Biomedical science CV examples

This step-by-step guide breaks down the essentials of writing a CV to produce a great biomedical science application – from structuring your experience effectively to ensuring your technical expertise stands out. Follow these steps and you’ll have a CV that’s ready for publication.

A CV structure should be as clear and methodical as a well-documented research paper. If a recruiter has to sift through pages of irrelevant data to find your key skills, your application is likely to be shelved faster than an inconclusive experiment.

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – Place your name and personal details prominently at the top of your CV for quick access. Adding a photo is up to you.
• Profile – Open with a compelling overview of your key technical skills, experience, and the value you’d bring to a lab.
• Core skills – List your key abilities in this section, focusing on those that will be most relevant to the job, like data analysis and quality control.
• Work experience – Provide a detailed breakdown of your work history, starting with the most recent job first.
• Education – List your qualifications, including degrees and relevant certifications, in reverse chronological order.
• Additional info – Use this optional space for relevant hobbies, publications, or awards that enhance your application.

A disorganised CV is like an inaccurate lab report – confusing and unlikely to get the desired results. Your format should be easy to follow and totally free from mistakes, to help recruiters find the things that make you the right candidate for the role.

Here are some useful tips on your formatting:

• Bullet points – Use short, sharp bullet points to present your responsibilities and achievements clearly.
• Divide sections – Make use of distinct headings and logical spacing to guide recruiters through your CV.
• Use a clear and readable font – A simple, professional font ensures readability while keeping the layout polished and tidy.
• No more than 2 pages – This gives you the length you need to detail your experience while keeping it concise enough to respect the recruiter’s time.

Your CV profile is your research abstract – an overview of your key expertise and career focus. This is the first thing any hiring manager is going to see, so make sure to hook them early with a quick summary. The ultimate aim is to convince them that hiring you would benefit their institution.

If it’s a more junior role you’re after, consider a longer personal statement instead – complete with a comprehensive cover letter.

These are the things you should aim to include in your profile:

• Biomedical specialisation – Whether you focus on microbiology, clinical diagnostics, or biotechnology, highlight your area of expertise.
• Technical expertise – Mention laboratory skills such as PCR, histology, or flow cytometry.
• Research contributions – If you’ve worked on published studies or significant research projects, include them.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills – Employers value professionals who can interpret data and troubleshoot scientific challenges.
• Regulatory and quality control experience – If you have experience in compliance with medical or laboratory standards, highlight it here.

Don’t force recruiters to use a microscope to find your key skills. They open your CV looking to see if you’re capable of the key tasks required in a lab, so make them clear in your core skills section. 

If the role focuses on clinical diagnostics, highlight pathology, specimen analysis, and regulatory compliance. If it’s research-based, focus on laboratory techniques and data interpretation.

Your past work experience should read more like a research portfolio than just a list of responsibilities. Employers want to see the impact of your work. Your experience section should highlight the research you’ve contributed to, the laboratory techniques you’ve mastered, and any improvements you’ve implemented.

List roles in reverse chronological order, ensuring each entry is structured with bullet points. If you’re new to the field, include internships, research placements, or university projects.

• Outline – Introduce the lab, research centre, or organisation you worked for, along with your role.
• Responsibilities – List key tasks, such as conducting tests, analysing samples, or running experiments. Use action words like “examined”, “analysed”, and “validated”.
• Achievements – If your experience section doesn’t include results, it’s like a study with no conclusions – hard to take seriously. Highlight measurable outcomes, such as research findings.

While work experience tends to be more valued, biomedical science is a field where education and academic qualifications are essential. As such, you’ll need to ensure your degree and any additional training are clearly listed.

If you’ve completed specialist courses in areas such as molecular biology, genetics, or bioinformatics, include them here to demonstrate your expertise.