Biochemist Resume Example
Starting a career as a biochemist gives you the chance to gain experience in conducting laboratory experiments and collaborating with R&D. If you want to stand out with your biochemist applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional biochemist resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating a biochemist resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. You'll find useful insights on constructing a resume that makes the most of your unique skills, experience and strengths. You'll also learn how to tailor your resume according to the job description, and depending on your experience levels. Read on to learn how to write a perfect biochemist resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Core sections to include in a biochemist resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with a biochemist resume being no different.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate biochemist positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Focus the content of your resume on your soft and transferable skills, and any hard or technical skills you've learned from your studies or career to date. You can also mention any relevant internships, training courses or voluntary roles you've taken on.
If you're already working as a biochemist, concentrate on proving your credentials with your work achievements. Use a reverse-chronological resume format to place work experience prominently in your resume. By using this resume format you can focus on showing how your experience has helped you develop the required skills for the job. Review the job description to understand which key skills and experience to focus on.
For senior biochemist roles, you're likely to be competing against highly experienced candidates. Use a reverse-chronological resume format and focus on adding additional information that shows your credentials beyond your work experience. Senior resumes are often longer than resumes for junior roles. This is because you may choose to include extra sections, such as awards, professional memberships, publications, conferences or certifications on your resume.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Header and Personal Information
Your biochemist 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. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Make sure the email address you list in your header is professional-looking and doesn't contain any inappropriate content such as nicknames or unsuitable language. Opt for an email address based on your name or profession, or a combination of both. Finally, check your contact details before sending your resume, to ensure everything's up-to-date.
Rylee Davis
rylee.davis@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1313 Webfoot Walk, Duckburg, CA
linkedin․com/in/rylee–davis123
Resume Objective
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in biochemist roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for biochemist roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why biochemist roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for biochemist roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. See below for some great examples of what to include in your biochemist resume summary.
Good example:
Dedicated and detail-oriented Biochemist with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and extensive experience as a Molecular Biologist. Proven expertise in molecular techniques, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and sequencing. Demonstrated ability to conduct complex research, analyze data, and contribute to scientific publications. Strong problem-solving skills, meticulous laboratory practices, and a collaborative team player committed to advancing scientific knowledge
Bad example:
Biochemist with a science degree and some background in biology. Familiar with lab techniques and working with DNA and RNA. Have done research and looked at results, sometimes helping with scientific papers. Good at solving problems, careful in the lab, and work well with others to learn more about science
On the other hand, a resume summary can be ineffective if it lacks specific information about how your skills align with the job description, or fails to paint a picture of your unique qualities and talents. In the graphic above you can find some negative examples of how to write a resume summary.
Employment History
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your biochemist skills. 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.
Under each job entry, add several bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Consult the job description for a list of the key requirements for the role and make sure your work experience section showcases how you meet these requirements.
A good resume work experience section includes your most relevant previous jobs and highlights your key achievements in each role. To make the best possible impression on hiring managers, make sure each entry in your work experience section references skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you added value to each role with quantifiable evidence and outcomes. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Molecular Biologist, January 2022 - Present
Genova BioSolutions, Dallas
- Discovered and characterized novel gene associated with antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria
- Published 15 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier scientific journals, including Nature and Cell
- Developed a groundbreaking CRISPR-based tool for precise genome editing, enhancing gene therapy approaches
Bad example:
Molecular Biologist, January 2022 - Present
Genova BioSolutions, Dallas
- Worked on various research projects in the lab
- Contributed to scientific publications and presentations
- Developed innovative tools for scientific research
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Education and Qualifications
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a biochemist.
Typically, working as a biochemist requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your protein purification techniques or PCR and qPCR.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, 2017 - 2020
University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
Projects and Publications
Including resume sections for key projects and publications can really help your chances of success with biochemist applications. These help to demonstrate your expert knowledge and your standing within the academic community. Think about any key projects you've been involved in, and particularly any that are well-known or respected in the industry. Add published works such as books, chapters, journal articles or contributions to mainstream publications, including magazine and newspaper articles.
Select the most appropriate publication citation style from the Modern Language Association (MLA) and American Psychological Association (APA). While MLA is more common for humanities subjects, APA is used for scientific and engineering disciplines. Both include variations on the following information: author name, year of publication, article title (if necessary), publication name, volume, issue, page numbers and publisher. See below for an appropriate (APA-style) publication example to include in your biochemist resume.
Savannah Patel. The Role of Academic Advisor in Modern Practices. Master of Education in Higher Education Administration Studies. 3 (1234) 45. 2009
Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to biochemist positions. Consider adding mass spectrometry analysis, critical thinking or any other necessary skills for the job. Again, refer to the biochemist job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
Listing hard skills on your biochemist resume
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, these skills are essential for a biochemist resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for a biochemist resume are listed below.
- Protein purification techniques
- PCR and qPCR
- Mass spectrometry analysis
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. In fact, as technology develops, soft skills are growing in importance for recruiters and employers, so be sure to add several of these to your resume. It's best to aim for four or five soft skills that match the job description and reflect your strongest personal qualities.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a biochemist resume.
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving abilities
- Attention to detail
Jobseeker Tip:
Certifications and Training
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to biochemist jobs. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
Take a look at some example certifications for a biochemist resume below:
- ASCP Molecular Biology, 2022
- AACC Clinical Chemistry, 2022
- ABCC Certification, 2022
Optional Resume Sections
There are several additional sections you could add to a biochemist resume, to improve your chances of success. Add any of the sections below that help you showcase your key skills and experience.
Hobbies and Interests
Including your hobbies and interests can be a valuable way of showing your key skills and qualities. Your hobbies and interests are useful for a biochemist resume if you want to show a different side to your personality, or to stand out among other candidates. They can also be valuable if you're a junior candidate without much relevant work experience. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Voluntary Work
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your biochemist resume. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard biochemist resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References can be provided upon request.
Best action words for your biochemist 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
- Synthesize
- Purify
- Isolate
- Characterize
- Quantify
- Optimize
- Investigate
- Document
- Collaborate
Jobseeker's clean, attractive resume formats can help your applications make a strong impression on employers. Check them out for help designing a winning resume, and see our cover letter templates to help win over recruiters and hiring managers.
Example resume for biochemist applications
Now we've covered the main sections to include in your biochemist resume, let's take a look at how it all comes together in the example below:
1313 Webfoot Walk, Duckburg, CA
•
rylee.davis@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/rylee–davis123
Dedicated Biochemist with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and experience as a Molecular Biologist. Demonstrated expertise in molecular techniques, protein expression, and DNA/RNA analysis. Proficient in laboratory protocols, data interpretation, and collaborative research projects. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge
Molecular Biologist
2020
-2022
GeneFusion Technologies (Madison)
- Discovered novel gene regulatory mechanism, published in Nature, increasing understanding of cellular differentiation processes
- Developed high-throughput CRISPR screening method, accelerating genetic research and earning industry recognition
- Led team in sequencing and annotating genome of endangered species, informing conservation strategies and policy decisions
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
2017
-2020
University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC)
Protein purification techniques
PCR and qPCR
Mass spectrometry analysis
Critical thinking
Problem-solving abilities
Attention to detail
ASCP Molecular Biology
AACC Clinical Chemistry
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of a biochemist resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Add your relevant education details, including any high grades such as your GPA or degree result.
- Quantify your achievements and show evidence of how you've used your skills to bring positive outcomes in your career to date.
- Use action verbs to showcase how you've put your biochemist skills to use in your career (e.g. 'analyze', 'synthesize', 'purify').
- Make your biochemist resume short and to-the-point. A length of one page is ideal for junior roles, while two is acceptable for senior applications.
- Tailor your resume for each application you send. Review the job description and adapt the content to reflect the specific requirements, including key skills and experience.
Steer clear of these common resume writing errors
- Don't write any unnecessary personal details on your resume. Details such as age, gender or nationality can lead to unintentional recruitment bias.
- Don't use out-of-date contact information. Always make sure your email address and phone number are correct before sending your resume.
- Don't add work experience that's unrelated to the role you're applying for, as it isn't likely to help your chances of success.
- Don't add any hobbies or interests unless they directly showcase a skill or experience that's relevant to the job.
- Don't lie or exaggerate the details of your biochemist career or education, as this can backfire later in the recruitment process.
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. There are several things you can do when writing your biochemist resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- 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 of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out 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.
- Adopt a clean, unfussy design that gives your content enough white space to breathe. Use professional, readable fonts and subtle use of color and other design elements.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a biochemist resume
Alongside your biochemist resume, it's important to produce a professional cover letter that creates a similar positive impact on the reader.
Firstly, choose whether you're going to write a full cover letter, or whether a brief email confirming your application and drawing attention to your resume will be sufficient.
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 biochemist 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.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
Even if you have little or no relevant work experience, it's still possible to write a biochemist resume that makes a strong impression on employers. Use a skills-based resume format to highlight your relevant skills and education. This is more suitable for junior or entry-level roles where you might not have much work experience to showcase. Additional resume sections such as volunteer work, hobbies and interests, certifications and internships can all help you showcase your relevant skills. These can be more prominent in your resume if you haven't got a lot of work experience.
Use a resume headline to make it easy for the reader to start assessing your suitability for biochemist positions at first glance. 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 short, snappy heading for your resume including the job title and a reference to your experience, your track record or one or two of your key skills.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Aspiring Biochemist Seeking Research Opportunities
- Innovative Biochemist and Research Specialist
- Senior Biochemist and Research Leader
The top resume format for your applications will vary according to a couple of factors. First, how much professional experience you have. Second, what type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. On the other hand, if you're experienced in your industry or applying for senior positions, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format is usually best. This places most emphasis on your work experience.
Key takeaways for your biochemist resume
The best resumes focus on your skills and the value you've added to previous roles, rather than focusing on your duties and responsibilities. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
Jobseeker has a wealth of resume tools, including resume templates and examples, to help you create a winning job application. Sign up today to get started. Whether you're a junior or senior candidate, a professional cover letter can help to grab the attention of the employer. Jobseeker's cover letter examples were created by careers experts to provide useful tips and ideas for your cover letter.
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
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