Create Your Sciences
Resume in 5 Easy 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 Sciences Resume

Science resumes usually contain many references to research, publications and conferences attended — in addition to the standard past experiences and qualifications. Written by certified resume writers, our science resume examples show you how to organize your information into one cohesive document.

When you are ready to write, use LiveCareer’s Resume Builder to help streamline your resume-crafting process. Our tool suggests industry-specific keywords and phrases tailored to any field, from research to geology. Here are a few examples our builder might suggest for your sciences resume:

  • Performed diagnostics of malfunctioning equipment
  • Proficient in medical research and technology
  • Safety and environmental standards
  • Graphed changes during experiments, noting unexpected issues
  • Assisted in research support of data processing operations for large survey research projects

6 Dos and Don’ts for Writing a Resume for a Career in Sciences

  • Do include technical highlights. While your knowledge of RT-PCR or electrophorus might stump your mother, using this language on your scientific resume demonstrates that you know your stuff. Do not be afraid to use industry jargon to illustrate your expertise and lab experience.
  • Do your research. Make sure your resume contains keywords specific to each position. Research the company and its current projects, and make sure to read the job description. Include targeted skills that show your qualifications.
  • Do keep it concise. Scientific resumes are different from resumes for any other field. However, even though scientific resumes present more information, keep yours concise. In many cases, the hiring manager will make a judgement within the first six seconds of looking at a resume, so make sure your qualifications stand out.
  • Don’t submit a CV when the job calls for a resume. Resumes and curriculum vitae (CVs) are entirely different in their length, style and content. While a resume should present a concise summary of your past qualifications and future goals in the sciences, CVs are fully listed professional and education histories that usually span many pages.
  • Don’t ignore experience outside of the science industry. If you are seeking an entry-level position in research or science, include past experiences that still clearly relate to the job you are seeking. There are several key skill sets outside of the lab needed for a career in the sciences. For example, including entry-level jobs in retail and fast food demonstrate your experience in teamwork and communicating.
  • Don’t forget to proofread. Careers in any scientific field involve extensive research and writing. Never submit a resume before you have read it over more than once, making sure it is free of any glaring spelling or grammatical errors.

Beat the ATS with These Sciences Resume Skills

When seeking a job in the sciences, you should learn to account for applicant tracking systems (ATS) when submitting a resume. Employers for university, hospital or data positions will use an ATS to automatically scan resumes for job-specific keywords and phrases.

LiveCareer’s Resume Builder optimizes your resume with keywords chosen by our certified resume writers and likely sought by an ATS. Here are a few qualifications the builder might suggest for someone seeking a career in the sciences:

  • Results analysis
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Ability to work independently
  • Research planning

Sciences Resumes for Every Professional Level

Entry-Level

Research Intern

This applicant uses a functional resume format, which allows her to leverage her most attractive, transferable skills despite having limited experience. This resume style allows job seekers to break down exactly how they applied the most essential of these skills in previous positions.

Further down the page, there’s a small work history section laying out this candidate’s journey from teaching assistant to summer intern to research intern. These titles confirm to hiring managers that the job seeker has indeed accrued some entry-level experience in the field. Build my Resume

Mid-Career

Field Supervisor

This resume uses a combination resume format, which is good for those who have a decent amount of work history but also want to emphasize skills. The summary identifies key qualifications, the work history describes duties by listing jobs in reverse-chronological order, and the skills section commands the most space just above that.

The applicant also includes an education section at the end of the document. By using this format, the hiring manager can see right away how the job seeker’s skills and experience might make them an effective employee. Build my Resume

Executive-Level

Senior Scientist

In this resume for a senior scientist, the chronological format shows the hiring manager the depth of their work experience, which is essential when applying for executive-level jobs. The applicant uses phrases, such as “managed several complex projects” and “verified data integrity and accuracy,” that demonstrate success and effectiveness.

The job seeker then lists critical skills, such as problem-solving proficiency, statistical analysis techniques and report writing. Build my Resume

Recommended
Sciences Cover Letter

If you find this sample helpful, we have many more sciences cover letter examples.

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Resume Success Stories

Statistics and Facts About Sciences Jobs

Job Outlook for Popular Job Titles in Sciences (2018-2028)

Chemists$4 growth
Psychologists$14 growth
Medical Scientists$8 growth
Environmental Protection Technicians$9 growth
05101520
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Gender Composition of Sciences Jobs (2018)

Female 55.7%

Male 44.3%

Source: O*NET

Average Salaries for Those Working in Science (2018)

Average Salary$95589
Average Male Salary$111300
Average Female Salary$82986
030K60K90K120K
Source: DataUSA

Most Common Race or Ethnicity in Sciences (2018)

White59.5%
Asian30.8%
Black5.59%
Two or More Races3.64%
Other.475%
015304560
Source: DataUSA

Entry-Level Degree Required for Sciences Occupations

Associate Degree

  • Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
  • Chemical Technicians
  • Environmental Science Protection Technicians
  • Nuclear Technicians

Bachelor’s Degree

  • Agricultural and Food Scientists
  • Atmospheric Scientists
  • Biological Technicians
  • Chemists and Materials Scientists
  • Conservation Scientists
  • Environmental Scientists and Specialists
  • Forensic science Technicians
  • Geographers
  • Geoscientists
  • Hydrologists
  • Microbiologists
  • Zoologists

Master’s Degree

  • Anthropologists
  • Economists
  • Epidemiologists
  • Historians
  • Political Scientists
  • Sociologists
  • Survey Researchers
  • Urban and Regional Planners

Doctoral or professional degree

  • Biochemists and Biophysicists
  • Medical Scientists
  • Physicists and Astronomers

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Common Sciences Job Titles and Median Annual Salary (2019)

Agricultural and Food Scientists$65160
Anthropologists and Archeologists$63670
Atmospheric Scientists$95380
Biological Technicians$45860
Chemical technicians$49260
Conservation Scientists$62410
Epidemiologists$70990
Forensic Science Technicians$59150
Geoscientists$92040
Hydrologists$81270
Medical Scientists$88790
Microbiologists$75650
Nuclear Technicians$82080
Physicists and Astronomers$122220
Psychologists$80370
Survey Researchers$59170
Zoologists$63270
050K100K150K
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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