Science Resume Examples & Template
Check out our scientific resume examples and expert writing guide to learn how to distill your complex work into a concise and easily digestible format.
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Science resume template
Copy-and-paste text template
FIRST AND LAST NAME
Email: your.email@email.com
Phone: (123) 456-7891
Address: Street, City, State
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile
Objective
[Scientific Field] professional with [No.] years of experience. Seeking to leverage my experience in [Relevant Technical Skills] to fill the [Position Title] position at [Company Name]. Hold a [Degree/Diploma/Certification] in [Degree/Diploma/Certification Title]. Skilled at [2–3 Relevant Scientific Skills]. A [Adjective #1] and [Adjective #2] worker aiming to contribute to the success of [Company Name].
Professional Experience
- Use the present tense for your current [Job Title] role, unless describing a completed project or initiative
- Include a bulleted list of your achievements as a [Job Title]
- Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “develop” or “manage”) to grab attention
- Use hard numbers when possible to quantify your past achievements as a [Job Title]
- Mention how you’ve applied some of the skills listed in your skills section
- List relevant accomplishments from your previous role as a [Job Title]
- Assuming you’re no longer working in this [Job Title] role, use past tense verbs to describe your work
- Include 3–6 bullet points for each [Industry] role
- Skip the pronoun “I” and begin directly with a verb
- Although you’ll usually list work experience, feel free to include any relevant research, internships, or volunteer work if you lack formal work experience
Education
Skills
- List skills and certifications relevant to the [Job Title] job you’re applying for
- Look at the job ad for ideas of the skills the employer wants and that are common in the [Industry] sector
- Emphasize hard/technical skills in this section
- Be as specific as possible by including names of tools, equipment, and software you’ve mastered that are used in the [Industry] industry
Job-specific science resume examples
Here are some more resume examples to draw inspiration from when writing your own resume:
Bioinformatics resume
As a bioinformatics professional, your resume needs to effectively showcase your unique blend of scientific knowledge, programming skills, and analytical abilities. Check out this example to use as a guide when writing your own resume:
Why this example works
- Bold header: The large font on this resume draws the eye without overwhelming the rest of the resume
- Optimized space: The education and skills section share a line to save on space
Chemistry resume
In the competitive field of chemistry, having a well-crafted resume is essential to effectively communicate your technical knowledge, laboratory skills, and commitment to scientific excellence. For example:
Why this example works
- Emphasis on experience: Work experience section is highly detailed without being overly wordy
- Strong skills: The candidate emphasizes the technical skills necessary to succeed in the chemistry field
How to write a scientific resume
Follow our guide to learn how to write a professional scientific resume that sets you apart:
1. Start with a strong introduction
Your resume’s introduction is the first thing potential employers will see, so it’s important to get it right. If you’re a new grad, try writing a resume objective that emphasizes your career goals, like this:
Science resume objective example
Recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science seeking an entry-level Lab Technician position to apply acquired knowledge and skills in specimen processing, laboratory testing, and quality control procedures. Equipped with hands-on training in hematology, chemistry, microbiology, and molecular techniques. Dedicated to maintaining exceptional standards of accuracy and precision in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
If you already have a few years of experience, it’s better to go with a resume summary that summarizes your key skills and professional accomplishments. For example:
Science resume summary example
Accomplished Chemist with over 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Expertise in organic synthesis, compound purification, and analytical techniques (NMR, HPLC, MS). Played a pivotal role in the development and patent of a new antimalarial drug, contributing to over $100M in revenue. Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to manage cross-functional teams and meet aggressive project timelines.
2. Quantify your work experience
By quantifying your work experience, you provide verifiable evidence of your capabilities and the scope of your impact in previous roles, making it easier for potential employers to assess your suitability for the role and increasing your chances of standing out among other candidates.
The types of metrics you can include will depend on your specific field, but here are some ideas:
Quantifiable metrics for scientific roles
Research experience:
- Number of research projects/studies conducted
- Number of peer-reviewed publications
- Citations or impact factor of published works
- Grant funding amounts secured
- Number of conference presentations
Laboratory experience:
- Number of experiments/procedures performed per week/month
- Volume or quantities of samples analyzed
- Accuracy rates or error rates achieved
- Time savings from process improvements implemented
Technical Skills:
- Years of experience with specific techniques (e.g., PCR, chromatography, spectroscopy)
- Programming languages and number of years of experience
- Database management experience (size/complexity)
- Bioinformatics software proficiency and versions used
Project Management:
- Budget size managed
- Number of team members supervised
- Project timelines or deadlines met
Teaching/Mentoring:
- Number of students/researchers/employees trained or mentored
- Course curriculum or training programs developed
3. Show off your scientific skills
As a scientist, you’ll want to emphasize your relevant technical skills.
Here’s an example of a skills section on a scientific resume:
Example skills section for a lab assistant
Relevant Skills:
- Aseptic techniques
- Specimen handling and preparation
- Operation of laboratory equipment
- Chemical handling and disposal
- Laboratory testing
- Accurate record-keeping and documentation
You should give context to how you applied these skills in past roles in your work experience section. For example:
Example lab assistant work experience section that highlights skills
Lab Assistant
Somerville Research Laboratories, Somerville, MA
June 20XX – Present
- Perform aseptic techniques and sterile procedures to prepare samples and materials for experiments, ensuring accurate and reliable results
- Handle and process various laboratory specimens and samples, adhering to established protocols for collection, storage, and disposal
- Operate and maintain essential laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, microscopes, pipettes, balances, and autoclaves, ensuring proper calibration and functionality
- Conduct routine laboratory tests including titrations, pH measurements, and basic staining procedures with a high degree of precision and attention to detail
- Maintain comprehensive and organized records of laboratory activities, experimental data, and inventory levels through meticulous documentation
4. Emphasize your education and certifications
Your academic credentials serve as vital prerequisites for any scientific role, particularly in research and niche fields. Prominently featuring your relevant degrees, majors, coursework, and professional certifications in your education section provides tangible evidence of your expertise and specializations:
Here’s an example:
Example education section from a chemist’s resume
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Dissertation: “Development of Novel Techniques for Trace Analysis of Organic Pollutants in Water Samples”
Certifications:
- Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer (CCHO)
National Registry of Certified Chemists, 20XX - Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)
40-Hour HAZWOPER Certification, OSHA, 20XX
Technical Training:
- Agilent Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Training, 20XX
- PerkinElmer Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy Training, 20XX
5. Highlight relevant research
If you’re applying for a position in academia and want to list your publications on your resume, or if you’ve conducted studies that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, consider adding an additional section showcasing your research, like this:
Example research section for a bioinformatics resume
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
Research Experience:
Graduate Research Assistant, Jan 20XX – May 20XX
Bioinformatics Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
- Developed novel algorithms for structural bioinformatics and protein folding prediction using machine learning techniques
- Implemented and optimized computational pipelines for large-scale analysis of genomic and proteomic data
- Collaborated with experimental research groups to analyze and interpret high-throughput sequencing data
Publications:
- Smith, J.A., Johnson, B.C., and Lee, D.R. (20XX). “DeepFold: A Deep Learning Approach to Protein Structure Prediction.” Nature Biotechnology, 40(5), 678-685.
- Lee, D.R., Smith, J.A., et al. (20XX). “Integrative Analysis of Multi-Omics Data Reveals Novel Biomarkers for Cancer Diagnosis.” Genome Research, 31(8), 1342-1355.
- Johnson, B.C., Smith, J.A., and Kim, E.J. (20XX). “RNA-Seq Analysis Pipeline for Differential Gene Expression Profiling.” Bioinformatics, 36(10), 3089-3096.
Not sure what your resume should look like? The best way to learn is by taking inspiration from resume examples written by other candidates in your industry.
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