Biology Resume—Examples & Tips [Also for Entry-Level]

You live and breathe experiments. Prove that you’re an indispensable part of the company’s ecosystem with your biology resume!

In the wild world, there are at least two ways to survive. You either blend in with the crowd like a chameleon, so the predators can’t spot you, or you stand out in the crowd like a white tiger so that everyone can see you coming from miles away.

To succeed in the professional world, you should apply the second technique. But how do you stand out and let the recruiters see you? With an impressive biology resume!

In this guide:

• A job-winning biology resume example.
• How to create a perfect biology resume job description.
• How to write a professional biology resume that stands out.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing a job in the biology field.

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Not interested in writing a biology resume? See our guides for other science jobs:

• Chemistry Resume
• Engineering Internship Resume
• Environmental Science Resume
• Lab Assistant Resume
• Lab Technician Resume
• PhD Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• Science Research Resume
• Science Resume
• Tech Support Resume

Before you conduct in-depth research on how to write a resume, let’s take a look at a biology major resume example:

Biology Resume Example

Ralph I. Temple

Biologist

Personal Info

Summary

Dedicated biological researcher with 6 years of experience in developing a wide variety of biochemistry and microbiology laboratory procedures. At New Piper Company, led a team of 4 and secured a $15,000 National Science Foundation grant. Looking to apply mastery of sequencing reactions to groundbreaking research at Mohr Laboratories.

Experience

R&D Biologist

New Piper Company, Philadelphia, PA

January 2018–January 2022

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

• Supported the R&D department in the development of multiplex Real-Time PCR assets.
• Provided laboratory support in nucleic acid sample preparations technologies for 10+ sample matrices grants.
• Assisted in the writing and reviewing of 15+ SOPs and other documents in support of the company's quality management system (ISO 13485).
• Maintained proper documentation in accordance with GLP, GDP standards, and procedures.
• Led a team of 4 research and lab assistants.

Key Achievement

• Secured a $15,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for the team’s research on nucleic acid isolation techniques.

Research Assistant

University of California, Santa Barbara

January 2015–December 2017

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

• Performed experiments from protocols outlined by the Principal Investigator.
• Applied molecular biology approaches to dissect the mechanisms underlying key aspects of bacterial reproduction and pathogenesis.
• Performed 50+ DNA cloning tests.
• Cooperated with a team of 10 highly skilled scientists.

Education

BA in Biology

Louisiana State University

Skills

• Analytical thinking
• Creative problem solving
• Microsoft Office
• Research
• Leadership Skills
• Conceptual Skills
• Data analysis
• Grant and proposal writing
• DNA and RNA analysis

Awards

• Research Award in Biology, Louisiana State University, 2014
• Charles M. McCleskey Memorial Scholarship recipient, 2012

Volunteering

• Volunteer tutor at the After School Program in Baton Rouge, LA

Languages

study living organisms, their interactions, and the processes that drive life. They investigate a wide array of biological phenomena, from the molecular level to vast ecosystems. Biologists play crucial roles in fields such as research, healthcare, conservation, and education.

How to write a biology resume that will get under the recruiter’s microscope? Let’s take a look! We cover tips for experienced candidates and what to include in a biology student resume.

1. Use a Clear Format for Your Biology Resume

A biology resume should resemble well-crafted experiment documentation. The document should clearly state your achievements, experience, and other areas that distinguish you from your competition.

Biologists can work across a broad spectrum, which means fierce competition. What’s more, recruiters are busy people. You have to impress a hiring manager with your biology resume with a cheetah-like speed to stand a chance.

Thankfully, there are resume formats that yield positive results.

Biology Resume Format

• Start with highlighting your most recent employment and education. Hiring managers are most familiar with the reverse-chronological format of a biology resume. It is also the backbone of any ATS resume template.
• Choose a legible font for your resume. There is no one good answer here, but you can’t go wrong with Times New Roman, Cambria, or Arial.
• Apply 1” resume margins on all four sides of your document.
• Follow these resume sections: Header, Summary, Experience, Educations, Skills.
• Be concise. In most cases, a 1-page resume should suffice. You can make a two page resume if you have several years’ worth of professional achievements to share. Keep in mind that this is the case only for standard resumes: if you’re writing an academic CV, there’s no limit to the length of your job application.

Save your biology resume in PDF format so that the resume layout looks the same on all devices.

2. Write a Biology Resume Objective or Summary

Since you know everything about the layout of your biology resume, let’s take the next step. Let the recruiter know a bit about yourself! Introduce yourself with a strong resume profile. Or, to be more specific, with a resume summary or a resume objective.

Use a resume summary if you have a couple of years of experience in your biology field. Here’s a tried-and-tested formula for how to write a resume summary that achieves the desired effect:

1. Start with an adjective, for example, data-driven, reliable, meticulous.
2. State the job title, for example, “molecular biologist.”
3. Indicate years of experience (4+, 7+).
4. Use resume power words to highlight your strong suits.
5. Finish with stating your proudest achievements.

If you’re writing an entry-level biology resume, you should opt for a resume objective:

• Highlight the knowledge and skills you’ve learned so far and how well they’d fit in the job description.
• List transferable skills from other jobs that may apply to a biologist's job posting.

3. Create a Foolproof Biology Resume Job Description

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in STEM occupations will rise by 7.7% by 2030. The rapid growth means your biology resume should be tailored to the job you’re applying for.

You can achieve a predictable, positive result in your job application experiment by taking your work experience section under the microscope.

How to write a job description for a biology resume:

1. Analyze the job ad carefully.
2. Note down the skills and experience necessary for the position. Use the same resume keywords while describing your work experiences.
3. Give examples of applying these skills in your previous jobs.
4. Write down previous positions using resume bullet points.
5. Start each bullet point with an action word.

Target your resume to a specific job ad. That way, you’ll make sure your resume is compliant with ATS and can pass the first round of the hiring process.

And remember to keep the volume of your document in check: Your biology resume is not a research findings report. Focus only on your major professional accomplishments to show your expertise.

4. Make Your Biology Resume Skills Section Shine

Whether applying for a molecular biology position or writing a marine biology resume, your resume skills section can be a tilting weight. How is that possible, you may ask?

Adapt your biology resume skills section to the job posting you’re interested in. Focus on the skills listed in the resume. Apply the exact resume keywords that appear in the job ad, thus boosting your chances of your resume passing the ATS test and reaching the recruiter. And don't sleep on including hard skills.

Biology Resume Skills

• Research Skills
• Writing Skills
• Light and electron microscopy
• Molecular cloning
• Straining processes
• Spectrophotometry
• Interpersonal Skills
• Time Management Skills
• Communication Skills
• Efficiency
• Microsoft Office Skills
• Leadership Skills

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5. Highlight the Education Section on Your Biology Resume

The education section on a resume can be your key to the lab! Luckily, nailing your education section is as easy as pie.

• If you already have some experience, you can only state your school name, degree, and graduation date for the highest level of schooling.
• If you’re writing a biology resume with no experience, brag about your college achievements. Write bullet points stating relevant coursework, projects, and your GPA.

6. Boost Your Biology Resume with Extra Sections

Put your scientist hat on and research any extra information relevant to the job you’re applying for. Extra sections will help you stand apart from other candidates. Wondering what you can include in the biology resume extra section? Here’s a list of ideas:

• Foreign Languages
• Awards
• Volunteering
• Certifications
• Professional references
• Hobbies and interests

But that’s not all you can do to increase your chances of getting hired. There’s one more thing many candidates neglect: Writing a good cover letter. No matter your level of experience, a cover letter is necessary if you want to tip the scales in your favor.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

To write a job-winning biology resume:

• Stick to proper formatting: point the way towards the key findings to make the recruiter’s job easier.
• Highlight your achievements in every section of your resume, especially in your profile and work experience.
• Quantify your accomplishments, providing numbers and context to showcase them properly.
• Pick skills that match the job ad to target the right keywords and boost your chances of getting noticed.
• Attach a biology cover letter that provides further details on your achievements and your motivation.

Thank you for reading! Do you have any questions about your biology resume? Maybe you have a couple of tricks up your sleeve? Share them in the comments below!

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.

Dominika is a job expert with a focus on career development and onboarding processes. At ResumeLab, she co-manages our team of career experts.

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