Academic CV Writing Tips & Example

An academic CV is an essential tool for students, researchers, and scholars looking to progress in the academic world. Unlike a standard resume, an academic CV provides a comprehensive overview of your academic achievements, research, publications, teaching experience, and more. Crafting an effective academic CV requires careful attention to detail, proper formatting, and a clear presentation of your academic background.

This blog post will guide you through the key principles of academic CV formatting, provide academic CV examples, and offer practical advice on how to edit a CV to ensure that it stands out to academic hiring committees. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or a student looking to write an academic CV for the first time, these tips will help you showcase your accomplishments.

What Is an Academic CV?

An academic CV is a document that highlights your educational background, research, teaching experience, publications, conference presentations, and other academic achievements. Unlike a standard resume, which typically focuses on skills and work experience, an academic CV places emphasis on scholarly accomplishments and contributions to your field of study. It is often required for academic job applications, research positions, fellowships, grants, and postgraduate programmes.

An academic CV typically ranges from 2 to 4 pages for early-career scholars, but for more established academics, it can be much longer, as it will need to accommodate a growing list of publications, conference presentations, and other academic achievements.

Academic CV Formatting

One of the most important aspects of writing an academic CV is proper formatting. Academic CVs should be clearly structured, easy to read, and professionally presented. Here are some key academic CV formatting tips:

1. Use a clean and professional layout: Your CV should have a clean, organised structure with clearly defined sections. Use a simple, professional font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, and ensure the font size is between 10 and 12 points. Leave enough white space to keep the document easy to read.
2. Consistent headings and subheadings: Use consistent formatting for your headings and subheadings throughout the document. Make sure they stand out from the body text, either by using bold font or slightly larger sizes.
3. Reverse chronological order: List your most recent achievements and experiences first within each section. This allows potential employers or academic committees to see your most current work right away.
4. Tailor the content: Tailor your academic CV to the position you are applying for. Highlight the most relevant experiences and achievements to match the requirements of the job or programme. For example, if the position is research-focused, place more emphasis on your publications and research experience.
5. Keep it professional: Use a formal and professional tone throughout. Avoid using slang, abbreviations, or informal language.

Key Sections of an Academic CV

An academic CV should contain certain key sections that provide a comprehensive view of your academic journey. Here are the essential sections to include:

1. Contact Information:
   • Name
   • Professional email address
   • Phone number
   • Professional website or LinkedIn profile (optional)
2. Personal Profile/Statement (optional):
   • A brief personal profile at the top of your CV summarising your academic interests, specialisations, and career goals. Keep this section concise, ideally no more than 3-4 sentences.
3. Education:
   • List all degrees you have obtained, including your current studies if you are a student. Include the name of the institution, the degree title, and the dates of attendance. You can also add brief descriptions of your dissertation or thesis titles if relevant.
4. Research Experience:
   • Detail your research experience, including any roles you’ve held as a research assistant, research associate, or independent researcher. Describe the projects you’ve worked on, your methodologies, and any notable findings or outcomes.
5. Publications:
   • Include a list of your academic publications, such as journal articles, book chapters, conference papers, and more. Use proper citation formats and list them in reverse chronological order.
6. Teaching Experience:
   • Include any teaching roles you’ve held, such as lecturer, tutor, or teaching assistant. Mention the courses you taught, your responsibilities, and the level of students you worked with (undergraduate, postgraduate, etc.).
7. Conference Presentations:
   • List any presentations you have given at academic conferences, symposia, or workshops. Include the title of the presentation, the name of the conference, the date, and the location.
8. Grants, Awards, and Honours:
   • Mention any scholarships, fellowships, research grants, or awards you have received. Include the name of the award, the awarding institution, and the date.
9. Professional Memberships and Affiliations:
   • List any professional organisations or academic societies you are a member of, such as the British Psychological Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, or the Modern Language Association.
10. Skills and Languages:
    • Highlight any additional skills relevant to your academic work, such as data analysis, laboratory techniques, programming languages, or specific software. Include any languages you are proficient in.
11. References:
    • Provide the names and contact details of two or three academic referees who can speak to your qualifications and experience. Always ask for permission before listing someone as a reference.

Academic CV for Students

For students or early-career academics, creating an academic CV might seem challenging, especially if you have limited research or teaching experience. However, the key is to focus on your educational achievements, skills, and any academic-related activities you’ve been involved in, even if they aren’t formal research positions.

Here’s how to write an academic CV for students:

• Emphasise your education: Place the education section at the top of your CV and provide details about your degree programmes, including relevant coursework, projects, and your dissertation or thesis title.
• Highlight academic-related activities: Include any internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs that are related to your academic field. For example, if you’ve helped a professor with grading or have been involved in a student research group, be sure to include those experiences.
• Include relevant skills: List any technical skills or methodologies you’ve learned during your studies, such as statistical analysis, laboratory techniques, or coding.
• Seek out experience: If you have limited formal experience, seek out opportunities to gain more. Volunteering for research projects, assisting in labs, or presenting at student conferences can all be valuable additions to your academic CV.

How to Edit a CV: Tips for Academic CVs

Once you’ve written your academic CV, it’s crucial to review and edit it thoroughly. Here are some tips on how to edit a CV to ensure it is polished and professional:

1. Check for clarity: Make sure your CV is easy to read and understand. Avoid overly complex sentences and ensure your points are concise.
2. Remove unnecessary details: Focus on the most relevant experiences and achievements. Remove any information that does not directly contribute to your academic profile or the position you are applying for.
3. Proofread for errors: Typos and grammatical mistakes can undermine your credibility. Proofread your CV carefully and consider asking a colleague or mentor to review it as well.
4. Tailor your CV: Every job or academic programme has different requirements, so tailor your CV to each application. Highlight the most relevant experiences and ensure your CV addresses the specific criteria of the position.

Academic CV Example

Jane Doe
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 01234 567890
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janedoe

Education
MSc in Chemistry, University of Oxford (2022 – Present)

• Thesis: “Novel Catalytic Methods for Green Energy Applications”
  BSc in Chemistry, University of Edinburgh (2018 – 2022)
• Graduated with First-Class Honours

Research Experience
Research Assistant, Green Chemistry Lab, University of Oxford (2022 – Present)

• Conducted research on environmentally friendly catalytic processes for energy conversion.
• Co-authored a paper published in the Journal of Catalysis.

Publications
Doe, J., Smith, A., & Brown, R. (2023). “Catalytic Processes for Renewable Energy.” Journal of Catalysis, 54(3), 45-67.

Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, Organic Chemistry, University of Oxford (2022 – Present)

• Assisted in leading undergraduate seminars and laboratory sessions for first-year chemistry students.

Conclusion

Crafting an academic CV requires attention to detail, careful organisation, and a focus on showcasing your scholarly achievements. By following academic CV formatting principles and tailoring your CV to each opportunity, you can effectively highlight your qualifications and stand out in the academic job market.

If you’re looking to take your academic CV to the next level, our expert team of editors is here to help. We can refine your CV to ensure it is clear, well-organised, and perfectly suited to the academic audience you are targeting. Get an instant quote today!