Biomedical Scientist CV Example & Writing Guide

With growing needs for diagnostics in the UK, the Institute of Biomedical Science is planning to address the growing biomedical sector with increased training opportunities to get graduates working in the field. It could be a great time to pursue a career as a biomedical scientist. But you’ll need a top biomedical scientist CV to land one of these roles. 

That’s where we can help! We have a few different solutions that you can experiment with. However, as biomedical scientists form the largest professional group within healthcare science according to the Institute of Biomedical Science, what works best for you will depend on your position in this field. So, let’s explore your options! 

Resume.io routinely helps job seekers by providing a range of CV guides and CV examples for dozens of professions. We might not be biomedical scientists, but when it comes to creating a CV that delivers, we’ve got it down to an art.  

This CV guide, along with the corresponding CV example will cover the following topics:

• What does a biomedical scientist do?
• How to write a biomedical scientist CV (tips and tricks)
• The best format for a biomedical scientist’s CV
• Advice on each section of your CV (summary, work history, education, skills)
• Professional CV layout and design hints.

What does a biomedical scientist do?

As a biomedical scientist, you can choose to specialise in multiple areas. These include infection sciences, blood sciences, cell sciences or genetic and molecular pathology. Through your career as a biomedical scientist you could end up working in multiple different work environments. These could range from private laboratories to research facilities, or even universities.

Some of your daily responsibilities as a biomedical scientist could involve performing routine and specialist analytical testing on various biological samples, giving test results to medical staff, accurately recording data and writing and sharing reports. 

In terms of the administrative side of the role, you may need to answer telephone enquiries about test results, update paperwork or computer records with data and test results and maintain and order stocks of material. 

How to write a biomedical scientist CV

Understanding what sections to include is the very first step in writing your biomedical scientist CV. Your CV should contain the following elements:

• The CV header
• The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The CV skills section
• The education section

Employers will still want to know what sets you apart from other candidates and more importantly, why you’re interested in working for them in particular. With this in mind, start researching and discover everything that you can about the job and place of work that you are applying to. Let your enthusiasm for the role shine through your writing before you’ve even had a chance to vocalise it in an interview. We’ll guide you through the step by step of filling in each section in the rest of this guide.

Choosing the best CV format for a biomedical scientist

As a rule of thumb, the best CV format for most job seekers will be reverse chronological. All this means is that your employment history section is prioritised. Other alternatives do exist too though, and you can even check out hybrid formats

Where biomedical scientists are concerned, another great choice for your CV example is the functional CV format as it is mostly used by technical professionals and specialists because it predominantly emphasises important niche or complex skills and competencies as opposed to your work history. 

CV summary example

Your CV summary is a brief insight into the work that you have done as a biomedical scientist and beyond. This is accomplished by summarising key experiences and attributes that you have as a candidate. Three to four sentences should be more than enough space to outline important professional achievements that would generate a hiring manager’s interest. 

If this is your first role, then draw on academic achievements or any work placements you completed. There are still plenty of ways to write a compelling summary in your CV example. 

Employment history sample

There’s no need to overcomplicate things, so stick to the previously mentioned reverse chronological method for your biomedical scientist CV. Your most recent job or work experience should appear first, and then previous ones should follow accordingly. 

Remember to include headings including your role, employer name, dates worked, and location. Under this you should concisely outline your responsibilities using dynamic action verbs. Utilise the space you have by avoiding “I” statements and make every word count.

If you’re struggling to start, take a look at the biomedical scientist employment history CV sample below for ideas.

CV skills example

Beyond your formal training to become a biomedical scientist, a CV skills list that highlights how you go above and beyond other candidates is the best way to stand out in such a sought-after profession. 

Your CV skills list should cover both hard skills and soft skills. These skills are crucial when it comes to performing your daily tasks, so show them off. In your role, hard skills will be the training that has made you proficient in what you do. Your soft skills, meanwhile, are what make you the scientist that you are — the person inside of the lab coat.

Biomedical scientist CV education example

Becoming a biomedical scientist involves a lot of studying, so remember to log those educational experiences accordingly on your CV. You can do this by creating a reverse chronological list of your formal education and training. 

You’ll need to include the name of the qualification, where it was earned, dates of attendance, and location. The CV sample content below shows you how it’s done.

CV layout and design

First-day jitters often boil down to the first impression you’re going to give your team. But to get to that point, you need to give the best first impression possible with your biomedical scientist CV. Use a clean and simple template that visually communicates your precise work manner both in and out of the lab.

We don’t expect you to be a jack of all trades though, so why not consider using one of our CV templates? You’ll save time and ensure you end up with a CV that’s polished, professional and ready for the world of work. 

Key takeaways for a biomedical scientist CV

1. You’re joining an already huge field of professional biomedical scientists, so know what sets you apart.
2. Highlight the soft skills that you make use of daily alongside your formal training as a biomedical scientist.
3. At work, you look the part of a scientist: neat, put-together and professional. Your CV should look the same.
4. You spent years studying to get to where you are. Remind the hiring manager of the effort you put in by including it all in your CV in the education section.