Crafting a CV that strikes a balance between technical proficiency and the demonstration of practical lab experience is a common challenge you might encounter. Our guide offers targeted advice and examples on how to effectively showcase your skills and laboratory accomplishments, ensuring your CV stands out to potential employers.
Land the job of your dreams with our bespoke guide on how to:
- Design and format your professional lab assistant CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading lab assistant CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your lab assistant CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
Resume examples for lab assistant
Explore additional lab assistant cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior Lab Assistant
- Structured and Comprehensive Content - Freya's CV is well-structured, providing a clear and concise overview of her qualifications, experience, and skills. The use of bullet points for job responsibilities and achievements ensures clarity and allows for easy comprehension. Each section is appropriately labeled, guiding the reader through her career with efficiency.
- Steady Career Progression - The CV illustrates a clear career trajectory, showcasing Freya's rise from a Junior Laboratory Technician to a Senior position at Queen's University Belfast. Her progression highlights her growing responsibilities and expertise, reflecting her dedication and capability in the laboratory sector.
- Emphasis on Health and Safety Expertise - Freya has specialized in innovative methodologies related to health and safety in lab environments, which is a unique and valuable asset in the industry. Her proficiency in conducting health and safety audits and developing risk assessments indicates a deep understanding of laboratory safety and compliance.
Junior Lab Assistant
- Structured Presentation of Technical Skills - The CV is organized clearly, showcasing Isabelle's technical prowess with a well-defined skills section. It succinctly outlines key abilities in molecular biology, immunology, and bioinformatics, making it easy for hiring managers to quickly assess her qualifications.
- Career Progression Emphasizing Research Excellence - The career trajectory highlights Isabelle's growth from an intern to a research assistant, underscoring her increasing responsibilities and contributions to cancer research. Her transition to a specialized role at Cancer Research UK reflects her commitment and expertise in the field.
- Industry-Specific Methodologies and Tools - Isabelle demonstrates depth in cancer biology through her use of specific tools and methodologies. Her work on utilizing bioinformatics for data analysis and her involvement in projects identifying immunotherapy targets highlight her technical depth and relevance in current industry research trends.
By Role
Lab Research Assistant
- Clear Structure and Conciseness - The CV is neatly organized, allowing the reader to quickly understand the candidate's qualifications and experience. Each section is clearly labeled and the information within them is presented concisely, making it easy to grasp essential details without overwhelming the reader.
- Career Advancement and Depth - The career trajectory showcases steady advancement, starting as a Research Assistant at AstraZeneca and progressing to a Cancer Research Scientist at Cancer Research UK. This indicates not only growth within the field but also a deepening of expertise and responsibilities.
- Industry-Relevant Innovations - Notably, the CV highlights unique projects and methodologies such as optimizing cell culture protocols, introducing new data management systems, and applying molecular biology techniques. These elements underscore the candidate's contribution to scientific advancements and industry-specific innovations.
Lab Assistant in Biotechnology
- Dense Detail with Clarity - The CV is structured to present dense, information-rich content without overwhelming the reader. It uses bullet points effectively to highlight key achievements and skills concisely, ensuring clarity and ease of understanding for potential employers or collaborators.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - The trajectory from Biology Lab Assistant to Laboratory Technician at GenTech Biosciences showcases a clear progression in roles, responsibilities, and locations within the biotech industry. This growth indicates a trajectory focused on increasing technical and leadership responsibilities over time.
- Technical Depth and Innovation - The CV includes industry-specific achievements such as the development of novel testing methods, enhanced data efficiency, and experience with specialized data analysis software. These elements demonstrate a strong technical depth and commitment to innovation within biotechnology, marking significant contributions to his employers.
Lab Assistant in Pathology
- Clear structure and concise content - The CV is meticulously organized with distinct sections such as experience, education, skills, courses, achievements, and personal interests, making it easy for readers to locate key information quickly. Each section is succinctly detailed, avoiding unnecessary jargon and emphasizing clarity, ensuring that the key aspects of Jack Taylor's professional profile stand out.
- Notable career growth and specialization - Jack Taylor’s career trajectory showcases a remarkable progression from a Laboratory Assistant to a Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant, highlighting increased responsibilities and leadership roles over time. The consistent focus on biochemistry and microbiology demonstrates deep industry specialization, emphasizing the candidate's accumulation of expertise and authority in medical laboratory operations.
- Emphasis on process improvements and operational impact - Jack's achievements highlight substantial contributions to laboratory efficiency and accuracy. Initiatives like optimizing sample handling, implementing new data protocols, and managing cost savings in reagent use underscore a strong commitment to enhancing operational performance. These improvements translate into tangible business relevance, showcasing Jack's ability to drive impactful changes that benefit both laboratory operations and patient outcomes.
Lab Assistant in Microbiology
- Clear and structured presentation of experience - The CV effectively breaks down the candidate's job history, offering a logical progression from early roles to recent positions. It includes precise dates and locations, making it easy to follow the candidate's career trajectory and understand the range of experiences gained over the years.
- Steady career progression within the scientific field - William Hall's career path shows a deliberate advancement within the scientific research domain, transitioning from academia into industry roles. This demonstrates both continued professional development and a deepening expertise in microbiology and molecular biology.
- Technique-focused achievements with substantial impact - The CV is rich with industry-specific achievements, such as mastering advanced PCR techniques and enhancing laboratory efficiencies. These accomplishments highlight the candidate’s technical proficiency and significant contributions to improving research accuracy and operational workflow in laboratory settings.
Lab Assistant in Chemistry
- Comprehensive Presentation Through Structure - The CV is structured with clarity and conciseness, effectively organizing sections like experience, skills, education, and achievements. This clear segmentation helps convey complex information such as ISO compliance or enhanced lab efficiency without overwhelming the reader.
- Diverse Industry Experience and Growth - Ruby Gibson showcases a well-rounded career trajectory, moving seamlessly through roles such as Laboratory Technician, Environmental Consultant, and Research Assistant. Each position highlights progressive responsibility and skill advancement, underlining growth from supporting roles to leading projects that impact environmental quality and compliance.
- Technical Proficiency in Environmental Science - The CV effectively emphasizes industry-specific tools and methodologies, from advanced environmental monitoring techniques to ISO 17025 standards. This technical depth underscores Ruby's commitment to applying cutting-edge methods and her substantial knowledge in chemistry and microbiology to her scientific endeavors.
Lab Teaching Assistant
- Structured Experience Presentation - The CV is well-organized with clear headers for each section, allowing for easy navigation through James Lewis' professional history. His roles are detailed with concise bullet points that effectively convey his responsibilities and achievements, ensuring clarity and quick comprehension for any reader.
- Demonstrates Growth in Science Education - James' career trajectory shows a clear path of progression within the education and science sectors. He began as a Laboratory Assistant and took on increasingly responsible roles, including Science Technician and Science Camp Facilitator, showcasing his commitment to expanding his expertise in science education.
- Innovative Use of Experimental Design - The CV highlights James' unique contributions to the science field through his innovative approach to experiment design. His ability to collaborate in creating engaging experiments is underscored by a reported 20% increase in student engagement, demonstrating a blend of creativity and practical application.
Lab Assistant in Physics
- Structured Career Progression - Sophia Brooks' CV showcases a logical and impressive career trajectory, highlighting progressive roles from Research Technician to Lab Technologist, reflecting growth within the scientific industry. Her career advancement demonstrates increasing responsibilities, adaptability, and accumulated expertise, reinforcing her capacity for leadership in lab environments.
- Implementation of Industry-Specific Safety Protocols - The CV emphasizes unique industry-specific achievements, notably in safety protocol implementation. Sophia successfully decreased lab accidents by 60% through enhanced safety measures, showcasing her ability to directly influence and improve workplace safety, a critical component of lab operations.
- Adaptability and Cross-Functional Collaboration - Demonstrating a high degree of adaptability, Sophia's experience includes transitioning labs to virtual platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic and collaborating across functions. Her ability to work with different teams, such as Environmental Health and Safety, to manage chemical waste and integrate digital tools into experiments evidences her cross-functional prowess.
Lab Assistant in Forensic Science
- Content Presentation - Clear and Structured - The CV is neatly organized with distinctive sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each section is logically structured to present information clearly and concisely, enhancing readability and making it easy for the reader to locate specific details regarding competencies and experience.
- Career Trajectory - Steady Growth in Forensic Science - Finley Robinson's career path illustrates a consistent progression in the field of forensic science, evolving from a forensic scientist to a senior forensic analyst, and ultimately to an educator. This trajectory reflects both professional advancement and an expanding role in mentoring and course development, underscoring a robust commitment to the field.
- Achievements and Business Relevance - Impact Beyond Numbers - The CV highlights achievements that extend beyond mere numeric improvement, focusing on meaningful impacts such as securing additional funding and achieving ISO accreditation. These accomplishments not only demonstrate Robinson's skills in securing resources but also emphasize a commitment to enhancing quality and educational standards within forensic science.
Lab Assistant in Environmental Science
- Structured and comprehensive presentation - The CV is meticulously organized with clear sections for personal information, experience, education, skills, courses, achievements, languages, passions, and a summary. Each section is concise, making it easy for readers to pick out crucial information pertinent to the role of a lab specialist in atmospheric sciences.
- Notable career trajectory and leadership - Henry White's career demonstrates significant growth, from a Junior Climate Analyst to a Climate Data Analyst at the Met Office. This progression reflects his increasing responsibility and expertise in the field, highlighted by leadership roles such as heading a project team and conducting workshops, which point to strong leadership capabilities.
- Significant industry-relevant achievements - The CV emphasizes impactful achievements, such as enhancing atmospheric model accuracy by 15% and reducing data processing time by 25%. These accomplishments are not just numbers; they illustrate Henry's ability to deliver results that advance practical applications in atmospheric science and contribute to policy-making.
Lab Assistant in Molecular Biology
- Structured and Clear Presentation - The CV is well-organized, providing clear headings for each section such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. This structured format allows for quick and easy navigation, helping potential employers locate relevant information with ease and efficiency.
- Consistent Career Growth - Henry shows a consistent upward trajectory in his career, advancing from a Laboratory Assistant to a Laboratory Specialist. This progression within the healthcare industry, notably within leading health service organizations, underscores his capability and competence in laboratory operations.
- Emphasis on Process Improvement - The CV highlights Henry's unique contributions to laboratory efficiency, such as improving specimen processing speed by 25% and reducing data entry errors. These achievements demonstrate his ability to not only meet business goals but enhance operational efficiency and drive quality improvements.
Lab Assistant in Genetics
- Clear, structured content presentation - The CV is well-organized, making it easy to follow the candidate’s career journey. Each section is clearly delineated, with concise bullet points summarizing roles and achievements. This structure aids clarity and ensures that key accomplishments are highlighted effectively.
- Impressive career trajectory and focused expertise - Scarlett Murphy's progression from a Biomedical Scientist to a Research Associate at prestigious institutions like Oxford University and Wellcome Sanger Institute illustrates a clear trajectory of growth. Her career path indicates a purposeful focus on human genomics and infectious diseases, suggesting both depth and ambition.
- Technical proficiency and leadership in genomics - The CV highlights unique elements like advanced qPCR analysis, NGS data analytic platforms, and innovative tissue culture techniques, indicating a strong technical foundation. Importantly, her leadership abilities are emphasized through her role in managing teams and mentoring staff, reflecting both technical and managerial capabilities.
Lab Assistant in Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Structured Presentation of Content - James Lewis's CV is neatly structured, making it easy to navigate and read. The headings are clearly defined, separating different sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements, which allows a recruiter to quickly locate relevant information. His summary is concise yet informative, effectively communicating his expertise and interests in pharmaceutical sciences and data analysis.
- Impressive Career Progression - The CV reflects a progressive career trajectory, moving from a Laboratory Technician at GlaxoSmithKline to a Research Assistant at AstraZeneca. This advancement showcases his ability to grow within the industry, gaining experience and taking on more responsibilities over time. His role evolution indicates adaptability and a deepening expertise in pharmaceutical research and data analysis.
- Emphasis on Cross-Functional Collaboration - Throughout his roles, James demonstrates a strong capability in cross-functional teamwork, which is vital in the pharmaceutical industry. His experience in collaborating with diverse teams to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and in preparing successful conference presentations underlines his soft skills in communication and leadership, contributing to the seamless execution of projects.
Lab Quality Control Assistant
- Structured and Concise Presentation - The CV demonstrates clarity and precision by structuring the content into distinct sections, each focusing on key aspects such as experience, education, and skills. This allows for easy navigation and quick comprehension of Alfie Edwards' qualifications and professional background, making it reader-friendly and impactful.
- Consistent Career Growth - Alfie Edwards' career trajectory reflects a logical progression through roles of increasing responsibility and complexity. Starting from a Chemical Analyst and growing into a Quality Control Officer, the trajectory showcases a natural development and specialization within the lab testing and quality control fields, underscoring a commitment to professional advancement.
- Emphasis on Safety and Efficiency - Unique industry-specific achievements, like leading a project for enhanced lab safety that reduced incident reports by 40%, highlight Alfie's technical depth and focus on precision and safety standards. The skills in laboratory testing, equipment calibration, and SOP compliance further affirm the candidate’s expertise in maintaining high-quality laboratory environments.
Lab Assistant in Medical Technology
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is well-organized, segmenting information into distinct sections, such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. This clarity allows easy navigation and enables hiring managers to quickly identify key qualifications and accomplishments relevant to the role in molecular diagnostics.
- Strong Career Progression - Florence Knight's career trajectory showcases a steady progression with pivotal roles in renowned institutions. From Laboratory Technician to Senior Assistant Technical Officer, each move demonstrates greater responsibility and expertise, especially within molecular diagnostics and quality assurance fields, reflecting consistent professional growth.
- Focus on Impactful Achievements - The CV not only lists roles and responsibilities but emphasizes significant achievements with quantifiable outcomes. For instance, improving diagnostic speed by 25% and reducing processing errors by 18% highlights the candidate's contribution to enhancing lab efficiency and patient care, directly benefiting healthcare operations.
Lab Assistant in Veterinary Science
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV presents a well-organized and concise structure, starting with clear contact information and progressing through sections like summary, experience, education, and achievements. This clarity ensures that each section is easily navigable, and key information is simple to locate, showcasing the candidate's knack for order and efficiency.
- Career Progression in Veterinary Science - The candidate's career trajectory showcases a logical progression from a Laboratory Technician to a Veterinary Technician, indicating consistent growth and an increase in responsibilities. Their movements within reputable industry names like Blue Cross UK and Vets4Pets demonstrate an upward career path within the veterinary field.
- Effective Harnessing of Industry-Specific Tools - The CV highlights proficiency in veterinary-specific tools such as Idexx equipment and electronic medical records systems like Avimark and SpecVet. This technical depth underscores their capability to manage sophisticated veterinary systems, ensuring high standards of laboratory administration and patient care.
Lab Assistant in Food Science
- Refined Content Presentation - The CV is well-organized and concise, with clearly defined sections that make it easy to navigate. The use of bullet points and succinct language ensures that key achievements and skills stand out, maintaining the reader's attention while emphasizing the candidate's strengths in food science and quality assurance.
- Consistent Career Growth in Food Industry - Scarlett Murphy’s career trajectory showcases a clear path of progression within the food industry, starting as a Food Technologist and advancing to Technical Coordinator. This upward movement highlights her growing expertise and leadership in quality assurance and technical roles, specific to the sushi and bento domain.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Relevance - The CV highlights numerous achievements supported by quantifiable data, demonstrating the candidate's ability to deliver tangible business results. Examples include reducing supply chain incidents by 30% and enhancing product development efficiency, which illustrates strong contributions to operational efficiencies and compliance improvements.
Lab Assistant in Material Science
- Highly Structured Content Presentation - The CV maintains a clear and structured format, detailed in concise sections such as experience, education, and skills. It employs bullet points effectively to highlight achievements and responsibilities, enabling the reader to quickly grasp the candidate's qualifications and contributions. The use of specific dates and locations further enhances clarity and organization.
- Strong Career Trajectory Evident - Isla King's career progression is clearly demonstrated through the advancement from Laboratory Analyst to a Laboratory Technician in progressively more responsible roles. The trajectory showcases growth and increased responsibilities within pathology services, emphasizing a dedicated career path with a focus on quality assurance and laboratory management.
- Significant Achievements with Business Impact - The CV highlights achievements with measurable business impacts, such as a 30% reduction in testing turnaround times and a 15% increase in client satisfaction. These demonstrate not only technical competence but also a strong contribution to business goals and efficiency, underscoring the value brought to past employers.
Lab Assistant in Geology
- Logical structuring and clarity in presentation - The CV is well-organized and concise, presenting information clearly through sections like experience, education, and skills. Each section is neatly arranged to help the reader quickly absorb key details, emphasizing relevant attributes that cater to the hydrogeology field.
- Demonstrates strategic career progression - The candidate’s trajectory shows an upward movement in responsibility and expertise across different companies and roles. From Geotechnical Engineer to Assistant Hydrogeologist, each position builds upon previous experiences, reflecting continuous professional growth and increasing industry impact.
- Showcases technical depth and industry-specific expertise - The CV highlights specialized knowledge in hydrogeology, including groundwater modeling and environmental impact assessments. It effectively underscores the candidate's ability to use advanced methodologies and tools, which are critical in delivering successful project outcomes within this niche sector.
How to ensure your profile stands out with your lab assistant CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your lab assistant CV to stand out amongst a pile of candidate profiles, yet you don't want it to be too over the top that it's unreadable. Where is the perfect balance between your CV format simple, while using it to shift the focus to what matters most. That is - your expertise. When creating your lab assistant CV:
- list your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your latest roles;
- include a header with your professional contact information and - optionally - your photograph;
- organise vital and relevant CV sections - e.g. your experience, skills, summary/ objective, education - closer to the top;
- use no more than two pages to illustrate your professional expertise;
- format your information using plenty of white space and standard (2.54 cm) margins, with colours to accent key information.
Once you've completed your information, export your lab assistant CV in PDF, as this format is more likely to stay intact when read by the Applicant Tracker System or the ATS. A few words of advice about the ATS - or the software used to assess your profile:
- Generic fonts, e.g. Arial and Times New Roman, are ATS-compliant, yet many candidates stick with these safe choices. Ensure your CV stands out by using a more modern, and simple, fonts like Lato, Exo 2, Volkhov;
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are ATS-friendly. Avoid the likes of fancy decorative or script typography, as this may render your information to be illegible;
- Both single- and double-column formatted CVs could be assessed by the ATS;
- Integrating simple infographics, icons, and charts across your CV won't hurt your chances during the ATS assessment.
PRO TIP
Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a lab assistant CV
- Professional Summary highlights career objectives and expertise, giving a quick overview to the recruiter.
- Laboratory Skills details specific techniques and procedures the candidate is proficient in, which are vital for lab work.
- Educational Background showcases relevant qualifications and specialised training critical for lab tasks.
- Work Experience lists previous roles and responsibilities to demonstrate practical experience in a laboratory setting.
- Publications and Research illustrates contributions to the scientific community, reflecting the candidate's depth of knowledge.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your practical laboratory experience, detailing specific techniques and equipment you're proficient with, as hands-on skills are paramount for a lab assistant.
- Emphasise your organisational abilities by mentioning any experience with lab inventory management, as keeping track of supplies is crucial in a lab setting.
- Include any relevant certifications or training, like aseptic technique or OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations, to demonstrate your commitment to safety and industry standards.
- Showcase your attention to detail by describing tasks or projects that required meticulous documentation, analysis, and reporting of experimental data.
- Mention your ability to work as part of a team by providing examples of collaborative projects or studies, as lab assistants often work with a group of researchers or technicians.
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What information should you include in your lab assistant CV header?
The CV header is potentially the section that recruiters would refer to the most, as it should include your:
- Contact details - your professional (non-work) email address and phone number;
- Professional photograph - if you're applying hinting at the value you bring as a professional.
Many professionals often struggle with writing their lab assistant CV headline. That's why in the next section of this guide, we've curated examples of how you can optimise this space to pass any form of assessment.
Examples of good CV headlines for lab assistant:
- Laboratory Technician | BSc Biological Sciences | 5+ Years in Microbiology | ISO 17025 Proficiency
- Research Lab Assistant | Clinical Trial Support | 2 Years Experience | GCP Certified
- Chemical Lab Analyst | MSc Chemistry | Specialisation in Analytical Techniques | 8 Years Industrial Experience
- Medical Laboratory Assistant | Patient Sample Processing | 4 Years in Haematology | Phlebotomy Qualified
- Biotech Lab Technologist | Gene Editing Research | MPhil Genetics | 3 Years Postgraduate Laboratory Work
- Senior Lab Supervisor | Environmental Testing Expertise | 10+ Years Experience | Lab Management Certification
Choosing your opening statement: a lab assistant CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a lab assistant job:
- With over 5 years of experience as a lab technician, I have refined my analytical and technical skills, specialising in microbiological assays and high-throughput screening. My biggest career achievement includes implementing a quality control system that increased lab accuracy by 20%.
- Accomplished Chemical Engineer transitioning to a laboratory environment brings a solid foundation of analytical chemistry, combined with exceptional research and problem-solving abilities. Notable success includes the development of a novel catalyst that boosted production efficiency by 15%.
- Dynamic former Clinical Research Coordinator aiming to leverage 7 years of experience in patient-oriented research and data management into a detail-oriented lab assistant role. Expertise in biomedical sample processing and a proven track record in managing successful clinical trials.
- Enthusiastic graduate with a BSc in Biology, eager to apply my comprehensive understanding of molecular techniques and laboratory practices. Pursuing a lab assistant position to hone my ability in scientific inquiry and support groundbreaking research.
- Seeking an entry-level laboratory assistant opportunity, I am keen to utilise my recent MSc in Biochemistry to contribute to the advancement of scientific understanding. Although new to the field, my academic background and determination poise me to make meaningful contributions from the outset.
- Aspiring Laboratory Technician with no practical experience yet but comes with a strong foundation in biotechnology and a fervent interest in genetic engineering. Determined to apply academic learning to real-world laboratory scenarios and achieve proficiency in analytical techniques.
How to meet job requirements with your lab assistant CV experience
We've now reached the essence of your actual CV - your experience section. This is the space where you can list your career roles and on-the-job successes. Many candidates tend to underestimate just how much time and effort they should put into writing this CV section. Your experience shouldn't be a random list of your responsibilities, but instead:
- Match the job description with your skills, values, and accomplishments;
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb, followed up with one key skill and your outcome of applying this skill;
- Spotlight parts of your career history that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
Before we move on, make sure to check out some professional CV experience sections.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Managed daily laboratory operations, ensuring all equipment was properly sterilised and maintained, thus keeping the lab in compliance with strict hygiene standards.
- Assisted in the preparation of experimental protocols, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail to support the reliability of research results.
- Performed complex laboratory tests in areas such as microbiology and biochemistry, showcasing proficiency in using various lab instruments and techniques.
- Recorded and analysed data with high accuracy, utilising spreadsheet and database software, which helped streamline the research process.
- Collaborated with senior researchers to troubleshoot experimental methods, contributing to the development of innovative solutions for procedural challenges.
- Supported the maintenance of a safe laboratory environment by conducting regular safety audits and promoting adherence to all Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations.
- Trained new laboratory personnel and students in laboratory protocols and equipment use, raising the overall efficiency and knowledge base of the lab team.
- Managed laboratory inventory and procurement processes, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of necessary reagents and materials for ongoing research projects.
- Liaised with interdisciplinary departments to coordinate research activities, showcasing strong communication and organisational skills essential for multi-departmental projects.
Work Experience
Laboratory Technical Assistant
GlaxoSmithKline
01/2017-12/2019
- Executed daily sample analysis using HPLC and mass spectrometry, improving sample throughput by 30%.
- Maintained the inventory of lab supplies, reducing waste by strategically ordering only necessary quantities based on forecasted lab usage.
- Collaborated on a cross-departmental project to develop a new assay protocol, which was adopted lab-wide and increased assay precision by 15%.
Work Experience
Laboratory Assistant Manager
AstraZeneca
05/2015-08/2018
- Managed the maintenance and calibration of lab equipment, resulting in a 20% reduction in downtime due to equipment failure.
- Trained 5 new lab assistants in laboratory procedures, safety protocols, and data entry, ensuring high-quality standards were maintained.
- Spearheaded the implementation of a new digital labelling system which improved sample traceability and reduced mislabelling incidents by 40%.
Work Experience
Senior Laboratory Support Staff
Pfizer
03/2012-06/2016
- Developed and optimised protocols for protein extraction, contributing to a 25% increase in the efficiency of downstream processes.
- Authored and revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the lab, enhancing compliance with industry regulations.
- Played a pivotal role in a research project that led to the publication of two peer-reviewed papers on novel drug delivery systems.
Work Experience
Laboratory Operations Specialist
BioNTech
11/2009-02/2013
- Performed regular quality control tests on pharmaceutical products, ensuring 100% adherence to internal and regulatory quality standards.
- Mentored junior lab assistants, fostering a supportive and knowledgeable lab environment, and decreasing training time by 25%.
- Contributed to a departmental audit that led to the improvement of waste management protocols, reducing hazardous waste by 20%.
Work Experience
Lab Assistant Team Leader
Merck Group
06/2019-11/2021
- Supervised a team of 3 lab technicians, ensuring consistent application of lab practices and a 5% improvement in team productivity.
- Led a project to optimise the automated liquid handling system, increasing sample throughput for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) by 35%.
- Coordinated with the IT department to upgrade laboratory information management systems (LIMS), enhancing data integrity and accessibility.
Work Experience
Laboratory Research Assistant
Novartis
02/2020-Ongoing
- Facilitated the transition to a high-throughput sequencing platform, doubling the number of genome sequences processed per month.
- Acted as the primary contact for external collaborations, effectively communicating progress and milestones to stakeholders and partners.
- Regularly reviewed literature to stay abreast of technological advancements and integrated two new assay techniques into the lab's repertoire.
Work Experience
Clinical Laboratory Assistant
Johnson & Johnson
07/2013-10/2017
- Managed the specimen life cycle from collection to analysis for over 5000 samples annually, while maintaining 99% accuracy in labeling and processing.
- Implemented lean lab management techniques which streamlined workflows and decreased average sample processing time by 20%.
- Participated in a groundbreaking study on a new cancer treatment, contributing to data collection and analysis used in pivotal clinical trials.
Work Experience
Laboratory Assistant Specialist
Roche
08/2014-09/2020
- Outlined and implemented a new reagent preparation process, saving the lab approximately £5,000 per annum in material costs.
- Credited with reducing cross-contamination rates by diligently following and enhancing sterilisation protocols.
- Designed a custom database for sample tracking which improved the efficiency of retrieving historical data by 30%.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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PRO TIP
Describe how each job helped you grow or learn something new, showing a continuous development path in your career.
Mix and match hard and soft skills across your lab assistant CV
Your skill set play an equally valid role as your experience to your application. That is because recruiters are looking for both:
- hard skills or your aptitude in applying particular technologies
- soft skills or your ability to work in a team using your personal skills, e.g. leadership, time management, etc.
Are you wondering how you should include both hard and soft skills across your lab assistant CV? Use the:
- skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies that are part of the job requirement (and that you're capable to use);
- strengths and achievements section to detail how you've used particular hard and soft skills that led to great results for you at work;
- summary or objective to spotlight up to three skills that are crucial for the role and how they've helped you optimise your work processes.
One final note - when writing about the skills you have, make sure to match them exactly as they are written in the job ad. Take this precautionary measure to ensure your CV passes the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment.
Top skills for your lab assistant CV:
HARD SKILLS
Laboratory Safety
Sample Preparation
Data Entry
Equipment Calibration
Specimen Handling
Chemical Storage
Quality Control Procedures
Microscopy
Laboratory Record-Keeping
Laboratory Techniques
SOFT SKILLS
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Communication
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Adaptability
Organisation
Critical Thinking
Initiative
Patience
PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
Your university degree and certificates: an integral part of your lab assistant CV
Let's take you back to your uni days and decide what information will be relevant for your lab assistant CV. Once more, when discussing your higher education, select only information that is pertinent to the job (e.g. degrees and projects in the same industry, etc.). Ultimately, you should:
- List only your higher education degrees, alongside start and graduation dates, and the university name;
- Include that you obtained a first degree for diplomas that are relevant to the role, and you believe will impress recruiters;
- Showcase relevant coursework, projects, or publications, if you happen to have less experience or will need to fill in gaps in your professional history.
PRO TIP
Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
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Key takeaways
Impressing recruiters with your experience, skill set, and values starts with your professional lab assistant CV. Write concisely and always aim to answer job requirements with what you've achieved; furthermore:
- Select a simple design that complements your experience and ensures your profile is presentable;
- Include an opening statement that either spotlights your key achievements (summary) or showcases your career ambitions (objective);
- Curate your experience bullets, so that each one commences with a strong, action verb and is followed up by your skill and accomplishment;
- List your hard and soft skills all across different sections of your CV to ensure your application meets the requirements;
- Dedicate space to your relevant higher education diplomas and your certificates to show recruiters you have the necessary industry background.
