Biochemist Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Biochemist resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Biochemists study the chemical processes that occur within living organisms. They look at how cells function and interact with their environments and each other. They explore the ways that proteins, DNA, and other molecules interact to create life as we know it.
Biochemists have a wide range of job opportunities available to them, from teaching to research to industry. They might work in hospitals or pharmaceutical companies or food production plants, or they might focus on environmental issues or forensic science. Whatever their focus, biochemists play a critical role in helping us understand how our bodies work and how we can keep them healthy.
If you want to become a biochemist but aren’t sure where to start when it comes to writing your resume, here are some tips and an example to help you out.
How to Write a Biochemist Resume
Here’s how to write a biochemist resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most effective way to showcase your experience and qualifications. But rather than simply listing your responsibilities, you can make your bullet points much more interesting and compelling by using them to tell a story about your work.
For example, rather than saying you “conducted research on the effects of pesticides on soil microbes,” you could say you “conducted research on the effects of pesticides on soil microbes, contributing to a 10% increase in crop yield for local farmers.”
The second bullet point is much more interesting and provides a clear sense of the impact of the work. It also provides a clear sense of the scope of the project, which helps the reader understand how much responsibility you had.
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you submit your resume online, it’s likely that it will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. This software is designed to search for specific job-related terms, like “DNA sequencing” or “purification techniques.” If your resume doesn’t have enough of the right keywords, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
To make sure your resume makes it past the ATS, focus on including relevant keywords throughout all sections of your application. Here are some common biochemist keywords to get you started:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Culture
- Laboratory Skills
- Cell Biology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Protein Purification
- DNA Extraction
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- Western Blotting
- Life Sciences
- ELISA
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Molecular Cloning
- Immunofluorescence
- Chemistry
- Biotechnology
- Laboratory Research
- Quality Control
- Research
- High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS)
- Protein Expression
- Cell Signaling
- Biotechnology Products
- Genomics
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)
- Biochemical Assays
- Microbiology
- Scientific Writing
- Microscopy
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a biochemist, you rely on a variety of programs and systems to complete your work. It is important to list your technical skills prominently on your resume to show that you are familiar with the essential tools and systems used in your field.
Recruiters are looking for biochemists who are proficient in specific programs, such as Excel, MATLAB, and R. They also want to see that you have experience with specific systems and methodologies, such as chromatography and spectroscopy. So be sure to list all of your relevant technical skills prominently on your resume.