Academic CV Examples & Templates
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Academic CV Example (Text Version)
Ellie Carter
Los Angeles, CA 90008
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Summary Statement
Dedicated academic professional with over a decade of experience in teaching, research and publication in the fields of social sciences. Demonstrated ability to integrate innovative methodologies into teaching and research, leading to a 20% improvement in student engagement and a 15% increase in publication citations annually. Skilled in collaborative research projects that have secured over $500,000 in grant funding. Passionate about mentoring students and contributing to institutional growth through curriculum development and interdisciplinary research.
Core Qualifications
- Quantitative and qualitative research
- Evaluation and assessment
- Data visualization tools
- Leadership and mentorship
- Grant writing and management
- Statistical sofrqare
- Learning management systems
- Effective communication
Education
Ph.D. – Sociology • University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
- GPA: 3.9/4.0
- Honors: Summa cum laude, Dean’s List
- Relevant Coursework: Urban Sociology, Quantitative Research Methods, Policy Analysis
- Extracurriculars: Graduate Student Council Vice President, Sociology Journal Editor
Master of Public Policy – Public Policy • The University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
- GPA: 3.8/4.0
- Honors: Magna cum laude
- Extracurriculars: Research Symposium Organizer, Graduate Teaching Fellow
Bachelor of Arts – Sociology • University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
- GPA: 3.8/4.0
- Honors: Magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
- Relevant Coursework: Introduction to Sociology, Globalization Studies, Public Policy
- Extracurriculars: Sociology Club President, Debate Team Captain
Work Experience
Associate Professor of Sociology • California State University
Los Angeles, CA • August 2018 to Current
- Develop and teach six graduate and undergraduate courses with over 200 students, achieving an average student satisfaction rating of 4.8/5.
- Secure a $500,000 federal grant for interdisciplinary research on urban migration patterns.
- Supervise an average of 12 graduate theses per year, with eight published in peer-reviewed journals.
Assistant Professor of Sociology • University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • August 2014 to July 2018
- Conducted research on social equity policies, publishing three papers in high-impact journals.
- Organized and led four professional development workshops for faculty and graduate students
- Increased student enrollment in sociology courses by 25% through curriculum innovation
Postdoctoral Research Fellow • University of California
Los Angeles, CA • September 2012 to August 2014
- Published five research articles on demographic trends in urban areas, with a cumulative citation count of over 800.
- Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to produce a comprehensive report influencing state policy on housing.
- Mentored 10 undergraduate research assistants, six of whom pursued graduate studies.
Research Experience
Principal Investigator, Urban Migration Patterns in the Pacific West (2022 – Present)
- Conducted a longitudinal study on migration trends and their socioeconomic impacts, resulting in a 25% increase in policy engagement by local governments.
Co-Investigator, Federal Housing Policy Evaluation (2018 – 2021)
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to evaluate the effectiveness of federal housing policies, securing $150,000 in research funding.
Research Associate, Social Stratification and Economic Mobility (2013 – 2018)
- Analyzed over 10,000 survey responses to understand the effects of socioeconomic policies on upward mobility.
Research Assistant, Equity in Public Education (2013 – 2015)
- Conducted qualitative research on disparities in education funding, contributing to a national report adopted by 12 state education boards.
Publications
- Carter, E. (2024). Urban Migration and Social Equity: A Comparative Analysis. Social Science Quarterly.
- Carter, E. (2023). Demographic Shifts and Housing Policies. Journal of Urban Studies.
- Carter, E., & Smith, R. (2022). Cultural Integration in Metropolitan Areas. American Sociological Review.
- Carter, E. (2021). Quantitative Trends in Social Stratification. Policy Studies Journal.
- Carter, E. (2019). Equity in Public Policy: A Case Study of Urban Schools. Sociology Today.
Professional Affiliations and Memberships
- American Sociological Association (ASA)
- Urban Affairs Association (UAA)
- International Sociological Association (ISA)
Certifications
- Advanced Quantitative Research Methods – (2024)
- Data Science and Visualization – (2023)
- Online Teaching Strategies – (2022)
- Grant Proposal Writing – (2021)
- Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education (ACUE) – (2021)
Important CV Sections
Contact information
Create a section at the top of your CV and display your contact details as follows:
- Full name
- City
- State
- ZIP code
- Phone number
- Professional email address
If you have a LinkedIn profile, online portfolio or professional website, add those as well.
Professional summary
An excellent way to grab the hiring manager’s attention is with a professional summary. Use it as an opportunity to introduce yourself and quickly summarize your most impressive skills and accomplishments.
Here is a sample resume summary for a researcher academic CV:
“Dedicated cancer researcher with over 12 of experience advancing cancer treatment methodologies through innovative research and clinical collaborations. Expertise in immunotherapy with a strong record of peer-reviewed publications and successful grant funding. Skilled in designing and executing preclinical and clinical studies to drive breakthroughs in patient outcomes. Passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration, mentoring emerging scientists, and translating research into actionable therapeutic strategies.”
Skills
Your skills section should include six to eight soft skills and hard skills that showcase a well-rounded skill set relevant to the academic role.
These are some skills you can include in your academic CV:
- Critical thinking: Ability to use critical thinking to assess complex data sets, identify trends, and draw meaningful conclusions to advance research objectives.
- Technical proficiency: Expertise in utilizing advanced research methodologies, laboratory equipment, and specialized software for data analysis, ensuring accuracy and reliability in experiments and studies.
- Communication skills: Strong written and verbal communication abilities for drafting research papers, delivering presentations, and explaining complex concepts to diverse audiences.
- Teamwork: Skilled in working within multidisciplinary teams, fostering productive partnerships, and coordinating efforts to achieve shared research goals.
- Time management: Proficient in prioritizing tasks, managing tight deadlines, and maintaining meticulous records of experiments, ensuring timely completion of projects without compromising quality.
- Problem-solving: Ability to approach challenges creatively, evaluate evidence rigorously, and adapt research strategies to address unexpected obstacles and problem-solve.
Work history
A CV includes a detailed professional history section listing every employment experience in reverse chronological order with its corresponding dates, locations and company names.
Add three quantifiable accomplishments to every job listed to boost your chances of landing an interview. Here’s an example:
Senior Research Scientist | Cancer Therapeutics
Boston, MA | October 2015 – Present- Led a multidisciplinary research team to investigate novel cancer treatments, resulting in the development of two innovative drug candidates currently in preclinical trials.
- Secured over $2.5 million in research funding through successful grant proposals from NIH.
- Published 10+ peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals, with an average citation index of five, contributing to advancements in immunotherapy and targeted drug delivery.
Education
List every academic or educational training program you’ve attended after high school. Remember to include the name of each school or program and the location and attendance dates.
See our guide on how to write a CV for additional information and examples from career advice experts.
See why MyPerfectResume is a 5-star resume builder
Action Words for Your CV
Powerful action words show your ability to perform the job role and reduce wordiness on your CV.
Consider adding these action verbs to your academic CV:
- Analyze
- Author
- Collaborate
- Conduct
- Design
- Develop
- Discover
- Evaluate
- Facilitate
- Investigate
- Mentor
- Publish
- Secure
- Supervise
- Synthesize
- Present
Explore our library of over 300+ CV examples for additional inspiration.
Best Skills for Your CV
Carefully read the job description to identify essential skills required for the role. Here are a few examples of relevant skills to include on an academic CV:
- Grant writing
- Experimental design
- Data interpretation
- Statistical analysis
- Scientific writing
- Project management
- Public speaking
- Ethical decision-making
- Literature review
- Proposal development
- Conflict resolution
- Networking
- Innovation and creativity
- Teaching and lecturing
- Adaptability
- Leadership
Certifications for Your CV
Certifications can enhance an academic CV by showcasing specialized skills and a commitment to professional development.
Here are some certifications an academic might include in their CV:
- Certified IRB Professional (CIP)
- Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Certification
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certification
- Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA) Certification
We recommend creating a separate section on your CV to list relevant certifications. Refer to our academic CV sample to see how you can craft this section.
Pair your CV with a matching cover letter
FAQ
What’s the best format for an academic CV?
The correct academic CV format is well-organized and maximizes readability. Follow these formatting tips to ensure your CV is optimized:
- Clear and consistent layout: Use bold headings and subheadings to divide your CV sections.
- Professional text: Select a professional font such as Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri and maintain the same font size throughout. Typically, between 10-12 points for body text and 14 points for headings.
- Reverse chronological order: Present every CV section in reverse-chronological order to place the most recent information.
What is a CV vs resume?
The difference between a CV and a resume depends on three main aspects:
- Length: CVs tend to run several pages because they detail your complete professional experience and often include additional sections, while a resume focuses on the most relevant aspects of your work history.
- Purpose: CVs are typically submitted for scientific, medical and academic positions. Resumes can be used to apply to any job.
- Location: Resumes are the standard document for applying for U.S.-based positions, while CVs are the standard worldwide.
How long should an academic CV be?
CVs usually run two to three pages. However, this can depend on the level of experience and the academic field. We suggest keeping it under three pages.
Best Practices
- Tailor your CV to the target academic job.
- Include keywords from the job description throughout your CV.
- Format your CV so that it is easily readable by ATS software and human eyes.
- Use an objective statement if you have little to no experience.
- Create a generic CV.
- Lie about your work experience or skills.
- Include irrelevant information like ethnicity or age.
- Forget to proofread.
Interview Tips
Research the institution.
Arrive at the interview with a clear understanding of the institution and its needs. The interviewer will likely ask what you know about the institution, so this will be an opportunity to show you took the time to prepare and have a genuine interest in the open position.
Practice common interview questions.
While it may be difficult to memorize all your answers, practicing common interview questions will help you feel more confident when responding and better understand what you want to communicate.
Start by reviewing the most common interview questions, such as:
Prepare questions for the interviewer.
Your interviewer will ask if you have any questions at the end of your conversation. Show them your commitment to the job by preparing thoughtful questions that display curiosity and professionalism. Here are a few:
- How is success measured in this role, particularly in research output and teaching effectiveness?
- Is there support for interdisciplinary research or collaboration with other departments?
- What initiatives does the institution have to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion?
- Are there resources for faculty to improve teaching practices, such as centers for teaching excellence?
Bring a document with references.
Resume references will be handy if the hiring manager decides to proceed with your application.
Create a list of two former colleagues and a former manager willing to vouch for your abilities to perform the academic role.
If this is your first full-time job, ask a former professor, volunteer coordinator, or internship manager willing to evaluate your capabilities positively.
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Natalia is a Content Writer based in Puerto Rico and a Certified Professional Résumé Writer. She is dedicated to leveraging her writing expertise to help job seekers reach their career goals.
