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Academic CV (Curriculum Vitae) for Research: CV Examples

curriculum vitae examples for students research paper template

What is an academic CV (or research CV)?

An academic CV or “curriculum vitae” is a full synopsis (usually around two to three pages) of your educational and academic background. In addition to college and university transcripts, the personal statement or statement of purpose , and the cover letter, postgraduate candidates need to submit an academic CV when applying for research, teaching, and other faculty positions at universities and research institutions. 

Writing an academic CV (also referred to as a “research CV” or “academic resume”) is a bit different than writing a professional resume. It focuses on your academic experience and qualifications for the position—although relevant work experience can still be included if the position calls for it. 

What’s the difference between a CV and a resume?

While both CVs and resumes summarize your major activities and achievements, a resume is more heavily focused on professional achievements and work history. An academic CV, on the other hand, highlights academic accomplishments and summarizes your educational experience, academic background and related information.

Think of a CV as basically a longer and more academic version of a resume. It details your academic history, research interests, relevant work experience, publications, honors/awards, accomplishments, etc. For grad schools, the CV is a quick indicator of how extensive your background is in the field and how much academic potential you have. Ultimately, grad schools use your academic resume to gauge how successful you’re likely to be as a grad student.

Do I need an academic CV for graduate school?

Like personal statements, CVs are a common grad school application document (though not all programs require them). An academic CV serves the same basic purpose as a regular CV: to secure you the job you want—in this case, the position of “grad student.” Essentially, the CV is a sales pitch to grad schools, and you’re selling yourself !

In addition to your college transcripts, GRE scores, and personal statement or statement of purpose , graduate schools often require applicants submit an academic CV. The rules for composing a CV for a Master’s or doctoral application are slightly different than those for a standard job application. Let’s take a closer look.

Academic CV Format Guidelines

No matter how compelling the content of your CV might be, it must still be clear and easy for graduate admissions committee members to understand. Keep these formatting and organization tips in mind when composing and revising your CV:

  • Whatever formatting choices you make (e.g., indentation, font and text size, spacing, grammar), keep it consistent throughout the document.
  • Use bolding, italics, underlining, and capitalized words to highlight key information.
  • Use reverse chronological order to list your experiences within the sections.
  • Include the most important information to the top and left of each entry and place associated dates to the right.
  • Include page numbers on each page followed by your last name as a header or footer.
  • Use academic verbs and terms in bulleted lists; vary your language and do not repeat the same terms. (See our list of best verbs for CVs and resumes )

How long should a CV be?

While resumes should be concise and are usually limited to one or two pages, an academic CV isn’t restricted by word count or number of pages. Because academic CVs are submitted for careers in research and academia, they have all of the sections and content of a professional CV, but they also require additional information about publications, grants, teaching positions, research, conferences, etc. 

It is difficult to shorten the length without shortening the number of CV sections you include. Because the scope and depth of candidates’ academic careers vary greatly, academic CVs that are as short as two pages or as long as five pages will likely not surprise graduate admissions faculty.

How to Write an Academic CV

Before we look at academic CV examples, let’s discuss the main sections of the CV and how you can go about writing your CV from scratch. Take a look at the sections of the academic CV and read about which information to include and where to put each CV section. For academic CV examples, see the section that follows this one.

Academic CV Sections to Include (with Examples)

A strong academic CV should include the following sections, starting from the top of the list and moving through the bottom. This is the basic Academic CV structure, but some of the subsections (such as research publications and academic awards) can be rearranged to highlight your specific strengths and achievements. 

  • Contact Information
  • Research Objective or Personal Profile
  • Education Section
  • Professional Appointments
  • Research Publications
  • Awards and Honors
  • Grants and Fellowships
  • Conferences Attended
  • Teaching Experience
  • Research Experience
  • Additional Activities
  • Languages and Skills

Now let’s go through each section of your academic CV to see what information to include in detail. 

1. Contact Information

Your academic curriculum vitae must include your full contact information, including the following: 

  • Professional title and affiliation (if applicable)
  • Institutional address (if you are currently registered as a student)
  • Your home address
  • Your email address
  • Your telephone number
  • LinkedIn profile or other professional profile links (if applicable)

In more business-related fields or industries, adding your LinkedIn profile in your contact information section is recommended to give reviewers a more holistic understanding of your academic and professional profile.

Check out our article on how to use your LinkedIn profile to attract employers .

2. Research Objective or Personal Profile

A research objective for an academic CV is a concise paragraph (or long sentence) detailing your specific research plans and goals.

A personal profile gives summarizes your academic background and crowning achievements.

Should you choose a research objective or a personal profile?

If you are writing a research CV, include a research objective. For example, indicate that you are applying to graduate research programs or seeking research grants for your project or study

A research objective will catch the graduate admission committee’s attention and make them want to take a closer look at you as a candidate.

Academic CV research objective example for PhD application  

MA student in Sociology and Gender Studies at North American University who made the President’s List for for six consecutive semesters seeking to use a semester-long research internship to enter into postgraduate research on the Impetus for Religious In-groups in Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century.

Note that the candidate includes details about their academic field, their specific scholastic achievements (including an internship), and a specific topic of study. This level of detail shows graduate committees that you are a candidate who is fully prepared for the rigors of grad school life. 

While an academic CV research objective encapsulates your research objective, a CV personal profile should summarize your personal statement or grad school statement of purpose . 

Academic CV personal profile example for a post-doctoral university position

Proven excellence in the development of a strong rapport with undergraduate students, colleagues, and administrators as a lecturer at a major research university. Exhibits expertise in the creation and implementation of lifelong learning programs and the personalized development of strategies and activities to propel learning in Higher Education, specifically in the field of Education. Experienced lecturer, inspirational tutor, and focused researcher with a knack for recognizing and encouraging growth in individuals. Has completed a Master’s and PhD in Sociology and Education with a BA in Educational Administration.

What makes this CV personal profile example so compelling? Again, the details included about the applicant’s academic history and achievements make the reader take note and provide concrete examples of success, proving the candidate’s academic acumen and verifiable achievements.

3. Education Section

If you are applying to an academic position, the Education section is the most essential part of your academic CV.

List your postsecondary degrees in reverse chronological order . Begin with your most recent education (whether or not you have received a degree at the time of application), follow it with your previous education/degree, and then list the ones before these.

Include the following educational details:

  • Year of completion or expected completion (do not include starting dates)
  • Type of Degree
  • Any minor degrees (if applicable)
  • Your department and institution
  • Your honors and awards
  • Dissertation/Thesis Title and Advisor (if applicable)

Because this is arguably the most important academic CV section, make sure that all of the information is completely accurate and that you have not left out any details that highlight your skills as a student. 

4. Professional Appointments

Following the education section, list your employment/professional positions on your academic CV. These should be positions related to academia rather than previous jobs or positions you held in the private section (whether it be a chef or a CEO). These appointments are typically tenure-track positions, not ad hoc and adjunct professor gigs, nor TA (teacher assistant) experience. You should instead label this kind of experience under “Teaching Experience,” which we discuss further down the list.

List the following information for each entry in your “Professional Appointments” section:

  • Institution (university/college name)
  • Department 
  • Your professional title
  • Dates employed (include beginning and end dates)
  • Duties in this position

5. Research Publications

Divide your publications into two distinct sections: peer-reviewed publications and other publications. List peer-reviewed publications first, as these tend to carry more weight in academia. Use a subheading to distinguish these sections for the reader and make your CV details easier to understand.

Within each subsection, further divide your publications in the following order:

  • Book chapters
  • Peer-reviewed journal articles
  • Contributions to edited volumes equivalent to peer-reviewed journals

All of your other research publications should be put into a subcategory titled “Other Publications.” This includes all documents published by a third party that did not receive peer review, whether it is an academic journal, a science magazine, a website, or any other publishing platform. 

Tip: When listing your publications, choose one academic formatting style ( MLA style , Chicago style , APA style , etc.) and apply it throughout your academic CV. Unsure which formatting style to use? Check the website of the school you are applying to and see what citation style they use.

6. Awards and Honors

This section allows you to show off how your skills and achievements were officially acknowledged. List all academic honors and awards you have received in reverse chronological order, just like the education and professional appointments sections. Include the name of the award, which year you received it, and the institution that awarded it to you.

Should you include how much money you were awarded? While this is not recommended for most academic fields (including humanities and social sciences), it is more common for business or STEM fields.

7. Fellowships and Grants

It is important to include fellowships and grants you received because it evidences that your research has been novel and valuable enough to attract funding from institutions or third parties.

Just like with awards and honors, list your grants and fellowships in reverse chronological order. Enter the years your fellowship or grant spanned and the name of the institution or entity providing the funding. Whether you disclose the specific dollar amount of funding you received depends on your field of study, just as with awards and honors.

8. Conferences Attended

Involvement in academic conferences shows admissions committees that you are already an active member of the research community. List the academic conferences in which you took part and divide this section into three subsections:

  • Invited talks —conferences you presented at other institutions to which you received an invitation
  • Campus talks —lectures you gave on your own institution’s campus
  • Conference participation —conferences you participated in (attended) but gave no lecture

9. Teaching Experience

The “Teaching Experience” section is distinct from the “Professional Appointments” section discussed above.  In the Teaching Experience CV section, list any courses you taught as a TA (teacher’s assistant) you have taught. If you taught fewer than ten courses, list all of them out. Included the name of the institution, your department, your specific teaching role, and the dates you taught in this position. 

If you have a long tenure as an academic scholar and your academic CV Appointments section strongly highlights your strengths and achievements, in the Teaching Experience sections you could list only the institutions at which you were a TA. Since it is likely that you will be teaching, lecturing, or mentoring undergraduates and other research students in your postgraduate role, this section is helpful in making you stand out from other graduate, doctoral, or postdoctoral candidates.

10. Research Experience

In the “Research Experience” section of your CV, list all of the academic research posts at which you served. As with the other CV sections, enter these positions in reverse chronological order.

If you have significant experience (and your academic CV is filling up), you might want to limit research and lab positions to only the most pertinent to the research position to which you are applying. Include the following research positions:

  • Full-time Researcher
  • Research Associate
  • Research Assistant

For an academic or research CV, if you do not have much research experience, include all research projects in which you participated–even the research projects with the smallest roles, budget, length, or scope. 

11. Additional Activities

If you have any other activities, distinctions, positions, etc. that do not fit into the above academic CV sections, include them here.

The following items might fit in the “Additional Activities” section:

  • Extracurriculars (clubs, societies, sports teams, etc.)
  • Jobs unrelated to your academic career
  • Service to profession
  • Media coverage
  • Volunteer work

12. Languages and Skills

Many non-academic professional job positions require unique skillsets to succeed. The same can be true with academic and research positions at universities, especially when you speak a language that might come in handy with the specific area of study or with the other researchers you are likely to be working alongside.

Include all the languages in which you are proficient enough to read and understand academic texts. Qualify your proficiency level with the following terms and phrases:

  • IntermediateNative/bilingual in Language
  • Can read Language with a dictionary
  • Advanced use of Language
  • Fully proficient in Language
  • Native fluency in Language
  • Native/Bilingual Language speaker

If you only have a basic comprehension of a language (or if you simply minored in it a decade ago but never really used it), omit these from this section. 

Including skills on an academic CV is optional and MIGHT appear somewhat amateur if it is not a skill that is difficult and would likely contribute to your competency in your research position. In general, include a skill only if you are in a scientific or technical field (STEM fields) and if they realistically make you a better candidate.

13. References 

The final section of your academic CV is the “References” section. Only include references from individuals who know you well and have first-hand experience working with you, either in the capacity of a manager, instructor, or professor, or as a colleague who can attest to your character and how well you worked in that position. Avoid using personal references and never use family members or acquaintances–unless they can somehow attest to your strength as an academic.

List your references in the order of their importance or ability to back up your candidacy. In other words, list the referrers you would want the admissions faculty to contact first and who would give you a shining review. 

Include the following in this order:

  • Full name and academic title
  • Physical mailing address
  • Telephone number
  • Email address

Academic CV Examples by Section 

Now that you have a template for what to include in your academic CV sections, let’s look at some examples of academic CV sections with actual applicant information included. Remember that the best CVs are those that clearly state the applicant’s qualifications, skills, and achievements. Let’s go through the CV section-by-section to see how best to highlight these elements of your academic profile. Note that although this example CV does not include EVERY section detailed above, this doesn’t mean that YOU shouldn’t include any of those sections if you have the experiences to fill them in.

academic cv sample

CV Example: Personal Details (Basic)

Write your full name, home address, phone number, and email address. Include this information at the top of the first page, either in the center of the page or aligned left.

  • Tip: Use a larger font size and put the text in bold to make this info stand out.

academic cv contact information

CV Example: Profile Summary (Optional)

This applicant uses an academic research profile summary that outlines their personal details and describes core qualifications and interests in a specific research topic. Remember that the aim of this section is to entice admissions officials into reading through your entire CV.

  • Tip: Include only skills, experience, and what most drives you in your academic and career goals.

curriculum vitae examples for students research paper template

CV Example: Education Section (Basic)

This applicant’s academic degrees are listed in reverse chronological order, starting with those that are currently in progress and recently completed and moving backward in time to their undergraduate degrees and institutions.

  • Include the name of the institution; city, state, and country (if different from the institution to which you are applying); degree type and major; and month/year the degree was or will be awarded.
  • Provide details such as the title of your thesis/dissertation and your advisor, if applicable.
  • Tip: Provide more details about more recent degrees and fewer details for older degrees.

academic cv education section example

CV Example: Relevant Experience (Basic)

List professional positions that highlight your skills and qualifications. When including details about non-academic jobs you have held, be sure that they relate to your academic career in some way. Group experiences into relevant categories if you have multiple elements to include in one category (e.g., “Research,” “Teaching,” and “Managerial”). For each position, be sure to:

  • Include position title; the name of organization or company; city, state, and country (if different from the institution to which you are applying); and dates you held the position
  • Use bullet points for each relevant duty/activity and accomplishment
  • Tip: For bulleted content, use strong CV words , vary your vocabulary, and write in the active voice; lead with the verbs and write in phrases rather than in complete sentences.

academic cv teaching experience example

CV Example: Special Qualifications or Skills (Optional)

Summarize skills and strengths relevant to the position and/or area of study if they are relevant and important to your academic discipline. Remember that you should not include any skills that are not central to the competencies of the position, as these can make you appear unprofessional.

CV Example: Publications (Basic)

Include a chronological (not alphabetical) list of any books, journal articles, chapters, research reports, pamphlets, or any other publication you have authored or co-authored. This sample CV does not segment the publications by “peer-reviewed” and “non-peer-reviewed,” but this could simply be because they do not have many publications to list. Keep in mind that your CV format and overall design and readability are also important factors in creating a strong curriculum vitae, so you might opt for a more streamlined layout if needed.

  • Use bibliographic citations for each work in the format appropriate for your particular field of study.
  • Tip: If you have not officially authored or co-authored any text publications, include studies you assisted in or any online articles you have written or contributed to that are related to your discipline or that are academic in nature. Including any relevant work in this section shows the faculty members that you are interested in your field of study, even if you haven’t had an opportunity to publish work yet.

academic cv publication section example

CV Example: Conferences Attended (Basic)

Include any presentations you have been involved in, whether you were the presenter or contributed to the visual work (such as posters and slides), or simply attended as an invitee. See the CV template guide in the first section of this article for how to list conference participation for more seasoned researchers.

  • Give the title of the presentation, the name of the conference or event, and the location and date.
  • Briefly describe the content of your presentation.
  • Tip: Use style formatting appropriate to your field of study to cite the conference (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)

academic cv conferences section example

CV Example: Honors and Awards (Basic)

Honors and awards can include anything from university scholarships and grants, to teaching assistantships and fellowships, to inclusion on the Dean’s list for having a stellar GPA. As with other sections, use your discretion and choose the achievements that best highlight you as a candidate for the academic position.

  • Include the names of the honors and official recognition and the date that you received them.
  • Tip: Place these in order of importance, not necessarily in chronological order.

academic cv honors and awards section example

CV Example: Professional/Institutional Service (Optional)

List the professional and institutional offices you have held, student groups you have led or managed, committees you have been involved with, or extra academic projects you have participated in.

  • Tip: Showing your involvement in campus life, however minor, can greatly strengthen your CV. It shows the graduate faculty that you not only contribute to the academic integrity of the institution but that you also enrich the life of the campus and community.

academic cv professional service section example

CV Example: Certifications and Professional Associations (Optional)

Include any membership in professional organizations (national, state, or local). This can include nominal participation as a student, not only as a professional member.

academic cv professional memberships section example

CV Example: Community Involvement and Volunteer Work (Optional)

Include any volunteer work or outreach to community organizations, including work with churches, schools, shelters, non-profits, and other service organizations. As with institutional service, showing community involvement demonstrates your integrity and willingness to go the extra mile—a very important quality in a postgraduate student or faculty member. 

While the CV template guide above suggests including these activities in a section titled “Additional Activities,” if you have several instances of volunteer work or other community involvement, creating a separate heading will help catch the eye of the admissions reviewer.

CV Example: References Section (Basic)

References are usually listed in the final section of an academic CV. Include 3-5 professional or academic references who can vouch for your ability and qualifications and provide evidence of these characteristics.

  • Write the name of the reference, professional title, affiliation, and contact information (phone and email are sufficient). You do not need to write these in alphabetical order. Consider listing your references in order of relevance and impact.

academic cv references section example

CV Editing for Research Positions

After you finish drafting and revising your academic CV, you still need to ensure that your language is clear, compelling, and accurate and that it doesn’t have any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. 

A good academic CV typically goes through at least three or four rounds of revision before it is ready to send out to university department faculty. Be sure to have a peer or CV editing service check your CV or academic resume, and get cover letter editing and application essay editing for your longer admissions documents to ensure that there are no glaring errors or major room for improvement.

For professional editing services that are among the highest quality in the industry, send your CV and other application documents to Wordvice’s admissions editing services . Our professional proofreaders and editors will ensure that your hard work is reflected in your CV and help make your postgrad goals a reality.

Check out our full suite of professional proofreading and English editing services on the Wordvice homepage.

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Creating an Undergraduate CV

Your curriculum vitae (CV) is a representation of your scholarly identity and trajectory in your field. 

A CV is used to apply to research roles or other academic positions. It shows your academic credentials and achievements, experience conducting research in your field, and other experience relevant to the opportunity you’re targeting.

Your goal is to convey your interest in the field, as well as the relevant skills and knowledge that will prepare you to excel in the target opportunity.

When might I use a CV as an undergraduate?

You may be asked for a CV when you’re applying to a research position, to a fellowship, or to graduate school in the sciences. If you’re applying to a research position in industry, pay attention to whether they ask for a resume or a CV in their posting, as they may prefer a resume. In your cover letter, you can let them know that a CV is available upon request.

Many faculty may be happy to receive either a resume or a CV from undergrads looking to conduct research with them. Remember that in this case, whichever document you submit should still be tailored toward research in their field! If you haven’t done research before, convey your interest and preparedness by showing the transferable skills and knowledge you’ve built through your coursework and other experiences.

What should my CV look like as an undergraduate?

Unlike your one-page resume, your undergraduate CV can be two pages.

Sections on a CV

The sections on a CV are designed to feature the experiences that academics (like professors or researchers) acquire over time. As an undergrad, the sections on your CV will depend on the experience you’ve had so far—and the professors or researchers interested in hiring undergrads won’t expect you to have graduate-level experience. So, don’t worry if you don’t have information to go in all of these categories!

Start with these mandatory sections:

Contact information.

Include your name, address, phone number, email address, and professional website or profile (if you have one).

Include the degree-granting institution and school, the degree you’re receiving, your major or concentration, and your expected graduation date. If you’re writing a departmental thesis, include the title and the names of your thesis advisers. You can include relevant coursework, which we generally recommend keeping to two lines of text or less.

If you have additional higher education, you can also include it. If you’ve studied abroad, for instance, you can include the institution name, the month and year range you attended, and relevant coursework you took during this program.

Your CV may include some of the following sections: 

Research experience.

Include the name of the lab or department and institution, the position you held, the location, and your dates of involvement. We recommend including a brief description of the project, your role, the primary methods used, and key findings.

Publications

This section includes scholarly publications such as journal articles, book chapters, and published conference proceedings.

Format each bibliographic entry according to your discipline’s style guide, with the article or chapter title, journal name, and publication information. Include authors in publication order, bolding your name.

Include publication status if the piece is not yet published—e.g., in preparation, under review, forthcoming. We recommend listing the DOI if the article has been accepted but does not yet have page numbers.

Presentations

This section showcases scholarly presentations you’ve made, usually at conferences or symposia.

Include the author(s) and title of presentation, the conference or symposium name, and the location and date (or month if a range) of the presentation. Specify the format of the presentation—e.g., poster or oral presentation.

Grants / Awards / Academic Honors

List any academic awards, fellowships, grants, or funding received. In each entry, include the award name, award-granting institution, and year of the award.

If the nature of the award will not be clear based on the award name, you can briefly clarify parenthetically.

Teaching Experience

Include the name of the course and institution, the position you held (e.g., Teaching Assistant, Instructor of Record), the location, and month-year range of the teaching engagement. We encourge you to include a brief description of your role.

Additional Professional Experience

On a CV, you may include recent professional experience that is pertinent to your scholarly trajectory. You can title this section by the job area if helpful—e.g., Additional Engineering Experience, Editorial Experience, Museum Experience.

Include the name of the organization, your job title, and the location and month-year range of the experience. You can include a brief description of your role and accomplishments to highlight relevant transferable skills.

Leadership / Activities / Service / Volunteer Work

Include the organization, your position title, the location, and dates of your involvement. You can include a brief description of your role and accomplishments.

Professional Memberships or Affiliations

List any memberships you maintain to professional organizations in your field. Many scholarly associations have low-cost student memberships.

Certifications

Include any relevant certifications or licensures you hold.

Create categories for your skills, such as languages, technical or computer (software, hardware, coding languages), laboratory, machining, and design. In each category, list the relevant items—e.g., language names, tools, programs. For languages, we recommend indicating your proficiency level. Keep each category to 3 lines maximum.

This includes a list of relevant references, including their name, title, institution, and contact information (phone and/or email).

How should I format my CV?

CVs typically have a much simpler format than resumes. You’ll left-justify the content, use one-inch margins all around, and a size 11 or 12 font. Use bold and italics sparingly, and avoid extra design elements. Include a right-justified header includes your last name and page numbers (#/#).

How should I describe my experiences on my CV?

Typically, undergraduate CVs include short descriptions of your experience that focus on field-related content such as a description of the research project and the methods you used. Remember, your reader is likely another scholar in your discipline who will be able to interpret this technical language. It is more common to display these descriptions in paragraph form, but some people prefer bullet points for clarity.

Learning About CV Conventions in Your Field

Many professors, postdocs, and graduate students post their CVs on their departmental or lab website. Their CVs will be a lot longer than yours—some professors’ CVs run up to 15 pages. You may notice that faculty CVs will be, in most cases, less detailed than your undergraduate one, with fewer descriptions: they may be serving as records of research and teaching conducted, rather than job-search documents. Nevertheless, these CVs can help you understand trends and conventions in your discipline.

Can I see what a CV might look like?

Sure! We’ve created a couple of sample undergraduate CVs for your reference.

  • Sample Undergraduate Science CV
  • Sample Undergraduate Humanities / Social Science CV

Where can I get feedback on my CV?

You can get feedback on your CV from your previous research mentors (faculty, postdocs, grad students), instructors of relevant courses you’ve taken, career counselors , fellowship advisers , or writing consultants .

We recommend always seeking feedback from mentors in your field, as they will be able to offer discipline-specific insights and tips.

Related Resources

curriculum vitae examples for students research paper template

Finding an Undergraduate Research Position

Getting research experience during your time as an undergraduate can aid in your pursuit for graduate school or certain career opportunities. There are many opportunities available to conduct research alongside faculty at Columbia or other universities and research institutes.

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Academic CV Example [Full Guide, Free Template + Tips!]

Background Image

Whether you’re looking to start your Ph.D. or you’re an experienced professional in your academic field, navigating academic expectations and standards can feel overwhelming when preparing your CV.

And, like it or not, a CV can be the difference between landing the position you have your eyes set on or your application going completely unnoticed.

But there’s good news.

We’ve prepared a detailed guide to turn your CV into a compelling presentation of your accomplishments and academic potential and help you take the next step in your academic career.

Some things we’re going to cover include:

Academic CV Example

How to format an academic cv, 11 academic cv layout tips, academic cv templates, what to include in an academic cv.

Let’s get started!

Here’s a great academic CV example made with our very own CV builder :

academic cv example

The CV example above covers the candidate’s entire educational history, is formatted the right way, and has all the other essential experiences documented.

Want your academic CV to look just as impressive?

Browse our free templates!

The first thing you want to do is pick the right format for your academic CV.

You want your CV to be well-structured and easy to read, as well as to highlight your greatest achievements to date.

This is where the reverse-chronological CV format comes in. 

It’s the most popular format out there, and since it starts with your most recent experiences and works its way back, it also does a great job showing off your most recent achievements first.

While different formats may apply to other job hunts, academics should always stick to this classic CV format .

Academic CV Vs Resume

If this is your first time preparing an academic CV, you might be wondering - what is a CV anyway?

The term CV is an abbreviation of the Latin words Curriculum Vitae, and it means “the course of your life”.

Across most of the world, the differences between a CV and a resume are superficial if you’re applying for most jobs.

cv vs resume

But in the academic context, a CV is a very in-depth document.

Essentially, your CV is a comprehensive description of everything you’ve ever done. It details your work experience, education, all the achievements you’re proud of, and any publications you have to your name.

Any time you accomplish something new, you should add it to your CV . This includes when you earn a new certificate, finish a new publication, or get a new job.

An academic CV is typically used for applying to post-graduate or graduate institutions, either as a student or as a faculty member. For some colleges, if it isn’t specified that a CV is necessary, you can use a college application resume instead.

Here’s a visual representation of how a CV is different from a resume:

cv versus resume

In academic CVs, education comes before work experience, which is the opposite of the typical resume rule. In fact, work experience might not even make the cut if it isn’t relevant to the academic position you’re applying for.

There are several things you should keep in mind when making your academic CV, starting with:

  • Keep it visually simple. An academic CV is not the place to show how creative you are with design and colors. Keep the background plain white, with only one or two complementary colors at most to highlight section headings, icons, and links.
  • Use the right font style and size. Some CV fonts should never make it to an academic CV. Sticking to a professional font is the way to go. When it comes to size, use 10-12 pt for the main body of your text. Your headings and subheadings can be between 14 and 16 pt, but make sure to keep the font size consistent throughout the CV.
  • Make the CV as long as necessary. The goal of an academic CV is to list your whole career path, so there’s no limit to how long a CV should be . Use as many pages as you need to show everything relevant to your career so far.
  • Tailor the CV to the position. Research your employer beforehand. Find out what the department you’re applying for values and is looking for, and emphasize that in your CV. Your most impressive and relevant accomplishments should always go first, so if they want experienced educators, put your professional appointments or teaching experience before your other achievements.
  • Stay concise. There’s no need to overexplain your academic record or use bullet points to list all your achievements in each education or work entry. A couple of short sentences that convey the point are enough.
  • Skip irrelevant information. If you had a part-time job while getting through college, you shouldn’t list it unless it’s related to your field of study. When applying for a position as a professor of mathematics, mentioning your brief teenage gig as a cashier is irrelevant. But your time spent tutoring classmates could make the cut.
  • Avoid field jargon. Everyone should have an easy time reading your CV, not just experts in your field. University admissions departments, grant reviewers, and hiring committees alike may not be well-versed in your field but they will be reviewing your application, so make it as accessible as possible.
  • Touch base with advisors. Every academic department has a slightly different way of doing things when it comes to CVs. After all, arts and humanities differ from economics, sciences, and mathematics. Expand your professional network and talk to someone more experienced in the field you’re applying for to clear up any confusion.
  • Save your CV in the right format.  Unless stated otherwise, always save your CV as a PDF . It’s the best file format guaranteed to keep your CV looking as you intended it across any software or device, whereas Word or Google Doc files might be skewed.
  • Name the file appropriately. This might be a no-brainer but it’s worth mentioning. The file containing your CV should be named some variation of your full name, rather than a placeholder name. E.g. John-Doe-Academic-CV.pdf , not draft1final.pdf
  • Adjust the file size. If you’re sending your CV through an application portal, there might be a file size limit. Consider compressing your documents with a tool like ILOVEPDF .

You can gain a competitive advantage not just from what your academic CV contains, but also from how it looks .

So, if you really want to stand out from the crowd, take your CV design to the next level with one of our templates.

Our professional CV builder comes with a dozen of modern and professional CV templates you can choose from to easily make a detailed CV while keeping your formatting intact. 

Any of Novorésumé’s templates can be adapted to suit your needs, whether you’re a research candidate or an academic looking to become a tenured professor.

cv templates

The academic CV has many of the same sections as a resume. They include:

  • Contact Information
  • Work Experience

But there are also some critical differences between the two. 

For starters, academic CVs put education above work experience. This is especially important when it comes to Ph.D. candidates since research is at the forefront of their position.

Some sections which are considered optional for resumes are mandatory for an academic CV. Examples of this include publications, conferences, or research experience.

Overall, an academic CV should include the following sections, in this order:

  • Personal Profile/Research Objective
  • Professional Appointments
  • Publications
  • Grants and Fellowships
  • Awards and Honors
  • Conferences and Talks
  • Teaching Experience
  • Research Experience
  • Other Activities
  • Hobbies and Interests

If you don’t have enough experience in one of the sections listed, there’s no need to add those to your CV. For example, if you don’t have any fellowships or conferences to showcase, you can just skip those sections.

Now, let’s break down how each CV section should be written:

#1. Contact Information

This section should be the easiest to spot, so it should always go at the top of your CV.

Here’s what you should include in the contact information section of an academic CV:

  • Full Name. It’s recommended that you use your name as it is in your passport, including any middle names, particularly if you’re a Ph.D. candidate. Adding your middle name or even just the initial to your CV is only optional if you’re already an established academic, and it’s necessary if your middle name is included in your formal academic name.
  • Professional Title and Affiliation. If you’re a professor, this is where you should list your title, as well as the institution you’re affiliated with.
  • Institutional Address. This should be the mailing address of the institution you’re formally affiliated with or based in. For example, if you’re an assistant researcher at the University of Columbia, you want to give the university’s exact mailing address.
  • Home address. Provide your home mailing address.
  • Email address. If you have a formal email address provided by the institution you’re affiliated with, you should list that. If not, use a personal email address with some variation of your first and last name (e.g. [email protected]).
  • Telephone number. Be sure to include the international dialing code for your number, especially if you’re applying for a position abroad.
  • Optional links. For some fields, such as business and marketing, a LinkedIn profile fits in, while for IT-related departments, GitHub can be more appropriate. Other academics could benefit from adding a Google Scholar or ORCiD profile.

Your academic name should be consistent throughout your career as that’s how you’ll be credited when your research is used. If you legally change your name during the course of your career, you might want to keep your academic name the same as it was when you started.

#2. Personal Statement or Research Objective

The next thing you want the admissions committee to see is a short paragraph at the top of your CV, similar to a resume profile .

This short pitch can be a personal statement or research objective , depending on what you’re applying for exactly.

If you’re applying for a research position, such as a Ph.D. or a grant, you should write a research objective. Even if you’ve provided a different document that already details your research goals, your CV’s objective should provide a concise summary that outlines your plans.

Here’s an example of a research objective on an academic CV:

Nutrition and Dietology MA student at Harvard University. Graduated BA in Psychology magna cum laude. Looking to undertake postgraduate research on the connection between digestive inflammation and mental health in adolescents in the USA in the twenty-first century.

A personal statement, on the other hand, consists of a few brief sentences that summarize your academic background and biggest achievements. It’s meant to highlight the essential experiences, skills, and qualities that make you the right candidate for the position.

Take a look at this personal statement for inspiration:

Innovative researcher and lecturer with 6+ years of experience teaching courses on undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Supervised 11 BA theses, 4 MA theses, and 1 Ph.D. dissertation. Published over 17 articles in peer-reviewed journals and 3 books.

#3. Education

The most important part of any academic CV is the education section .

It’s no coincidence that this comes listed before any practical work experience. Academic achievements are valued in academia, and your CV is the place to make yours shine.

Your education should always be listed chronologically, with your most recent degree at the top.

List the information on each entry in the following order:

  • Name of the degree. E.g. B.A. English Language, Literature, and Culture
  • Name of the department. (Optional) E.g. Department of Linguistics and Literature
  • Name of the educational institution. E.g. University of Groningen
  • Years attended. If you haven’t graduated yet, you can write down the year of expected graduation. E.g. 2020 - 2024
  • Honors. While honors are optional in other fields, academics would do well to include them. E.g. Magna Cum Laude.
  • Relevant courses. (Optional) The courses you’ve taken could be useful if they’re relevant to the exact position you’re applying for.
  • Dissertation. Provide the full title of your dissertation or project.
  • Location of the program. (Optional) If the university or school you attended is less renowned, you can specify its location. E.g. University of Marmara, Istanbul, Turkey
  • GPA. (Optional) You should only list your GPA if it’s over 3.5, otherwise, it won’t add to your CV’s academic shine. But adding your GPA isn’t necessary for an experienced candidate at all. If it’s been more than five years since you graduated, or you already have honors listed, it’s not something that you should add to your CV.

Here’s an example of education listed on an academic CV:

Education Ph.D. in French Literature

Department of Linguistics and Literature

University of Maine

2021 - Present  

MA in Literary Theory

Magna Cum Laude

2019 - 2021

Dissertation: The blend of culture, activism, and art in the early work of Richard Guidry  

BA in English Language, Literature, and Culture

Louisiana State University

2016 - 2019

- Literary analysis, Phonology, Cultural Theory, French language, Cajun Poetry

#4. Professional Appointments

If you already have the necessary experience in academia under your belt, make a section for your professional appointments.

This should include:

  • Position. E.g. Professor of History.
  • Name of the institution. E.g. King’s College, London
  • Dates employed. E.g. 2015 - 2022
  • Description and achievements. Use short paragraphs to describe your professional appointments, not bullet points.

Professor of Architecture

The University of Montana, 2017 - 2023

  • Taught 15 undergraduate and 12 postgraduate courses, mainly focused on the history of architecture and principles of interior design.
  • Supervised 9 BA and 5 MA theses.

As you can see, this section is similar to how a work experience section would be formatted in a resume.

It’s important to remember that this section pertains exclusively to contracted, professional appointments in universities and similar institutions.

It’s not meant to describe all of your teaching experience , so don’t detail your time as a Teaching Assistant (TA), adjunct professor, or any part-time teaching job. You have the opportunity to do that in a separate section later on in your CV.

Professional appointments take years, hard work, and academic recognition to achieve, so this section is where your career progression can shine. While most academics have experience teaching as TAs during the pursuit of their Ph.D., that experience should be in a separate teaching experience section further down your academic CV.

Has one of your former students reached out to you for help with their postgrad application? Check out our guide on how to write a stellar letter of recommendation .

#5. Publications

Having published research brings a lot of value to your academic reputation and, by extension, to your CV. Publications show you’ve done research that’s given back to your field and that you’re a dedicated academic.

In fact, if you’re already an established expert in your field, this section can even be listed ahead of professional appointments or education. Publications in peer-reviewed journals have a lot of value since they’re difficult to achieve.

Your publications should be divided by “peer-reviewed” and “other”, and then further subcategorized by where they were published. Examples include:

  • Book chapters
  • Book reviews
  • Contributions to edited volumes
  • Web-based publications

Provide full citations for each of your publications, and list them in their respective categories by year of publication.

When citing journals and edited volumes, authorship is usually listed by order of contribution. If your paper is the third in the publication listed, your name should be third in the citation. You can underline your name for each of your publications to highlight which contribution is yours.

However, some fields, like mathematics, always list authors alphabetically. In any case, ensure you’re consistent with your citation format throughout your whole academic CV.

If you have publications under review, you can still list them on your CV. Provide the citation as you usually would but swap out the year of publication for “in press”.

But your publications section shouldn’t necessarily include a full bibliography. If you’re a frequently published writer , make sure to limit your listed publications to the most relevant and recent titles.

Let’s see how this section looks on an academic CV:

Publications:

  • Smith, J. (in press). The Mythical Beasts of French Literature: Uncovering Symbolism and Allegory in Magical Creatures. Journal of French Literary Studies, 46(3), 157-179.
  • Rousseau, P., Smith, J. , & Dubois, M. (2022). Love, Longing, and Lost Letters: Exploring Epistolary Narratives in 18th-Century French Literature. Studies in French Literature and Culture, 27(2), 82-102.
  • Smith, J. , Martin, L., & Dupont, C. (2021). From Boulevards to Backstreets: Urban Imagery and Identity in Contemporary French Literature. Modern French Studies, 58(4), 223-245.

#6. Grants and Fellowships

This section showcases that your research is deemed valuable enough to fund.

Grants and fellowships on an academic CV are must-haves, as they show agencies and admissions committees that you’re equipped to conduct future research projects successfully.

Depending on how many grants you’ve received or applied for, you can divide them into subcategories for “Active Grants”, “Pending Grants”, and “Completed Grants”.

In each subsection, list the grants in reverse chronological order with the following information:

  • Name of institution. Provide the name of the institution which provided the funding.
  • Duration of funding. Use the dd/mm/yyyy format. E.g. 15/03/2020 - 15/06/2023
  • Role and effort. (Optional) If applicable, give the specific role you were given on the approved grant and what percentage of the total work was designated to you.
  • Monetary value. (Optional) Mentioning the monetary value is field-specific, so consider checking in with other experts in your field before adding it.

Simple enough, right? Now let’s see it in practice.

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) - “Challenge America”

01/2021 - 07/2021

  • Project Title: Sunshine Street
  • Project summary: Facilitated outdoor workshops and organized art programs for children from families below the poverty line in Middleton, NY.

#7. Awards and Honors

A little showing-off never hurts when it comes to an academic CV.

Take your time to list the awards and honors you’ve received so far, including any scholarships . Start with the latest additions first and work your way back.

Be sure to include:

  • Name of the award. E.g. The RSPB medal
  • Year it was received. E.g. 2023
  • The institution it was presented by. E.g. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
  • A brief description. (Optional) If the name isn’t clear enough, you can give a brief introduction to what the award was for.

Here’s an example:

The RSPB medal, 2023

  • The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ most prestigious medal, which is awarded annually to a single individual in recognition of wild bird protection and countryside conservation.
  • Awarded for research on the decline of the hawfinch and proposals for reintroduction to its once-native woodlands. The project was successful, with over 45 hawfinch families now nested in Leicestershire.

#8. Conferences and Talks

If you’ve been invited to speak at conferences or as a guest lecturer at other institutions, you should dedicate a special section to it in your CV.

Use subcategories to list them, such as:

  • Campus Talks. You lectured at your home institution’s campus.
  • Invited Talks. You lectured at other institutions or conferences.
  • Conference attendance. You participated in a conference but didn’t give a lecture. 

Then list each talk and conference, including the following information:

  • Name of the institution. E.g. Queen Mary University of London
  • Location. E.g. London, United Kingdom
  • Department. If applicable, such as in the case of a university guest talk. E.g. The Department of History.
  • Dates. Use the dd/mm/yyyy format.
  • Title or brief description. Usually, the title is descriptive enough but if you have space, you can clarify the topic of the event.
  • Presentation type. (Optional) This applies to conferences, as they can be a session talk, plenary lecture, or other.

Depending on the amount of experience you have with conferences and talks, you could separate them into one section for Conferences, and a separate section for Talks. Keep one section for conferences where you participated but weren’t a speaker, and one for events where you lectured.

Do you have an upcoming conference or talk? Plan ahead and check out 12 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills [for Work & Life] !

#9. Teaching Experience

With academic CVs, work experience is divided into distinct sections, such as:

  • Professional appointments
  • Teaching experience
  • Research experience
  • Other work experience

If you already have experience as a contracted professor, that should be listed in your professional appointments section at the start of your CV.

For aspiring professors, though, the first of these sections should be teaching experience.

This is where you can list any TA or adjunct professor positions in reverse chronological order, and mention the courses you’ve taught. 

Provide the following information for each entry:

  • Name of the institution. E.g. University of Ohio
  • Department. E.g. The Department of History and Classics
  • Courses. E.g. Roman Poetry of the Republican Period
  • Dates taught. Use the mm/yyyy format. E.g. 09/2017 - 06/2020
  • Type. Specify if the course was undergraduate or graduate , and whether the course was taught in person or online.
  • Duties. (Optional) For TA positions, you should only include your duties if your institution required you to create and teach your own courses.

If you have a lot of experience in this section, tailor it according to your application.

There’s no need to include all the courses you’ve taught if their number is in the double digits. Focus only on the top ten courses that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Alternatively, if you’re an experienced academic and your professional appointments section already details enough courses, you can be brief here. Just list the institutions where you were a TA and the dates you taught there.

Here’s an example of how to list teaching experience:

Teaching Assistant

Queen Mary’s College, London

Department of History and Classics

01/2022 - present

  • Designed courses on Ancient Roman History and Culture, adjusted to students majoring in Art History, Classics, and Theology. Supervised undergraduate dissertations and assessed students’ performance in class.
  • Postgraduate courses: Late Roman Mithraism, Imperial Symbolism in Eastern Roman Mosaics
  • Undergraduate courses: Roman Poetry of the Republican Period, Latin Grammar, Introduction to Catullus
  • Online courses: Roman Orientalism: The Allure of the East

If you’re using your CV to apply for a position at the beginning of your academic career, you might not have any teaching experience yet.

In that case, you can either list informal experience, such as tutoring, or you can remove the section altogether.

Thinking of applying for a job as a teacher? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to write a teacher resume with examples and templates.

#10. Research Experience

Any academic research position is welcome in this section. Start with your most recent post and work your way back.

  • Name of the institution. E.g. Lund University
  • Position. E.g. Research Assistant.
  • Dates. E.g. 06/2019 - 08/2021
  • Description. Specify the research question and explain how the research was conducted, and what methodologies you used.

If you’re an experienced researcher, you should only list the following positions:

  • Full-time Researcher
  • Research Associate

Research Assistant

Here’s how to list it on your academic CV:

Columbia University

09/2017 - 07/2019

  • Collected field samples of fungi on expeditions.
  • Analyzed mycelium production in different environments.
  • Conducted detailed reports on the effects of fungal spores on the human respiratory system and their potential medicinal uses.

For graduates who don’t have experience yet, any research projects can be listed, not just formal research positions.

#11. Other Activities

This is a versatile section where you can list other optional but relevant information. You can divide your entries here into as many subsections as you deem necessary.

Some activities you can list are:

  • Professional service. This can include conferences you’ve organized, journals you review for, students you’ve mentored, public outreach programs, and more.
  • Professional memberships. If you’re a member of an association or council, you can mention it in this section. E.g. Voting member of ICOM (International Council of Museums) since 2016.
  • Other qualifications. All other certifications , licenses, or qualifications go here.
  • Extracurricular university activities . Any clubs or communities you were part of while pursuing your degree can make an appearance here.
  • Media coverage. Any coverage you’ve received in the media, including talk show attendance or magazine interviews.
  • Non-academic work. If you worked in a corporate environment before switching to academia, any of that work experience would be listed here.

Since these sections are all optional, it’s best to only add impressive activities. Your time as an au pair during your gap year isn’t as interesting as the time you were interviewed for your innovative research.

#12. Languages

The rule of thumb for language skills is that you should only list those you know well enough to read academic texts.

List languages by including your proficiency, starting with your native language. Depending on your field or country of origin, you might want to use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CERFL) to indicate your level of proficiency.

If you’ve studied one or two foreign languages, you can list your fluency level for reading, writing, and speaking for each. If you’ve studied more than that, you can summarize your fluency with the appropriate CERFL score.

It’s generally best not to list a language if you’re a complete beginner in it. This section is also optional, so if you don’t know any foreign languages, you can skip it entirely.

#13. Skills

As a general rule, academic CVs shouldn’t list any skills.

Unlike in the corporate world, where adding skills to your resume is crucial , in academia, it might seem unprofessional.

However, exceptions are made for scientific and technical fields. If the position you’re applying for requires specialized methods that are worth listing, dedicate a section to highlight those skills.

#14. Hobbies and Interests

Another optional section is hobbies and interests .

These can be personal, professional, or research interests. Generally, it’s best to only mention hobbies and interests that are relevant to your field, if any at all.

For example, if you’re interested in historical reenactments, it might add more value to your application to the Department of History. But for a mathematician, it’s irrelevant.

#15. References

At the end of your academic CV, you can optionally include a list of references .

Choose a few people who are familiar with your work and can refer you. List them vertically and provide the following information for each entry:

  • Full name and title. E.g. Jane Donovan, Ph.D.
  • Mailing address. This should be a work address, rather than a personal one.
  • Telephone number. Be sure to include the country dial code, especially if your CV is going to be reviewed abroad.
  • Email address. List their professional email address, not a personal email.

Here’s how it should look on your CV:

Jane Donovan, Ph.D.

Department of Physics and Astronomy

University of Massachusetts

73 Einkorn street

Amherst, MA 94720-3840

+1 907-212-6234

[email protected]

Attach an Academic Cover Letter

An academic CV is only one part of your application. Make sure to also include an academic cover letter so you come across as a professional and well-prepared candidate.

Depending on the nature of your application and your field, you might have to write an academic personal statement or an academic cover letter.

The difference between the two is that an academic personal statement focuses primarily on the applicant, and is meant to highlight your knowledge, expertise, and strengths. 

The academic cover letter, on the other hand, focuses on the job you are applying for and on what makes you the proper candidate for that job.

Here are the steps you need to follow to write one:

  • Choose a cover letter template that matches your CV.
  • Provide all the essential details in the header. These should include your contact information, such as your full name, phone number, mailing address, and email address.
  • Address the letter to the admissions officer or other appropriate recipient. Include their title, email address, institution name and department, and mailing address. Then add a date to your letter right after.
  • Start with a formal opening line, such as “To whom it may concern.”
  • Write an attention-grabbing introduction explaining why you’re writing.
  • In the body of your cover letter, expand on why you’re the right candidate for the position and why you’re a good choice for the institution you’re applying to.
  • Summarize your key points, and use a call to action that asks the reader to take some sort of action, such as calling or otherwise contacting you.
  • Finish your letter with the appropriate closing line, such as “Best Regards,” or “Sincerely.”

Are you applying for your postgraduate research degree? Check out our detailed guide to writing a motivational letter for a Ph.D. candidate !

Key Takeaways

And that’s our guide to academic CVs! Hopefully, you’ll be more confident when writing your CV and applying for that academic position you have your eye on.

To be on the safe side, let’s recap some of the main points we discussed:

  • Academic CVs are used for faculty and research applications in universities. These CVs should highlight education, publications, teaching, research, and other experiences and achievements relevant to the position, not skills or general work experience.
  • There’s no page limit you have to be wary of when writing your CV. Academics don’t have to worry about Applicant Tracking Systems rejecting their CV or that a hiring manager might only skim through the contents and discard it without reading. 
  • The sections on your CV are listed in order of importance, depending on the position you’re applying for. The top sections are usually Education, Publications, Professional appointments, and Teaching or Research experience.
  • Be sure to pair your CV with an appropriate Motivational Letter, Personal Statement, or any other document relevant to your application.

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Research CV Examples and Templates for 2022

Start creating your CV in minutes by using our 21 customizable templates or view one of our handpicked Research examples.

Join over 260,000 professionals using our Research examples with VisualCV. Sign up to choose your template, import example content, and customize your content to stand out in your next job search.

Research CV Example and Template

  • How do you write a research CV?

To write a research CV, follow these steps:

  • Select a CV template that’s right for research/academia.
  • Next, add your research goal within your CV summary or objective.
  • List your GPA clearly.
  • Show that you perform research work independently and how your past experience or skills will be helpful.
  • Add your research publications.
  • How do you list research experience on a CV?

To add your research experience on a CV, add another entry to your work experience section and list the research work you did in a bulleted list.

  • Research CV summary and profile

Ready to start with your Researcher Curriculum Vitae? See our hand picked CV Examples above and view our live Researcher CV Examples from our free CV builder .

  • Research CV Objective

A research position is a person engaged in research, possibly recognized as such by a formal title. This is a very broad definition and relates to the fact that research positions generally cover multiple jobs and job titles. It’s important to distinguish between these positions so that we may accurately define research cv objectives.

The first objective to a research cv is to determine if the job you are applying for requires specific qualifications and/or education. For example, it is likely that research assistant roles will require a degree or postgraduate degree to even apply for the position, whereas a research fellow or research associate will usually require a minimum of a master’s degree.

Once you’ve identified your qualifications are sufficient, it is now time to show your expertise in the associated field.

Research positions generally require an advanced understanding of one specific field so it’s beneficial to only include experience, education, study, and training in that field and complementary fields. Make sure you look at the research project and the requirements because the person in charge of the project, grant or funding may be looking for a generalist but it’s normally safer to be very specific about your expertise and your devotion to the field.

The next focus area on your research cv should be on your reading, writing and analytic skills as these are the core skillset many recruiters are looking for on your cv.

Below we go into more detail on research cv formats and some real-life example cvs to help you get started on applying for your next job or position.

  • Research CV Formats

Research Assistant CV

Research assistants are researchers employed by a university or a research institute to assist in academic research. In most cases, a research assistant cv should focus on education, qualifications or interests around the area of research the potential candidate is applying for.

Most research assistants will be hired on their subject matter knowledge of the research being undertaken and their abilities in reading and writing. Following orders of the principal investigator or lead will also be crucial in hiring for this position so make sure you include your willingness to do what you’re told in your cover letter.

Research Associate CV

Unlike research assistants, research associates are normally full-time positions that are not under direct supervision or mentoring. Research associate cvs should have a laser-like focus on education and qualifications in their respective field. Be sure to include all awards, published works, and prior research.

Research Consultant CV

Research consultants are experts in their field who are hired to help complete research on behalf of an academic institution or research institute. Sometimes consultants can be hired specifically to fill a gap in the research currently undertaken by a specialist in another field.

Research consultant cvs generally focus on education, credentials and published work. As a consultant, they should demonstrate considerable experience across different projects or research. Make sure in your cover letter to include reasons why you will be highly beneficial to completing a research project or why your experience of working on different projects would be useful to the project at hand.

Research Fellow CV

A research fellow is an academic research position at a university or similar research institution, usually for academic staff or faculty members. Your educational qualifications and published work are essential to applying for this position. A doctoral degree or postdoctoral degree is generally considered mandatory unless you have equivalent work experience in the industry.

  • Research CV Examples

Please find our Research CV Examples below. If you are after more examples we have a directory of over 200+ real CV examples sorted by position and title.

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This handout provides an overview of strategies for writing an effective curriculum vitae. This topic is particularly important for graduate students who are entering the academic job market for the first time

This handout provides an overview of strategies for writing an effective curriculum vitae. This topic is particularly important for graduate students who are entering the academic job market for the first time. Although there is some overlap between the two resources, this handout should serve as a supplement to the suggestions available from Purdue's Center for Career Opportunities .

What is a Curriculum Vitae?

Also called a CV or vita, the curriculum vitae is, as its name suggests, an overview of your life's accomplishments, most specifically those that are relevant to the academic realm. In the United States, the curriculum vitae is used almost exclusively when one is pursuing an academic job. The curriculum vitae is a living document, which will reflect the developments in a scholar/teacher's career, and thus should be updated frequently.

How is a CV different from a resume?

The most noticeable difference between most CVs and most resumes is the length. Entry level resumes are usually limited to a page. CVs, however, often run to three or more pages. (Remember, however, that length is not the determinant of a successful CV. You should try to present all the relevant information that you possibly can, but you should also try to present it in as concise a manner as possible.) A more subtle but equally important distinction is that whereas the goal of a resume is to construct a professional identity, the goal of a CV is quite specifically to construct a scholarly identity. Thus, your CV will need to reflect very specifically your abilities as a teacher, researcher, and publishing scholar within your discipline.

What should I include?

Your CV should include your name and contact information, an overview of your education, your academic and related employment (especially teaching,editorial, or administrative experience), your research projects (including conference papers and publications), and your departmental and community service. You should also include a reference list, either as part of your CV, or on a separate page. Also, if you have a dossier containing confidential references available, you should mention that on your CV as well.

What comes first depends both on your background and on the job for which you are applying. Typically, the first item on a CV for a job candidate directly out of grad school will start with the candidate's education listed in reverse chronological order. Frequently the title and even a brief description of the dissertation will be included in this portion. After that, you will want to determine both what the jobs that you are interested in require and where your strengths lie. When determining what comes after your educational credentials, remember that the earlier in your document a particular block of information comes, the more emphasis you will be placing on that block of information. Thus, the most important information should come first.

If you are applying at a research university, research projects, conference presentations, and especially publications become very important. If you are applying to a liberal arts college or community college that strongly emphasizes teaching, then showing your teaching background is of paramount importance. In any case, you will want to be sure that the information that will be most helpful in determining your qualifications for the job for which you are employing comes before information that will be less helpful.

Is there a standard curriculum vitae format?

One of the most important things to remember when working on your curriculum vitae is that there is not one standard format. There are different emphases in each discipline, and a good CV is one that emphasizes the points that are considered to be most important in your discipline and conforms to standard conventions within your discipline.

So how can you find out what these conventions are? A good place to start is to find as many examples as possible of CVs by people in your discipline who have recently been on the job market. You can find these by asking other grad students and junior faculty in your department if you can have a look at their CVs, and you can also make use of the Internet to find CV samples in your discipline.

Resources such as The Curriculum Vitae Handbook by Rebecca Anthony and Gerald Roe (Rudi Publishing: Iowa City, 1994) also include sample CVs for various disciplines. One caveat to remember regarding examples, however, is that they should never be used as models to be followed in every detail. Instead, they should be used as sources of strategies for how to present your own information most effectively. The most effective formatting for you will likely be distinguishable from the most effective formatting for someone else because your experiences and strengths will be different, and you will thus benefit from formatting adapted specifically to your situation.

How should I construct my work description entries?

Two common strategies that apply to CVs as well as resumes are gapping and parallelism . Gapping is the use of incomplete sentences in order to present your information as clearly and concisely as possibly. For example, instead of writing, "I taught composition for four years, during which time I planned classes and activities, graded papers, and constructed exams. I also met with students regularly for conferences," you might write, "Composition Instructor (2000-2004). Planned course activities. Graded all assignments. Held regular conferences with students." By using incomplete sentences here, you cut out unnecessary words and allow your reader to see quickly what you have been doing.

Parallelism is also very important to a strong CV. Generally, you will want to keep the structure of your phrases and/or sentences consistent throughout your document. Thus, if you use verb phrases in one portion of your CV to describe your duties, try to use them throughout your CV. Particularly within entries, make sure that the structure of your phrases is exactly parallel so that your reader can understand what you are communicating easily.

One distinction between the work description sections of resumes and CVs is that bullets are very commonly used in resumes and tend to appear somewhat less frequently in CVs. Whether or not you use bullets to separate lines in your CV should depend on how the bullets will affect the appearance of your CV. If you have a number of descriptive statements about your work that all run to about a line in length, bullets can be a good way of separating them. If, however, you have a lot of very short phrases, breaking them up into bulleted lists can leave a lot of white space that could be used more efficiently. Remember that the principles guiding any decision you make should be conciseness and ease of readability.

How can I improve my CV?

The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab provides the opportunity to work with one of our graduate instructors in order to get some assistance with your CV, and many other universities offer similar opportunities through their writing centers. Also, consider showing your CV to your dissertation chair in order to get some feedback from him/her. Finally, many departments have job search or job placement committees that provide you with the opportunity to meet with faculty members in your department for extensive editing. If such a resource is available for you, that may be the best source of advice of all.

What other resources are available for help with my curriculum vitae?

There are numerous useful resources, both online and in print. Here are a few.

The Chronicle of Higher Education 's job site features a number of articles that may be helpful to first-time applicants on the job market.

The Curriculum Vitae Handbook by Rebecca Anthony and Gerald Roe (Rudi Publishing: Iowa City, 1994) includes sample CVs for various disciplines and tips for how to write CVs in various contexts.

The Academic Job Search Handbook (3rd Edition), by Mary Morris Heiberger and Julia Miller Vick (who are the authors of the Chronicle 's "CV Doctor" column) also provides sample cover letters and CVs

  • • Facilitated 15+ massive research projects, enhancing understanding of subject matters.
  • • Led a research team of 10 members, ensuring timely and accurate output.
  • • Analyzed and summarized research data using SPSS and Excel, significantly improving presentation of research findings.
  • • Contributed to 20+ research studies, enriching overall understanding of the relevant scientific field.
  • • Maintained accurate lab protocols and records benefiting overall lab efficiency.
  • • Coordinated between research teams comprising of 15+ members, ensuring effective communication and progress.

5 Student Researcher Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Customize this resume with ease using our seamless online resume builder.

All resume examples in this guide

curriculum vitae examples for students research paper template

Resume Guide

Deciphering the best format for your student researcher resume, how to create the cornerstone experience section of your student researcher resume, essential student researcher resume skills, student researcher resume: certifications and education, deciding between a student researcher resume summary or objective, additional sections to elevate your student researcher resume, key takeaways.

Student Researcher resume example

A Student Researcher often faces the challenge of articulating their research experiences and findings in a concise and compelling way that appeals to potential employers outside academia. Our guide can help by offering tailored strategies on how to translate complex research jargon into clear, business-friendly language, ensuring your unique skills and experiences stand out on your resume.

Dive into this guide to discover how to craft a compelling student researcher resume:

  • Explore top-tier student researcher resume samples, spotlighting industry-leading skills and experiences.
  • Uncover over ten tailored strategies to make your student researcher resume resonate with the job description.
  • Illuminate your unique value as a student researcher candidate, using your professional achievements as a guide.
  • Debunk the myth that education doesn't matter, and learn how to leverage your academic and certification credentials effectively.

Recommended reads:

  • Quantitative Researcher resume
  • Graduate Research Assistant resume
  • Undergraduate Research Assistant resume
  • Clinical Research Assistant resume
  • Welder Fabricator resume

To craft an impactful student researcher resume, start by thoroughly analyzing the job description.

Your chosen resume format should seamlessly align your experience with the role's requirements.

Consider these four pivotal elements:

  • Present your experience effectively. If you boast a wealth of pertinent experience, employ the reverse-chronological resume format , listing roles by date, beginning with the most recent.
  • Maintain brevity. Limit your resume to a maximum of two pages, focusing on your most salient attributes.
  • Headers serve a purpose. A well-crafted header ensures recruiters can swiftly access your contact details and professional portfolio.
  • Opt for PDF. Typically, submit your student researcher resume in PDF to preserve its layout. However, always adhere to specific job application guidelines.

Upload your resume

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

At the end of the day, recruiters care most about how easily they can scan and read your resume layout. Unless you're aiming for a role in a creative field, it might be best to stick with a straightforward layout and format. Instead, put your energy into showcasing your experience.

To craft a compelling graduate research assistant resume, focus on these sections:

  • A scannable header
  • A snapshot of your professional persona, showcasing soft skills, achievements, and a summary or objective
  • Skills that align with the job advert
  • Quantifiable achievements in your experience section
  • An education and technical skills section that underscores your proficiency with specific tools or software

What recruiters want to see on your resume:

  • Research Experience: Relevant research projects and the methodologies you used, especially if they resulted in a publication or presentation.
  • Technical Skills: Applicable software, laboratory techniques, statistical analysis tools, or other technical skills related to your field of study.
  • Analytical Skills: Demonstration of your ability to analyze data, draw meaningful conclusions, and apply findings to solve problems.
  • Collaboration and Communication: Examples of working in a team environment, particularly in a research setting, and your ability to clearly communicate complex ideas.
  • Academic Achievements: High GPA, honors, relevant coursework, or scholarships that highlight your dedication to your field of study.
  • How to Use Resume Lines
  • Resume in PDF or Word

A meticulously crafted student researcher resume experience section is a recruiter's delight. This segment not only responds to job criteria but also throws light on your technical expertise and character.

To craft an impactful experience section:

  • Highlight roles directly related to the position in question.
  • Pair each role or task with a metric that quantifies your achievements.
  • Chronicle your student researcher career progression, illustrating your dedication and growth in the domain.
  • For each role, elucidate challenges faced, strategies employed, and the broader organizational impact.

Examine the following student researcher samples to discern how seasoned professionals have articulated their experiences:

  • Conducted data analysis and statistical modeling on a research project investigating the effects of climate change on crop yields, resulting in the identification of key factors influencing agricultural productivity.
  • Assisted in designing and implementing experiments to evaluate the efficacy of new drug compounds for cancer treatment, contributing to the development of potential therapeutic options.
  • Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to develop and optimize algorithms for image processing in a computer vision research project, achieving a 25% improvement in accuracy.
  • Conducted literature reviews and synthesized research findings on human psychology and behavior, providing valuable insights to support the development of a psychological intervention program.
  • Assisted in collecting and analyzing field data for a biodiversity study, leading to the discovery of several endangered species and the formulation of conservation strategies.
  • Contributed to the design and construction of a prototype renewable energy system, resulting in a 30% increase in energy efficiency compared to traditional systems.
  • Developed and implemented machine learning algorithms for analyzing large-scale genomic data, enabling the identification of genetic markers associated with complex diseases.
  • Collaborated with industry experts to design and conduct usability studies for a mobile application, resulting in a 20% improvement in user satisfaction and engagement.
  • Assisted in the development of a robotic system for automated inspection and quality control in manufacturing processes, reducing defects by 15%.
  • Conducted field surveys and data collection to assess the impact of urban development on bird populations, leading to recommendations for habitat conservation and restoration.
  • Collaborated with a team to develop a mobile application for real-time air quality monitoring, resulting in increased public awareness and engagement in environmental issues.
  • Analyzed geological samples using advanced microscopy techniques, contributing to the understanding of rock formation processes and the identification of mineral resources.
  • Led a research project investigating the effects of nutritional interventions on cognitive function in aging populations, resulting in the publication of findings in a peer-reviewed journal.
  • Designed and conducted experiments to evaluate the performance of novel materials for energy storage applications, leading to the development of high-capacity batteries with a 20% increase in energy density.
  • Collaborated with industry partners to develop a computer vision system for autonomous vehicle navigation, achieving a 95% accuracy rate in object detection and recognition.
  • Developed mathematical models and simulation algorithms to analyze the spread of infectious diseases, providing insights into the effectiveness of different control strategies.
  • Assisted in the design and implementation of a remote sensing system for monitoring environmental pollution, enabling real-time data collection and analysis for early detection of contamination.
  • Conducted experiments on material properties and performed structural analysis using finite element methods, contributing to the development of lightweight and high-strength materials.
  • Assisted in conducting clinical trials for pharmaceutical drugs, ensuring compliance with protocols and ethical guidelines.
  • Collected and analyzed survey data to assess public opinion on renewable energy sources, contributing to policy recommendations for sustainable energy development.
  • Collaborated with engineers to develop a prototype wearable device for monitoring vital signs, resulting in accurate and reliable measurements for healthcare applications.
  • Designed and implemented experiments to investigate the impact of microplastic pollution on marine ecosystems, leading to the identification of potential mitigation strategies.
  • Developed a computer simulation model to analyze traffic flow patterns and optimize transportation systems, resulting in a 15% reduction in average commute time.
  • Contributed to the development of a smart agriculture system integrating IoT sensors and data analytics, improving crop yield prediction accuracy by 20%.
  • Supported data collection and analysis for a social science research project investigating the impact of socioeconomic factors on educational outcomes.
  • Contributed to the development of a prototype robotic exoskeleton for rehabilitation purposes, enhancing mobility and facilitating physical therapy.
  • Assisted in the design and execution of laboratory experiments to investigate the properties of nanomaterials, leading to potential applications in electronics and energy storage.
  • Conducted field surveys and ecological assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of habitat restoration projects, resulting in improved biodiversity and ecosystem health.
  • Collaborated with a team to develop an AI-powered chatbot for customer support, reducing response time by 50% and increasing customer satisfaction.
  • Analyzed large-scale genomic datasets to identify genetic variants associated with disease susceptibility, providing insights into personalized medicine approaches.

Quantifying impact on your resume

  • Include the number of research projects you've completed, which indicates your experience and ability to handle multiple tasks.
  • List the number of team members you've collaborated with on projects, showcasing your teamwork skills.
  • Specify the number of data analysis tools or software programs you're proficient in, demonstrating your technical abilities.
  • Mention the number of years you've spent in the field, highlighting your dedication and long-term commitment.
  • Note the size of any datasets you've worked with, showing your capacity to handle large volumes of information.
  • Quantify any improvements or efficiencies gained from your research work, illustrating your impact and results-oriented mindset.
  • Detail the number of publications or presentations you have contributed to, reflecting your communication skills and recognition in the academic community.
  • Cite any grants or scholarships you've received with their exact amounts, indicating your credibility and the value others see in your work.

Tips for student researcher newcomers launching their careers

Lacking extensive experience for that student researcher role? No worries.

Sometimes, hiring managers go for the unexpected candidate when they see potential.

Here's how to convince them you're the right fit:

  • Opt for the functional skill-based or hybrid formats to highlight your unique professional value.
  • Always tailor your student researcher resume to emphasize the most critical requirements, usually listed at the top of the job ad.
  • Compensate for limited experience with other relevant sections like achievements, projects, and research.
  • In your student researcher resume objective, pinpoint both your achievements and how you envision your role in the position.
  • Resume Without Work Experience
  • Resume Job Description

Highlight what sets your experience apart. Incorporate metrics, feedback, and the tangible value you've added to organizations. This specificity ensures your resume remains pertinent and memorable.

When recruiters review student researcher resumes, they're looking for a mix of technical know-how and personal attributes.

Technical skills demonstrate your proficiency in specific tools or tasks. They indicate if you're ready to jump into the role or if you'll need extensive training.

On the other hand, soft skills reflect your interpersonal abilities. They show how you'll fit into a team or company culture.

To effectively present these skills on your resume:

  • Design a skills section that highlights both your technical and interpersonal strengths.
  • Provide examples where you've applied these skills, such as projects or tasks.
  • For soft skills, describe situations where they've been crucial to your success.
  • Use metrics, like improved efficiency or positive feedback, to validate your skills.

For inspiration, explore the preferred skills of leading student researcher professionals.

Top skills for your student researcher resume

Research Methodology

Data Collection

Statistical Analysis

Literature Review

Academic Writing

Experimental Design

Lab Equipment Operation

Data Visualization

Use of Research Software (SPSS, R, MATLAB)

Citation and Referencing Skills

Critical Thinking

Time Management

Problem-Solving

Active Learning

Communication

Attention to Detail

Adaptability

Independence

If the job emphasizes team or organizational culture, dedicate a section of your resume to underscore your strengths and achievements. Top-tier student researcher candidates also highlight their alignment with a company's values and culture.

Boost your student researcher resume by:

  • Featuring recent and relevant certificates.
  • Listing basic details: certificate name, school, and dates.
  • If you lack experience, highlight skills from your education.
  • Only include valid license numbers if needed.

Job ads often list desired education and certificates. Match these with top industry certificates.

Best certifications to list on your resume

  • SAS Base Programmer Certification (BPC) - SAS Institute

The reputation of the institution or organization granting your certification or degree can bolster your credibility. Prioritize recognized and respected credentials.

  • Expected Graduation Date Resume
  • Activities Resume for College

While some argue the resume summary or objective is outdated, these sections can effectively:

  • Integrate pivotal student researcher keywords.
  • Showcase your achievements.
  • Clarify your motivation for applying.

The distinction lies in their focus:

  • A resume objective emphasizes your career aspirations.
  • A resume summary spotlights your career milestones.

Opt for a summary if you have a rich experience you wish to highlight immediately. Conversely, an objective can be ideal for those wanting to underscore their aspirations and soft skills.

For inspiration, we've curated samples from industry professionals to guide your resume summary or objective crafting:

Resume summary and objective examples for a student researcher resume

  • With an impressive 5-year track record as a Chemistry Researcher, I possess extensive knowledge in the application of advanced analytical techniques. My tenure at XYZ Research Institute led to a breakthrough in sustainable polymers creation, achieving recognition in the field. Keen on bringing my expertise in data interpretation and method development to a dynamic team at ABC Labs.
  • Profoundly skilled Computer Science professional transitioning into Student Research. Over 7 years of experience in algorithm design, software development, and computing concepts, with a successful patent granted for AI-based systems. Highly motivated to apply robust technical skills and analytical thinking to contribute to cutting-edge research and discovery.
  • Striving to launch a career in scientific research, freshly graduated from Cambridge with a major in Physics. Fascinated by quantum mechanics and its potential real-world applications, I am eager to employ my strong academic background, critical thinking skills, and passion for exploration at a progressive research facility like DEF Labs.
  • Energetic Biology Teacher making a career switch to Student Researcher. With over a decade's exposure to an array of biological concepts, a Masters degree in Biochemistry, and a knack for statistical analysis, I aspire to leverage my background to facilitate innovative study design and efficient research processes at GHI Biotech.
  • A recent graduate in Environmental Science, I am seeking the opportunity to establish a career in research. My goal is to apply the knowledge acquired through rigorous academic coursework, along with the skills gained during university lab projects, to the advancement of sustainable practices and environmental conservation solutions.
  • Aspiring to join a research team committed to pushing the boundaries of understanding in Neuroscience. With a solid foundation in brain anatomy and neural networks, honed through academic studies, I aim to contribute to meaningful discoveries that can help unravel the mysteries of the human brain.

To further differentiate your student researcher application, consider adding sections like:

  • Publications
  • Hobbies (only if they align with the job or showcase relevant skills).

These sections can further demonstrate your technical acumen and interpersonal skills.

  • A clear resume layout helps present your info well.
  • Use all main resume sections to show how you fit the job.
  • Detail specific skills or tasks and their impact.
  • Show your personality through interests or hobbies.
  • List certifications to back up your technical skills.

student researcher resume example

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StandOut CV

Student CV template + 10 CV examples

Andrew Fennell photo

Finding a job as a student can be challenging… Especially when you have little or no experience

But having a strong student CV will get you noticed by employers and help you to land the interviews you deserve.

This student CV template and 10 student CV examples show you exactly how to create an interview-winning CV, no matter what your current situation is.

There’s also a detailed student CV writing guide at the bottom.

CV templates 

Student CV template (With part time experience)

Student CV example 1

Why this CV is effective

Writing a school leaver CV is a big challenge, especially when you have no work experience, but all of the job adverts seem to be asking for experienced people.

Here’s how this candidate overcomes this barrier and creates an attractive CV.

The profile/personal statement

This 16 year old candidate doesn’t have any full time work experience in the field they are hoping to work in, so they use their profile to sell their academic achievements and transferable student skills .

The purpose of the profile (or personal statement) is to catch recruiters’ attention as they skim through all of the CVs in their inbox. This profile contains lots of information around highest level of qualifications, subjects that are relevant to their target roles, and extra-curricular activities

They also clearly mention their desire to enter the finance industry, and demonstrate why they have the necessary skills to succeed in it.

Quick tip:  If you struggle with spelling and grammar, try our quick-and-easy CV Builder

CV builder

The core skills and achievements

The core skills and achievements are in the bullet pointed section under the profile, and as you can see, the points are very short and sharp. This ensures that they can be seen from a quick glimpse of the CV and they gives recruiters a snapshot of this person’s skills.

Good skills and achievements to include are things like:

  • Highest qualification level
  • Skills relevant to the industry you are targeting
  • School teams and clubs
  • Positions of responsibility
  • Awards and recognition

Education section

As a school leaver, your education is going to be of great interest to employers , so you should include details of your subjects and grades.

You can even include details of any coursework or projects that might be relevant to the jobs you are targeting.

  • Work experience

This teenager candidate’s work experience consists of one part time kitchen role which isn’t relevant to the finance roles they are applying for. However, this doesn’t stop them from using the role to their advantage.

Throughout the role description, the candidate showcases lots of transferable workplace skills such as communication , teamwork , and problem solving .

The role is structured for easy navigation by including an outline at the top, followed by bullet pointed responsibilities.

Student CV (no experience )

Student CV no experience

    Top tips for writing a CV with no experience

  • Research your target jobs thoroughly to find out exactly what skills and knowledge you need to highlight in your CV
  • Draw out transferable workplace skills from your school work, studies, projects and extra-curricular activities to prove that you have valuable skills that employers are looking for
  • If you have any hobbies or interests that are relevant or impressive (such as sports teams, writing, club membership, charity work etc.) add them to your CV to give it a boost
  • For a quick way to add experience to your CV, pick up a short term voluntary role in your local area

College student CV

College student CV

University student CV / Graduate

Graduate CV 1

As a graduate , you are competing against lots of other similar candidates to land graduate jobs and internships – so it’s important to get your CV ( curriculum vitae ) right and make it stand out from the pack.

The personal statement / profile

As a graduate, it’s vital to make recruiters stick to your CV when they first open the document. This candidate does that by writing a powerful personal statement which summarises all of the skills they have picked up in university, work placements, and personal projects .

It’s short, sharp and punchy, which makes it an interesting read, and it’s heavily tailored to the needs of the candidate’s target employers, by including plenty of relevant terms and key words .

Core skills and achievements

To give readers a quick snapshot of their most in-demand abilities, this candidate has included a bullet pointed list of some impressive skills and achievements which relate to their target roles.

Related projects

As a graduate with limited experience, it’s wise to highlight some relevant projects that you’ve undertaken from university, school, or personal work. It’s a great way to compensate for a lack of work experience in your field.

This candidate is keen to land a product design role, so they have gone into huge detail around the product design elements of their studies. They have highlighted subjects and modules to give recruiters a deep insight into their technical knowledge.

Whilst this candidate’s work experience is not relevant to the roles he is applying for, he still uses them to demonstrate his ability to work in a team environment and contribute to an employer. Roles are well structured and broken up into easy-to-read segments so that employers can read them quickly and find the info they need.

Download CV template

You can also check out our example CV for PhD applications

Internship CV

Internship CV 1

Finance student CV

Finance Student CV-1

Law student CV

Law Student CV 1

Masters student CV

Masters Student CV

Medical student CV

Medical Student CV 1

See also: Student nurse CV

How to write a student CV

Writing your student CV is a lot easier when you have sample CVs and CV templates , but it’s still important to understand what recruiters want to see in your CV – and the type of information you need to get across.

These tips will help you perfect your student CV and land a junior role or apprenticeship with a good salary and progression opportunities.

  • CV structure and format

Student CV structure and format

Firstly, you must structure and format your CV in a fashion that makes it easy to read, and gives it a professional outlook.

This infographic give an overview of how to layout your CV and the sections you need to include.

Student CV writing guide

Formatting tips

  • Keep the font simple and clear – don’t be tempted to use fancy fonts that might be tricky to read.
  • The colour scheme should be toned down and clear with black text on a white background creating the easiest reading experience.
  • Text should be broken up as much as possible to ensure that busy recruiters and hiring managers can digest the information quickly
  • Use big bold headings to clearly define sections and break the information up further

Do your research

Before you start writing your CV it’s crucial to find out what your target employers want to see in a candidate.

Without knowing the skills and knowledge that are required for the jobs you are applying for, it will be difficult to know what you should populate your CV with.

I would advise heading over to the job sites and scanning through plenty of adverts to find out what the most important skills in your niche are.

CV research

CV personal statement/profile

Your personal statement or profile is an introductory paragraph which sits at the top of your CV, and is designed to give employers a high-level summary of what you can offer them

The personal statement is arguably the most important part of your CV because it is the first part of the CV that a recruiter’s gaze will be drawn to – if it’s weak, they may skip on to the next CV in their inbox.

CV profile

So, ensure that your personal statement is packed with relevant skills and gives a good overview of your abilities – this way it will persuade recruiters to read the rest of your CV.

What to include in your student CV profile

  • Summary of your education – Being a student, your education is going to be of great interest to hiring managers, so add a high-level overview of your education to your profile, focusing on your highest levels of achievement and qualifications that are relevant to your target jobs.
  • In-demand skills – To ensure that your CV gets noticed by recruiters, you need to pack your profile with skills that are important to the jobs you are applying for. Read the job descriptions of the roles you are applying to and include as many of the essential skills as you can (you could have gained these through studies, work experience or even personal achievements)
  • Work experience – As a student you might not have much (or any) work experience, but anything you have done should be included in your profile because recruiters love to see it. This could include school  work placements, internships, freelancing or even volunteering.

Your education section

As a student it’s unlikely that you will have a lot of experience to write about, so your education section will provide you with more opportunities to write about your skills and knowledge.

Add your education section near the top of your CV, unless you have some highly relevant work experience that will be more interesting to employers (e.g. a work placement within the industry you are applying to)

CV education section

Formatting your education section 

Your education needs to be easy for recruiters to navigate, so break it down into clear sections for each qualification, using bullet points and bold headings.

CV education section for graduate

Head each entry with;

  • Name of qualification and subject (e.g. GCSE in Maths)
  • Institution studied at (school, college, university etc.)
  • Dates Studied 

And for your most recent and relevant qualifications you should expand by adding details on:

  • Awards and achievements

This will allow you to provide employers with plenty of detail on the skills and knowledge you picked up, along with the achievements you made.

For older and less relevant qualifications you don’t have to provide as much detail because employers will be less interested. For example, if you have a marketing degree and are applying to marketing roles, it will be important to add lots of information on your marketing degree, but your primary school studies will not be as interesting to readers.

Adding your work experience (paid or unpaid)

As a  student, it can be difficult to find experience to place in your CV or resume . – especially if you don’t have any paid work experience.

But the key to adding work experience to your student CV is being creative.

The work experience that you include in your CV doesn’t have to be limited to full-time paid jobs only.

Think outside of the box and include any instances where you have shown initiative outside of your studies, such as:

  • Volunteer work – Volunteering for a local or online business in your industry can be a great way to learn relevant skills and add them to your CV.
  • School/University work placements – If you have done any work placements within your studies these will give you a great chance to prove your skill set and work ethic.
  • Freelancing – Getting freelance work is easier than ever now, thank to sites like Fiverr and PPH. Set up a profile and start offering freelance work, then add some of your projects to your CV.

Writing about these types of activities will give you plenty of opportunities to showcase workplace skills and prove you are a motivated candidate.

How to structure work experience in your CV

Use the structure below to write about your work experience and provide recruiters with a pleasant reading experience, whilst highlighting your skills and achievements.

Role descriptions

Hobbies and interests

Hobbies and interests

When you don’t have much work experience, your hobbies and interests can be used to demonstrate lots of workplace skills and qualities.

Add interesting and constructive hobbies that will demonstrate a range of skills and personal traits, like the following

  • Playing for a sports team – Shows teamwork, dedication, leadership…
  • Being a member of a club – Shows organisation, passion, consistency…
  • Writing a blog – Shows writing skills, pro-activity, tech knowledge…
  • World travel – Shows confidence, coordination, people skills …

Avoid common passive hobbies like…

  • Watching TV
  •  Eating out
  • Going to the cinema

They are unlikely to impress anyone.

Check out my video on how to add hobbies and interests to your CV..

Using your student CV template

Once you’ve written a winning student CV (or student resume ) it’s time to start landing job interviews.

Apply for jobs on multiple job websites with a strong cover letter , as well as searching for your target companies and sending them emails speculatively. You can learn how to write a cover letter with my detailed guide .

You would also benefit from attending jobs fairs locally and in major cities.

Job hunting is never easy, so don’t give up if you don’t get responses straight away. Be patient, keep making applications and adjust your approach based on feedback.

Stay positive and you’ll be in your dream job in no time.

You can also try our editable CV template .

Good luck with the job search !

PS. You can also use an online CV creator or a blank CV template .

Grad Coach (R)

What’s Included: Research Paper Template

If you’re preparing to write an academic research paper, our free research paper template is the perfect starting point. In the template, we cover every section step by step, with clear, straightforward explanations and examples .

The template’s structure is based on the tried and trusted best-practice format for formal academic research papers. The template structure reflects the overall research process, ensuring your paper will have a smooth, logical flow from chapter to chapter.

The research paper template covers the following core sections:

  • The title page/cover page
  • Abstract (sometimes also called the executive summary)
  • Section 1: Introduction 
  • Section 2: Literature review 
  • Section 3: Methodology
  • Section 4: Findings /results
  • Section 5: Discussion
  • Section 6: Conclusion
  • Reference list

Each section is explained in plain, straightforward language , followed by an overview of the key elements that you need to cover within each section. We’ve also included links to free resources to help you understand how to write each section.

The cleanly formatted Google Doc can be downloaded as a fully editable MS Word Document (DOCX format), so you can use it as-is or convert it to LaTeX.

FAQs: Research Paper Template

What format is the template (doc, pdf, ppt, etc.).

The research paper template is provided as a Google Doc. You can download it in MS Word format or make a copy to your Google Drive. You’re also welcome to convert it to whatever format works best for you, such as LaTeX or PDF.

What types of research papers can this template be used for?

The template follows the standard best-practice structure for formal academic research papers, so it is suitable for the vast majority of degrees, particularly those within the sciences.

Some universities may have some additional requirements, but these are typically minor, with the core structure remaining the same. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to double-check your university’s requirements before you finalise your structure.

Is this template for an undergrad, Masters or PhD-level research paper?

This template can be used for a research paper at any level of study. It may be slight overkill for an undergraduate-level study, but it certainly won’t be missing anything.

How long should my research paper be?

This depends entirely on your university’s specific requirements, so it’s best to check with them. We include generic word count ranges for each section within the template, but these are purely indicative. 

What about the research proposal?

If you’re still working on your research proposal, we’ve got a template for that here .

We’ve also got loads of proposal-related guides and videos over on the Grad Coach blog .

How do I write a literature review?

We have a wealth of free resources on the Grad Coach Blog that unpack how to write a literature review from scratch. You can check out the literature review section of the blog here.

How do I create a research methodology?

We have a wealth of free resources on the Grad Coach Blog that unpack research methodology, both qualitative and quantitative. You can check out the methodology section of the blog here.

Can I share this research paper template with my friends/colleagues?

Yes, you’re welcome to share this template. If you want to post about it on your blog or social media, all we ask is that you reference this page as your source.

Can Grad Coach help me with my research paper?

Within the template, you’ll find plain-language explanations of each section, which should give you a fair amount of guidance. However, you’re also welcome to consider our private coaching services .

Free Webinar: Literature Review 101

IMAGES

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VIDEO

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COMMENTS

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    There are several steps you can take when writing a research CV: 1. Determine the role you want. Before creating your research CV, try to determine the research role you want. Researchers apply for positions closely related to the field they study or hope to extend their education through research opportunities.

  2. Academic CV (Curriculum Vitae) for Research: CV Examples

    An academic CV or "curriculum vitae" is a full synopsis (usually around two to three pages) of your educational and academic background. In addition to college and university transcripts, the personal statement or statement of purpose, and the cover letter, postgraduate candidates need to submit an academic CV when applying for research ...

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    In the United States: A curriculum vitae (CV) most often refers to a scholarly resume used when applying for jobs in academia or the sciences. It details the applicant's research experience, teaching, and publications. CVs tend to be longer than a traditional resume: two pages may be sufficient for a

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    An academic CV is a synopsis of your educational background, professional appointments, research and teaching experience, publications, grants, awards, fellowships, and other key achievements. CVs are widely used by researchers and scholars when applying for academic, scientific, or research jobs. Let's make one thing clear.

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    Skills. Completing your skills self assessment exercise will highlight strengths and "development opportunities". Make sure you have good examples (under "Context"). Concrete achievements and end results are much more effective than personal opinion when convincing an employer you have a skill. Tip : Most people wouldn't write "I ...

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    Tips and Samples . THE BASICS . The curriculum vitae, also known as a CV or vita, is a comprehensive statement of your educational background, teaching, and research experience. It is the standard representation of credentials within academia. The full CV is only used when applying for academic positions in four-year institutions.

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    Creating an Undergraduate CV. Your curriculum vitae (CV) is a representation of your scholarly identity and trajectory in your field. A CV is used to apply to research roles or other academic positions. It shows your academic credentials and achievements, experience conducting research in your field, and other experience relevant to the ...

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    Curriculum Vitae (CV) Sample: Undergraduate student highlighting academic research, papers, and presentations MARY BIOMAJOR 420 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Apt 321 202-555-3456 email: [email protected]. EDUCATION. American University, Washington, DC Bachelor of Science in Biology, Magna Cum Laude, May 2012 GPA: 3.8 . HONORS. AND AWARDS

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    Choose a clear and professional CV font set at 11-12 pt. Calibri, Helvetica and Cambria are three solid choices. Use bold and italics to highlight important text, but avoid underlining as it makes your CV look messy. Don't save your academic CV template in Word unless the job advert specifies otherwise.

  11. PDF Curriculum Vitae Tips and Samples THE BASICS

    Curriculum Vitae Tips and Samples THE BASICS The curriculum vitae, also known as a CV or vita, is a comprehensive statement of your educational background, teaching, and research experience. It is the standard representation of credentials within academia. • The full CV is only used when applying for academic positions in four-year institutions.

  12. PDF CVs and Cover Letters

    There is no single best format. Refer to samples for ideas, but craft your CV to best reflect you and your unique accomplishments. Unlike a resume, there is no page limit, but most graduate students' CVs are two to five pages in length. Your CV may get no more than thirty seconds of the reader's attention, so ensure the

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    commentary about their design choices is provided, along with suggestions for altering the CV to suit different academic/research positions. Undergraduate Students - Two samples are provided; one for STEM and one for humanities/social sciences. Although these CVs are examples, CV design varies considerably even within a single discipline.

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    Stay positive and you'll be in your dream job in no time. You can also try our editable CV template. Good luck with the job search! PS. You can also use an online CV creator or a blank CV template. Write a winning student CV with this student CV template and 10 example CVs for school leavers and graduates. Suitable for graduates, school ...

  23. Free Research Paper Template (Word Doc & PDF)

    If you're preparing to write an academic research paper, our free research paper template is the perfect starting point. In the template, we cover every section step by step, with clear, straightforward explanations and examples.. The template's structure is based on the tried and trusted best-practice format for formal academic research papers. The template structure reflects the overall ...