Chemist resume template
A clean starting structure with example content grounded in what chemists actually do day to day, not generic filler. Download and replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
Which resume format should you use?
Reverse chronological
You have a steady work history. This is the format almost every recruiter and ATS expects by default.
Functional
You're changing fields or have gaps in your employment. Leads with skills rather than a job-by-job timeline.
Combination
You're early career or have worked consistently but for only a few employers. Blends a skills summary with a shorter chronological history.
This template uses the reverse chronological format: the one most chemists should default to, since most Australian recruiters and ATS software expect it.
Professional summary
Chemist with hands-on laboratory experience in sample analysis, formulation work and technical reporting across research and quality assurance settings. Comfortable operating analytical instrumentation and translating raw data into clear findings for cross-functional teams. Works methodically under laboratory safety and regulatory requirements.
Key skills
- Laboratory analysis and method validation
- Chemical formulation and synthesis
- Regulatory compliance (TGA, NATA)
- HPLC and GC-MS operation
- Spectrophotometry
- LIMS data management
- Data analysis using Python or R
- Technical report writing
Experience: example bullet points
- Conducted laboratory experiments and recorded detailed observations, maintaining data integrity and traceability across multiple concurrent projects
- Analysed chemical samples using HPLC and GC-MS, identifying formulation deviations before batch release
- Developed and optimised chemical synthesis and formulation procedures, improving consistency across trial batches
- Prepared technical reports summarising analytical findings for cross-functional teams, supporting decisions on process and formulation changes
- Maintained laboratory safety protocols and environmental compliance, contributing to a clean result during NATA assessment
Education
Bachelor of Science majoring in Chemistry is the standard entry qualification, with many chemists in research, regulatory or senior technical roles holding Honours or a postgraduate degree (Master's or PhD) in chemistry or a related discipline.
Keywords an ATS is likely to scan for
Applicant tracking systems match your resume against terms in the job ad before a person ever sees it. Only include the ones that actually apply to your experience, but if a term below matches something you've done, use the same wording the job ad uses.
- NATA accreditation
- TGA compliance
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
- AS/NZS ISO/IEC 17025
- WHS regulations
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- HPLC
- GC-MS
- LIMS
- spectrophotometer
- batch records
- quality assurance
- R&D
- chemical hygiene
- dangerous goods handling
Getting past ATS screening
- Match the specific skills, certifications and terms used in the job ad, not just your own wording for the same thing.
- Keep formatting simple: no tables, text boxes, columns, headers/footers or graphics. Parsers frequently drop content placed in these.
- Submit as .docx or PDF unless the job ad specifies otherwise.
- Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills) rather than creative alternatives.
- List your core skills and technical competencies in their own section so a keyword scan can find them instantly.
This is a starting point, not a guarantee of interviews. Tailor every bullet point to your own real experience and the specific job ad.