Biologist Resume Example
Working as a biologist can provide a rewarding career, involving conducting field research and analyzing data sets. If you want to stand out with your biologist applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating a biologist resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
After reading this guide, you'll know what it takes to create a resume that really stands out from other biologist applicants. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Read on to learn how to write a perfect biologist resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Key sections for a biologist resume
Although the content of a biologist resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate biologist positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Likewise, an entry-level resume might focus more on soft and transferable skills, as well as details about internships, voluntary work or relevant training you've completed.
For those with some prior experience as a biologist work experience is the most important element of a resume. Use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format to emphasize your career timeline and achievements. In your resume work experience section, outline your relevant achievements and showcase the impact you've made in your career to date. Make sure everything you include is relevant to the job description.
If you're applying for senior biologist positions, you'll want to list career achievements and successes that emphasize your senior status. Use a reverse-chronological format and add extra sections to show key career highlights. Some elements to include in a senior resume for maximum impact might include awards, publications, conference presentations or professional memberships. By adding these sections, it's likely that your resume will be longer than a junior resume.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header
Your biologist resume header is the place to add your contact details. Start by adding your full name and underneath, include your email address, phone number and location. Adding your LinkedIn profile, if you have one, can help the employer get a better insight into your skills and industry expertise. You don't need to include any additional personal information or a photo. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Maya Allen
maya.allen@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1985 Hill Valley, CA
linkedin․com/in/maya–allen123
Resume Profile
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. Always make sure your summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for biologist roles.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
The best resume summaries reflect the job description and focus on qualities that are relevant to working as a biologist, while highlighting elements of your personality that make you an ideal candidate. They also quantify the information provided with evidence. See below for some great examples of what to include in your biologist resume summary.
Bachelor of Science in Biology with professional experience as an Ecologist. Skilled in field research, environmental impact assessments, and data analysis. Proven ability to design and implement ecological studies, manage conservation projects, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. Proficient in using GIS and statistical software for ecological modeling and habitat mapping. Strong background in biodiversity monitoring, species identification, and ecosystem management. Passionate about sustainability and dedicated to advancing environmental stewardship
Studied biology and worked in nature-related roles. Did some research and looked at environmental effects. Have done projects and worked with different groups. Used some software for mapping and data stuff. Know a bit about plants and animals and how to take care of nature. Interested in keeping the environment healthy and doing my part for it
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. In the graphic above you can find some negative examples of how to write a resume summary.
Work Experience
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of a biologist. List each relevant role in reverse-chronological order starting with your current or most recent role. Add your job title, the organization name, its location and the dates you worked there.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to biologist jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. See below for some good examples of what to include in your resume work experience section.
Ecologist, January 2022 - Present
BioNexus Innovations, Miami
- Led a comprehensive biodiversity assessment project, identifying 150+ new species and publishing findings in top-tier scientific journals
- Secured $1.5 million in grant funding for climate change research, resulting in actionable conservation strategies for endangered ecosystems
- Developed and implemented a habitat restoration program, increasing native plant populations by 40% and boosting local wildlife diversity
Ecologist, January 2022 - Present
BioNexus Innovations, Miami
- Managed various projects, contributing to team success and advancing organizational goals in environmental research and conservation
- Played a key role in securing resources and support for scientific initiatives, enhancing research capabilities and outcomes
- Spearheaded efforts to improve ecological conditions, fostering positive impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem health
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Education
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to biologist roles.
To work as a biologist, employers tend to require candidates to have a specialist degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Biology. If you have this degree, focus on it in your education section, while also mentioning any educational achievements that show your microscopy and imaging or bioinformatics tools.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
Membership or leadership of any societies, clubs or causes while studying can also make a positive impression on hiring managers. Consider adding these to your education section for more insight into how you used your time as a student.
Bachelor of Science in Biology, 2017 - 2020
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Projects and Publications
For biologist resume, it's important to include sections outlining key projects and publications. For academic disciplines, these are valuable as they show your standing and reputation within your chosen field of expertise. Consider including key projects you've delivered or worked on, as well as and published works, such as books, chapters, journal articles and articles for magazines or newspapers.
The two most widely-used citation styles are the Modern Language Association (MLA) and the American Psychological Association (APA). Both of these include variations on author name, year of publication, article title (if necessary), publication name, volume, issue, page numbers and publisher. While the MLA style is more suitable for humanities subjects, APA is the citation style of choice for scientific and engineering subjects. See below for an appropriate (APA-style) publication example to include in your biologist resume.
Maya Allen. How Biologist is Shaping the Future of Science. Published in Career Insights, 2009.
Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for biologist roles. Whether your skills include data analysis software, team collaboration or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for biologist positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
Listing hard skills on your biologist resume
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a biologist. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, your list of hard skills provides a strong indication to the reader of your expertise in biologist roles, and how well you'll fit into the position. If possible, add four or five hard skills that reflect the requirements of the job description. These will boost your chances of success in your applications.
The best resume hard skills sections focus on specific technical skills necessary for the job, showcasing skills that you have particular expertise in. There are some examples of valuable hard skills for a biologist resume below.
- Molecular biology techniques
- Data analysis software
- PCR and qPCR
Showcasing your best soft skills
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to biologist roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for a biologist resume, see below.
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Team collaboration
Jobseeker Tip:
Highlight your academic and scientific expertise by including specific research accomplishments, such as published papers, conference presentations, or grant awards. (1) Structure your resume with clear sections, using bullet points to make complex information easy to scan and digest. (2)
Relevant Certifications and Licenses
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a biologist. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a biologist. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and proessional certifications required for biologist roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for a biologist resume:
- Certified Biological Scientist, 2022
- Wildlife Biologist Certification, 2022
- Laboratory Animal Technician, 2022
Optional Resume Sections
There are several additional sections you could add to a biologist resume, to improve your chances of success. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for biologist jobs.
Hobbies and Interests
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as a biologist. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Volunteer Work
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your biologist resume. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
References aren't a standard biologist resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Include a maximum of three professional references, being sure to check with your referees before including them in your resume.
References are avaiable upon request.
Best strong verbs for your a biologist resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Analyze
- Collect
- Identify
- Observe
- Dissect
- Experiment
- Document
- Sequence
- Quantify
- Synthesize
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Example of a biologist resume
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your biologist resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
1985 Hill Valley, CA
•
maya.allen@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/maya–allen123
Bachelor of Science in Biology with extensive experience as a Research Scientist, skilled in experimental design, data analysis, and laboratory techniques. Proven track record in conducting and managing research projects, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals. Proficient in molecular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and innovation.
Research Scientist
2020
-2022
Innovatech Research Institute (Buffalo)
- Published 10 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals, including Nature and Science, over the past three years
- Secured $1.5 million in grant funding from NIH and NSF for groundbreaking research in molecular biology
- Developed a novel CRISPR-based gene-editing technique, resulting in three patent applications and widespread industry adoption
Molecular biology techniques
Data analysis software
PCR and qPCR
Critical thinking
Problem solving
Team collaboration
Certified Biological Scientist
Wildlife Biologist Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for biologist resumes
- Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for by consulting the job description and using keywords throughout your document.
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
- Use action words that show how you've made an impact in different biologist jobs (e.g. collect, experiment, quantify).
- Order your work experience in a reverse-chronological timeline, starting with your most recent position.
- Create a positive impression with a well-written resume summary or objective that highlights your key strengths for biologist roles.
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, create a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't use jargon or acronyms when you can use simple, straightforward language to say the same thing.
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
- Don't fill up your biologist resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
- Don't use passive language - steer away from phrases like 'I was asked to' and use action words instead.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is just one of the tools employers and recruiters can use to streamline their hiring practices. This typically includes screening candidates by scanning and ranking their resumes based on their likely suitability for any vacancy. When writing your biologist resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Adopt simple, professional language to keep your resume as concise as possible. This tends to make your document more readable, and easier for ATS software to scan.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
FAQs for a biologist resume
After writing your biologist resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the biologist job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
Writing a biologist resume with no experience needn't be a daunting task. There are still plenty of ways to impress hiring managers with your resume. Choose a resume structure that best showcases your key skills for the role, such as a functional format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. Make the most of additional sections such as hobbies and interests, volunteer work, certifications and internships. These can help you showcase skills that you've developed outside traditional work settings.
A resume headline can catch the attention of the reader and give them a strong first impression about your suitability for biologist jobs. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Aspiring Biologist Seeking Growth Opportunities
- Passionate Evolutionary Biology Researcher
- Senior Biological Research Scientist
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Key takeaways for your biologist resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
Sources:
(1) Resumes & Cover Letters for PhD Students, Hardvard University: https://careerservices.fas.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/161/2024/08/2024-GSAS_phd_resume_cover_letters-1.pdf
(2) Guide to Résumés and Curricula Vitae, National Institutes of Health: https://www.training.nih.gov/documents/16/Guide_to_Resumes_and_Curricula_Vitae.pdf
