Skills
Biochemist Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in biochemists, and how to build and show them.
What skills do biochemists need?
Biochemists need technical skills such as protein biochemistry, molecular biology, and assay design, plus people skills like persistence and curiosity. They also use tools such as HPLC and PCR machines.
Technical (hard) skills
- Protein biochemistry
- Molecular biology
- Assay design
- Chromatography
- Data analysis
- Scientific writing
People (soft) skills
- Persistence
- Curiosity
- Attention to detail
- Collaboration
Tools, equipment and technology
- HPLC
- PCR machines
- Spectrophotometers
- Centrifuges
- Mass spectrometers
- Analysis software
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how biochemists put their skills to work:
- How to design a controlled experiment
- How to purify a protein
- How to document a research experiment so others can repeat it
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “Protein biochemistry” and “Molecular biology.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “persistence,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as Ph.D. near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our biochemist glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Biochemist training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.