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

Klara Cervenanska ,
Updated March 13, 2024 11 min read

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click on a section to skip

What is an academic CV?

What to include in an academic cv for phd application.

How to write an academic CV for a PhD application?

Tips on how to write a CV for PhD application

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

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

These two documents are similar but not identical.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to write an academic CV for a PhD application ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are a few tips to help you achieve that:

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

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

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

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

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

#1 Understand program requirements and values

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

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

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

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

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

#2 Emphasize transferable skills for PhD programs

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

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

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

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

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

#3 Adapt your CV for international PhD programs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lyon University PhD Student Resume Sample

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

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

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Guide to Writing a PhD CV

Written by Chris Banyard

Writing a CV for your PhD application is an important part of the process. A CV for a PhD application needs to be an academic CV . These differ from traditional CVs in several key ways. They provide a great opportunity for you to display your education background and any relevant research experience in a short and concise way.

This page explains how to write a CV for a PhD application , as well as including several PhD CV examples to give you an idea of how to format your own resume. We’ve also given some handy tips for making a good impression with your PhD CV.

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What is an academic CV?

An academic CV is similar to a standard CV, so the same general guidelines apply.

Keep it professional, up-to-date, relevant, clear and concise. All information should be presented in reverse-chronological order (most recent first).

Any CV should always be tailored to the specific application. And so for a PhD you should ldirectly reference the project specification if possible. The most important and most relevant aspects of you PhD CV should be at the top.

However, there are some key differences between the two documents. An academic CV for a PhD application focuses on academic experience and accomplishments . Anything not relevant to this shouldn’t be included.

How long should an academic CV be?

There can be more pages in an academic CV template compared to a general CV. This is due to the additional sections and information that may be required for academia. For late career researchers, CVs can cover lots of pages. But, for an early career researcher such as a PhD student, an academic CV should last no more than four pages . However, you should still make an effort to keep the CV relevant and concise – in most cases two pages should still be enough.

PhD cover letters

An academic CV is often accompanied by a PhD cover letter. This will give you the chance to expand on the experience you've laid our in your CV and fill in any gaps.

PhD CV format

An academic CV has several additional sections compared to a standard CV .

1. Personal profile and research interests

2. publications, 3. research experience, 4. teaching experience, 5. funding and awards, 6. professional society membership.

This section is often found at the top of an academic CV. It is usually a short summary of your research experience and your specific interests. This should directly address the job or project application. This could be in the form of bullet points, short sentences, or a short paragraph.

As with all aspects of a PhD CV, it is better to show, not tell . Give evidence of skills, interest and enthusiasm where possible rather than just stating it outright.

If you are deeper into your academic career, and have lots of publications and research experience, you may not need to have a research interests section – it should be fairly clear from your research experience.

I have spent four years of study in the field of 18th Century History following my research interest
I’ve developed a particular interest in the French Revolution, on which I have published several popular history articles
I would love to advance my understanding of the period further, through PhD study with an expert at a remarkable institution

I’m enthusiastic about Science and I really like learning. My research interest is Physics. I’ve got undergraduate and Masters degrees in Physics, so I want to do a PhD next.

This should include any journal articles, books (or chapters), reports and patents. Again, these should be in reverse chronological order. Ensure the referencing style is consistent and embolden your name where there are several authors.

You can include works in progress if necessary – just ensure this is clearly labelled.

If this is a long list, it may be better suited as an appendix .

This includes invited research projects , talks , conference attendance / participation, and other presentations .

It could be arranged by project (in reverse chronological order) or by experience (i.e. laboratory experience, presentations etc., in order of relevance). You can include your current research – this could be worthy of greater detail.

It may be useful to focus on the expert and technical skills involved in this experience, especially if they are relevant to the application.

Include the names of supervisors for each research project / experience, plus a brief summary of each (highlighting relevant or impressive aspects).

Research experience is arguably the most important part of an academic CV. It’s what many employers / project supervisors will look for and could be a deciding factor in the application process.

2017-present: Investigation into Viral Capsid Protein Self-Assembly

Masters degree research project, supervised by Prof J. Bloggs. Developed in-depth knowledge of literature searching, basic molecular biology techniques, and in vitro protein analysis. Presented research at several academic conferences through posters and oral presentations.

2016: Redox Sensors of Bacillus subtilis

Undergraduate research project under the supervision of Dr S. Smyth. Gained experience of protein crystallisation and bioinformatic analysis. My research report for this project was awarded a First Class mark.

Laboratory research. I have research experience in Molecular Biology laboratories at the Universities of Aberdeen and Dundee, developing relevant skills such as PCR, genetic cloning, protein purification, and protein crystallisation.

Presenting. I have presented research using a variety of techniques, including talks, posters, and workshops. These have been presented to academic experts at national conferences.

Academic writing. I have written many pieces of assessed research writing. These include literature reviews, research reports, and meta-analyses. All marks shown in Education section.

Teaching is an increasingly important part of academia, and teaching skills or experience are useful to have on an academic CV (provided they are relevant to the application).

Show any teaching, training, demonstrating, mentoring and supervision experience. Include the level of the students (i.e. undergraduate, postgraduate), and any additional work you did to accompany this such as marking, planning or organisation.

Here you can list any grants, awards, bursaries, scholarships, and fellowships you may have.

This may be for things such as:

research projects
conferences
presentations
academic posters
anything else appropriate

Funding and awards are competitive and demonstrating an ability to succeed with them is an important skill in academia.

Again, list these in reverse chronological order, and include the award or funding monetary amount if it’s the convention in the particular research field.

Being a member of a professional society (for example the Biochemical Society) is a good way to show enthusiasm and commitment for a research area. Always include the dates of your membership.

What if I don’t have publications / experience?

As a PhD applicant, it is unlikely that you will already have lots of publications, research experience or academic funding / awards.

If you do, this will go a long way to building a successful application.

However, as an undergraduate or new postgraduate student you will not be expected to have lots of this.

It is important to include any experience you have (for example, a research project at Masters level) and show an enthusiasm for research.

It could be worth changing your PhD CV to a more skills-based format. In this way, you can put more focus on transferable skills that are useful in academia, and less focus on research experience.

If your CV still seems bare, it may be beneficial for your academic CV if you can find ways to get research experience or develop research skills.

Academic CV flexibility

There is some flexibility in writing a CV – you can change the sections included to better suit you or better suit the application.

General CV sections

Some of the same sections as a general CV should be included in an academic CV. However, these may need to be adjusted to be appropriate for a position in academia.

This should be your name, fairly large and clear, at the top of the page. It is not necessary to write “CV” or “Curriculum Vitae” – this should be obvious to the reader.

Include your contact information below this, such as your address, phone number and email.

For an academic CV, this is an important section and usually is found near the top of the CV. List by degree, plus titles, with the most advanced first (i.e. PhD, Masters, Bachelors etc.). It is acceptable to include your current degree, clearly noted.

This section is vital to show the hard skills necessary to be eligible for the position. For example, if a PhD project description states that applicants require a Masters degree, then your relevant Masters degree should be prominent here.

If useful to the application, you can include individual courses on a degree with their marks. But, give course titles and do not include course codes – these are usually just for internal administration purposes.

Results pending

A student applicant may not have received exam / dissertation results at the time of applying. This is acceptable – just include any results or marks you have already.

Other skills

Research and teaching skills may already be included in specific sections, but this section may serve for any other relevant skills .

This can include things like administrative experience, professional development, additional training, and languages (with proficiency noted).

Administration experience: treasurer for University English Literature Society, management of local business’ social media accounts
Technology skills: Diploma of Graphic Design & Desktop Publishing (awarded by International Career Institute)
Languages: French (fluent), German (conversational)

I like reading books. I have experience of working in a local shop. Good with animals. Can do 46 keepie-uppies in a row. . .

Discussion of CV content at the interview

If you are shortlisted for a PhD interview , you may be asked to discuss the contents of your CV. Therefore, you can keep the CV concise and clear, and expand later at the interview if it is relevant.

For an academic CV, you will have referees , not references. This section will be at the bottom of your CV.

Check the application information regarding the number and nature of referees to include. There are usually two or three referees, at least two of which are academic. Non-academic referees may be included if specified or required, particularly if you’ve taken some time out of education before applying for the programme in question.

Keep the referencing style consistent.

Check that your referees are aware of their inclusion on your CV and have given you permission.

Should I include a photo of myself?

In the UK, USA and Canada, a photo should not be included. In some professions, this will cause the CV to immediately be discarded due to anti-discrimination laws.

However, in some countries, for example in continental Europe, photos are often included at the top of a CV. Always check the conventions of the country you are applying to.

Layout and formatting

Most of the same rules apply for a general CV as for an academic CV. However, it may be useful to check the common PhD resume format conventions for a specific academic field – these can sometimes vary.

Organisation

For all CVs, the most important parts for the application are placed at the top. Generally speaking, you should follow this PhD CV template when ordering the sections of your resume:

1. Name and contact information
2. Education
3. Publications
4. Research experience
5. Teaching experience
6. Funding and awards
7. Professional society membership
8. Referees

The exact order of these can be adjusted to better suit the application and the applicant.

There is some flexibility in the PhD resume formats. You may choose a style that you like, but it should follow the following rules.

The format of the CV should always be clear, with a readable, normal-sized font and line-spacing where possible. Make sure the format is consistent throughout.

Headings and subheadings can be larger and / or emboldened. There should be clear spaces or definitions between each section.

UK and Canada CV vs. USA CV

There can be differences in the layout and formatting of CVs in different countries. UK / Canadian CVs tend to be shorter and more condensed than their American counterparts. Always check the conventions of the country you are applying to.

Tips for writing an academic CV

As you write your academic CV for a PhD application, there are plenty of things you should bear in mind to make sure that you give a strong impression to those reading it. These are our tips for producing a great academic CV:

Make sure that your CV is clear, reads well and is scannable . This means ensuring that the most important – and impressive – information is obvious at a glance. Don’t make the admissions officer work hard to discover what a brilliant candidate you are.
Don’t allow sections to be split across two pages – this can harm the readability of your academic CV.
Avoid jargon and unexplained abbreviations .
Ask a second, third or even fourth pair of eyes to comb your CV for potential typos and grammatical errors.
Bear in mind that you don’t need to repeat information already included in your cover letter , research proposal and personal statement as part of your PhD application.
Try not to use too many font sizes or styles , which can make your CV look jumbled and inconsistent. At the same time, bold and italics can be useful with clarity – just don’t overdo it.
Check that the CV is specific to the job or project description , and that there is no irrelevant information carried over from another PhD application.
Ensure that the appropriate sections are in reverse chronological order .
Use the PDF file format to prevent potential formatting issues.

Finally, always get additional advice and opinions. Not all advice is good, but you should always get help to find any mistakes or opportunities for improvement. Advice from someone who is experienced in the research field – perhaps a PhD graduate themselves – who can offer discipline-specific help on the academic CV will be particularly useful.

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• 2+ years of experience in how the AI development lifecycle impacts systems, distributed computing, and cloud-native paradigm
• Main research focused on how blockchain security could be enhanced by 65% within decentralized infrastructure
• Other research projects (36+), looking at how future trends could impact network security in AI automated systems
• Had 16+ publications in the Journal of Computer Science and secured +$16M in grant funding over the last two years
• Assisted 13+ senior researchers and computer science professors in completing various applications by debugging codes
• Participated in various other aspects of the software development process, including assessing briefs, writing code, and testing systems to ensure 100% accuracy
• Built 10 full-stack web applications with Java and Ruby
• Was tasked to help 5 researchers with the development of for-academia software with a focus on security
• Analyzed the code specifications and transformations to comply with 100% of all security, accuracy, and client-briefed protocols and parameters
• Met all mandatory schedule dates within the development process - receiving 98% approval in customer satisfaction

9 PhD Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your PhD resume must highlight your extensive research and expertise in your field of study. Tailor it to showcase how your unique skills are transferable to the job you're applying for. Demonstrate your proficiency in critical thinking and problem-solving through concrete examples of your work. Articulate your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, as this is key to standing out.

All resume examples in this guide

Traditional

Lecturer in Molecular Engineering and Bioengineering Researcher: Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D. resume example

Electronic Product Design and Engineering Lab Technician, Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering resume example

APTA Certified Physical Therapist, Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science resume example

Data Scientist: Niched In Statistics, Appplied Mathematics, and Machine Learning resume example

Resume Guide

Guide Overview

Additional Resumes

Extra Reads

Writing Your Ph.D. Resume

Resume Header Tips

Ph.D. Resume Summary

Resume Experience Section

Systematizing Your Experience

How to Include Your Degree

Ph.D. in Progress on Resume

Skill Set for Ph.D. Resumes

Certifications on Resume

Additional Sections

Key Takeaways

George C. Jones's 8-year-Odyssey to his doctoral degree in engineering is finally complete. All he has to do now is complete his Ph.D. resume.

Little does George know that within the next three years, he'd apply to 500+ roles and still not be any closer to working in the renewable energy sector.

A little birdie told us why.

Everywhere George applied, he was labeled as an "egghead": book-smart with no real-world experience.

At least that's the story his resume told.

Unfortunately, George's sad "tale" depicts many graduates’ job searches.

By 2030/31, the US is expected to have 221,000 Ph.D. graduates . While this may be fantastic news for the academic community, the job pool is limited.

Swimming into the big blue sea - a.k.a. the "real world" - would require Ph.D. graduates to adapt their resumes to the business or industry requirements.

And listing vague bullets pinpointing your experience just won't do.

Enhancv knows how to translate your skills, knowledge, and achievements to ensure your resume stands out in the vast talent pool.

Because a well-written Ph.D. resume , showing skills, passion, and knowledge, is your ticket to the moon and beyond.

Our exclusive, Ph.D. resume guide will answer some of the following questions for you:

What are some of the biggest, unintentional mistakes Ph.D. graduates tend to make when writing their resumes?
Perfecting the top one-third of your resume: how to get recruiters' attention every time?
102 of the most popular Ph.D. skills you need to add to your resume right now!
Lacking much professional experience: how to align your academic background with job expectations?
Get inspired with more ideas about formatting, writing your resume summary, and including your academic body of work in a way that works.

4 additional Ph.D. resume samples and why they work

Ph.d. bioengineering graduate.

Ph.D. Lecturer and Researcher in Bioengineering resume

This Ph.D. Bioengineering Graduate has certainly focused her effort on getting that tenure-track position.

Here’s why her resume works.

Within the top one-third of Dr. Taylor’s resume (the headlines, summary, and skills section), you’ll find many relevant keywords for the job advert.

She has also used the summary to qualify and quantify her results to help recruiters better understand her strengths.

The experience section is split into two parts: the first one notes all relevant teaching experience; the second section showcases depth and knowledge of research.

Dr. Taylor has included industry experience and strengths to further define her skill set and show results.

This approach would also be very helpful for any Applicant Tracking System (ATS) reviewing the resume, as it cross-aligns the candidate’s talents with the job requirements.

Ph.D. mechanical engineering

If you’re wondering how to translate your academics into real-life experience, check this example out.

Dr. Aubry’s resume headline highlights his area of expertise and his Ph.D. degree, while his summary qualifies his key academic achievements, contributions, and success.

Dr. Aubry’s skills section focuses more on the technology he is apt at within the specified job requirements.

His roles as a lab technician, contributor, and research assistant also hint to recruiters that he’s results-oriented and can show how his work affected the industry.

Finally, his strengths section cross-aligns soft skills that are important for the role, including mechanical engineering knowledge, cross-disciplinary teamwork, and technical writing.

Apta certified physical therapist

In some industries, a specific certification can be a real game changer to meeting ATS standards.

Dr. Brubaker knows this and that’s why she has used her resume to highlight her American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) certification within various sections (headline, summary, and certification).

Another reason why Dr. Brubaker’s resume works is that it pinpoints her niche of expertise with tangible results.

Her education section not only lists all of her degrees, but she has turned recruiters’ attention to the grant funding her Ph.D. thesis secured (an outcome of the project).

Did you notice how she curated the experience section? Dr. Brubaker started with her more job-oriented responsibilities, followed by a leadership role.

if you’ve participated in any extracurricular activities during your studies, they could indicate various soft skills on your resume, including leadership, initiative, organization, etc.

data scientist, ongoing Ph.D. in statistics

Are you a current Ph.D. student, wondering how to include your ongoing degree on your resume?

Charles Flack’s resume includes some of the best how-to practices.

Charles uses the resume headline and summary’s first section to specify his research niche, which is followed by his ongoing Ph.D. Status.

N.B. Remember that the recruitment process is one of building trust with honesty. If you note in your resume that you’re a Ph.D. graduate (without this being the reality), recruiters will find out.

Continuing with Charles’s resume summary. It goes on to include an array of expertise and soft skills (e.g. leadership, adaptiveness, perfectionism) all within achieved results in academia.

His experience section includes roles in leadership, technical writing, and private tutoring, denoting individual skills and contributions.

The strengths Charles has included are more specific and tie in with data science roles. Those include quantitative problem-solving, deep learning, and iterative process.

21 Ph.D. related resume examples to help you get inspired

Entry-Level
Grant Writer
Lab Technician
Research Associate
Research Assistant
Lab Assistant
Lab Manager
Finance Intern
Data Science Intern
Entry Level Engineering
Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer
Software Engineer Intern
Nursing Student
Data Analyst Entry Level

Quick steps to success in writing your Ph.D. resume to get recruiters’ attention

Let's start with a big no-no: your academic CV, the one you used to secure that tenure position, is a No-go. Put simply - it lacks personality .

HRs and the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) need more context to your experience.

Unfortunately, here comes one of the biggest disadvantages you may face, leaving academia. Often, Ph.D. graduates get rejected as they lack practical work experience .

Don't get discouraged. Instead, find a resume format that works for you.

For Ph.D. graduates that have less work experience, we recommend a functional-skill-based format . It will help you highlight your unique skill set and academic excellence.

Also, it'll align your niche area of expertise with the role expectations.

Now that we've settled the formatting debate, let's look at a couple of more quick pointers for your Ph.D. resume.

1. The top one-third of your resume - the resume header and summary - is crucial to getting a high score on the ATS.

That's why you should try to include as many of the advert's relevant requirements within this section.

2. Expand your qualifications and skills within the experience section.

Don't just list plain bullets, but focus on the outcomes of your studies, research, or publications.

How to write your experience bullets:

3. Speaking of impact, detail your accomplishments within your academic work.

Focus on the picture and your research's influence on the scientific field, business/ industry, or communities.

Bonus: Remember to always list all work and academic experience that is relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Your Ph.D. experience can open many doors for you, giving you a front-row seat on the cutting edge of new technologies.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, here are a couple more bits and pieces to keep in mind when writing your Ph.D. resume.

What recruiters are looking out for in your Ph.D. resume:

What methodology or technology have you used to prove your research?
If you've ever led teams, were you able to manage them successfully?
Would your niche area of expertise contribute to the organizational goals?
Can you bring to the table more than just theoretical knowledge?
How fast can you adapt to a non-academic environment and deliver tangible results?

Ph.D. resume's five most important sections:

Resume header with keywords from the job description
Resume summary cross-aligning requirements with experience
Resume experience to expand on the summary
Education section, listing all diplomas
Professional achievements in research and publications

Your Ph.D. resume should balance your knowledge with how fast it can be applied in a real-world environment.

That's why you need to be precise about the resume sections you chose to prove your merit.

Mythbusters: Your PhD resume header under the Enhancv microscope

After endless hours of searching different platforms, you've finally found that cancer research position that perfectly matches your profile.

Avoiding all emotional attachment and excitement, you finally decide on the following header:

2 PhD resume header examples

Let’s look at the bright side of things. If the organization would like to get in touch with Dr. Garnett, they'd easily find his contact details .

But on the other hand, he is making one huge mistake: Dr. Garnett isn't taking advantage of the power of the top section of his resume. More specifically - his headline .

This crucial section could provide Ph.D. graduates with an opportunity to include all relevant keywords that could match their profile. And at the same time, tease their professional story.

This may be obvious, but this example works as it shows that Dr. Garnett is not only a Ph.D. graduate, but his specific area of research and interest, which should supposedly match with the role he’s applying for.

A rule of thumb for headers is to never be vague about your research and expertise.

You could list your Ph.D. degree within your resume title so that it’s the first thing recruiters (and the ATS) see.

In the case of Dr. Garnett, his resume title could read “Dr. David Garnett, Ph.D.”.

Our suggestion is to be wary about the organization you’re applying for because if the culture is more informal, this may come off as “pretentious”.

Ph.D. resume summaries: HRs’ favorite instrument for advanced career storytelling

The Ph.D. resume summary is a really useful section for good first impressions and explaining your experience.

The summary can be used to highlight your skills, strengths, and achievements. While telling the story of your professional growth.

We know how important real-world examples are for you.

So, without further ado, here's how Dr. Lucina Collard rewrote her resume summary. And in the end, got the attention of a prestigious software development company.

2 PhD resume summary examples

Dr. Collard may have spent too much time in the lab, as her Ph.D. resume summary just lists what courses she took and her thesis statement.

No results, no outcomes.

In the end, she did decide to include some soft skills and passions, but without actually pointing out the “why” behind her work. This doesn’t make sense at all.

Here’s what her modified resume summary looked like in the end:

This summary works for one simple reason: it qualifies the achievements.

Dr. Collard has noted that within the past 6 years, she has been specializing in the job advert keywords “robotics” and “mechatronics”. The award is also a nice touch to paint the big picture of her experience.

Dr. Collard is apt at achieving results within a dynamic environment. That includes various professionals from different backgrounds.

When talking about her thesis, she goes on to show her familiarity with the process.

Editing Dr. Collard’s summary may seem just like one small step for her, but it’s actually a giant leap to securing an interview.

Making your Ph.D. resume experience section stand out for all the right reasons

When listing their experience section, most Ph.D. graduates are probably making the same mistakes.

The first one: leaving out your academic practice, thinking that recruiters only want to see work experience.

That's not true at all.

Your education would not only prove your technical capabilities, but also your soft skills. But, more on that in the following paragraphs.

The second error: those tricky job titles.

You'd find 1000+ resumes, listing each experience using the given academic titles; e.g. Professor, Lecturer, Post Doctorate Student, Graduate Student, etc.

Robotic vs personalized approach: 1:0.

The ATS, reviewing your resume, is set to recognize keywords that are vital for the job. The faster those appear at the top of your experience, the better.

Instead of listing that you used to be a "Lecturer at XYZ University", go with "Data Science and Machine Learning Lecturer at XYZ University".

Third slip-up: those tricky experience bullets.

Some Ph.D. graduates just list all their courses, research, and publications.

This isn't the way to go.

You should rather align your knowledge with the job description to prove tangible results.

A couple of questions to help:

What did this course help me learn and achieve that could be applicable to the job I'm applying for?
How did leading lectures help me to cooperate better within the learning environment?
What grants did my publications secure for the educational institute?
What effects did my research have on the big-picture subjects within the field?
The more you can get into the actuality (and practicality) of your education, the higher your chances are to get your first interview booked.

Let’s look at an example of how your experience can be showcased within your resume as crucial for the job.

Phd resume experience examples.

• Got PhD in Philosophy
• Took Philosophy of Mind, Brain, and Behavior Course
• Took Ethics Course
• Wrote Diploma on ‘To Be Or Not To Be: The Ethics of The Human Existence In The 21st Century’

This experience section is pretty negligent and robotic. Did you just get a diploma during those three-plus years?

You may be exiting from a leading higher education institution, but putting in the extra effort to your resume shows that you are diligent.

And that you’re actually invested in getting that particular job.

• Contributed 60+ publications to the university scientific journal, niching within human rights, ethics, and the big why of human existence
• Peer-reviewed publications for 12+ philosophy colleagues and professionals with a focus on consistency and validity of the thesis
• Collaborated with 10+ professionals from arts, science, and biotech fields to question and understand the ethics behind their projects
• Apart from the scientific paper for my final thesis, entitled 'To Be Or Not To Be: The Ethics of The Human Existence In The 21st Century’, published a short video on the university website to help inspire young professionals of philosophy to always stay alert

There’s no ground for comparison between the two examples. But let’s look at some of the basics.

The first experience bullet hints that the professional can write technical papers for their niche.

Next, the candidate showcases an eye for detail, collaboration, and teamwork.

Finally, they have found a way to get their thesis submitted on time and also make it more understandable.

On a side note - did you notice how a better job title could be a complete game-changer?

One bonus tip on better systematizing your Ph.D. experience

General practice is that you'd create one single resume experience section.

But what if while writing your Ph.D. resume, you realize that in the past six years, all your experience is for the same institution?

Here's an idea to spice up your experience section. You can create a couple of experience sections, based on functionality.

Thus highlighting job advert keywords and, at the same time, including more details.

So you could have some of the following headers, under which you could classify your work:

Research Experience
Technical Experience
Analytical Experience
Leadership Experience
Mentorship Experience
Teamwork Experience
Higher Education Experience

Feel free to align your transferable skills, which would be beneficial for the job you're applying for.

How should you include your degrees within your Ph.D. resume education section?

Here's the advice you've probably been waiting for; introducing…

… "How to write about your degree without sounding like a snob?"

And there are two possible scenarios at play.

The first is that you're applying for a job related to your area of study.

You should list your Ph.D. degree in detail, including research topics, method expertise, and publications.

As you're writing for non-specialized audiences, don't go overboard with the complex terms. Instead, weave keywords from the job requirements within your education section.

In the second case scenario, you're applying for a job that has nothing to do with your degree.

Keep your education section plain and simple with your degree, university/college, dates, and location.

Either way, remember to always list all of your degrees in chronological order, starting with the latest.

This isn't just some made-up rule or HR caprice. Your resume education helps recruiters determine if:

Your basic training and knowledge would fit the job
You stayed focused on your coursework and graduated on time
You would be a good fit for the team. Some companies tend to hire graduates from the same university

Ph.D. in progress: Should you include your potential degree on your resume?

Being transparent on your Ph.D. resume is what builds that fantastic initial relationship with the company you're applying for.

Thus, you have to be very clear and precise, especially in your education section.

If you're still pursuing your Ph.D. degree, shift the focus from the future to what you've achieved so far.

Your education section could answer any of the following questions:

How applicable your degree is to the job opening?
Which of the courses you've completed would help the company grow?
Is your education a stepping stone within your professional experience?
What is your expected graduation date?

Being on the course to completing your Ph.D. is definitely commendable, but sometimes life happens. And you may be forced to drop out of your Ph.D. education.

Should you then list the degree you didn't complete?

The answer is 100% yes, as your Ph.D.:

fills gaps within your professional experience
is valuable experience
has helped you gain new knowledge

Making it clear to recruiters that your degree is "Incomplete" or that you "Didn't Graduate" is very important.

List your degree, dates, university/college, and status.

If you get to the interview stage, recruiters will ask you why you dropped out. Be prepared to talk about why it wasn't the best option for your career at the time, or hint at the circumstances.

Even if it's hard to believe, HR managers are people - just like you and me - and they are able to show understanding and compassion.

Ph.D. resume: Is there a dream skill set your potential employers would like to see?

Recruiters review your resume to see how your experience aligns with the role, with a big focus on transferrable skills.

Or in other words, what else can you bring to the table to help the business or institution grow?

And transferable skills can be both hard (or technical ) and soft skills .

Your hard skills include the technology you used to complete your studies.

Consider the opportunities you've has to:

test and measure antennas parameters in an Anechoic chamber
audit in a lab environment renewable energy sources' efficiency
develop software, using Python, to patch cybersecurity risks

The list can go and on and on. Your Ph.D. has probably provided you with a pretty solid technical background.

When writing your resume’s separate technical skills section, ever wonder which technology should go first?

Rule of thumb: align the technology within the job description with your expertise.

The more proficient you are at a certain skill, the sooner you should list it.

Wondering what some of the most popular Ph.D. resume hard and technical skills are?

Check out our list, based on some of the most popular industries.

PhD resume technical skills for various roles:

15 hard skills for opportunities in business consulting:

Knowledge of different business-crucial frameworks, including Benchmarking, Balanced Scorecard, Porter’s Five Forces, The GE-McKinsey Nine-Box Matrix, The BCG Growth-Share Matrix, Core Competencies
Data Management and Analysis
Advanced Data Modelling
Strategy, Planning and Implementation
Assessing and Managing Risk Using Frameworks
Statistics and Understanding Correlations
CRMs: Salesforce, Zendesk, Bitrix24, etc.
Lead Generation Software: Zendesk Sell, Pipedrive, HubSpot, etc.
Project Management Software: Jira, Hive, Asana, etc.
Employer and Customer Satisfaction Surveys
Proposal Writing
Scheduling Software: Calendly, Google Calendar, Doodle, etc.
Revenue Optimization and Sales

15 technical skills for biology, biotech, biochemistry, and medical research:

Design, conduct, and analyze scientific research
Tissue Culture
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Gel Electrophoresis
Western Blot
Molecular (Gene) Cloning and various techniques
Flow Cytometry
Mass Spectrometry
Confocal Microscopy
Cell-Based Assays
Radioimmunoassays
Data Analysis in biotechnology, bioinformatics, and medical research
Laboratory and Equipment

15 engineering technical skills to add to your PhD resume:

Manufacturing: Forging, Welding, Assembling, etc.
Quality Control
Industrial /System Design and Analysis
Conceptual, Logical, or Physical Data Modeling
AI and/ or Machine Learning
Design Tools: AutoCAD, SolidWork, 3dsMax, etc.
Programming Languages: C++, Python, Java, etc.
Equipment Diagnosis
Project Management: Trello, Zoho, Microsoft Project, etc.
Data Analysis Software: Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, Qlik Sense, etc.
CNC Programming
Advanced Physics
Structural Analysis
Nanotechnology

15 recommended computer science technologies:

Programming languages: C++, PHP, Swift, etc.
Software engineering and development: Atom, GitHub, Chrome DevTools. etc.
Cloud Platforms
Data migration and deployment
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
Integrated Environments Management
Network Maintenance
Cybersecurity
Machine learning AI
Business Intelligence and Statistical Analysis Tools
SQL Consoles
SAS Development and Forecasting
Data Modelling Tools: ER/Studio, Archi, Ludichart, etc.
Automation Tools

15 academic and research technical skills:

Technical Literacy
Presentation and visual: Tableau, Prezi, PPT, etc.
Learning platforms: Moodle, Classroom, Teams, etc.
Surveys: Google Forms, MailChimp, Kahoot, etc.
Data-Processing Software: SPSS, RStudio, NVivo, etc.
Academic Networks: Google Scholar, Academia.edu., ResearchGate, etc.
Academic Research and Technical Writing
Email Writing
Data and Information Analysis
Copyright and License
Videoconferencing: Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.
Applications for Securing Grants and Funding
Peer Reviews and Co-Writing Interdisciplinary Technical Papers

Moving on to your PhD resume soft skills

There's still no precise formula for how soft skills are gained and applied in the workplace.

How many times have you seen an advert that requires "a can-do attitude and teamwork"?

Yet soft skills are on all recruiters' must-have checklists.

In the case of Ph.D. applicants, these transferable skills are built thanks to all the healthy habits you've maintained through your education, including your:

collaboration
ability to meet deadlines

Soft skills hint to recruiters more about your character and style of work.

Here are some ideas as to which ones you can include within your resume:

37 PhD soft skills to spice up your resume:

Critical / Logical Thinking
Problem-Solving
Time Management
Brainstorming
Creativity and Innovation
Meeting Deadlines
Working Under Pressure
Negotiation
Project Management
Organization
Prioritization
Flexibility
Independent Work
Ethical Decision-Making
Leadership or Mentorship
Collaboration
Teaching or Lecturing
Conduct Meetings
Supervision
Feedback and Evaluation
Motivating Others
Communicating Ideas
Presentation
Constructive Debating
Leading or Participating in Group Discussions
Public Speaking
Accelerated Learning
Attention to Detail
Writing Proficiency
Quantitative Literacy
Listening and Reflection

When describing your leadership or mentorship soft skills, here are a couple of questions you could answer within your resume to qualify your achievements:

What actions did you take to maintain a constant and successful team dynamic?

Mix in extracurricular certificates

Back in the day, you earned a couple of extracurricular certificates and wondering if you should include those on your Ph.D. resume.

Again, it's a matter of analyzing how necessary your certification is for the job.

E.g. if AICPA's CPA certificate is listed as obligatory within the job description - and you have earned yours - you know what to do.

Certificates show that you're willing to put in the extra effort to stay relevant. Proving that you're committed, flexible, and a life-long learner.

So, think about the relevancy the certificate would have within your field.

Then, consider including some of these popular certificates:

Top 50 PhD certificates from various institutions for your resume:

Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) - Certified Professional
ACRP - Clinical Research Associate Certification
ACRP - Clinical Research Coordinator Certification
American Health Information Management Association - Coding Specialist Physician-Based Certification
Nationally Registered Certified Patient Care Technician
National Healthcare Association (NHA) - EKG Technician Certification
NHA - Phlebotomy Technician Certification
NHA - Clinical Medical Assistant Certification
American Association of Medical Assistants - Medical Assistant Certification
Red Cross - Nursing Assistant Certification
Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. - Registered Behavior Technician
American Association of Professional Coders - Certified Professional Coder
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board - Certified Pharmacy Technician
Society for Clinical Data Management - Clinical Data Manager
American Medical Writers Association - Medical Writer Certified
Board of Editors in Life Science - Board-Certified Editor in Life Science
International Society for Medical Publication Professionals - Certified Medical Publication Professional
Regulatory Affairs Professional Society - Regulatory Affairs Certification
Google Project Management Professional
Society of Petroleum Engineers - Petroleum Engineering Certification
American Institute of Chemists - National Certification Commission in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Certification
Coursera - Software Engineering MasterTrack Certificate
Cisco Certified Network Professional in Service Provider Operations
CompTIA Security+ Certification
(ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional
American Society for Quality (ASQ) - Quality Engineer Certification
ASQ - Reliability Engineer Certification
Advanced Certificate Program in CFD-Aircraft Aerodynamics
Engineer in Training License and Certification
Society of Broadcast Engineers - Certified Audio Engineer
Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering - Certified Technical Professional
International Council on Systems Engineering - Systems Engineering Professional Certification
American Academy of Project Management - Certified Planning Engineer
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Master Specialist Certificate
iNARTE Electromagnetic Compatibility Designer Engineer Certificate
American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists - Board Certified Environmental Engineer
American Public Power Association - Key Accounts Certificate Program
Global Association of Quality Management - Certified Agile Developer
Environmental Protection Agency - Operator Certification Program Management
Institute of Management Accountants - Certified Management Accountant
National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers - Certified Bookkeeper
Association of International Certified Professional Accountants - Certified Public Accountant
Chartered Financial Analyst Institute - Chartered Financial Analyst
Internal Revenue Service - Enrolled Agent
The Institute of Internal Auditors - Certified Internal Auditor
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners - Certified Fraud Examiner
National Association of Sales Professionals - Certified Professional Sales Person
Institutes of Management Consulting - Certified Management Consultant

PhD resume: let’s get creative with a few more resume sections

When completing your Ph.D. resume, you should always find ways to stand out from the crowd.

That’s why we’ve compiled for you some of the most popular sections which you could add to your resume.

Before doing so, always question each section's relevance to the job you're applying for.

Publications or Projects - focus on topic, methodology, and impact; include your grant ID code, if your research won any funding
Academic Awards - once more, consider if those would shine a better light on your expertise
Conference Presentations - this would showcase your public speaking abilities
Language Skills - be honest when listing your language proficiency

One final word of warning - your Ph.D. resume offers limited space to showcase your expertise, so try to make the most out of it.

key takeaways

The extra effort to align your Ph.D. skills with the job you're applying for always gets recruiters' attention.
Include as many relevant keywords within the header and summary of your Ph.D. resume.
Have separate sections, detailing how your academic background has helped you attain experience, skills, and certifications.
List chronologically all degrees you've earned through your education, with an adaptable approach to details.
Remember that the recruiters or the ATS assessing your resume may not be that scientifically literate. Substitute complex terminology with impact and results.

Looking to build your own PhD resume?

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PDF vs. Word: When and Why to Send Your Resume

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

Introduction

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

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

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

What Is an Academic CV?

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

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

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

How to Write an Academic CV for A PhD Application

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

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

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

1. Contact Information

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

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

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

2. Research Interests / Personal Profile

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

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

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

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

3. Education

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Research and Work Experience

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

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

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

When discussing any projects, include the following:

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

5. Teaching Experience

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

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

6. Relevant Skills and Experience

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

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

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

7. Publications and Conferences

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

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

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

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

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

8. Professional Memberships

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

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

9. Referees / References

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tips for Creating a Standout Academic CV

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

Formatting for Clarity

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

Keep It Concise

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

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

Check and Revise

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

Save in PDF Format

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

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CV examples

Neah Kapoor, an aspiring PhD candidate, has opted for a simple Otago template. She seeks to drive her career in sustainable development and environmental planning. With a passion for creating positive change and academic excellence, she makes an invaluable asset for shaping a sustainable world.

"Passionate and driven final-year masters student with a solid academic foundation, eager to embark on a PhD journey in sustainable development. Equipped with exceptional research skills and determined to advance knowledge in this field."

Table of contents

How to Write a CV for a PhD Application (Examples, Tips, and Writing Guide)

Embarking on the path to advanced research and academic excellence through a PhD is an exciting journey, demanding not just passion and dedication but also a well-crafted CV that highlights your potential as an aspiring scholar. In the highly competitive landscape of higher education, your CV is vital in determining whether you will stand out as an exceptional candidate.

Whether you are a student , a graduate, or a seasoned professional seeking to elevate your academic pursuits, this article is for you. It details the essential elements of composing a CV that captures your academic journey, research experience, and future career aspirations. From understanding the unique expectations of a PhD application to incorporating relevant experiences and honing an impactful writing style, we delve into the steps to create a good CV .

The CV writing process: Where to start?

A CV tailored explicitly for a PhD application demands a strategic approach highlighting your education, academic accomplishments, and research experience that sets you apart. This document serves as your initial introduction to prospective educational institutions and faculty members, making it imperative to leave a lasting impression that sparks curiosity and interest. Here are two essential pointers to consider:

A fundamental starting point is the creation of a comprehensive master CV, serving as the foundation to build upon as your academic journey progresses. Update it regularly, capturing personal details, educational achievements, work experience, skills, and notable accomplishments.

After that, tailor each iteration by emphasising relevant experiences and qualifications, moulding the personal profile to reflect your academic trajectory and strategically showcasing pertinent skills that set you apart in the fiercely competitive job market.

Tips on how to write a PhD CV

Gain insight into the industry and the specific requirements of your desired PhD programme.

Organise your CV thoughtfully into sections, such as personal details, personal profile, work experience, education, and skills.

Showcase concrete achievements or projects that align with your career goals. Emphasise quantifiable results to demonstrate the impact of your scholarly endeavours.

Integrate relevant keywords to optimise your CV for applicant tracking systems (ATS). This can increase your chances of passing the initial screening process.

Customise each CV to suit the specific application, showcasing how your unique set of skills and experiences perfectly align with the requirements of the programme.

Error-free and engaging writing is paramount. Thoroughly proofread your CV to ensure clarity, coherence, and an overall captivating presentation that will captivate the attention of hiring managers.

Looking to create a CV for a PhD application?

Phd cv example.

Download this PhD CV sample in PDF.

Neah Kapoor, an aspiring and dedicated PhD candidate, has opted for the Otago template to craft her impressive CV. Her passion lies in forging a career in policy analysis, with a special focus on sustainable development and environmental planning. Neah's exceptional academic background and remarkable achievements have been meticulously showcased, underscoring her potential as a valuable contributor to shaping a more sustainable world.

What to include in a PhD CV?

A CV must be comprehensive and well-organised, showcasing your academic qualifications, research experience, and potential as a promising academic researcher or PhD student. See our tips on what to include below (if applicable):

List your degrees chronologically, starting with the most recent. Include the name of the institution, degree obtained, major/specialisation, and graduation date.

Detail your research experience, including internships, projects, or positions held in academic or research settings.

If you have teaching or short-term experience, include the details of the courses you taught, the institution, and the duration of your involvement.

List any academic papers, articles, book chapters, or other scholarly publications you have authored or co-authored. Include the full citation for each publication.

Mention any academic conferences where you presented your findings. Provide details such as the conference name, date, and location.

List the specific research methodologies, techniques, and tools you are proficient in.

Highlight academic achievements, such as winning competitions, scholarships, grants, or fellowships.

If relevant, include extracurricular activities such as hobbies and interests , demonstrating leadership, teamwork, or community engagement.

This is usually on request, but if required, provide the names and contact information of academic or professional references who can vouch for you.

What is a professional summary for a PhD CV?

A professional summary, also known as a personal profile , is a concise and impactful statement that provides a snapshot of your academic background, research expertise, and career aspirations. It serves as an introduction to your CV, capturing the attention of potential employers or educational institutions and enticing them to delve further into your qualifications. Tips on writing a professional summary:

Keep it brief, ideally limited to 4-6 lines.

Mention that you are a PhD candidate or specify the degree you are currently pursuing.

Showcase your enthusiasm for your research area and the academic field in general.

PhD student CV personal profile example

Passionate and driven student in marine biology, dedicated to unravelling the mysteries within this captivating field. Solid foundation in marine biology and an insatiable curiosity for groundbreaking research and innovative discoveries. Aspire to leave a lasting impact on the academic landscape, driving advancements that positively influence society and transform our understanding of marine ecosystems.

Academic CV for PhD application personal profile example

Passionate PhD candidate in forestry with an insatiable curiosity for knowledge and intellectual exploration. Equipped with a strong academic background and dedication to cutting-edge research, committed to making meaningful contributions to forestry. Eager to collaborate with esteemed mentors, embracing interdisciplinary challenges to empower future generations of forestry thinkers.

Refer to our academic CV example for more tips.

What skills should be included in a CV for PhD?

Highlighting skills that demonstrate your potential as a successful researcher and scholar is essential. See our examples below:

Hard skills:

Research Methodologies

Data Analysis

Academic Writing

Literature Review

Computer Programming.

Soft skills:

Critical Thinking

Communication

Time Management

Adaptability

Problem-Solving.

Transferable skills:

Organisational Skills

Teaching and Mentoring

Public Speaking

Project Management

Analytical Skills.

To leave a lasting impact on recruiters, it's essential to distinguish between various types of skills on a CV.

How to write work experience on a CV for PhD application

When writing work experience on a CV, it's essential to present your research-related experiences and accomplishments clearly and concisely. See our tips below:

Start with a clear CV section heading, such as "Work Experience" or "Research Experience."

Include the company/institution name and location.

Specify your job title or position, such as "Research Intern," "Research Assistant," "Laboratory Technician," etc.

Include the period you worked in that position, using years.

Provide a brief overview of your tasks and responsibilities during your work experience. Focus on research-related activities, laboratory work, data analysis, academic projects, or other relevant tasks.

Highlight specific accomplishments or achievements during your work experience.

If applicable, mention any publications, presentations, or academic papers from your work experience. Include the names of supervisors or researchers you worked with and any notable collaborations.

Research Intern, OceanLife Research Institute, Queensland, AU | 2022

Collaborated with a team of marine biologists in conducting field surveys to assess the biodiversity and health of coral reefs. Assisted in collecting and analysing water samples to study the impact of environmental factors on coral bleaching. Maintained and calibrated oceanographic instruments, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection during research expeditions. Attended workshops and seminars by renowned marine scientists, enhancing knowledge of current advancements in marine biology and ecological research

Conducted a comprehensive literature review on marine conservation practices, contributing to the development of a research proposal for a sustainable fishing initiative.

Contributed to drafting a research paper that investigated the symbiotic relationship between marine microorganisms and coral reefs, which was subsequently submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

If you have no work experience , refer to our skills-based CV example.

Education CV section for a PhD student or applicant

The education section of a CV for a student or applicant showcases your academic qualifications and sets the foundation for your scholarly pursuits. When including your degree in this section, make sure to provide the following details:

Clearly state your degree, including the exact title or specialisation.

Specify the field of study or research area in which you pursued.

Mention the name of the university or institution where you earned your degree.

Include the year of your graduation or expected date of graduation.

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology Manchester University of Manchester, UK | 2022

If you have additional forms of qualifications, consider adding courses and certificates in a new section.

Key takeaways

Now that you have more insight into what makes a good CV, we encourage you to follow your passion for knowledge and academic excellence when embarking on a PhD journey. Consider these essential tips to enhance your CV for a successful application:

Showcase academic achievements and honours.

Emphasise research skills and methodologies.

Clearly state research interests and goals.

Tailor the CV for each application to align with specific program requirements.

Next steps?

By adhering to a writing process, conducting research, and leveraging relevant skills, you can increase your chances of securing a placement. If you are not a strong writer, consider our CV Writing Services or browse our CV examples , CV templates , or cover letter templates for further insight.

How do you write a PhD academic CV?

As an academic, highlight your research experiences, academic achievements, skills, and relevant publications by tailoring it to the specific programme requirements.

What should a CV for a PhD look like?

A good CV should follow a clear structure and clean format. The chosen template should only include relevant sections such as personal details, education, experience, skills, awards, or publications.

What is the CV of a PhD student?

As a student, you have little experience so consider utilising a skills-based format while focusing on academic background, research experiences, publications, conference presentations, and any relevant achievements or projects.

How long should a PhD CV be?

A CV for a graduate, student, or someone with little experience typically is one page. However, with academic CVs, they tend to be between two and three pages while still focusing on relevant information and avoiding unnecessary details.

Do you need a CV for PhD?

A CV is typically required when applying for a PhD programme, as it highlights your academic achievements and research experiences. Depending on the programme and, possibly, country, make sure to check the requirements and tailor your application accordingly.

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5 PhD Resume Examples Made to Work for 2024

PhD Student Resumes by Type
PhD Student Resumes by Role
Write Your PhD Resume

With the role of a PhD student, you’re the intellectual powerhouse driving groundbreaking research and contributing to the advancement of knowledge. Your expertise allows you to dive deep into complex subjects, developing innovative solutions and pushing the boundaries of what’s already known.

At the same time, you’ll need to balance your responsibilities as a teacher as well, imparting your knowledge to the undergraduates at your institution. Crafting a resume and creating a cover letter that demonstrate your ability to shine in this diverse role is no easy task.

Luckily, we’re here to guide you through the maze of showcasing your academic journey. With our varied PhD application resume examples , you’ll find the ideal resume template to help you craft your own winning resume in no time.

or download as PDF

PhD resume example with 7 years of experience

Why this resume works

Thankfully, Liam does a great job highlighting his internship and project achievements and how both are applicable in helping sustainably improve production.

PhD Student Resume

One strategy you can use to boost the chances of your PhD student resume to clinch an enrolment slot into the health sciences department is by harnessing the achievements from a volunteer project that brought screening services to a marginalized community.

PhD Application Resume

Therefore, achievements in increasing student participation and engagement accompanied by metrics in improved grades and assessment scores would go a long way to prop your suitability.

Engineering PhD Resume

Hence, including it in your engineering PhD resume will do wonders and show that you’re a state-approved individual who knows what they’re doing. Employers will almost always prefer a licensed professional over an unlicensed one.

PhD Scientist Resume

That’s where you’re going to include some numbers to add readability to your PhD scientist resume. Now, don’t be random and use metrics for impactful bullet points like decreasing experimental errors or analyzing a large number of samples.

Related resume examples

Research Assistant

Adapt Your PhD Resume to the School You’re Applying to

Job seeker stands with hands in air, questioning how to fill out job materials

As an aspiring PhD student, your resume is your scholarly calling card, showcasing the intellectual artillery you bring to the academic battlefield.

This is where you can showcase your skills and express why you’re the right person to join the program. To do this, tailor your skills section to align with the specific requirements of your desired program and department.

Highlight your expertise in research methodologies, statistical analysis, and any specialized software or equipment you’ve mastered. For the more technically inclined, don’t shy away from showcasing hard skills like Python, Matlab, Java, or Tableau.

You can also include a couple of soft skills because they’re essential for giving lectures and mentoring students. Just remember to reinforce them with demonstrable examples in the experience section later.

Want some pointers?

15 top PhD skills

Microsoft Office
Google Sheets
Research Methodologies
Academic Writing
Public Speaking
Lesson Planning
Grant Proposals
Grading Essays
Collaborative Research

Your PhD work experience bullet points

From conducting groundbreaking research to publishing papers, your journey as an academic is about more than just the day-to-day grind. In the experience section of your resume, the real spotlight should be on your transformative contributions.

If this isn’t your first PhD, highlight achievements from your previous studies like securing research grants, publishing impactful papers, or successfully leading research projects. If you’re moving up from postgraduate studies, highlight the best and most impressive accomplishments from your master’s and bachelor’s degrees.

Add some numbers to make your accomplishments pop. This could be the number of students mentored, successful experiments and research projects, or the reach of your published work.

Highlight the number of your articles or research papers that were published in reputable journals.
Quantify the success of research projects with metrics such as project scope, budget management, or studies carried out.
Demonstrate your ability to secure research funding by specifying the number and value of grants obtained.
Showcase your impact as a mentor or tutor by talking about the number of students you’ve guided or the way they were able to improve their grades through your help.

See what we mean?

Created engaging course materials using Articulate Storyline, resulting in a 39% increase in student engagement and comprehension
Managed EHR software to document patient assessments, vital signs, and medication administration, maintaining 99.99% accuracy in recordkeeping
Partnered with farmers to develop customized crop management plans, resulting in a 31% increase in yields
Assisted in the development and implementation of assessments, leading to a 33% reduction in student dropout rates

9 active verbs to start your PhD work experience bullet points

Innovated
Collaborated

3 Tips for Writing a PhD Resume With Little Prior Experience

Mention your involvement in conferences and workshops. This will showcase your ability to engage with and contribute to the broader scholarly community.
Echo your passion for knowledge throughout your resume, and look into the future. Outline your career objectives , illustrating your commitment to making a lasting impact through your PhD studies.
Any and all academic achievements look great on a PhD resume, so make sure to add them. Talk about your GPA, awards won, or competitions you’ve participated in to show your drive as a college student.

3 Tips for Writing a PhD Resume for Your Second PhD

Research is often independent, and academics are sometimes considered lone wolves. That’s why it’s important to emphasize your leadership and collaboration skills explicitly. The school needs to know you can mentor students and collaborate with other colleagues effectively—so turn up the enthusiasm for this area!
If you’re going for a research role, it’s essential to be at the forefront of your field—following all the latest papers and studies. You can show this by mentioning your participation in research initiatives or the conferences you like to attend.
Show that you put just as much effort into your students as you put into your research by sharing student performance and engagement metrics. You can also discuss your favorite lecture and seminar-planning techniques to convey your passion and commitment.

Absolutely! While not mandatory, a tailored career summary can be a powerful tool. Customize it for the PhD position, mentioning the specific program and academic role. Don’t forget to highlight things like research methodologies, data analysis, and any unique contributions to your academic field.

Choose a clean and professional format that prioritizes your academic achievements and research experience. Use clear headings, bullet points, and a consistent structure, much like you would in a research paper.

Include skills that align with the specific requirements of the PhD program and your academic discipline. Highlight technical and soft skills relevant to research, teaching, fieldwork, and collaboration.

The Savvy Scientist

Experiences of a London PhD student and beyond

How to Write a CV for a PhD Application (with free template!)

Writing an Academic CV for PhD Applications

When you’re faced with writing an academic CV for a PhD application it can be hard to know where to start.

After all, along with your personal statement an academic CV is the heart of your PhD application: essentially acting as a “highlights reel” of your greatest achievements. You need it to be well formatted and engaging, yet concise enough that all of your most relevant experience is unmissable at a glance.

Quite a challenge!

In this post we’ll break down what to include. From the essentials to the nice-to-haves. All quotes are from the CVs I personally used when applying for PhDs.

If you’re just getting started be sure to download my Academic CV Template.

In addition, if you’d like to get some inspiration from active researchers’ CVs, you may wish to check out the repository of example academic CVs I have put together here:

Academic CV Examples From Active Researchers

What should i include on an academic cv for a phd application, contact info.

Name, email address and phone number. Personally I don’t see a need to include your address and certainly not a photo.

Education / Qualifications

List all major grades from aged 16 upwards: GCSE, A-Levels and university degrees.

Undergraduate (and masters degrees) should include the subject, university and grade. I’ve tended to include the title of any significant research projects and the titles of the most relevant modules.
For A-Levels you should name each of the subjects you took with the grade. Personally to keep the page more clean I’ve not included the schools I went to: though it may be worth drawing attention if you did well despite attending a particularly poorly performing school.
GCSEs can just be summarised to the grades. Subjects needn’t be named.

My aim is to apply my skills to improve lives. I have a proven track record of overseeing successful development of innovative medical devices and now desire the opportunity to expand my skills beyond mechanical engineering into biomaterials research.

Sometimes it can be useful to include a few lines about your motivation and aims for your career. Despite currently having a short profile on my own CV I’m not 100% convinced by them: they can sound cliché especially if you’re fresh out of undergraduate . Profiles are most common in industry and it is up to you whether you think you have content worth sharing: do not waffle, and avoid excessive use of the typical buzzwords: hardworking, motivated etc!

University Research Projects

Third year project “3-D printing of multi-scale porous bioscaffolds for ligament attachment” Manufactured novel magnesium calcium phosphate scaffolds to investigate 3-D printing parameters for optimum implant integration Analysed parts under SEM to verify multi-scale porosity and XRD for detecting phase changes and composition Conducted a statistical analysis of variance study in sample porosity using optical microscopy and deduced the optimum printing parameters to maximise porosity Wrote a technical report and presented results during an oral presentation and viva

More than likely the research projects you’ve undertaken during the latter years of your degree will be your most substantial research experience. State the title of the project followed by a few bullet points covering:

Useful skills and experience you gained such as: experimental & analytical techniques; software; instrumentation; report-writing; presenting
Any substantial outcomes: prizes; publications & patents

Feel free to also state whether these projects were undertaken as a group or individually but remember to avoid clutter: you can go into more detail for your personal statement.

[Work] Experience

Jan – May 2013 Research Assistant, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge Developed prototype HIV diagnostic devices for commercialisation within a multi-disciplinary team: Debugged, calibrated and optimised several novel medical devices Produced standard operating procedure and calibration documentation Experienced an audit and developed an appreciation of ISO 13485 and FDA requirements Inspected and tested parts for quality control processing

Whether you include this section will depend on what experience you have outside of the typical university projects. Here you can describe any additional work experience you have had such as: summer internships; research job roles; years in industry plus any potential outreach you’ve taken part in or voluntary work.

The level of detail you go in to will depend on how relevant the work was and how long ago: working in a shop at weekends when you were 17 probably isn’t particularly relevant. Unless you have had a significant amount of relevant (or impressive) work experience I’d keeping this section below University Research Projects .

A keen photographer, my photographs have appeared in the international press and have raised over £5000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. University of Warwick Photographic Society Executive Committee (2010-2012) Positions held: President, Treasurer, First Aider and Equal Opportunities Officer Duties included overseeing the 270 member-strong society’s running and progression – leading to a doubling of active membership over two years, chairing meetings and international trips, implementing new payment methods and securing funding.

Unless extremely relevant or impressive, I tend to not put too much emphasis on extra-curricular activities: no admissions tutor really needs to know that you enjoy cooking or cycling unless to a very high level. Having said that, do be sure to include anything which can show useful transferable skills such as team-work and responsibility.

I like to include any roles of responsibility such as society committee positions with any useful outcomes.

Nice-To-Haves

There are number of other sections which are common among academics further up the ladder. Unless you have more than a couple of pieces of content per category I suggest adding them where relevant elsewhere: for example an undergraduate award could feature under Education . If you have enough relevant content to warrant adding a new section, they can look very impressive.

Publications

It is often said that publications are the currency of academia. If you have managed to get involved with any publications then display them here in your favourite citation style.

If you’ve been involved in a significant amount of scientific outreach: STEMNET; teaching; mentoring; schools events; unpaid tutoring; public events etc.

Other sections sometimes included, and which are pretty self explanatory:

Awards & Prizes
Professional Memberships
Grants/Scholarships

Tips for Writing a CV for a PhD Application

Translate your skills.

Beyond any subject-specific skills that you know will be useful, translate how your previous experience can transfer to your PhD. Think about things such as:

Independence
Problem-solving

Ask yourself: how did your work standout? Use specifics to quantify performance rather than sticking to buzzwords. For example imagine if you’re writing as your role as president of a society:

“Leadership and teamwork experience”

“Overseeing the 270 member-strong society’s running and progression: leading to a doubling of active membership over two years”

Now you don’t need to go to that level of detail for everything, but if you’ve put in the work, make sure you do yourself justice.

Keep Things Concise

Make sure things are understandable but avoid long-winded sentences and especially paragraphs creating big blocks of dense text. Not only are big paragraphs off-putting to read, they make it really difficult for the reader to tease out the crucial information.

Bullet points are faster and easier to read, plus easier on the eye: all things you want to be encouraging! If you can’t succinctly describe a role in a few one line bullet points you’re probably adding too much information.

Don’t forget you can go in to more detail in your personal statement. Don’t waffle on your CV for a PhD application.

Well-Formatted

Leaving lots of white space around your text keep it easier to read and therefore more likely that someone will continue to read it.
In Word, zoom out so that you can see the pages of your document at once. If possible format sections so that nothing, and especially sentences, trails between pages: it makes the document look clean and professional. You can accurately play with line spacing by adding blank lines and setting the font size to something small: in my template I use size 3.
Lead the eye . Make key information bold for it to stand out: though keep it consistent and don’t go too crazy!
Try and keep your most important information to two pages . Anything beyond that should be supplementary.

If you’d like some guidance with formatting be sure to click HERE for my downloadable Academic CV Template .

Spelling & Grammar

Nothing can more quickly make you appear incompetent than spelling mistakes, especially near to the top of your CV or in section headings. Once you’ve double checked your spelling take a break and come back to the document with fresh eyes: it’s amazing what you’ll spot. After that, ask a friend to have a read through too.

Save as PDF (if allowed)

Now that you’ve formatted your CV nicely, I suggest saving it as a PDF if the online submission allows. With PDFs the formatting is locked in place and you needn’t worry about the formatting screwing up because of differing versions of Word.

Take Inspiration

Often senior academics will include links to download their CVs from their personal webpages and I keep a folder of them for some inspiration. You can check out my online respository below!

If you’d like personalised help with your PhD application I am now starting to offer a small number of one-to-one sessions. Please contact me to find out more or click here to book a call.

I hope this post has helped with writing your own CV for a PhD application. If you have any tips or advice to share then I’d love to hear them in the comments! You can also subscribe for more content here:

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4 Comments on “How to Write a CV for a PhD Application (with free template!)”

Hey Jeff, great article!!

Any chance you can do one on personal statements?

Thanks, Yusuf

Hi Yusuf. I’m glad you’ve found it useful! Good idea about one for personal statements, I can see that being helpful so I’ll add it to my schedule and hope to get it out in not too long! Best wishes, Jeff.

hi, I cant seem to access the downloadable template! please could you post another link?

Hi Georgia, sorry that you’re having issues accessing the template. I’m tried it on two computers and it seems to work okay for me. Here is the same link again which works for me . Does that work? In case not I can email it to you. Let me know. Best wishes, Jeff

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PhD Graduate CV examples

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

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

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

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

Guide contents

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

CV templates

PhD Graduate CV example 1

PhD Graduate CV example 2

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

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

PhD Graduate CV structure and format

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

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

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

Formatting Tips

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

Structuring your CV

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

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

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

CV Contact Details

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

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

PhD Graduate CV Profile

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

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

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

Tips for creating an impactful CV profile:

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

What to include in your PhD Graduate CV profile?

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

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

Core skills section

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

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

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

Work experience/Career history

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

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

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

Structuring your roles

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

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

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

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

Key responsibilities

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

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

Key achievements

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

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

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

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

GCSE’s

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

Interests and hobbies

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

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

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

Essential skills for your PhD Graduate CV

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

However, commonly desired PhD Graduate skills include:

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

Writing your PhD Graduate CV

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

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

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

Best of luck with your next application!

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CV/Resume Creation

Below are sample materials to help guide the creation of your CV, resume, and cover letter. Some of these samples have been generously donated by UVA students and postdocs in order to provide you with ideas about how to create your own materials. DO NOT COPY the text exactly and please keep in mind there are numerous acceptable formats for these documents.

Information on this page includes:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Cover Letter

CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)

The curriculum vitae, also known as “vita” (without the “e”) and abbreviated as "CV,” is a comprehensive overview of your educational background and academic qualifications. It is the standard statement of credentials within academe and the research world, and the foundation of an application for an academic or research position, akin to the resume for job markets outside of academics. As is the case for all application materials, your CV should be tailored to each job opportunity and should emphasize your strongest qualifications.

While there is no limit to length, the CV must concisely convey information. In the early stages of the applicant screening process, search committee members will probably spend less than one minute scanning each CV to reduce a large pool of applicants to a manageable list of qualified candidates. To increase your chances of making the short list, you should prepare an attractive CV that clearly and succinctly identifies the qualifications that make you a good fit for the position.

While general guidelines are presented here, you are strongly urged to consult with faculty in your department for guidance. Given that CV styles change over time, it can also be instructive to look at the CVs of junior scholars in your field, particularly those who hold the kinds of positions that interest you.

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Research Focused CV
Teaching Focused CV

There are several resume formats for presenting information, and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses, depending on the material being presented. Select a format that best showcases your qualifications in relation to the job you seek.

Chronological Resume

Lists all experience in reverse chronological order. This most traditional type of resume highlights a progressive record and best suits job seekers who have moved forward along a particular career path. This format may be less effective for people changing career pursuits, those who have little work experience, and those who wish to make a case for the transferability of skills to a different line of work. In addition, someone with old but very relevant experience should not choose this format as it will bury a strength at the end of the resume.

Modified Chronological Resume

Often an effective format for graduate students. This format groups experiences into categories based on their function (e.g.. research experience, leadership, technical experience, writing and editing, marketing), and lists them in reverse chronological order within each category. The categories are prioritized according to relevance. This format can highlight a less recent but highly relevant experience. Carefully chosen category headings help to give the applicant an immediately recognizable identity, grabbing the reader’s attention. Sometimes job seekers have to be creative in grouping experiences.

Functional Resume

Actual job titles and dates of experience are simply listed at the top or bottom of the resume without accompanying descriptions. The bulk of the resume consists of grouped general descriptions of skills used in one or more of the experiences (e.g.. project management, communication skills, leadership, organizational skills). This format is most useful for people changing careers and for those who have little work experience because it emphasizes transferable skills and deemphasizes gaps in employment or a lack of experience. Beware, though, that many employers dislike this format, preferring instead to see exactly what you did, where you did it, and when.

Combination Resume

Another potentially effective format for graduate students. The combination resume combines the advantages of the chronological and functional resumes by listing past experiences chronologically and categorizing the functional descriptions for each experience by skill sets (e.g.. communication skills, leadership, analytical/technical skills). This format is suited to job seekers with only a few major experiences that employed multiple skills. It can also help graduate students to showcase the relevance of their teaching and research experiences, and the transferable skills those tasks require. As with the modified chronological resume, sometimes job seekers have to be creative in grouping their skills for this format.

Resume Sample 1 (for non-academic positions)

Resume Sample 2 (for industry positions)

Resume Sample 3 (for engineering/industry positions)

Resume Sample 4 (for consulting positions)

COVER LETTER

A cover letter usually accompanies a job application beyond academe. If no cover letter is requested, send one anyway unless the employer explicitly instructs you not to do so. The role of the cover letter (a.k.a.. “letter of interest” or “letter of application”) is to interpret your qualifications for the reader to convince him or her of your suitability for an advertised position or a potential employment opportunity. Your cover letter is not analogous to a fax cover sheet. Instead think of it as a mini-thesis in the sense that it allows you to make an argument for your fit for the job or line of work. Written in the first person, the cover letter also gives you the opportunity to express your voice and to show your interest, professionalism, and gift for the written word. Graduate Career Services offers workshops every semester on preparing cover letters. Check our Programs and Events for a schedule of upcoming opportunities.

> Cover Letter Guide

Cover Letter Sample 1 (for academic position)

Cover Letter Sample 2 (for industry position)

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A quick guide to a CV for a PhD application

How is a phd cv different from other cvs.

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

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

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

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

What should I include in my CV?

Personal details.

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

Research interests

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

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

Research experience

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

Additional experience/Positions of responsibility

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

Publications

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

Conferences

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

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

References

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

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CV Examples

PhD CV Examples & UK Templates

You may not be a doctor of anything just yet. But to undertake a doctorate, your PhD CV will need to pass a full bill of academic excellence.

Sure, your methodical and committed nature knows no limits. However, the truth is that unless the institution where you’re applying to can see that, your profile is just another stack of papers on the desk.

Your PhD CV is a key tool to communicate your value and promise as a PhD candidate and that’s where Resume.io can help. We provide a powerful resource for individuals embarking on the next stage of their unique career. Our library has a selection of job-specific CV examples . You may be the master of your field, but we can help you make sure your application is doing your academic prowess the justice it deserves. This CV guide, along with the corresponding CV sample, will cover the following topics:

What does a PhD student do?

How to write a PhD CV (tips and tricks)
The best format for a PhD CV
Advice on each section of your CV (summary, work history, education, skills)
Professional CV layout and design hints.

As a PhD student, you are usually signing onto a three to four year long process in your chosen field of research. This could extend to six or seven years when executed part-time. Your main task is to carry out a large independent research project.

A PhD itself is broken down into three stages, with the first year focusing on meeting with your supervisor to discuss your research proposal and ironing out an action plan and deadlines. The following two years involve collecting results and building on your thesis. You will often also be expected to take on some teaching. You may submit some of your findings to academic journals. Finally, you’ll be expected to write up your thesis and defend it in a final event called a “viva voce”.

How much will you earn after completing a PhD?

Your earning potential will depend on your field as well as the industry and type of job you plan to look for following your PhD. The Higher Education Statistics Agency found that graduates with a PhD are more likely to earn over £30,000 a year than graduates who only hold a Masters.

How to write a PhD CV

While your PhD CV will require an academic focus, there are elements of a CV which should always be included. Remember to include the following elements in yours:

The CV header
The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
The employment history section
The CV skills section
The education section

Unlike a traditional CV, your PhD CV will focus on your academic achievements. However, before you think about how to fill out each section of your CV, take a moment to consider where you are applying to carry out your PhD.

Your PhD CV should match the tone of the institution where you hope to conduct your research. Plus, when you understand better the faculty that you could be working in, you’ll have a better idea of how to fill out each section and what they are likely to respond positively to.

Choosing the best CV format for a PhD student

For most job seekers, the reverse chronological CV is the best CV format. However, in academia you will usually be expected to highlight your academic qualifications first. This format is a little like the functional CV format which prioritises your skill sets. The main difference is that your skills should sit underneath your academic experience.

Another thing that the academic CV format has in common with a functional CV format is that you are able to separate your technical and niche skills into different categories. For instance, while many job descriptions may ask for “research skills”, you are more likely to need to help your potential advisor to understand the methodologies that you are most experienced with. This format also allows you to go into further detail on other aspects of your sector and the hard and soft skills that are important for you to carry out your desired research.

CV summary example

Your PhD CV should start with a brief introduction to who you are as an academic. Craft a three to four sentence introduction that explains what makes your profile uniquely suited to the PhD you’re hoping to carry out. Remember to include the keywords that will impress anyone reading your CV.

Match your language

This is another compelling reason to do your due diligence and find out more about the faculty where you’re hoping to carry out your PhD. Finding shorthands to communicate the fact that you’re on the same page will go miles in helping you to stand out from the crowd.

Use the same keywords as the faculty uses to describe your field of expertise.
Where appropriate make sure your chosen language also reflects how the faculty describes methodology techniques you use, too.
Match the written level of formality that the faculty uses to present itself such as on their website or in brochures and prospectuses.

This is the most freeform writing you will be expected to do in your PhD CV. Freeform writing may not scare you. You are likely to be embarking on writing up your original research, after all. However, it’s normal to get writer’s block when it comes to writing about yourself. If that sounds like you, consider checking out some other CV examples to get your creative juices flowing. The following CV samples could help you to get in the right frame of mind:

Graduate CV sample
Teaching assistant CV example
Academic CV example

Driven PhD Candidate with a wealth of knowledge and experience in biological and environmental fields. Demonstrated capacity for partnering with peers and colleagues to execute complex research initiatives. Passionate about leveraging scientific research, academic partnership, and textual analysis to advance industry knowledge and capabilities.

Employment history sample

While it may not be the focus of your PhD CV, the employment history section can still show important experience that you have held. However, you may choose to position it underneath the education section of your PhD CV.

Include subheadings for each previous role you’ve held and list them in reverse chronological order. That means your most recent position should be at the top of the section. For each subheading, include the job title, employer name, location, and dates of employment. Even if you have spent most of your time in formal education, you may choose to use this section to detail any teaching experience, research assistant experience, or similar that would be most relevant for the PhD you’re applying for.

The CV sample content below will give you an example of how to do this in practice.

Research Assistant at Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK September 2020 - Present

Assisted in the design and implementation of a two-year research project on urban biodiversity.
Conducted fieldwork, data collection, and statistical analysis using R and Python.
Contributed to three published research papers in notable environmental science journals.

Teaching Assistant at Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK September 2018 - March 2020

Facilitated laboratory sessions for undergraduate students, ensuring safe and proper use of laboratory equipment.
Assisted in grading assignments and exams, offering feedback to help students improve their understanding of course material.
Developed and maintained course materials, including laboratory manuals and guides.

CV skills example

If the education section is the beating heart of your PhD CV, then the skills section is the lungs. Your hard and soft skills and the knowledge that you’ve acquired on your academic path give life to your PhD CV. Don’t be afraid to split your skills section into multiple sections if appropriate.

For instance, you may choose to separate your research skills section detailing the methodologies you use from another section about the technical ins and outs of your area of expertise.

Soft skills vs hard skills

Despite stereotypes of cold, impersonal professors who hide in their offices, even the most illustrious of academics need a mix of hard and soft skills. From teaching opportunities during your PhD to collaborating with your colleagues and potential study participants: soft skills count. Don’t forget to mention them on your PhD CV.

Research & Data Analysis
Project Management
Lab Safety Practices
Biology & Environmental Industries
Statistical Analysis
Lab Training & Managements
Course & Curricula Design
Research Publication

PhD CV education example

There are certain expectations for the education section of your PhD CV. It’s a good idea to position your education section at the top of your CV, straight after your summary. Now that you’re pursuing a role as a PhD student, you should show that you understand a certain level of academic excellence is expected.

You can achieve this in your PhD CV’s education section by making sure you neatly display your higher education qualifications in reverse chronological order. Each qualification should have its own subheading detailing the title of the qualification, the academic institution’s name and location, and the dates attended. It’s generally agreed upon that there is no need to include details of your A levels after you have completed a Masters degree.

Make sure your grades or results are clear for the reader. You could also include some bullet points underneath the qualification’s subheading that highlight relevant aspects of the course or qualification that relate to the PhD you’re aiming to carry out.

The CV sample content below will give you a realistic view of how you might like to detail your PhD CV’s education section.

PhD in Environmental Biology, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK September 2020 - Present

Thesis: "Urban Biodiversity and Conservation"

Master of Science in Environmental Science, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK September 2018 - March 2020

Dissertation: “Conservation Strategies for Urban Environments”

Bachelor of Science in Biology, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK September 2015 - March 2018

Final Year Project: “Assessing Biodiversity in Urban Parks”

CV layout and design

A serious PhD candidate needs a serious CV that looks the part. After all, visual communication is still part of telling the story of the kind of PhD student you’re likely to be. So, choose a layout that is clear and precise. For most PhD students a simple or even monochrome colour scheme is perfectly acceptable.

However, if you are studying in a more creative area you could consider something with a pop of colour. The most important function that your CV needs to carry out is to be set out clearly and be legible.

If you’re not one for designing documents and prefer to be the one hitting the books to read, you can always consider using one of our professionally-designed CV templates . No need for finicky formatting, so you can sooner get back to hitting the books and your studies!

Key takeaways for a PhD CV

Your academic prowess should stand out by highlighting your education section above all else.
Use your employment history section to detail relevant positions that have equipped you with needed experience for this PhD.
You can split your skills section into multiple headings and categories if you want to clarify your wide range of skills to anyone reading your PhD CV.
Your PhD CV should look the part with a professional-looking design.

Attractive CV templates at your fingertips

Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement, and Writing Sample

Details about submitting a statement of purpose, personal statement, and a writing sample as part of your degree program application

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Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose is very important to programs when deciding whether to admit a candidate. Your statement should be focused, informative, and convey your research interests and qualifications. You should describe your reasons and motivations for pursuing a graduate degree in your chosen degree program, noting the experiences that shaped your research ambitions, indicating briefly your career objectives, and concisely stating your past work in your intended field of study and in related fields. Your degree program of interest may have specific guidance or requirements for the statement of purpose, so be sure to review the degree program page for more information. Unless otherwise noted, your statement should not exceed 1,000 words.

Personal Statement

Please describe the personal experiences that led you to pursue graduate education and how these experiences will contribute to the academic environment and/or community in your program or Harvard Griffin GSAS. These may include social and cultural experiences, leadership positions, community engagement, equity and inclusion efforts, other opportunities, or challenges. Your statement should be no longer than 500 words.

Please note that there is no expectation to share detailed sensitive information and you should refrain from including anything that you would not feel at ease sharing. Please also note that the Personal Statement should complement rather than duplicate the content provided in the Statement of Purpose.

Visit Degree Programs and navigate to your degree program of interest to determine if a Personal Statement is required. The degree program pages will be updated by early September indicating if the Personal Statement is required for your program.

Writing Sample

Please visit Degree Programs and navigate to your degree program of interest to determine if a writing sample is required. When preparing your writing sample, be sure to follow program requirements, which may include format, topic, or length.

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How to Create The Best CV for a PhD Application (+ Example CV)
Typing the keywords "CV for PhD application sample" or "PhD candidate CV example" into the search engine may help you find some good CV examples for a PhD application. Step 4: Tailor your PhD CV to the school and research topic. Now that you've got the basics down, the next step is to tailor your PhD CV to your desired school and program.
PDF CVs and Cover Letters
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 ... Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Merit/Term-Time Fellowship, Harvard University, 2017-18 Rockefeller Archive Center Grant-in-Aid, 2017-18
Resume for PhD application example + guide [Land your place]
I've also included a PhD resume example, to give you a better idea of what you need to include. Here's what I'll cover in the guide: Guide contents. PhD application resume example. Structuring and formatting your resume. Writing your resume summary. Detailing your education. Detailing your relevant experience.
CV for PhD Application: How to Write One Like a True Scholar
The process of attaining a PhD starts with a strong application which includes an impressive academic CV. A CV for PhD application needs to be carefully crafted, well formatted, and contain specific sections. We'll show you how to craft a stellar PhD application CV, and a sample academic CV from a real person admitted to a PhD program in France.
PhD CVs
A CV for a PhD application needs to be an academic CV. These differ from traditional CVs in several key ways. They provide a great opportunity for you to display your education background and any relevant research experience in a short and concise way. This page explains how to write a CV for a PhD application, as well as including several PhD ...
PDF CVs & COVER LETTERS FOR PhDs & POSTDOCS
PUT TOGETHER YOUR CV WRITE YOUR APPLICATION SAMPLE CVs & FURTHER HELP GET READY TO APPLY CV_brochure_1_V2.indd All Pages 10/08/2018 10:42. ... Graduate Recruitment Manager, L'Oréal . CVS AND COVER LETTERS FOR PHDS AND POSTDOCS 8 9 Layout, evidence and impact
9 PhD Resume Examples & Guide for 2024
9 PhD Resume Examples & Guide for... 9 PhD Resume Examples & Guide for 2024. Your PhD resume must highlight your extensive research and expertise in your field of study. Tailor it to showcase how your unique skills are transferable to the job you're applying for. Demonstrate your proficiency in critical thinking and problem-solving through ...
CV for PhD Application
The purpose of an academic CV for a PhD application is to provide a summary of your educational background and demonstrate the research skills and relevant experience you have that make you capable of undertaking a PhD. It should be divided into nine sections: (1) contact information, (2) research interests, (3) education, (4) research and work ...
How to Write a CV for PhD Application (With Example)
Here are some steps you can follow while drafting an academic CV to send with your PhD application: 1. Research the university and program. Study the application thoroughly, understand the research project, and research the university and program you want to attend before drafting a CV. You can do this by looking at university rankings and ...
PhD CV: Examples, Tips, and Writing Guide
How to Write a CV for a PhD Application (Examples, Tips, and Writing Guide) Embarking on the path to advanced research and academic excellence through a PhD is an exciting journey, demanding not just passion and dedication but also a well-crafted CV that highlights your potential as an aspiring scholar. In the highly competitive landscape of ...
5 PhD Resume Examples Made to Work for 2024
With our varied PhD application resume examples, you'll find the ideal resume template to help you craft your own winning resume in no time. PhD Resume. Use This Template. or download as PDF. Why this resume works. Your PhD resume requires a delicate balancing act because you're not the only one eyeing to join a prestigious university ...
How to Write a CV for a PhD Application (with free template!)
You can accurately play with line spacing by adding blank lines and setting the font size to something small: in my template I use size 3. Lead the eye. Make key information bold for it to stand out: though keep it consistent and don't go too crazy! Try and keep your most important information to two pages.
PhD Resume—Examples and 25+ Expert Writing Tips
3. Create the Perfect Job Description and Skills Sections for Your Doctoral Resume. Show, don't tell—. Make your resume work history section a showcase of accomplishments. How to write a resume job description for a PhD resume: Re-read the job ad (it's not the driest thing you've had to read more than once).
How to write a PhD CV (Including a template and an example)
2. Start with your contact information. Start writing your CV by listing your contact information. The necessary details to include are your: full name. email address. contact number. location. Make sure you include a professional email address and avoid using a work telephone number.
PhD Resume: Example & Writing Tips
Follow our 3 tips to write an effective PhD resume: 1. Customize your PhD resume to the job. Where you're applying determines: what sections to include. what skills to list. the order of your sections. the detail with which you discuss your study area and subject-specific skills.
How To Write a Resume for a PhD Application
The following are steps to follow when writing a resume or CV to apply for a Ph.D. program: 1. Review the Ph.D. application and determine all relevant information you need to include in your resume. Before you begin writing your resume or CV for your Ph.D. application, you should first review the application and note the specific information as ...
PhD Graduate CV examples + guide [Get hired quick]
But PhD graduate roles are competitive in nature, so you need to stand out in the application process. Your CV needs showcase the plethora of skills you've gained alongside your academic achievements and soft skills. Our PhD graduate CV examples and writing guide will help you to do this, and get hired. Guide contents. PhD Graduate CV examples
PhD CV Example and Writing Guide for Your Application
PhD CV example. Mohammed Whittaker. 97 Castledore Road. Twyford. RG10 9XT. 07873254992. [email protected]. Research Interests. Completed an MA in Philosophy at the University College London with Distinction, writing on the philosophical and moral basis of modern human rights, with a focus on the right to privacy in the digital world.
CV/Resume Creation
CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) The curriculum vitae, also known as "vita" (without the "e") and abbreviated as "CV," is a comprehensive overview of your educational background and academic qualifications. It is the standard statement of credentials within academe and the research world, and the foundation of an application for an academic or ...
Curriculum Vitae (CV) Template for Doctoral Students Academic Job
Career Preparation Toolkit for Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Scholars. Curriculum Vitae (CV) for Academic Job Search. Academic Cover Letter for Doctoral Students. Research Statements. Show more Academic Job Market for Doctoral Students. View All.
A quick guide to a CV for a PhD application
Here are some key things to consider when writing a CV for a PhD application: Emphasise your academic excellence. Highlight your enthusiasm for your research topic through previous research experience, attendance at conferences etc. Showcase research skills gained through Masters and Undergraduate dissertations or projects, lab work or specific ...
PhD candidate CV examples, tips & templates
Secure your dream position with an amazing PhD candidate CV. This CV sample for PhD students aims to offer key insights into the CV writing and job application process. For more insight, feel free to browse our other academic CV examples. Or get started with a pre-made CV template in our online builder. Choose a design that's perfect for PhD ...
PhD CV Examples & UK Templates (2024) · Resume.io
PhD CV Examples & UK Templates. You may be the master of your field, but to score the next step in academia your PhD CV needs to pass a full bill of academic excellence. In this step by step how-to guide, we'll show you how to write a PhD CV that impresses all the right people. They'll be calling you doc in no time. 4.9.
Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement, and Writing Sample
Writing Sample . Please visit Degree Programs and navigate to your degree program of interest to determine if a writing sample is required. When preparing your writing sample, be sure to follow program requirements, which may include format, topic, or length.

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

Table of Contents

What is an academic CV?

Tips on how to write a CV for PhD application

How to write an academic CV for a PhD application ?

#1 Understand program requirements and values

#2 Emphasize transferable skills for PhD programs

#3 Adapt your CV for international PhD programs

Lyon University PhD Student Resume Sample

Related Posts

Guide to Writing a PhD CV

Pick the right programme for you

What is an academic CV?

How long should an academic CV be?

PhD cover letters

PhD CV format

1. Personal profile and research interests

What if I don’t have publications / experience?

Academic CV flexibility

General CV sections

Results pending

Other skills

Discussion of CV content at the interview

Should I include a photo of myself?

Layout and formatting

Organisation

UK and Canada CV vs. USA CV

Tips for writing an academic CV

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9 PhD Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

All resume examples in this guide

Resume Guide

Our exclusive, Ph.D. resume guide will answer some of the following questions for you:

4 additional Ph.D. resume samples and why they work

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21 Ph.D. related resume examples to help you get inspired

Quick steps to success in writing your Ph.D. resume to get recruiters’ attention

How to write your experience bullets:

What recruiters are looking out for in your Ph.D. resume:

Ph.D. resume's five most important sections:

Mythbusters: Your PhD resume header under the Enhancv microscope

2 PhD resume header examples

Ph.D. resume summaries: HRs’ favorite instrument for advanced career storytelling

2 PhD resume summary examples

Making your Ph.D. resume experience section stand out for all the right reasons

Phd resume experience examples.

One bonus tip on better systematizing your Ph.D. experience

How should you include your degrees within your Ph.D. resume education section?

Ph.D. in progress: Should you include your potential degree on your resume?

Ph.D. resume: Is there a dream skill set your potential employers would like to see?

PhD resume technical skills for various roles:

Moving on to your PhD resume soft skills

37 PhD soft skills to spice up your resume:

Mix in extracurricular certificates

Top 50 PhD certificates from various institutions for your resume:

PhD resume: let’s get creative with a few more resume sections

key takeaways

Looking to build your own PhD resume?

PDF vs. Word: When and Why to Send Your Resume

Introduction

What Is an Academic CV?

How to Write an Academic CV for A PhD Application

1. Contact Information

2. Research Interests / Personal Profile

3. Education

4. Research and Work Experience

5. Teaching Experience

6. Relevant Skills and Experience

7. Publications and Conferences

8. Professional Memberships

9. Referees / References

Tips for Creating a Standout Academic CV

Formatting for Clarity

Keep It Concise