility of bacteria, infection, and other viruses that can enter the body.

Here's how virologists use immunology:

Performed T and B cell research in the Immunology department.
Authored multiple publications detailing retroviral pathology and host immunology in top-tier, peer-reviewed journals including Molecular Cell and eLife.

3. Bsl-2

Here's how virologists use bsl-2:

Experienced working in BSL-2 and BSL-3.
Prepared BSL-2 laboratory and staff for routine federal lab technical inspections involving BSAT and wrote reports.

4. Research Projects

Here's how virologists use research projects:

Noted as technical assistant in publication of work) Worked with Sloan Kettering and Pasteur Institute researchers in assigned research projects
Established and maintained the molecular biology laboratory and developed techniques and protocols for research projects.

5. Sops

A standard operating procedure or simply SOP is a particular operation that needs to be done in accordance with the rules and guidelines of a company or an industry. It is an important way for a company to run smoothly, especially in small businesses. It is like a practice wherein everything an individual or an employee is under a particular standard that is implemented.

Here's how virologists use sops:

Created, reviewed, and revised documents, batch records and SOPs for the daily tasks associated with cGMP lab practices.
Served as assistant internal quality control and archive manager* Authored and reviewed standard operating procedures (SOPs)

6. 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 virologists use fda:

Major Achievement: Responsible for getting 22 Virus and 6 Cell lines validated by FDA for vaccine production.
Prompt method development of protein aggregation assays, which enabled process and formulation groups to make FDA approved products.

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7. Tissue Culture

Here's how virologists use tissue culture:

Worked on developing novel 3 dimensional disposable tissue culture material.
Well trained in working with both cell and tissue cultures.

8. Elispot

Here's how virologists use elispot:

Performed ELISA, ELISPOT and SDS-PAGE/Western Blots.
Performed human ELISPOT and epitope mapping assays in support of clinical HIV vaccine studies.

9. Extraction

Here's how virologists use extraction:

Designed constructs, performed DNA cloning, DNA/RNA extraction and quantification via UV spectrophotometry.
Perform nucleic acid extraction, assay preparation and laboratory data analysis/interpretation in BS-2 environment.

10. 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 virologists use assay development:

Isolate and maintain viral stocks, perform growth-based antiviral susceptibility assays and bioassay development for a diagnostic-development program.
Performed RT-PCR assay development and validation.

11. Real-Time PCR

Here's how virologists use real-time pcr:

Performed Real-Time PCR detection for Chlamydia/GC, Influenza A, B, RSV and Clostridium difficile on clinical specimens.
Perform Real-Time PCR to rapidly identify and characterize potential pathogenic bacterial and viral threat agents.

12. Infectious Disease

Infectious disease refers to an illness or disorder caused by a small organism. These organisms may be bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses and can cause a variety of symptoms in the exposed person. Some of these organisms can jump from one person to another, which spreads the infectious disease between individuals.

Here's how virologists use infectious disease:

Program was designed to provide viral associated antigens to study basic mechanisms of infectious diseases.

13. Clinical Trials

Here's how virologists use clinical trials:

Organized and participated in viral clearance studies and performed necessary tasks to aid companies achieve results needed for clinical trials.
Research studies leading to discovery, development and clinical trial of novel HIV vaccines candidates.

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 virologists use elisa:

Performed ELISA assay platform optimization, validation, and transfer assessments to maximize quality and quantity of clinical trial data reporting.
Developed, validated and implemented biochemical, enzyme, ELISA and cell-based assays as primary and secondary screening assays.

15. HIV-1

Here's how virologists use hiv-1:

Led project for antivirals against HIV-1.

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What skills help Virologists find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on virologist resumes?

Verónica Gutiérrez Ph.D.

Director of Undergraduate Research, Director of Bridge and Launch Programs, Associate Professor of Latin American History, Azusa Pacific University

I urge my students never to underestimate the power of a beautiful, perfectly formatted resume or C.V. The document itself can testify to the applicant's creativity, organizational and analytical skills, as well as demonstrate the precision of one's prose. As for skills listed on the document, I would think that experience with online platforms and the ability to collaborate virtually with someone the applicant has not met in person--and might never meet--would be appealing, given the new reality of remote work environments. Specific skills history majors possess that would stand out on a resume would be the ability to critically analyze conflicting accounts, to approach moments in time from a long, historical view, to bear in mind historical context at all times, to consider diverse perspectives, and to remain culturally sensitive in a globalized world.

What soft skills should all virologists possess?

Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology, Paine College

Flexibility, Communication, Leadership, Team work, thorough understanding of underlying concepts for biological principles, etc., are required for Biology students.

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

Christopher Herren Ph.D.

Teaching Assistant Professor, Kansas State University

For a gap year, get a job related to your major.

What type of skills will young virologists need?

S. Laurie Sanderson Ph.D.

Professor and Chair, William & Mary

Young graduates will benefit from problem-solving skills, interpersonal and teamwork skills, quantitative skills, and strong writing abilities.

What technical skills for a virologist stand out to employers?

Shelly Lesher

Professor, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse

Employers value our graduates for their ability to independently solve complex problems, whether in or out of the lab. This skill has not and will not change regardless of instructional mode.

What hard/technical skills are most important for virologists?

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.

Do you want to know more?

List of virologist skills to add to your resume

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

Cell Culture
Immunology
Bsl-2
Research Projects
Sops
FDA

Tissue Culture
Elispot
Extraction
Assay Development
Real-Time PCR
Infectious Disease

Clinical Trials
Elisa
HIV-1
Cell Lines

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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