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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Create a Biology Resume
in 5 Simple Steps

  • Step 1: Add Contact Info

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  • Step 2: Include Work Experience Details

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  • Step 3: Provide Education Details

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  • Step 4: Select Your Skills

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  • Step 5: Fill in Your Background

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Get Expert Writing Recommendations for Your Biology Resume

Writing a great biology resume requires some specific information. . Job seekers need to provide evidence that they have the right experience, like conducting research, solving complex scientific problems, designing statistical studies and working with specimens.

LiveCareer’s Resume Builder makes it easy by providing pre-written text suggestions written specifically for biology resumes by our certified resume writers. Here are some example of phrases our builder might recommend for your biology resume:

  • Oversaw field and laboratory projects from concept through completion for team of 43 staff members
  • Handled specimens and conducted tests according to established protocols, keeping efficient records on all experiments
  • Designed and optimized assays
  • Interpreted research findings and summarized data into reports
  • Extracted DNA and genotype samples using SNP technology
  • Documented experiment progress and observations, compiled data and organized findings for analysis

8 Do’s and Don’ts for Writing a Biology Resume

  • Do provide examples of research skills. One of the top skills employers desire for biologists is the ability to conduct research. Your resume should show off your experience working with data, running research studies and analyzing results. Be specific with your experiences.
  • Do highlight scientific writing skills. Communication is also important, even in the scientific field. Show employers you are also able to relay your scientific research findings to a general audience by detailing your written presentations and lectures.
  • Do emphasize your education. Careers in the scientific field often require advanced college degrees. Your education section should list each university degree earned, starting with the most recent. Include the degree, the major field of study, the name of the university and any other relevant information.
  • Do include any publications you authored. You can also impress your next employer by describing your publication history. Give information about previous research published in peer-reviewed journals or other academic publications.
  • Don’t rule out using another type of resume format. The chronological resume is the most common resume format for applicants with some experience. For biology jobs, you may want to consider using a combination format or functional-style resume to highlight research and scientific skills, and put your publications and accolades first.
  • Don’t forget to include honors and awards. You should also show off your proudest achievements in the biology field by listing any academic or scientific honors or awards. These can be honors earned throughout your education or prestigious awards you’ve received during your career.
  • Don’t hesitate to include teaching experience in science. Many people in the biology field also have experience teaching college courses, as a part-time lecturer or as a teaching assistant during graduate coursework. For some positions, it may be helpful to include this teaching experience in your resume.
  • Don’t leave out research projects and lab work for entry-level positions. If you don’t have a lot of experience, it could be beneficial to include research and lab projects from college in your resume. Applicants trying to land an entry-level job should show off their skills from previous part-time jobs or scientific coursework.

Beat the ATS With These Biology Resume Skills

Recruiters and employers in the science field struggle to find talented applicants to fill open positions. Talent acquisition is one of the biggest problems for companies that employ biologists and other scientists since companies have to hire individuals with the right educational background and specific biology experience.

For this reason, many employers have turned to technology to help find and recruit suitable workers. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help employers weed out unqualified candidates by looking for specific keywords and phrases that have been programmed into the ATS. Our resume builder provides applicants with ATS-friendly phrasing to ensure their resumes match the requirements of the role. Here are some examples of keywords our builder might suggest for your biology resume:

  • History of publication in scientific research journals
  • Skills in designing research studies
  • Scientific laboratory management skills
  • Experience preparing and collecting specimens
  • Graduate degree in the biological sciences
  • American Society for Clinical Pathology certification
  • Experience analyzing scientific data
  • Understanding of aseptic techniques
  • Able to prepare synopsis of data for review
  • Ability to work in a biosafety level 3 laboratory

Biology Resumes for Every Professional Level

Entry-Level
Lab Assistant Example Resume Build my Resume

Biology Lab Assistant

The functional resume format is the best option for this entry-level applicant looking for a biology lab assistant position. This job seeker puts his valuable scientific skills front and center. He focuses on in-demand lab assistant skills, such as lab maintenance, specimen handling and documentation.

Even though he’s a recent college graduate and doesn’t have much professional experience, he is able to provide examples from his college career that show off his laboratory skills.

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Mid-Career
Lab Supervisor Example Resume Build my Resume

Lab Supervisor

This applicant uses a combination resume format to highlight a mix of seven years of work experience with bankable skills in biology. He seeks a job as a lab supervisor, and provides details about his career progression from lab assistant to lab supervisor.

The applicant also highlights his industry skills. He points out his abilities in lab maintenance, specimen collection, data analysis and safety. Additionally, he highlights his ability to supervise other workers in the biology field.

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Executive-Level
Senior Microbiologist Example Resume Build my Resume

Senior Microbiologist

The chronological resume format is appropriate for someone seeking a top-level job in science, such as this job seeker going for a senior microbiologist position. This format helps show that he has the extensive background and experience required for this executive-level job.

The job seeker shows off a long history of success in biology, starting with a position in 2004. As a high-level employee, he includes more advanced experiences, such as supervising, mentoring and communicating findings to the public. He also includes his academic history with an advanced degree in biology.

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Statistics and Facts About Biology Jobs

Industries with the highest numbers of biological science employees

  • Federal executive branch 16,750 workers
  • Management and consulting services 1,550 workers
  • Scientific research and development 6,840 workers
  • Pharmaceutical 1,400 workers
  • Colleges, universities and professional schools 5,950 workers

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median annual wages for biology workers

Biological technician$44,500
Microbiologists$71,650
Wildlife biologists$63,420
Clinical laboratory technicians$52,330
0 50K 100K

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Job outlook data for biology workers 2018–2028

  • Biological scientists
    1.9% increase
  • Microbiologists
    5% increase
  • Biological technician
    7% increase
  • Wildlife biologists
    5% increase
-25%
0
25%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

College degree majors for biological scientists

Biology54.4%
Natural resources and conservation15.2%
Business5.1%
Physical sciences4.2%
Agriculture4.1%
Social sciences4%
Psychology2.8%
Health2.7%
Interdisciplinary studies2.6%
Engineering2%
Education1.8%
Parks, recreation and leisure1.1%
0% 50% 100%

Source: Data USA – U.S. Census Bureau

Diversity data of biological scientists

White78.2%
Asian13.9%
Black2.8%
Other1.9%
Two or more races2.4%
Native American.7%
0% 50% 100%

Source: Data USA – U.S. Census Bureau

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