Home Biotechnologist Resume template
Biotechnologist resume template
A clean starting structure with example content grounded in what biotechnologists actually do day to day, not generic filler. Download and replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
Which resume format should you use?
Reverse chronological
You have a steady work history. This is the format almost every recruiter and ATS expects by default.
Functional
You're changing fields or have gaps in your employment. Leads with skills rather than a job-by-job timeline.
Combination
You're early career or have worked consistently but for only a few employers. Blends a skills summary with a shorter chronological history.
This template uses the reverse chronological format: the one most biotechnologists should default to, since most Australian recruiters and ATS software expect it.
Professional summary
Biotechnologist with a postgraduate background in molecular biology and hands-on experience across cell culture, molecular assays and data analysis in PC2 laboratories. Works to TGA, OGTR and GMP requirements, with a record of keeping experimental documentation audit-ready. Moves comfortably between bench work and quantitative analysis in RStudio and GraphPad Prism.
Key skills
- Cell culture and aseptic technique
- Molecular techniques including PCR, qPCR, DNA and RNA extraction and gel electrophoresis
- Protein analysis and chromatography
- Assay development and validation
- Statistical analysis and interpretation of experimental data
- Regulatory compliance including TGA, OGTR and GMP requirements
- Laboratory documentation, traceability and audit preparation
- Equipment maintenance, calibration and reagent management
- Benchling
- SnapGene
- GraphPad Prism
- RStudio
- Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
- Attention to detail and problem solving
Experience: example bullet points
- Ran PCR, gel electrophoresis and chromatography assays across a shared laboratory, turning around sample batches within agreed client timeframes.
- Cultured bacterial and mammalian cell lines under aseptic conditions, maintaining viability across multi-week experimental programs.
- Recorded experimental data in Benchling and the laboratory LIMS so every result could be traced from raw instrument output to the final report during audits.
- Maintained equipment calibration schedules and reagent stocks, reducing unplanned instrument downtime for the wider team.
- Analysed assay results in GraphPad Prism and RStudio and presented findings at weekly group meetings.
- Investigated out-of-specification results through repeat testing, reagent checks and equipment review, documenting each deviation and its resolution.
Education
Bachelor of Science in biotechnology, molecular biology or biochemistry, usually followed by an honours year or a Master of Biotechnology, with a PhD common for research and development roles.
Keywords an ATS is likely to scan for
Applicant tracking systems match your resume against terms in the job ad before a person ever sees it. Only include the ones that actually apply to your experience, but if a term below matches something you've done, use the same wording the job ad uses.
- TGA
- OGTR
- NATA
- ISO 15189
- ISO 17025
- GMP
- Good Laboratory Practice
- PC2 laboratory
- WHS
- Gene Technology Act 2000
- aseptic technique
- cell culture
- qPCR
- ELISA
- SDS-PAGE
- chromatography
- assay validation
- biosafety
- LIMS
- Benchling
- SnapGene
- GraphPad Prism
- RStudio
Getting past ATS screening
- Match the specific skills, certifications and terms used in the job ad, not just your own wording for the same thing.
- Keep formatting simple: no tables, text boxes, columns, headers/footers or graphics. Parsers frequently drop content placed in these.
- Submit as .docx or PDF unless the job ad specifies otherwise.
- Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills) rather than creative alternatives.
- List your core skills and technical competencies in their own section so a keyword scan can find them instantly.
This is a starting point, not a guarantee of interviews. Tailor every bullet point to your own real experience and the specific job ad.