Science & laboratory CV guide
List techniques, instruments and software (e.g. HPLC, PCR, flow cytometry, LIMS). Mention GLP / GMP / ISO 17025 experience for regulated labs.
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Sections to include
| Section (in this order) | How important |
|---|---|
| Profile | Recommended |
| Experience | Expected |
| Education | Expected |
| Techniques & instruments | Recommended |
| Key projects | Recommended |
Tips
- List techniques, instruments and software (e.g. HPLC, PCR, flow cytometry, LIMS).
- Mention GLP / GMP / ISO 17025 experience for regulated labs.
Questions
What should a scientist CV include?
A scientist CV needs your contact details, experience and education, and usually profile, techniques and instruments and key projects. Lead with what employers in this field check first, and back it up with specific examples. List techniques, instruments and software (e.g. HPLC, PCR, flow cytometry, LIMS). The CV Atlas readiness check flags anything this field expects that your CV is missing.
What order should the sections of a scientist CV be in?
Use this order for a scientist CV: Profile, Experience, Education, Techniques & instruments and Key projects. Put the most important evidence for this field near the top, and list entries within each section with the most recent first. Contact details and your name always come first, in the header. Some countries change the order, for example Japan lists history oldest first, and CV Atlas applies that automatically.
How long should a scientist CV be?
It depends on the country more than the job. A scientist CV in the United States should be 1–2 pages; in the United Kingdom, 2 pages; in Australia, 2–4 pages. Keep recent roles detailed and older ones brief, so your strongest evidence sits on the first page. Pick your target country in CV Atlas and it applies the local length and paper size.
How do I make a scientist CV stand out?
Mention GLP / GMP / ISO 17025 experience for regulated labs. Be specific: name the systems, settings and results, start each bullet with a verb, and keep it to one line where you can. Show the scale of your work with numbers where it helps. Tailor the first lines of your profile and each role to the job advert.
Which jobs does the scientist CV guide cover?
This guide covers 31 job titles, including Chemist, Biochemist, Biologist, Microbiologist, Molecular biologist, Geneticist, Laboratory technician and Laboratory analyst. They share the same CV structure and checks. If your exact title is not listed, type it into CV Atlas and pick the closest field. Country rules such as photos, length and references are added on top when you choose where you are applying.
Jobs this guide covers
Chemist · Biochemist · Biologist · Microbiologist · Molecular biologist · Geneticist · Laboratory technician · Laboratory analyst · Quality control analyst · Food scientist · Forensic scientist · Pharmacologist · Toxicologist · Materials scientist · Geologist · Geophysicist · Hydrologist · Meteorologist · Oceanographer · Environmental scientist · Ecologist · Marine biologist · Biotechnologist · Bioinformatician · Formulation scientist · Medical physicist · Nuclear scientist · Science communicator · Patent examiner · Chemical technician · Life science technician
Country guides
Photo, date of birth, length and paper size change by country. Start with United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, or see all 200 countries.
Open the builderYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Guidance checked October 2026. General information for most employers, not legal or immigration advice. A job advert’s own instructions always come first. CV Atlas is not affiliated with any regulator or professional body named.