Skills
Biological Technician Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in biological technicians, and how to build and show them.
What skills do biological technicians need?
Biological Technicians need technical skills such as cell culture, pcr and molecular biology, and microscopy, plus people skills like attention to detail and patience. They also use tools such as Pipettes and PCR machines.
Technical (hard) skills
- Cell culture
- PCR and molecular biology
- Microscopy
- Aseptic technique
- Data analysis
- Lab safety
People (soft) skills
- Attention to detail
- Patience
- Organization
- Teamwork
Tools, equipment and technology
- Pipettes
- PCR machines
- Microscopes
- Biosafety cabinets
- Centrifuges
- Electronic lab notebooks
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how biological technicians put their skills to work:
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “Cell culture” and “PCR and molecular biology.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “attention to detail,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as ASCP Technologist in Molecular Biology near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our biological technician glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Biological Technician 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.