Written by Michael Dryzer

Science policy is a broad field, and a resume that lands a think tank analyst job looks different from one that lands a role in a legislative office. The good news is that early-career scientists already hold many of the skills the field values. The work is in translating them and filling a few gaps.

Few people are better placed to explain how than Adriana Bankston, who led a recent SCOPE panel on crafting science policy resumes. Adriana earned her Ph.D. as a bench scientist before spending close to a decade in government relations and science advocacy roles. She wrote legislation that went into the CHIPS and Science Act and served as a congressional policy fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives through the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships. Here is what she shared.

Know what you’re aiming for

Science policy covers two areas: science for policy, which is research that informs public policy, and policy for science, which includes the laws and regulations that shape how research is done. Jobs in both areas sit in think tanks, universities, scientific societies, nonprofit organizations, funding agencies, private companies, and government. Common titles include:

• Policy analyst: researches and reports on policy issues, typically at think tanks, government agencies, and scientific societies
• Advocacy manager: promotes science to build support for a policy goal
• Program specialist: organizes and facilitates programs (often those led by funding agencies, scientific societies, and nonprofit organizations)
• Policy advisor: advises elected officials, agency leaders, or organizational leadership on policy decisions
• Congressional committee staff: supports a Congressional committee by researching issues, drafting legislation, organizing hearings, and briefing members

Notice that none of these titles are specific to science. They are general policy roles that science policy professionals fill. Applicants searching for a “[research specialty] science policy analyst” role may miss openings listed under broader titles.

Start with the skills you already have

Once you know what role you want to fill, the next step is to show that you can do the work that role requires. Most scientists bring subject-matter expertise, quantitative ability, and critical thinking skills, all of which transfer well. You have likely also communicated with non-scientists and built professional relationships, which matter in a collaborative, pluralistic enterprise like policymaking. List the tools in your toolbelt and note where they overlap with the job description.

Build the resume strategically

At this point, remember your audience: policy experts, not fellow scientists. Focus on what they care about.

Prioritize policy relevance. Lead with experiences that show relevant analytical, research, communication, or leadership skills.

Favor recent, full-time work. Earlier, part-time, or volunteer work is fine if you feel it strengthens your application.

Tailor it to the role.

• Policy analyst: analytical thinking, data-driven research, written synthesis
• Advocacy manager: coalition building, campaign coordination, science communication
• Program specialist: project management, stakeholder engagement
• Policy advisor: analytical thinking, verbal and written communication, decision-making under pressure
• Congressional committee staff: legislative analysis, stakeholder engagement, drafting briefs

Don’t discard non-policy experience. It can still show achievement, specialized knowledge, and a commitment to public service.

Overview of an example resume

Adriana then walked attendees through an example resume of a government relations professional and highlighted what made it stand out:

• Core competencies: A prominent “Skills” section listed abilities like legislative analysis, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy strategy.
• Action-oriented language: Strong verbs like spearheaded, negotiated, and orchestrated showed ownership.
• Quantified impact: “Managed” became “oversaw a $2M advocacy budget,” and “led” became “directed a team of 12 policy analysts.”
• Alignment with the job description: The wording matched the posting, which she said you should do only when your experience honestly reflects the listed skills.

Putting it into practice

Attendees then translated their own skills and experiences into science policy resume language, and Adriana gave feedback on each. She noted how much attendees’ policy experience varied,  and closed by saying there is always something scientists at any career level can do to deepen their understanding of science policy. From undergraduate to postdoc, there are countless ways to grow as a science policy professional–from taking on a community leadership position to applying for a policy fellowship. In the end, wherever you are, if you can show that you can take complex evidence and make it useful to people who have to decide quickly, then you’re on your way to establishing a career in science policy.