How To Write A Bioinformatics Resume (With Template)

Updated 2 September 2022

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Bioinformatics is a scientific discipline that involves using computer technology to collect and analyse biological data such as molecular sequences. If you plan to apply for a job in bioinformatics, it can be beneficial to create a resume that defines your goals in the field and highlights your practical experience clearly, along with your diverse set of skills. Understanding which skills and work experiences to include in your document can help you write a resume that depicts your qualifications accurately.

In this article, we provide a six-step guide to writing a resume for a job in the bioinformatics field and offer a template and an example for you to use when writing your own resume :

How To Write A Bioinformatics Resume

It is necessary to write a bioinformatics resume if you are interested in working in the field. Bioinformatics is a broad interdisciplinary field that relates to computer science, biology and statistics. There are many subfields of bioinformatics, including systems biology, evolutionary algorithms and biostatistics.

Here are six steps you can take to create a bioinformatics resume :

1. Choose a resume format

Because bioinformatics professionals typically work with a variety of professionals, including individuals in both IT and biology, it is necessary that you choose a resume format that demonstrates your knowledge. In addition, it can be beneficial to choose a format that highlights your most relevant skills in the field. There are a few formats that may be useful, depending on your experience level. A chronological resume can help you demonstrate your experience in the field by listing your most recent positions first. You might use this format if you have a consistent employment history.

If you are a recent graduate and you do not have a consistent work history, you might prefer a functional resume that focuses on the relevant skills you may have, such as data modelling or knowledge of genomics. A combination resume may be a good option if you want to emphasise both your skills and experience. Regardless of the format you choose, be sure to include your contact information at the top of your resume. This ensures that employers have a way to contact you after reviewing your document.

2. Write a compelling professional summary

A professional summary can be an efficient way to retain the attention of a recruiter by summarising who you are and explaining why you are qualified for a position in bioinformatics. If you are an experienced bioinformatics scientist or professional, you may mention your years of experience. In addition, include your most relevant accomplishments in the field and use positive objectives to highlight your abilities. Mentioning a few skills may help you highlight your qualifications in further detail. Try to keep your summary concise by limiting it to two to three sentences.

3. Detail your bioinformatics work experience

To highlight your work experience in bioinformatics, list the various projects you have worked on and your previous roles that relate to the field. In each entry, include the names of your previous employers, your specific positions within those organisations, the dates you worked and the location of your employment. Underneath that information, use a few bullet points to detail your specific responsibilities. To distinguish yourself and highlight your achievements more effectively, use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments.

If you have relevant research experience, consider mentioning the number of labs you visited and the type of lab training you received. It may also be valuable to include additional information, like the software development experience you have or the professional publications you have written. This can help employers evaluate your experience in more detail and determine how qualified you are for the specific role to which you are applying.

4. List your relevant skills in the field

Bioinformatics is a complex field that requires candidates to have a variety of hard, soft and technical skills when applying for jobs. Be sure to review the job advertisement to see if the employer lists any preferred skills and determine if the ones they list align with your own. Hard bioinformatics skills may include knowledge of specific software programs or other bioinformatics tools that professionals use frequently when studying and managing biological and biochemical data. Bioinformatics professionals may also need programming and statistical skills, along with a thorough knowledge of biological processes.

Non-technical skills can also be useful to include on your resume, as these can help highlight how you work with others and provide insight into your work style. Because bioinformatics professionals regularly engage with a variety of other professionals who work in computing, biology or medicine, skills like communication and collaboration can be important. Critical thinking is another useful soft skill to include on your resume, as bioinformatics professionals are often responsible for solving complex computational biology problems using their knowledge of molecular dynamics and processes.

5. Include your education

In advanced fields like bioinformatics, it can be especially important to include your educational history on your resume for employers to review. Most bioinformatics candidates have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in bioinformatics, biology, computer science or a related field. Some also have multiple advanced degrees, such as a master's degree or a doctoral degree. Others may even hold a medical degree. By providing your educational history, you can further highlight your qualifications and demonstrate that you have the knowledge necessary to excel in the field.

In structuring the education section of your resume, include the degree you earned and the name of the educational institution you attended. If you graduated within the last few years or you are still completing your degree, you can also include your graduation date. This informs potential employers of when you can expect to finish your education. Entry-level bioinformatics roles may also prefer that you provide your graduation date if you have gaps on your resume.

6. Review your resume carefully

After you have finished writing each section of your resume, you can begin reviewing it and making the necessary revisions before you submit it for potential employers to review. Ensure that your resume is free of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors so you can demonstrate your strong work ethic and excellent attention to detail. Reading your resume aloud a few times may help you locate errors more easily. In addition, consider having a close friend or family member review it for you and make recommendations. Before you submit it, ensure that your resume follows the employer's exact specifications.

Resume Template For A Bioinformatics Role

Here is a template that you can use when structuring your own bioinformatics resume:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]

[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State]

Professional Summary

[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience

[Job title] | [Employment dates]
[Company name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job title] | [Employment dates]
[Company name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Skills

Education

[Degree and major], [Name of school or university]
[City], [State]

Optional

[Certification name], [Host organisation] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Example Resume For A Bioinformatics Role

You can use the following example resume when organising your own information:

Meera Khatri

+91-58923 43310| khatri.meera@email.com| Hyderabad, Telangana

Professional Summary

Experienced Bioinformatics Analyst with a doctorate in bioinformatics and six years of experience researching the pathology of diseases and studying genomic databases. Skilled in data processing, machine learning, genomics and a variety of programming languages.

Experience

*Bioinformatics Analyst | June 2019–Current
Biological Systems United| Hyderabad, Telangana*

Develop complex algorithms and computational methods to assess large sets of data
Assist with a variety of research investigations and laboratory tests
Perform genomic data quality control and validation activities
Develop presentations of computational results for Bioinformatics Scientists to use in their research
Analyse genome sequencing projects for cancer research

*Bioinformatics Analyst | May 2017–June 2019
Veridos Health | Hyderabad, Telangana*

Contributed to two major genomic research projects
Analysed over 500 databases containing important genetic information
Developed and managed external servers and provided support to laboratory staff as necessary

*Research Scientist | August 2016–May 2017
University of Amman | Mumbai, Maharashtra*

Collaborated with over 12 researchers to complete medical research projects
Outlined and wrote grants to gain additional funding to support major research
Published research analyses in four major academic journals