how to write academic cv for phd application

• How to write an Academic CV for a PhD Application
• Applying to a PhD
• The purpose of an academic CV for a PhD application is to provide a summary of your educational background and demonstrate the research skills and relevant experience you have that make you capable of undertaking a PhD.
• It should be divided into nine sections : (1) contact information, (2) research interests, (3) education, (4) research and work experience, (5) teaching experience, (6) relevant skills and experience, (7) publications and conferences, (8) professional memberships, (9) referees.
• It should ideally be up to two pages for a new research student, but can extend up to four pages if required.
• The smaller details matter more than you think – write concisely, use consistent formatting, avoid jargons and general statements, check spelling and grammar, and have at least one academic to proofread it for you, ideally in the same area you are applying to.

Introduction

So you are nearing the end of your current degree or making a return to education, and you’ve decided to make your next step a PhD. While the road ahead will be filled with much excitement, you’ll need to secure your position first. This will all begin with a strong PhD application and an equally impressive academic CV and personal statement or cover letter.

Together with your personal statement or cover letter, your CV will show who you are as an individual and what you have to offer. It needs to be concise, correctly formatted and well written to convince your preferred university and supervisor that you are the right student for the project.

This step-by-step guide will get you on your way to creating an outstanding academic CV for your next PhD application. We’ll discuss the sections your CV should be structured into, what each of these sections should include, and how it should be written. We’ll also give you valuable tips that are sure to get your readers’ attention.

What Is an Academic CV?

When applying for a PhD position, it’s common for the university to request a curriculum vitae (CV) from you to accompany your application.

An academic CV may appear similar to a standard CV used for job applications, but they are two relatively unique documents.

Where a standard CV focuses mostly on what your previous responsibilities have been and what you have accomplished to date, an academic CV concentrates on your academic background, achievements and experiences . Your academic CV will be used by a PhD supervisor to determine whether you can meet the challenges associated with undertaking a demanding PhD research project, as not everyone can.

How to Write an Academic CV for A PhD Application

A good academic CV should be broken into nine section headings:

• Contact Information
• Research Interests / Personal Profile
• Research and Work Experience
• Teaching Experience
• Relevant Skills and Experience
• Publications and Conferences
• Professional Memberships
• Referees / References

Below, we discuss what each of these sections should contain and how they should be written.

1. Contact Information

Start your CV by providing your contact details. All of the following should be included:

• Full name  – Your name should be your document title, formatted in bold and centralised text.
• Email address and contact number
• Location  – Your town/city and country, e.g. ‘Birmingham, UK’, will be sufficient; it’s not necessary to provide your full home address.
• Profiles  – Include a link to any professional profiles you may have, such as LinkedIn or ResearchGate.

NOTE:  Some individuals include a profile photo but be careful before doing so. While this would be expected in some countries such as those in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, this would not be the case in other countries such as the UK and US. This is because it can lead to complications with labour and anti-discrimination laws and potentially cost you your application. We therefore strongly advise you to look into the norms and regulations of the host country before deciding to do so.

2. Research Interests / Personal Profile

For an academic CV written for a PhD position, your ‘research interests’ section will double as you ‘personal profile’. As a brief introduction to yourself, this will be an important section as it sets the first impression of you for the reader.

Use bullet points or a brief paragraph to summarise who you are, your relevant qualifications, your research interests and your relevant skills and experience. When writing this section, your focus should be on two aspects: demonstrating your  ability to conduct a PhD  and your  enthusiasm for the project .

To create an impactful research interests’ section, adhere to the following:

• Tailor to each research project you apply for:  One of the easiest ways to do this is to read the project description attached to the PhD advert, identify two to three of the most prominent keywords, and incorporate them into your writeup.
• Keep it short:  This section is only an introduction, so keep it concise and punchy over long and detailed; 50 – 60 words is a good target.
• Make every word count:  As 50 – 60 words isn’t much, be as specific as you can. Avoid clichés such as “I am committed to research and have a high attention to detail” at all costs; not only are they generic and overused, they also don’t provide the reader with any useful insights into you.

3. Education

A PhD CV is all about academic achievements and qualifications, so your education section should be given high importance and form the bulk of your CV, especially as it will be used to determine if have the core skills required for the position.

Working in reverse chronological order, provide a breakdown of your current academic qualifications. For most of you, this will be an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree and a postgraduate Master’s degree.

When listing your qualifications, provide the full name of the degree, the degree type, and the duration in terms of its start and end year. You do not need to limit this to your past qualifications; if you’re currently studying or taking an external course, include them as well, but state that they are ongoing and provide an expected grade if you have one.

If your degree is relevant to the PhD project you are applying to, include a list of the modules you completed and your corresponding marks; the same applies to your final year dissertation project.

Note:  If you list your relevant modules, streamline their names by removing any course codes. For example, “FN01 Fluid Dynamics” should become “Fluid Dynamics”. Course codes are only used for internal purposes, and each university will have its own system, so remove them to avoid any possible confusion.

Feel free to also list your GCSEs, A-Levels or other relevant academic qualifications if applicable to the field you are applying to, however, this isn’t necessary, and most supervisors will not ask for them. The exception to this is if your university degree is not directly related to the project you are applying for, but your previous qualifications are. In these cases, include them to help demonstrate the suitability of your academic background.

Finally, list any honours, awards and prizes that you have won or any other notable academic achievements that will help to strengthen your application.

4. Research and Work Experience

Your research and relevant work experience is just as, if not more, important than your educational background. This is because most applicants applying for the position will have similar qualifications, so your research experience can often be the deciding factor when all other things are considered equal.

Your research experience may include both paid and voluntary, full-time and part-time work, as well as university project work. However, in all cases, the experience you mention should be relevant to the project you are applying for or have helped you develop skills that make you a more capable researcher. For example, it’s not necessary to mention your time in retail, but any previous time as a laboratory or teaching assistant or teaching support absolutely will be.

If you any discuss research that you have done as part of your studies, present them as individual project listed in reverse chronological order, as before. You can also include research projects you are currently working on, regardless of how developed they are.

When discussing any projects, include the following:

• What the project was about,
• What research methods you used,
• The skills you gained,
• Any notable achievements or outcomes.

5. Teaching Experience

Since one of the main career paths after a PhD is an academic career, teaching experience can significantly strengthen your academic CV. However, it is generally accepted that not all applicants will have teaching experience, but if you do, include it here.

When discussing your teaching experience, state what level it was at, e.g. undergraduate or postgraduate, and what it involved, i.e. marking, teaching, supervising or organising.

6. Relevant Skills and Experience

This section should describe all other skills and experiences that will help strengthen your application.

They should be specific to the PhD project or demonstrate your potential to become a competent researcher. This includes:

• Technical skills and experience, e.g. the use of computer software packages or research equipment common to the project you’re applying for.
• Non-project specific courses you’ve sat, e.g. an academic writing and communication course.
• Languages you know with their proficiencies noted.

7. Publications and Conferences

Most students won’t have academic publications, but if you do, list them here. Formal publications can include anything from journal articles, which is most likely to an adaptation of your final year dissertation project if you do have one, and published reports. If you have these, list them in reverse chronological order using the reference system adopted by the university you are applying to, as this is what the PhD supervisor will most likely be used to.

If you aren’t a published author or co-author, you can still include other text publications that you may have been involved in, such as online articles, magazines, newsletters and blogs. The topics of these publications should relate to your field or academia in general and be written in a formal tone that showcases your critical thinking and writing skills.

If you’ve ever given a conference presentation, include it here with details of the name, date and location of the conference, the title of your presentation and a summary of what it was about.

Even if you haven’t presented in conferences, you should still list any you have attended, including any seminars or talks. This is a useful way to illustrate your interest in the subject and your commitment to gaining new knowledge within your field.

TIP:  If you haven’t attended many conferences or seminars, consider attending several upcoming ones relevant to the research area you’re interested in. Not only is this a great way to learn more about the field in terms of its latest developments and gaps, but it can also be an effective way to make your academic CV more relevant if it’s currently light on research experience.

8. Professional Memberships

Being affiliated with an academic group, society or professional body demonstrates your enthusiasm for your field and for connecting with other like-minded individuals within the community.

When listing these, include the name of the group, the associated membership dates and the position you have held within it.

9. Referees / References

Your references will form the last section of your academic CV.

Your PhD application should specify the number of referees you should include, but if it does not, try to include at least two, but ideally three.

Two of the referees should be academic, with most students choosing their personal tutor and their final year’s dissertation project supervisor. It can be other staff members, but the essential requirement is that it is someone who knows you well enough to be able to substantiate your abilities and character.

If you don’t have two academic referees, you can use a professional referee as long as they are still relevant to the project you are applying for. This will most likely be the case for those who have worked in industry for some time before deciding to return to education.

When creating your reference list, list your referees in order of relevance and how well they know you, not in alphabetical order. This is so if only the first referee is called upon, it will be the individual who can provide you the most useful reference. The following information should be provided:

• Professional title,
• Name of current university,
• Phone number and email address.

It’s imperative that you first seek permission from the individuals before listing them as a referee. It would also be beneficial to send them a copy of your CV, cover letter and application form so they can familiarise themselves with the broader details in case they are called upon.

Tips for Creating a Standout Academic CV

No matter how impressive your academic achievements are or how much experience you have accumulated in your field, the PhD supervisor may never find out if your CV is too difficult to read. With this in mind, here are a few tips for achieving a high degree of clarity:

Formatting for Clarity

• Highlight key information through the use of bolding, italics and underlining, but be careful not to overdo it so that it loses its purpose.
• Keep your formatting consistent throughout, such as indentations, font type and font size, vertical spacing and margins.
• Insert page numbers on each page.
• Avoid jargon and abbreviations to maximise clarity.
• Avoid splitting sections across two pages.

Keep It Concise

• Try to limit your CV to two pages and not more than four. If you need to go over two pages, make sure the most important information is on the first two pages.
• Avoid dense paragraphs, overly long sentences and generic statements. The aim is to pass on essential information in a way that doesn’t require the reader to have to extract it themselves. This leads to the next tip,
• Use bullet points whenever possible, they’re easier to digest than paragraphs.

NOTE:  Remember that you will also submit a cover letter or personal statement alongside your CV, so don’t feel the need to cover everything to a high level of detail here as you will have the opportunity to do so elsewhere.

Check and Revise

• As a rule of thumb, the academic CV you submit as part of your PhD application should be the third or fourth version you produce. Try to keep a day or two between each version so that you always approach it with a fresh perspective.
• Proofread for any spelling and grammar mistakes. Although this will seem like we’re stating the obvious, a small mistake can be enough to jeopardise your chances considering that there will be many other high-profile candidates for the supervisor to choose from.
• Have your document checked, first by an academic such as your tutor, and second by a professional proofreader or by an advisor from your university’s careers team. The former will check for technical issues, the latter for common curriculum vitae formatting, spelling and grammar mistakes.

Save in PDF Format

If the submission method allows for it, convert your CV to PDF format. This significantly reduces the likelihood of compatibility and reformatting issues when opened by the supervisor.

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CV for PhD Application: How to Write One Like a True Scholar (+CV Example)

• Klara Cervenanska , 
• Updated March 13, 2024 11 min read

A PhD is the highest level of academic qualification you can achieve. To secure your position, however, you first need an impressive CV for your PhD application.

Earning a PhD degree requires you to produce extensive research in a narrowly defined subject within a certain discipline and to make a considerable original contribution to your field.

Hence why PhD programs are always very selective. The admission rates hover around 10% and only about half of the admitted candidates actually finish the degree, according to a recent psychology research .

As a result, less than 1% of the population attains a PhD.

So, how do you become a part of the 1%?

The process of attaining a PhD starts with a strong application which includes an impressive academic CV .

A CV for PhD application needs to be carefully crafted, well formatted, and contain specific sections.

We'll show you how to craft a stellar PhD application CV, and a sample academic CV from a real person admitted to a PhD program in France.

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What is an academic CV?

What to include in an academic cv for phd application.

• How to write an academic CV for a PhD application?

Tips on how to write a CV for PhD application

How to tailor your cv for different phd programs, phd cv example.

First, there are two types of career documents job seekers widely use. A resume and a Curriculum Vitae (CV).

These two documents are similar but not identical.

So, let's have a look at the key differences between a CV vs a resume :

• A resume is used when applying for a position in industry, non-profits, or the public sector. It should focus on skills and past experience while being tailored to a specific job position. The length of the document shouldn't be more than 1 or 2 pages.
• A curriculum vitae (CV) is used when applying for positions in academia, science, or medicine. It focuses on education, research background and scholarly accomplishments. Finally, its length depends on the number of references, publications, etc.

There are even more types of CVs. A general CV, an industry (professional) CV, or an academic (research) CV — which is exactly the one you'll need.

In a nutshell, an academic CV is a career document that provides extensive information about your educational and research background. Scholars and researchers use this document when applying for jobs in academia — such as a PhD application.

Lastly, an academic resume is a term you can often come across, too. To avoid any confusion, it's the same as an academic CV. A more appropriate term is, however, the latter.

Rules are important in academia. That's why all academic CVs usually follow pretty strict structures regarding their content and formatting.

First, let's have a look at the resume sections you should include in a CV for PhD application:

• Contact information. Include your full name, email, phone number, and location.
• (Research) objective. A concise, brief paragraph outlining your research plans and strategies.
• Education. It should form the bulk of your CV and detail you educational background.
• (Research) experience. Your research experience can often set you apart from other candidates.
• Publications. Include anything from journal articles, published reports, to your research dissertation.
• Awards. Mention all awards and accomplishments you’ve received in reverse chronological order.
• Skills. These should be relevant to the PhD project or show that you have what it takes to succeed as a researcher.
• References. Finally, try to include at least two references, such as your dissertation supervisor and one other member of staff.

Let's have a closer look at each of the 8 CV sections in the next chapter.

How to write an academic CV for a PhD application ?

Applying for a PhD will be a lot less stressful if you follow this quick guide on how to write a CV for a PhD application:

You should always start your CV or your resume by providing your contact details to form the CV header . Include your full name, your professional email address, and your mobile number. Additionally, you can include your location. However, we don't advise including your full home address for privacy reasons. Entering the country and city you reside in is usually enough. Since a CV is a bit different than a resume, we don't recommend including links to your social media .

Research objective is basically a brief paragraph at the beginning of your CV outlining your research plans, interests, and strategies. It paints a picture of you as a person and will guarantee that the admissions committee will be interested in reading and learning more about your professional background. Your research plans and strategies should align with the PhD project you're applying for. Hence, read the project description carefully and make sure to tailor your objective accordingly. Ideally, without making stuff up.

The education section should form the bulk of an academic CV. No one expects a potential PhD candidate to have 10 years of experience in the field. But what's expected is an appropriate educational background. A common practice is to list your education in a reverse chronological order. This means listing your Master's degree first and then a Bachelor's degree. For each degree, provide the full name of the degree, the type, its duration, the relevant courses and modules, the corresponding (or expected) marks, GPA , and any relevant projects or presentations. Also, include the name and the description of your final year dissertation project.

In this section, introduce all of the research projects you worked on, whether they were a part of your undergraduate degree, your master's degree, or you have undertaken this project elsewhere. You can include any voluntary , part-time , or full-time work experience you deem relevant for the PhD project of your choice. For instance, skip the part-time bartending job and rather include a teaching experience or a voluntary project you undertook.

Of course, it's okay if you don't have any publications yet. If that's the case, simply skip this section. However, if you do have any work published at this stage, list it in this section. The publications can include anything from journal articles, published reports, contributions to peer-reviewed journals, or an adaptation of your dissertation project. Make sure to check the citation style your institution or field prefers and use it consistently in your publications section. The most common ones are APA, MLA, and Chicago.

In this CV section, list relevant honors, achievements, or awards you earned for going beyond average — again in reversed chronological order. It includes scholarships, university fellowships, competitions, work-related awards, or academic awards . For instance, you can mention a very high GPA, subject-specific awards, or any grants you received. However, keep in mind that mentioning how much money was involved is only common in scientific fields.

The skills you mention in your academic CV should be relevant to the PhD project you're applying for or show that you have what it takes to succeed as a researcher. Between the two types of skills , hard and soft, hard skills are more appropriate to include in your CV for PhD application. Examples of hard skills include Python, data analysis, polymer synthesis, C++, Chem Draw, Ahrefs , languages, or other computer skills . However, completing a PhD degree usually also involves demonstrating your teaching abilities. For this reason, listing soft skills such as a good oral communication and presenting is also a good idea.

While a references section in a regular resume is pretty much redundant, in a CV for PhD application it's a must-have . Why? Well, having a person attest to your skills and achievements is a great way to leverage your professional experience. The person you ask should be articulate and in a reputable position. Your best bet is to ask your dissertation supervisor, a professor you had a good relationship with, or one who taught the subject most relevant for the desired PhD program. Finally, don't forget that your references have to agree with having their contact information shared, first. Read our quick guide on how do you ask someone to be your reference .

Apart from making sure the content of your CV is spot on, you should also follow some well-established formatting tips.

A clear layout and composition ensure your CV is professional and easy to read.

Here are a few tips to help you achieve that:

• Keep the formatting consistent. If you choose a certain font type and size, stick to it. The same goes for margins, spacing, and capitalization.
• Less is often more. It might be tempting to use bolding, italics, or underlining in order to make the document "easy" to read. However, an excessive use of these features actually has the exact opposite effect.
• Avoid long paragraphs. A CV is all about providing objective facts regarding your professional background. Hence, no need to provide generic statements or go into too much detail. And if you happen to write more text, you can always divide it using bullet points.
• Use professional language. It goes without saying, but don't use slang. Similarly, use professional jargon and abbreviations within reasonable limits.
• Don't limit yourself to one or two pages. The length of your academic CV depends on the number of publications, awards, references, and experiences. Unlike a resume, a CV is a complete summary of your academic and professional background.
• Convert your CV to PDF. Doing this considerably reduces the risk of compatibility and formatting issues. A PDF file keeps your formatting intact across various devices.

Too much to keep in mind? Kickresume's CV & resume builder can save you the headache and provides useful templates with appropriate formatting designed by career professionals.

When applying for different PhD programs, it's crucial to tailor your academic CV to suit each specific program. 

This doesn't just improve your chances of catching the eye of admissions committees ; it demonstrates your genuine interest and alignment with their goals. 

To effectively tailor your CV for different PhD programs, follow these three tips:

#1 Understand program requirements and values

How do you do that? Start with in-depth research about the PhD program:

• Visit the program's website
• Look at the curriculum
• Attend open days
• If possible, reach out to alumni 

Once you have a clear picture of the program's values and requirements, you can begin to customize your CV. 

For example: If a program emphasizes community outreach, you might highlight your involvement in science education for underprivileged youths or your participation in community-based research projects. 

This demonstrates not only your alignment with their values but also your active contribution to areas they care about.

#2 Emphasize transferable skills for PhD programs

This applies to people switching fields or applying to a program that isn't a direct continuation of your undergraduate degree. 

Let's say you're moving from a background in chemistry to a PhD in molecular biology. 

It's crucial to highlight how your analytical skills, understanding of chemical processes, and any lab work or research experience directly apply to molecular biology. 

For instance: Discuss your experience with techniques that are common in both fields, like chromatography or spectrometry, and how they've prepared you for the research you aim to conduct in molecular biology. 

Tailoring your CV in this manner demonstrates your ability to bridge different disciplines and apply your skills in new contexts.

#3 Adapt your CV for international PhD programs

Adapting your CV for international programs involves more than just translating it into another language. 

Start by researching the academic culture and CV formats preferred in the country you're applying to. This might include:

• the preferred length
• whether to include personal information such as a photo
• emphasis on certain types of experience or qualifications

For instance: in some countries, a detailed list of courses and grades might be important, while in others, a focus on research experience and publications is key. 

Websites of the target universities, country-specific academic career resources, advice from current international students, or even online forums like Reddit are invaluable for this purpose.

Finally, to help you tie everything we talked about together, we thought one picture is worth a thousand words.

Here's a CV sample from a person who managed to get accepted into a PhD program at the university of Lyon in France.

There are several things Herrera included to ensure her CV was successful:

• A complete professional and academic background. We can see that this section forms the bulk of the resume. As it should.
• Plenty of hard skills. Herrera included 7 hard technical skills and multiple languages. All of these skills are very valuable in academia.
• A succinct description of all projects. She includes the full name of the projects, their duration, and theme.
• References, publications, and certifications. All of these sections are included in the full version of this resume and can be found by clicking the button below the sample CV.

Lyon University PhD Student Resume Sample

This resume sample was contributed by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

Klara graduated from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. After having written resumes for many of her fellow students, she began writing full-time for Kickresume. Klara is our go-to person for all things related to student or 'no experience resumes'. At the same time, she has written some of the most popular resume advice articles on this blog. Her pieces were featured in multiple CNBC articles. When she's not writing, you'll probably find her chasing dogs or people-watching while sipping on a cup of coffee.

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Write an academic CV

This section outlines key points to remember when preparing a CV and covering letter and highlights how to present your education and experience for academic jobs in teaching and research.

When you write your CV and cover letter you will face lots of choices about what material to include and how to present it. You need to use your judgement to make decisions which will demonstrate your experience most effectively. 

Academic CVs

An academic CV can be longer than the two pages which is standard in other sectors but it should still contain the most important information at the start. 

If the application is for a research only position then you should emphasise your research experience, publications, contributions at conferences, research funding you have won and any relevant technical skills. 

If it is for a research and teaching position (lectureship) then you should also give details of any teaching and tutoring experience. 

Example CV for academic role (CAHSS) (UoE login required)

Example CV for academic role (CSE) (UoE login required)

The headings below describe the typical content of an academic CV.  

Education  

your PhD, first degree and Masters, if you have one  

probably no need to list school qualifications, but if you do, put those that counted for entry to higher education only 

for your PhD you should summarise your research to date, include the names of your supervisor(s) and details of any funding obtained. If you have a viva date or target submission date note that

title, grade achieved, and dissertation title is usually enough for Masters and first degrees

give more detail about courses you have taken if they demonstrate a wider subject knowledge that could be of use if applying for a teaching post

Experience (Research)  

if you are including this section you can choose to give full details of your PhD research here, and only dates, title and supervisors under the education section

include any research experience in addition to your PhD, such as research assistant or technician roles 

give details of the subject area if relevant, and your methodology and technical skills  

mention any funding obtained, and your supervisor or research leader

Experience (Teaching) 

provide details of any tutoring, demonstrating or lecturing

mention courses taught and level, e.g. Sociology 1 or Cell Biology 2

show involvement with developing courses, marking and assessment  

for a teaching application, you could include your teaching methods and philosophy, and any feedback received   

invited or guest lectures could be included  

Additional experience  

The focus should be on your research and / or teaching experience but you can also include briefly other work that can: 

demonstrate the skills being sought for the job

show you can successfully manage work and study 

fill any chronological gaps in your history

Experience (administration)  

demonstrate that you will be a supportive colleague, willing to make a contribution to the administrative work of the department

list any administrative experience you have such as helping to organise a seminar programme or conference or committee membership

Publications and presentations 

Published, peer-reviewed publications or monographs will often hold the most weight but early on in your career you will mention other things to illustrate your research activity and impact.  

peer-reviewed publications

contributions to books

book reviews

can include those accepted for publication but not yet published

if this section is a bit slim you could include submitted articles to show your intention to publish

inclusion in conference proceedings

presentations or posters at conferences -mention if these have been invited presentations

Interests / other activities  

This section is not essential in an academic CV but could be used to include: 

positions of responsibility that demonstrate some of the skills the employer is looking for that have not been covered elsewhere 

hobbies and interests that say a bit about you, but only very brief details

References  

when applying for advertised jobs, you will usually be expected to provide full contact details (name, relationship to you, address, e-mail and telephone) for 2 - 3 referees at least one of whom will be your PhD supervisor

think carefully about who you ask to act as a referee. It can be useful to have someone who is well-known in your academic field but only if they know you well and can comment positively on your abilities

make sure you brief your referees well on what you are applying for and give them an up-to-date copy of your CV to ensure they are aware of all the contributions you have made to your department / research area

Watch our Quick Guide to academic CVs which covers the basics of what to include in an academic CV: 

Narrative CVs

In recent years, some research-funding applications have required submission of a CV in the narrative format. Read more in the Narrative CVs for research and innovation blog from our Research Office, which includes a link to the Resume for Researchers template developed by the Royal Society. Also, the Institute for Academic Development offers helpful information on narrative CVs and what steps to take to create your own.

Narrative CVs for research and innovation 

Narrative CVs - Institute of Academic Development

The covering or supporting letter

This is your opportunity to show your motivation for the position and demonstrate that you meet the person specification for the job. For academic jobs a covering letter may be longer than one page and should if at all possible be addressed to a named person rather than ‘Dear sir or madam’. You should use your covering letter to address:  

why you are interested in this institution and department or research group - they want to know that you are genuinely interested in working for them and are knowledgeable about the teaching (if relevant) and research interests of staff within the department 

why you are interested in this position and how it fits in with your career plans 

what you have to offer in terms of research and / or teaching experience, qualifications and skills - use good examples to back this up

your ideas for the future in terms of research direction, and your potential to attract funding and publish - particularly important for research-only jobs or teaching jobs at research-intensive universities

You don’t need to repeat your CV, but you should draw attention to key points to encourage the employer to read it. 

Using generative AI to create your CV or cover letter

Technologies such as ChatGPT can provide a reasonable basic structure for you to build upon, but what they give you is unlikely to be tailored convincingly and will be bland and generic, and unlikely to impress employers. Use them as a support and starting point if you like - but edit their product to make the end result your own.  

Remember these points:

• adapt the content generated, to make it more closely related to you -otherwise it will lack impact
• be cautious about submitting any personal data, as whatever you put in could be in the public domain 
• you may be risking plagiarism, as these systems incorporate, in their output, content produced by other people without acknowledging or referencing them 

The Bayes Centre at the University has produced general guidance on the use of AI .

AI guidance for staff and students - Bayes Centre, University of Edinburgh 

• PhD Graduate CV examples

With a PhD behind you, you’re in prime position to secure a great job and begin your career from an advanced starting point.

But PhD graduate roles are competitive in nature, so you need to stand out in the application process.

Your CV needs showcase the plethora of skills you’ve gained alongside your academic achievements and soft skills.

Our PhD graduate CV examples and writing guide will help you to do this, and get hired.

Guide contents

• Structuring and formatting your CV
• Writing your CV profile
• Detailing work experience
• Your education
• Skills required for your PhD Graduate CV

CV templates 

PhD Graduate CV example 1

PhD Graduate CV example 2

Before you start writing your own CV, take a look at the example PhD Graduate CV above to give yourself a basic understanding of the style and format that recruiters and hiring managers prefer to see.

Also, take note of the type of content that is included to impress recruiters, and how the most relevant information is made prominent.

PhD Graduate CV structure and format

If you focus on the written content of your CV but ignore how it actually looks, your efforts could end up wasted.

No matter how suitable you are for the role, no recruiter wants to spend time squinting and trying to navigate a badly designed and disorganised CV.

Instead, make sure to organise your content into a simple structure and spend some time formatting it for ease of reading – it’ll get you in recruiter’s good books from the get-go!

Formatting Tips

• Length: Think that submitting a five page CV will impress recruiters? You’re wrong! Even if you’ve got tons of experience to brag about, recruiters don’t have time to read through overly detailed CVs. Keep it short, concise and relevant – a CV length of 2 sides of A4 pages or less is perfect.
• Readability : Columns, lists, bullet points, bold text and subtle colour can all help to aid the readability of your CV. Your overarching goal should be to make the content as easy to read and navigate as possible, whilst also aiming to make your key skills and achievements stand out.
• Design: Your CV needs to look professional, sleek and easy to read. A subtle colour palette, clear font and simple design are generally best for this, as fancy designs are often harder to navigate.
• Avoid photos: Logos, profile photos or other images aren’t necessary and rarely add any value – save the space for written content, instead!

Structuring your CV

When writing your own CV , break up your CV content into the following key sections:

• Name and contact details – Place them at the top of your CV, so that employers can easily get in touch.
• CV profile – A punchy sales pitch of your key experience, skills and achievements to reel readers in.
• Core skills section – A bullet-pointed snapshot of your abilities.
• Work experience – A well-structured list of your relevant work experience.
• Education – An overview of any relevant qualifications or professional training you have.
• Hobbies and interests – A short description of any relevant hobbies or interests (optional).

Now I’ll guide you through exactly what you should include in each CV section.

CV Contact Details

Tuck your contact details into the corner of your CV, so that they don’t take up too much space. Stick to the basic details, such as:

• Mobile number
• Email address – It should sound professional, such as your full name.
• Location -Just write your rough location, rather than your full address.
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio URL – If you include these, ensure they’re sleek, professional and up-to-date.

PhD Graduate CV Profile

Grab the reader’s attention by kick-starting your CV with a powerful profile (or personal statement , if you’re a junior applicant).

This is a short introduction paragraph which summarises your skills, knowledge and experience.

It should paint you as the perfect match for the job description and entice recruiters to read through the rest of your CV.

Tips for creating an impactful CV profile:

• Keep it brief: Recruiters are busy, so to ensure your profile is actually read, it’s best to keep it short and snappy. 3-5 punchy lines makes for the perfect profile.
• Tailor it: If recruiters don’t see your suitability within a few seconds, they may close your CV straight away. Your CV profile should closely match the essential requirements listed in the job ad, so make sure to review them before you write it.
• Don’t add an objective: If you want to discuss your career objectives, save them for your cover letter , rather than wasting valuable CV profile space.
• Avoid cliches: Clichés like “ blue-sky thinker with a go-getter attitude” might sound impressive to you, but they don’t actually tell the recruiter much about you. Concentrate on highlighting hard facts and skills, as recruiters are more likely to take these on board.

What to include in your PhD Graduate CV profile?

• Summary of experience: Demonstrate your suitability for your target jobs by giving a high level summary of your previous work experience, including the industries you have worked in, types of employer, and the type of roles you have previous experience of.
• Relevant skills: Highlight your skills which are most relevant to PhD Graduate jobs, to ensure that recruiters see your most in-demand skills as soon as they open your CV.
• Essential qualifications: If you have any qualifications which are highly relevant to PhD Graduate jobs, then highlight them in your profile so that employers do not miss them.

Quick tip: Your CV is your first impression on recruiters, so it’s vital to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes if you want to appear professional. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to add pre-written content that has been crafted by recruitment experts.

Core skills section

Next, you should create a bullet pointed list of your core skills , formatted into 2-3 columns.

Here, you should focus on including the most important skills or knowledge listed in the job advertisement.

This will instantly prove that you’re an ideal candidate, even if a recruiter only has time to briefly scan your CV.

Work experience/Career history

Next up is your work experience section, which is normally the longest part of your CV.

Start with your current (or most recent) job and work your way backwards through your experience.

Can’t fit all your roles? Allow more space for your recent career history and shorten down descriptions for your older roles.

Structuring your roles

Whilst writing your CV, it’s essential to look at it from the eyes of a recruiter.

If they’re met with giant blocks of text which are impossible to navigate, they might get frustrated and skip onto the next CV.

Instead, make use of the 3-step structure shown below, to give them a pleasant reading experience.

Start with a 1-2 sentence summary of your role as a whole, detailing what the goal of your position was, who you reported to or managed, and the type of organisation you worked for.

Key responsibilities

Next up, you should write a short list of your day-to-day duties within the job.

Recruiters are most interested in your sector-specific skills and knowledge, so highlight these wherever possible.

Key achievements

Lastly, add impact by highlight 1-3 key achievements  that you made within the role.

Struggling to think of an achievement? If it had a positive impact on your company, it counts.

For example, you might increased company profits, improved processes, or something simpler, such as going above and beyond to solve a customer’s problem.

At the bottom of your CV is your full education section. You can list your formal academic qualifications, such as:

• GCSE’s

As well as any specific PhD Graduate qualifications that are essential to the jobs you are applying for. Note down the name of the qualification, the organisation at which you studied, and the date of completion.

Interests and hobbies

The hobbies and interests CV section isn’t mandatory, so don’t worry if you’re out of room by this point.

However, if you have an interesting hobby , or an interest that could make you seem more suitable for the role, then certainly think about adding.

Be careful what you include though… Only consider hobbies that exhibit skills that are required for roles as a PhD Graduate, or transferable workplace skills. There is never any need to tell employers that you like to watch TV and eat out.

Essential skills for your PhD Graduate CV

Tailoring your CV to the roles you are applying for is key to success, so make sure to read through the job descriptions and tailor your skills accordingly.

However, commonly desired  PhD Graduate  skills include:

• Analysis – Showcase your skill with analysis of data, using mathematical and modelling concepts.
• Leadership – Your CV needs to specify how you have developed interpersonal and leadership skills, and the potential you have for the future.
• Project management – Employers are looking for evidence of your successful and organised project management skills.
• Research – Your CV is an opportunity to display your tenacity for research and the ability to apply research in practical ways.
• Self-management – Demonstrate your work ethic, ability to problem solve and take initiative, and how you also allow room for collaboration and team work.

Writing your PhD Graduate CV

Creating a strong PhD Graduate CV requires a blend of punchy content, considered structure and format, and heavy tailoring.

By creating a punchy profile and core skills list, you’ll be able to hook recruiter’s attention and ensure your CV gets read.

Remember that research and relevance is the key to a good CV, so research your target roles before you start writing and pack your CV with relevant skills.

Best of luck with your next application!

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• Should I Do A Masters?
• Types of Course
• Entry Requirements
• Choosing A University
• Research Vs Taught Masters
• Taught Masters
• Research Masters
• What is a PhD?
• PhD Entry Requirements
• Applying for a PhD
• Choosing A Topic
• Choosing A Supervisor
• Writing A Research Proposal
• Personal Statement
• Writing A PhD CV
• Why attend Open Days?
• Postgraduate Jobs

How to write your academic CV for a PhD application

Once you've decided on the department(s) and supervisor(s) you are going to contact and apply to, it is likely you will need to submit an academic CV as part of your application. 

For a PhD position , an academic CV is usually required to demonstrate your ability to undertake a PhD.

A CV which is used when applying for a PhD position varies from a standard CV or resume used when applying for a conventional job.

Your academic CV should provide a concise overview of your academic background and academic accomplishments.

Formatting a CV for a PhD application is fairly simple and straight-forward, but there may be variations across different areas of academia, so it's best to consult with members of your particular department, regarding any specifics attached to your field. 

Your academic CV needs to consist of a detailed subject breakdown of your University undergraduate and postgraduate (if applicable) degrees.

Many applicants also include a brief summary of their GCSE and A Level results, this is not mandatory and should only be included if you feel it is in any way relevant to your application. 

As a general guideline, your academic CV may include the following:

• Personal Details and Contact Details - This should include your name as the document title, with all other details beneath. 
• Education and Qualifications - Make sure this is in reverse chronological order. Include any relevant qualifications and/or relevant awards and prizes. 
• Relevant Work/Research Experience - This can include both full time and part time work, paid or voluntary. Remember to keep this relevant to your application.
• Skills - Include specialist and technical skills, along with IT skills, plus any skills that would be crucial for the PhD position.
• Posts of responsibility - Highlight any post of responsibility, such as course organisation.
• Attendance at conferences and seminars - List any conferences and/ or seminars you have attended or been invited to.
• Interests/hobbies - Include any journals, relevant to your application, you read to keep abreast of new developments. Other relevant hobbies and interests should also be included.
• Referees - Include at least two academic referees who have given you permission to be included in your CV.

When writing your PhD application, nothing is more important than realising who will be reading your CV.

Consider the report below, taken on behalf of the ACS International Schools group, when applying for a PhD position:

"University admissions tutors are most impressed by applicants who demonstrate a desire to study independently, a new poll has found.

Almost half of the admissions officers surveyed said that "independent enquiry" was the quality they prized most when assessing personal statements"

It's important to tailor your CV to each PhD you are applying for, different PhD positions will require different specifications.

An academic CV that isn't adjusted for each application, is unlikely to stand out from the crowd. Also, if possible try and keep your CV to no longer than 2 sides of A4.

A great PhD application, along with a well structured, thought out academic CV can be the difference in you receiving a PhD position, or not receiving one at all.

Take your time to write a first draft, then put it away for a few days. After you've written a second draft, show it to a few academics (preferably those who aren't afraid to point out faults!).

Make any necessary changes and double check for spelling mistakes and grammar issues. 

Examples of academic CVs can easily be found by simply searching "Academic CV Template" in Google or Yahoo.

There are also specific companies who are able to offer advice and even help you write your CV.

Further information

For more tips and advice on applying for a PhD, please see:

• PhD entry requirements
• How to apply for a PhD
• Choosing a topic
• Choosing a supervisor
• Writing a personal statement
• Research proposals

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A quick guide to a CV for a PhD application

How is a phd cv different from other cvs.

Whilst it may include a lot of the same information, a CV for a PhD can be slightly different from a CV for a graduate job. Here are some key things to consider when writing a CV for a PhD application:

• Emphasise your academic excellence.
• Highlight your enthusiasm for your research topic through previous research experience, attendance at conferences etc.
• Showcase research skills gained through Masters and Undergraduate dissertations or projects, lab work or specific technical skills where relevant.
• Draw attention to modules and other courses you have taken that are especially relevant to the PhD topic.
• If you will be undertaking duties such as teaching alongside the PhD, include relevant experience of working with students.
• Your PhD CV may be slightly longer.

How is a PhD CV similar to a CV for a graduate job?

• You should still ensure the layout is clear, concise, and professional.
• It is still important to tailor your CV for the opportunity by providing evidence of relevant skills and experience.
• You should still aim to keep language positive and achievement focussed. Don’t undersell yourself.

What should I include in my CV?

Personal details.

Include your full name and contact details at the top of your CV.

Research interests

You can include a short summary of your research interests as an introduction to your CV. Make sure this is relevant to the PhD you are applying for to show your motivation towards that field.

Include the title, dates, institution and grades for your previous degrees. You may also include titles of relevant modules and research projects/dissertations.

Research experience

Summarise your Undergraduate and Masters research projects and any other research projects you have undertaken, either as part of your studies or elsewhere.

Additional experience/Positions of responsibility 

This section is an opportunity to showcase any additional experience and skills you have which are relevant to the PhD. If you will be taking some teaching duties as part of the PhD, you should include any experience you have that is relevant. Choose a title for this section that best fits your experience. Highlight transferable skills which will be useful for the PhD and give examples of how you have developed them. Also, highlight membership of any relevant societies or professional bodies.

Publications

If you have had any work published at this stage, make sure you include it. You will not be expected to have published work at this stage, so exclude this section if you haven’t.

Conferences

You can include attendance at relevant conferences, particularly if you have presented. If this does not apply to you, exclude this section.

Provide a brief summary of your relevant extra-curricular interests. Use this section if your hobbies demonstrate an interest in your subject and/or research, or if your hobbies help you to demonstrate skills you will need to undertake a PhD (e.g. creativity, self-motivation) that you can’t show through your education or work experience.

References 

You will normally need at least two academic referees. Ensure you ask their permission before you include their contact details.

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Academic CV Examples From Active Researchers

Polishing up your CV? Whether you’re applying for a Masters, PhD, Post-Doc, Fellowship or even Lecturer role, it’s always useful to have some academic CV examples to follow.

Sure, you can search for CV templates but the completely fictitious “Jane Doe” examples can be pretty useless, especially in an academic setting. Nothing beats seeing proper CVs by actual researchers. But many of us may not have friends or colleagues who happen to be willing to share a copy of their own academic CV.

I’ve scoured the internet in search of academic CV examples from active researchers and now want to share the collection with all of you! Hopefully you’ll find it a helpful reference for the next time you’re putting together an application.

If you’re a PhD student you may also want to check out my post on how to write an academic CV for PhD applications, which is available here:

• Writing an Academic CV for PhD Applications (with template!)

Have fun reading through the academic CV examples below and if you’re wondering how I’ve come to build this collection read on to the very bottom of the post!

The Academic CV Repository

How to use the repository.

• I’ve split it into three sections: PhDs, postdocs and tenured staff.
• Each entry includes the broad field that the person works in, you may find it easiest to Ctrl+F and search for all CVs in the same field as yourself.
• This list includes some incredibly successful and highflying individuals. Try not to feel inferior as I do every time I add new CVs. All we can each do is become better versions of ourselves.
• The list will be updated every time I find a new academic CV, so you may find it useful to bookmark the page !

I do try to keep the list up to date but if you notice any URLs not working please do let me know.

PhD Student Example Academic CVs

Marina Vabistsevits – Data mining – University of Bristol PhD Student – direct link to Marina’s data mining academic CV

Reza Karimi – Computer Science – Emory University PhD Student – direct link to Reza’s computer science academic CV

Sevan Esaian – Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology – University of California, Santa Barbara PhD Student – direct link to Sevan’s ecology academic CV

Hannah Zlotnick – Biomaterials – UPenn PhD Student – direct link to Hannah’s biomaterials academic CV

Jose Javier Gonzalez Ortiz – Machine Learning – MIT PhD Student – direct link to Jose’s machine learning academic CV

Laura Biester – Computer Science – University of Michigan PhD Student – direct link to Laura’s computer science academic CV

Daisy Shearer – Physics – University of Surrey PhD Student – direct like to Daisy’s physics academic CV . Bonus: Daisy has shared her PhD story as part of my PhD Profiles series .

An Bui – Community Ecology – UC Santa Barbara PhD Student – direct link to An’s community ecology academic CV

Jon Gjengset – Computer Science – MIT PhD Student / Amazon software engineer – direct link to Jon’s computer science academic CV

Aniruddh Raghu – Computer Science – MIT PhD Student – direct link to Aniruddh’s computer science academic CV

Anna Potapenko – Computer Science (machine learning) – National Research University, Russia PhD Student, direct link to Anna’s computer science academic CV

Postdoctoral Research Associate Example Academic CVs

Hollie Marshall – Epigenetics / Biology – Edinburgh Postdoc – direct link to Hollie’s biology academic CV . Bonus: Hollie kindly shares all her grant applications !

Kevin Moerman – Computational Mechanics – MIT Postdoc & NUI Galway Lecturer – direct link to Kevin’s computational mechanics academic CV

Solomon Dadia – Surgery – Imperial Honorary Research Associate – direct link to Solomon’s surgery academic CV

Michele Scipioni – Biomedical Engineer – Harvard Postdoctoral Research Fellow – direct link to Michele’s biomedical engineer academic CV

Academic Staff (Lecturer-Professor) Example Academic CVs

Sorelle Friedler – Computer science – Haverford College Associate Professor – direct link to Sorelle’s computer science academic CV .

Ben Glocker – Machine learning for imaging – Imperial Full Professor – direct link to Ben’s machine learning academic CV .

Sara Beery – AI for conservation – MIT Assistant Professor – direct link to Sara’s AI for conservation academic CV .

Jonathan Wilson – Environmental Studies – Haverford College Associate Professor – direct link to Jonathan’s environmental studies academic CV .

Lauren Williams – Mathematics – Harvard Full Professor – direct link to Lauren’s mathematics academic CV . Short version also available here .

Michael Osborne – Machine Learning – Oxford Full Professor – direct link to Michael’s machine learning academic CV

Thomas Ouldridge – Bioengineering – Imperial College London Senior Lecturer / Associate Prof – direct link to Thomas’ bioengineering academic CV

Ekaterina Kochmar – Computer Science – University of Bath Lecturer Assistant Prof – direct link to Ekaterina’s computer science academic CV

Adrian Vasile Dalca – Machine Learning for healthcare – Harvard Assistant Professor & MIT Research Scientist – direct link to Adrian’s machine learning academic CV

Shelly Peyton – Biomaterials – University of Massachusetts Associate Professor – direct link to Shelly’s biomaterials academic CV

Holly Moeller – Ecology & Marine Biology – UC Santa Barbara Assistant Professor – direct link to Holly’s marine biology academic CV

Eric Yeatman – Electrical Engineer – Imperial Professor (and Head of Department) – direct link to Eric’s electrical engineering academic CV

Noah Glaser – Instructional Design – Old Dominion University Assistant Professor – direct link to Noah’s design academic CV

Eric Yeatman – Electronics – Imperial Professor and Head of Department – direct link to Eric’s electronics academic CV

Tomer Ullman – Psychology & Physics – Harvard Assistant Professor – direct link to Tomer’s psychology & physics academic CV

Alejo E. Rodriguez-Fraticelli – Cell Biologist – IRB Barcelona Group Leader – direct link to Alejo’s biologist academic CV

Anna Ploszajski – Materials Science – Imperial Science Writer – direct link to Anna’s materials science and science communication CV

Oded Rechavi – Evolutionary Biology – Tel Aviv University Professor – direct link to Oded’s biology academic CV

Lena Maier-Hein – Medical Imaging – DKFZ Head of Department – direct link to Lena’s medical imaging CV

Mary L Bouxsein – Surgery – Harvard Professor – direct link to Mary’s surgery academic CV

Thrishantha Nanayakkara – Design Engineering – Imperial Reader – direct link to Thrish’s design engineering academic CV

Paul Jager – Medical Imaging – DKFZ Head of ML Research Group – direct link to Paul’s machine learning academic CV

Emile Greenhalgh – Aeronautics – Imperial Professor – direct link to Emile’s aeronautics academic CV

Dennis E. Anderson – Surgery – Harvard Assistant Prof – direct link to Dennis’ surgery academic CV

Patrick Prendergast – President & Provost – Trinity College Dublin – direct link to Patrick’s academic CV

Ainara Aguadero – Materials Science – Imperial Reader – direct link to Ainara’s materials science academic CV

Etienne Burdet – Bioengineering – Imperial Professor – direct link to Etienne’s bioengineering academic CV

Inna Vishik – Physics – UC Davis Assistant Professor – direct link to Inna’s physics academic CV

Guy-Bart Stan – Bioengineering – Imperial Professor – direct link to Guy-Bart’s bioengineering academic CV

Johannes Haushofer – Economics – Stockholm University Assistant Professor – direct link to Johannes’ economics academic CV BONUS: Johannes’ CV of failures !

Roger Kamm – Bioengineering – MIT Professor – direct link to Roger’s bioengineering academic CV

Maithra Raghu – Computer Science – Google Brain Senior Research Scientist – direct link to Maithra’s computer science academic CV

Peter Reich – Ecology – University of Minnesota Professor – direct link to Peter’s ecology academic CV

Esla Angelini – Medicine – Imperial Senior Data Scientist – direct link to Elsa’s medicine academic CV

Peter Haynes – Materials – Imperial Professor – direct link to Peter’s materials science academic CV

Andrew Tolley – Theoretical Physics – Imperial Professor – direct link to Andrew’s theoretical physics academic CV

Online CV Sleuthing

I’ll let you in on a secret: I’m a bit nosy. When I’m reading a paper or piece of science communication I’ll often find myself looking academics up online. Quite often I’ll end up on their departmental webpage or personal website and often they’ll include a link to an up to date copy of their CV. My first instinct is to immediately save their CV to my Google Drive.

But why do I collect these academic CVs?

Well whenever I’ve come to update my CV, such as recently when I was applying for my first postdoc position, I’ve found it invaluable to have a range of CVs from actual researchers to draw on to decide how to structure my own academic CV. It has helped me a lot for deciding both what to include and how to phrase achievements, and I want you to be able to benefit from this resource too.

Rather than risking upsetting anyone who has since taken down their CV, I’ve put together the following list of links which take you to the researcher’s current webpage and the direct link to their CV as hosted by them.

A few notes about the academic CV repository:

• It is quite professor-heavy and I’d love to feature more PhD students and junior researchers. It is generally much easier to find CVs from experienced academics who have their own departmental webpages or websites. I’m always on the hunt for CVs from more junior researchers too and will be adding them as and when I find them.
• Warning – Many of the people on this list are very high achievers, I know I certainly felt a bit inadequate reading through some of them! This list isn’t representative of all researchers so please don’t let it dissuade you.
• I’d love for this list to be as diverse and useful as possible. If you find an academic CV you like (or have one of your own online), please feel free to share it!

I’ll keep updating this page as I find more academic CV examples, so please do bookmark it if you find it useful!

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4 Comments on “Academic CV Examples From Active Researchers”

Thanks for including my CV on the list. I remember first reading your blog as I was contemplating applying for a PhD. What an honour to be mentioned here now 🙂

That’s great to hear! Thanks Marina. Best wishes, Jeff

your blogs related ‘how to get full funded phd scholarship’ helps me lot. Now i have a way to start work on it.Thanks.

Brilliant, I’m so glad to hear this. Thanks for taking the time to leave this comment, Muhammad. Best wishes, Jeff.

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How to write a ph.d. resume (cv), published by dr. courtney watson on june 3, 2022 june 3, 2022.

Last Updated on: 3rd June 2022, 11:19 am

The resume is perhaps the most important tool in every professional’s arsenal. Crisp, clear, and up-to-date, a well-written resume is a vital document for anyone intent on scaling the corporate ladder. 

But what about scholars and those with graduate degrees? When it comes to professional documents (and everything else), academia has a different set of rules. Before you pursue a career in academia or research, there are a few essential things you need to know about crafting a Ph.D. resume, better known as a CV. 

These are a few frequently asked questions about putting together a Ph.D. resume, or CV:

What is a CV?

• What topics are included on a CV?
• How do I write a good CV?

A curriculum vitae (CV) is basically a resume for Ph.D.s and other academics and researchers. Like a resume, a CV is a complete record of an individual’s education and employment history. It shows where that person has been and the basics about their responsibilities in each position they’ve held. However, that’s where the similarities end. 

Rather than just hitting the highlights, a CV is an exercise in depth and scope. It tells the whole story of your education and where you’ve been so far in your career, offering deep insight into your experiences and expertise. A good CV takes a narrative approach that adds nuance and context, taking the reader on a journey through your research and the professional development opportunities that have shaped you. 

What Topics Are Included on a CV?

Good question! A CV starts off in the same way as a traditional resume, with contact information, education, and employment history. While that information comprises the bulk of a resume, in a CV, you’re just getting started . In the education section, in addition to listing your major degrees and the titles of your master’s thesis and dissertation (as well as committee chairs ), you will also list any other institutional affiliations you have. These may include places where you’ve done research, held fellowships, or been awarded certificates. 

Other sections of your CV may include: 

• Leadership Experience 
• Publications (Peer-reviewed or otherwise)
• Presentations (Conference panels, invited talks, and the like)
• Honors, grants, nominations, and awards
• Service (departmental, college, university, professional field)
• Volunteering
• Professional memberships and affiliations

These are some of the most common sections found on CVs. It’s okay if you don’t have entries for all of these fields; it’s a good idea to be aware of them and add them to your CV as they become relevant. There may also be categories not listed above that you will want to include on your CV. For instance, scholars in the healthcare fields often have licenses and boards to list on their CVs, and people in education typically list courses they’ve developed and taught. For this reason, CVs are lengthier than traditional resumes. Instead of 1-2 succinct pages, CVs can be 10+ pages. 

Writing a Good CV

The key to writing a good CV is to be thorough and update it regularly. Experiences add up quickly, and it’s a beneficial practice to scour your calendar every quarter or so and add significant entries to your CV . Clarity is also highly-prized by people reading a CV; use a clean, easy to read font (I like Times New Roman, 12-point-font), and avoid graphics or other designs. Remember, your CV tells the whole story about where you’ve been and what you’ve done. Make it a good one. 

Dr. Courtney Watson

Dr. Courtney Watson has research, professional, and dissertation committee experience in the humanities and social sciences, health sciences, education, and liberal arts. With a background in peer-reviewed qualitative research and scholarship, she is skilled at coaching clients through the developmental phases of dissertation research, writing, revision, feedback analysis, and citation. She also offers thoughtful and thorough academic job market preparation, guidance through the dissertation process, and higher education career advice. Book a Free Consultation with Courtney Watson

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How To Write a CV for a PhD Application

• Katie Baker
• September 26, 2023

Most UK universities ask PhD candidates to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with the rest of the application materials, which typically include a cover letter, a completed application form, a personal statement and a research proposal.

An academic CV differs from the CVs you would ordinarily submit to potential employers; the education section should form the bulk of your CV; a PhD CV should predominantly focus on your academic achievements and qualifications; there should also be room to outline your relationship with your research interests. 

Of course, if you have relevant work experience within the field you will be researching, outlining this information in relation to how the experience has made you a prime PhD candidate for the program you have applied for will also win plenty of favour with the admissions team in charge of reviewing your application.

This page will discuss how your PhD should be formatted, which information should be provided and how to make the best impression with the admissions team. 

Why Are PhD CVs Important?

Applying for a PhD position or program is not worlds apart from applying for a professional job in academia. In addition to revealing a list of your qualifications and achievements, you will also want to establish yourself as a candidate with resilience, research skills, critical thinking ability, initiative, and dedication. 

While you will have plenty of room for this in your other application materials, such as personal statements and cover letters, alluding to your commitment and perseverance on your PhD CV can increase your chances of being invited to an initial interview. After all, many experienced PhD supervisors and admissions tutors can attest to how perseverance and commitment are even more important qualities than raw intelligence. 

Doctoral research projects can take anywhere from three to seven years, depending on if you choose to complete your doctoral research as a full-time or part-time student. Universities will want to be assured you have the determination, tenacity and resilience to see the project through. Even if you are a self-funded PhD candidate, universities will scrutinise potential candidates due to the time, support and resources they will require from the university; there is a limited number of placements per intake, and the demand for UK postgraduate research degrees is increasing rapidly. 

In addition to proving you have what it takes to research independently, you may also want to sell yourself as a candidate who will win over the room at seminars and conferences while you represent the university. You will also want to customise your CV around any additional requirements for studentships, such as teaching and mentoring.

Should You Have a PhD CV Professionally Made?

By following a step-by-step guide to an academic cv for PhD applications and reviewing samples, you can write an effective and impressive one covering all the appropriate and essential bases. 

However, if writing CVs is not your strong suit and you are worried that your CV writing skills could get in the way of your admission, paying for professionals to write your PhD CV is a small price to pay when you consider the benefits of being accepted as a candidate.

Alternatively, you could use and purchase a pre-made CV template designed for PhD students; then ask one of your academic contacts or peers to give it the once over, check the spelling and grammar and suggest better ways to highlight your knowledge, skills, and problem-solving capacities, amongst other things.

CV Templates for PhD Candidates

A typical CV used to impress hiring consultants and recruitment agencies will highlight your career achievements, from your most recent position to the earliest. Reverse chronological CVs are recommended for PhD applicants as they spotlight your relevant skills and suitability for PhD programs. 

Before you start formatting your CV, pay close attention to the application specifications provided by the admissions team; this will allow you to review the information and insights they are looking for when shortlisting applicants. Usually, application specifications will include competencies, skills and experiences. Use these three requirements to decide how to write a CV for a PhD application. For more specialist programs, such as STEM programs, admissions committees may ask you to include sections in your CV which aren’t typically found in the average CV.

For postgraduate students who have spent the majority of their working/adult lives in higher education, don’t worry about not having many full-time positions to detail; part-time work, volunteering positions, apprenticeships, internships and temporary contracts can still be discussed to share the skills and experiences you acquired. 

PhD CV Writing Tips

• Your CV should be between one and two pages long. If there is additional information you need to cover, consider how it can become part of your cover letter or personal statement.
• Even though university admissions committees typically take longer to review a CV than the average employer, you still need to ensure it is readable by using headings, bold lettering, sections and bullet points, where necessary.
• Keep the fonts neat and classic; using quirky fonts on your PhD CV isn’t the best way to inject personality into your CV; always opt for Calibri, Arial or Times New Roman.
• Never use colours or images if you want your CV to look professional and be taken seriously. 
• Unless asked otherwise, always send your PhD CV as a PDF or a Microsoft Word document.

Necessary Information for a PhD CV

Name & Contact Details 

Your contact details should always be at the top of the first page, preferably in a bolder or larger font. You need to include your full name, the city you currently reside in, phone number and email address. Ensure your email address is work appropriate and your phone number is the number you are primarily available on. 

Personal Statement 

Writing a concise yet punchy and intriguing personal statement that piques the interest is by far the most difficult part of the PhD CV writing process. 

In the statement, directly under your contact information, you need to prove why you are the best candidate by using your unique achievements, skills, and qualifications to back up your claim you are the perfect candidate. Ideally, this needs to be done within three to four sentences. 

Your statement may need to be redrafted multiple times, but as long as you include a brief statement about yourself, number your years of academic and field experience, provide an impressive fact or figure, and finish with your key strengths, you are on to a winner. You can always conclude the statement with a sentence on your research proposal to keep it fresh in the minds of the admissions committee. 

For extra points, write in the third person, utilise positive adjectives, refrain from exaggerating, and construct your statement around the specification guidelines. 

Work History

The work history section of your PhD should say a lot about your work ethic and professional personality. Never stop at outlining your job title, the name of the company and your time working for them; outline 3 – 6 responsibilities; if appropriate, also detail what you brought to the role and any relevant career achievements. 

Always be specific in your career outcomes using statistics and appear confident by using positive and authoritative adjectives which indicate how you took initiative and overcame challenges. To make this section of your PhD concise and easier to read, consider using bullet points to outline your achievements and responsibilities. 

Skills to Highlight in Your PhD CV 

If you don’t have the strongest academic or work track record, you can turn the tide by mentioning the skills you will bring to the program and university. Your talents and accomplishments can give you a fighting chance against more experienced candidates. 

While you shouldn’t be overly boastful in the skills section of your CV, modesty won’t get you very far either. The skills you highlight should always be included per the candidate’s requirements. However, you will also want to be mindful that you are not simply rehashing them on your CV; the admissions team will spot this inauthenticity a mile off.

You should briefly reference up to twelve skills, which will ideally be split between soft and hard skills. Soft skills are more character-focused and can be transferable from any vocation. For example, soft skills could include resourcefulness, enthusiasm or adaptability. In contrast, hard skills are more technical and field-specific. They could include molecular research, writing critical literature reviews or project management. 

Even though hard skills seem more desirable, without the soft skills to back them up, they are essentially worthless. You could be the greatest intellectual mind since Einstein, but if you don’t have the determination and motivation, you wouldn’t get far as a PhD candidate.

Attributes you may also want to mention include time management skills, research abilities, confident written and verbal communication skills, and your ability to independently identify gaps in fields of knowledge and find innovative ways to fill those gaps. 

Desirable aptitudes can also help you to get shortlisted. For example, are you a member of any relevant societies? Have you completed any informal courses? Do you have a valid DBS check? Do you have experience with data analysis or thinking critically without prejudice or bias? 

The education section of your PhD CV should be one of the easiest to write. However, that doesn’t mean you should rush through it without being mindful of how your educational track record reads. 

If you are applying for doctoral research in a different field from the one you completed your bachelor’s or master’s in , allude to transferable skills and potentially how it led you to an interest in a new field. Otherwise, you name the educational institution, start and end dates, subject title, qualification level and result. Note that it is not necessary to include the details of your high school education or A-levels in a PhD CV unless otherwise stated. 

Dos and Don’ts for PhD CVs

• Spotlight core qualifications and achievements at the top of your CV in the personal statement. 
• Reassure the admissions team you have the soft and hard skills to succeed. 
• Mention your research topic briefly in your CV and in more depth in your cover letter. 
• Submit a CV without a cover letter which introduces you as a PhD candidate, covers your most valuable skills and talents and expresses your interest and enthusiasm for the academic venture. A cover letter can also be a place where you share your career ambitions beyond acquiring a PhD. 
• Rush your CV or submit it to the admissions team without spell-checking. Run your CV through a spellchecker, such as Grammarly, which will also be able to make suggestions on how to make sentences clearer and more impactful. Services such as these aren’t 100% fool-proof; always get someone you trust to give you feedback afterwards.

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PhD Career Document Library

The PhD career document library is a growing resource that offers you the opportunity to review a variety of different career documents from MIT PhD alumni who have successfully secured positions in academia and industry. We are thrilled to offer these exceptional resources from our alumni, and we are grateful for their contributions.

These are real examples of documents that worked, and we hope they are helpful guides as you consider ways to craft your own documents. These examples have worked for others, and we hope they help you move forward in whatever direction you’ve chosen.

Use your Kerberos ID to sign-in and visit the PhD Career Document Library.

In the PhD Career Document Library, you’ll find 3 categories of documents: academic dossiers, resumes, and CV-to-resume transformations. Each set of documents represents a single application package and may include job descriptions and advice from the author alongside resumes, CVs, cover letters, and other statements.

Academic Dossiers

Documents in the academic dossier category are grouped and labeled by field of study. Each group represents either a full academic application package or a subset of documents from an application package written by a single contributor. These examples demonstrate the way a faculty application package tells your story, highlighting elements of your academic experience within each document or statement.

Resumes are organized alphabetically by job industry. The second title relates to the field of study of the contributor. 

To learn more about building your PhD-level resume, check out our PhD Resumes for Industry Jobs course module. Take the whole course, or pick and choose what you need.

CV-to-Resume Transformations

The CV to resume transformations show how several contributors represented their academic experience for positions or internships in industry.  You’ll notice formatting differences and strategic choices that ensure your readers can learn more about you with just a quick glance.

If you’re making a similar transition, seeing these documents side by side can help you make decisions about what to keep and what to cut. If you’d like a more step-by-step process, check out our PhD Resumes for Industry Jobs course module. 

Donate Your Job Documents to the PhD Career Document Library

If you find these resources helpful, we hope you’ll consider donating your successful documents to our library to guide other students and postdocs as they consider their next move after mit. learn more about donating your documents below..

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Top 10 tips for applying to clinical psychology Ph.D. programs

Participants of the second annual Diversifying Clinical Psychology Weekend gained skills for succeeding in graduate school.

Program offers pointers for prospective students

In an effort to help aspiring clinical psychology applicants from historically marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds feel better prepared to tackle the application process and succeed in graduate school, School of Social Ecology graduate students from the clinical psychology area hosted their second annual “Diversifying Clinical Psychology Weekend” event earlier this month. Co-sponsored by DECADE, the event included breaking down application requirements, discussing how to obtain relevant research experience, and sharing the experiences of current students to help aspiring applicants feel more confident in their own academic journeys. 

• Professionalism is key. Using professional email greetings, being punctual, demonstrating preparation, taking ownership and responsibility, and using critical thinking and problem solving skills goes a long way. 
• Get involved in research labs. Joining a research lab during undergraduate or post-bacc programs, or seeking full-time research assistant and research staff positions will help prepare you for graduate programs that place heavy emphasis on research. 
• Prepare an accurate and professionally-formatted CV. Keep formatting consistent, list things in reverse chronological order, use action words when describing your contributions to activities. 
• Personalize your Research Statements (also known as Statement of Purpose) for each program you apply to. Emphasize what draws you to each particular program, include faculty members you are interested in working with and why, and state how YOU can add value and contribute to the program.  
• Weave a narrative through your personal statement that goes beyond your CV. Avoid summarizing your CV. Tell a story that SHOWS the reader what lessons you have learned and your main takeaways from prior experiences that have led you to apply to their program. Relate your experiences through common themes, goals, and interests that may not be obvious to someone simply reading through your CV. 
• Incorporate your values, commitment to DEI, and who you are as a person in your Personal History Statement (also known as Diversity Statement). This is a great place to show parts of yourself, your background, and your experiences that don’t fit into other parts of the application. 
• Get feedback on your materials. Get feedback from friends, family, and colleagues on your essays. 
• Submit strong letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are a critical component of a well-rounded application. Be sure to request letters from writers with whom you have good relationships and believe will be able to write you a thorough and positive letter of recommendation. Don’t hesitate to ask potential letter writers if they would be able to write you a STRONG letter of recommendation. 
• Research your programs ahead of time to make sure they are a good fit for you. Just as schools are evaluating whether you will be a good fit for their program, you should take the time to do your research on whether programs you are applying to seem to be a good fit for your research interests, professional goals, and personal needs.
• Check out additional resources and information sessions:  https://tinyurl.com/ClinicalPhDInfoSessions  and  https://tinyurl.com/ClinicalPsychResourceSheet .

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How to write an MBA resume and make sure it stands out in the stack

Applying to business school, or an MBA program, can be nerve-racking. You’ll need to lasso together transcripts and test scores, fill out an application, and likely ace an interview—but perhaps the most critical piece of it all is an MBA resume. This important document will list out many of the same elements as a traditional resume, such as your educational background and work experience. 

But an MBA resume also has a different primary function than the typical resume you might submit to try and land a job: It’s designed to land you a spot in an MBA program. If writing an MBA resume feels intimidating, knowing what to put on it, and some other framing tactics, may help calm your nerves.

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Mba resume vs. a job resume  .

As noted, an MBA resume should feel familiar to many prospective business school students. 

“An MBA resume is very similar to a job resume,” says Kaneisha Grayson, the founder and CEO of The Art of Applying , an MBA admissions consultancy. She adds that both types of resumes will, or should, comprise a single page, incorporate clear, professional formatting, and lay out an applicant’s educational and career accomplishments. 

“I’d say one difference between the two is that I advise our clients to put their education at the top—whereas with a job resume, you’d see education at the bottom,” Grayson says. She recommends this variation because an MBA resume’s specific aim of landing an applicant at an educational institution. 

So, in that sense, there may not be a whole lot of differences between an MBA resume and a job resume, but there will be some additional focus on specific aspects of your background, all in an effort to win over an MBA program’s selection or admissions committee. 

How to write an MBA resume

Again, writing an MBA resume shouldn’t differ a whole lot from writing a traditional resume, but you’ll want to try and keep your end goal in mind, which is landing a spot in an MBA program. As you write your MBA resume, keeping that goal in mind should prove helpful, because it can help you parse out the information you’ll want to include, and the things you won’t.

“An MBA resume is very specialized toward the application cycle,” says Ellin Lolis, President and Founder of Ellin Lolis MBA Consulting . So, again, keep the end goal in mind. “Your education section is going to be important,” Lolis says, “but we mostly want to see your career focus.”

As for the nuts and bolts of writing an MBA resume? Keep it simple by deciding what to rope in, what to leave out, and how to structure it all so that it’s easy to read. 

What to include in your MBA resume

The main elements that your MBA resume should include are an education section, a job experience or professional experience section, and a portion that details a bit more about you, personally, such as your hobbies and interests. 

You can leave out photographs, information related to your high school, and even most of your contact information—that’ll be included on your program application, the experts say. 

Again, do your best to keep what you include to one page. The only time you could probably get a pass for using more than one page is if you have extensive professional experience, and are applying to an executive MBA program. A good rule of thumb? “When you have more than seven years of full-time, post-college work experience,” says Grayson. 

How to structure an MBA resume

As for structuring an MBA resume, do your best to contain most elements to the aforementioned sections: Education, professional background and experience, and a section dedicated to your personal hobbies, interests, skills and certifications, and community service work.

List the schools you attended and the degrees you earned, perhaps with any relevant coursework and GPAs in the education section. Your professional section may differ depending on your specific experiences and industries you’ve worked in, but try to frame it as a sort of professional “story,” which can showcase how an MBA can help you take the next step.

Professional background

“Generally speaking, the MBA is not a purely academic degree, as a majority of people are going to earn one to get a better job,” says Lolis. “They’re doing it to boost their career—and at that point, the most relevant thing is your recent job and your professional track record,” she says.

Get into the weeds, too, about your accomplishments. “Don’t just reiterate your job responsibilities,” says Grayson. “Communicate the results of your efforts. Quantifying the results is much more significant and meaningful—describe the impact,” she says.

Hobbies, interests, and more

As for the more personal portion? “One of the main things that’s different from a job resume is that they want you to share some of your hobbies and interests,” Lolis says. “Be very specific,” adds Grayson, “because 90% of people will list ‘travel’ as a hobby. “But that’s not interesting—maybe something like ‘slow traveling to find the best street food.’ That’s interesting.” This, she says, can help spark a conversation, or help your resume stand out from the pile.

In addition to specific hobbies or interests, you might include, add volunteer or community work as well, and perhaps relevant technical or language skills. Again, this may help tip the scales in your favor by showing you have specific know-how related to a given industry or task. Any applicable awards you’ve earned may be good to include, too, as they showcase that you’re capable of excelling in a given area.

Should you customize your resume for each business school?

Experts generally don’t recommend changing up your MBA resume when applying to different schools. Instead, look for specific instructions relayed by the school, if there are any, and make any needed changes accordingly. So, unless you have a really compelling reason, you can probably use the same resume for a number of applications.

Also, don’t go overboard in terms of design to make your resume stand out. “Just stick to traditional formatting,” says Lolis, since that’s what most admissions teams are used to seeing, and are generally looking for. Let the contents of the resume speak for you—not the design.

Where to go if you need help  

For many prospective MBA students, piecing together a resume shouldn’t be terribly difficult, given that it’s mostly the same process as writing a traditional resume. However, if you need help, you can reach out to consultants, or even check out some of the resources schools make available to help you along the process. 

• Consultants : There are many MBA consultancies out there, including the firms that Lolis and Grayson founded. They can help create, review, and critique an MBA resume and get it into shape. 
• Examples and templates : Some schools even make templates available , and example resumes to help students create their own. 

The takeaway  

In all, you should write an MBA resume in the same way you’d write a traditional resume, with some slight variations. The resume should focus on your professional background and previous education, while also detailing some of your personal interests, too. Stick to classic resume formatting as well, and keep it to one page, if possible.

It’s also important, experts say, to use some basic formatting and style—use 11 or 12-point font, a normal font style (Arial, Times New Roman, etc.), and overall, keep it professional. And remember: don’t go overboard trying to score style points with the resume’s design or other elements.

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