Creating a resume for biology jobs requires balancing technical expertise, research experience, and transferable skills.
Whether you’re applying for a research role, fieldwork position, or a job in environmental sciences, your resume should highlight your qualifications in a way that captures the attention of hiring managers.
This guide provides 11 actionable tips to help you craft a biology resume that stands out while aligning with professional standards.
1. Tailor your resume to each job
A one-size-fits-all resume won’t work for specialized biology roles. Tailoring your resume to match the job description ensures you highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the position.
How to tailor your resume:
- Identify key qualifications: Scan the job posting for required skills, such as laboratory techniques or data analysis software.
- Prioritize relevant experience: Highlight roles or projects that directly align with the position, such as research involving molecular biology for a genetics lab role.
- Use keywords: Integrate phrases like “PCR,” “ecological sampling,” or “biostatistics” to help your resume pass applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Pro tip: Compare your resume to the job description and check off how many qualifications you’ve included. Adjust as needed.
2. Structure your resume for clarity
Hiring managers often skim resumes, so a clear layout ensures they can quickly find relevant information.
Ideal structure:
| Section | Content to include |
|---|---|
| Contact information | Full name, email, phone number, LinkedIn, professional portfolio. |
| Summary/Objective | A concise 2–3 sentence statement highlighting your qualifications and goals. |
| Education | Degrees, relevant coursework, honors, and certifications. |
| Skills | Technical (lab techniques, software) and transferable skills. |
| Experience | Work history with quantified achievements. |
| Research | Relevant projects, publications, and presentations. |
Tips for readability:
- Use bullet points for achievements and responsibilities.
- Stick to a clean font like Arial or Calibri.
- Limit your resume to one page unless you have extensive experience.
3. Start with a strong summary or objective
Your resume’s opening statement should quickly capture attention by summarizing your qualifications and career goals.
Examples:
- For recent graduates: “Biology graduate with expertise in molecular biology techniques and fieldwork, seeking a research assistant role to contribute to ecological conservation projects.”
- For experienced professionals: “Experienced biologist with 5+ years in microbiological research and publication in peer-reviewed journals. Proficient in PCR and data analysis, with a focus on sustainable practices.”
Why it matters: A strong summary or objective helps frame the rest of your resume, guiding employers to the most relevant aspects of your background.
4. Highlight technical skills in a dedicated section
Examples of technical skills:
- Laboratory techniques:
- PCR, ELISA, spectrophotometry, gel electrophoresis.
- DNA extraction, Western blotting, CRISPR-Cas9.
- Data analysis software:
- R, Python, MATLAB, Excel.
- Bioinformatics tools like BLAST, ImageJ, or Clustal Omega.
- Fieldwork expertise:
- Habitat analysis, wildlife tagging, biodiversity surveys.
- GPS mapping, specimen collection, vegetation sampling.
Tips for maximizing this section:
- Tailor skills to the job: Focus on techniques and tools listed in the job description.
For example, emphasize bioinformatics software for computational biology roles or microscopy techniques for cell biology positions.
- Combine with certifications: Mention certifications that validate your expertise, such as “Certified Python Programmer” or “GIS for Environmental Analysis.”
- Update regularly: Add newly acquired skills or tools relevant to emerging trends in biology, such as CRISPR or AI for bioinformatics.
5. Emphasize relevant education and certifications
For biology roles, your educational background often serves as a foundation for your qualifications.
How to present education:
- Include your degree title, institution, and graduation date.
Example: B.Sc. in Biology (Concentration in Marine Biology), University of Washington, 2023.
- Highlight relevant coursework, such as “Molecular Genetics” or “Conservation Ecology.”
- Mention honors, awards, or notable projects (e.g., “Graduated Summa Cum Laude” or “Capstone project on wetland restoration”).
Certifications: List certifications that enhance your qualifications:
-
- OSHA Laboratory Safety Certification.
- GIS for Environmental Sciences.
- Statistical Analysis with R.
6. Showcase quantifiable achievements
Numbers provide tangible proof of your contributions and impact, helping employers gauge your value.
Why quantification matters:
- Tangible proof: Numbers validate your expertise, showing exactly what you accomplished.
- Clarity: Metrics make your achievements more specific and easier to understand.
- Differentiation: Quantified results help set you apart from other candidates with similar roles or experiences.
Examples of quantified accomplishments
| Type of achievement | Example |
|---|---|
| Efficiency improvement | “Developed a data analysis pipeline that reduced processing time by 30%.” |
| Research contributions | “Conducted ecological surveys that identified 10+ new plant species in a previously unexplored area.” |
| Team leadership | “Supervised a team of 5 interns to complete a biodiversity study 2 weeks ahead of schedule.” |
| Fieldwork impact | “Collected 150+ soil samples to assess nutrient distribution in agricultural lands, improving yield forecasts.” |
| Cost savings | “Optimized lab protocols, reducing reagent waste by 15%, saving the lab approximately $5,000 annually.” |
7. Include research and publications
How to include research:
- Add a “Research Experience” section
- Include the title of the project, your role, and the institution.
- Provide concise details about the scope, methodologies, and outcomes of the research.
- Highlight outcomes
- Emphasize how your research contributed to advancements in the field, practical applications, or publications.
Example:
Research Assistant
University of Chicago (2022–2023)
- Conducted RNA sequencing for gene expression analysis in cancer studies.
- Developed and optimized protocols, increasing sample processing efficiency by 20%.
- Contributed to a published study on the impact of gene mutations on tumor progression.
How to list publications: If your research has been published or presented, include a dedicated “Publications” or “Presentations” section. Use a professional citation style, such as APA or MLA.
Formatting examples: Smith, J., & Lee, A. (2022). “The effects of urbanization on pollinator populations.” Journal of Ecology, 35(4), 112–120.
Where to place this section:
- Academic roles: Place “Research Experience” and “Publications” prominently, after education and before work experience.
- Non-academic roles: Include them after work experience, highlighting skills that transfer to the industry, such as data analysis or problem-solving.
8. Focus on transferable skills
Biology roles often require skills that go beyond technical expertise. Highlight transferable skills to show you’re a well-rounded candidate.
Key transferable skills:
- Teamwork: Collaborating on group research or fieldwork projects.
- Problem-solving: Identifying and resolving experimental issues.
- Communication: Presenting findings at conferences or writing research papers.
Tips for emphasizing transferable skills:
- Integrate them into achievements: Pair skills with specific outcomes to make them more impactful.
- Tailor to the job description: Highlight skills explicitly mentioned in the posting, such as “collaboration” or “project management.”
- Use action verbs: Start each bullet point with dynamic words like “led,” “resolved,” or “developed” to emphasize proactive contributions.
9. Don’t overlook internships and volunteer work
For entry-level candidates, internships and volunteer roles demonstrate hands-on experience and a commitment to biology.
What to include:
- Organization details
- Name of the organization, your role, and the dates of your involvement.
- Example: Field Intern, National Park Service, Summer 2022.
- Specific responsibilities
- Clearly outline the tasks you performed. Focus on duties that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.
- Example: “Conducted habitat assessments for migratory birds and assisted in tagging over 50 species for population tracking.”
- Achievements and outcomes
- Highlight tangible accomplishments to demonstrate the impact of your work.
- Example: “Contributed data to a regional conservation report that informed policy decisions for habitat restoration projects.”
10. Format your resume for ATS and human readers
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are often the first step in resume screening. Ensure your resume is optimized for both ATS and human readers.
Formatting tips:
- Use standard section headings like “Skills” and “Experience.”
- Include relevant keywords from the job posting.
- Save your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting across platforms.
11. Proofread and get feedback
Small errors can undermine an otherwise stellar resume. Review your resume thoroughly and seek input from mentors or colleagues.
Tips for proofreading:
- Use tools: Grammarly or Word’s spell check can catch common errors, but always review manually.
- Check formatting: Ensure consistent font, spacing, and bullet points. Align dates and headings for a professional look.
- Print for review: Errors are easier to spot on a hard copy than on a screen.
Get feedback:
- Mentors or professors: They can refine technical language and highlight key achievements.
- Industry professionals: Offer insights into what employers value most.
- Peers or career centers: Provide general advice and additional proofreading.
Final checklist
Before submitting your resume, use this checklist to ensure it’s polished and professional:
| Task | Details |
|---|---|
| Spelling/grammar | Eliminate typos and awkward phrasing. |
| Formatting | Keep fonts, spacing, and bullet points consistent. |
| Keywords | Include relevant terms from the job description for ATS. |
| Contact info | Double-check email, phone, and LinkedIn links. |
| File format | Save as a PDF to maintain formatting across devices. |
By addressing each point in this checklist, you ensure your resume is error-free and ready to impress hiring managers.
Conclusion
Crafting a standout resume for biology jobs requires a strategic balance of technical expertise, academic achievements, and transferable skills. By tailoring your resume to the job, quantifying your accomplishments, and ensuring a clear, professional layout, you’ll position yourself as a strong candidate in this competitive field.
Quick recap:
- Highlight relevant skills and experiences tailored to each role.
- Quantify achievements to demonstrate impact.
- Include research, certifications, and volunteer work to show expertise and commitment.
With these tips, you’ll create a biology resume that effectively communicates your qualifications and helps you land the job you’re aiming for.