If you’re applying for PhD programs, postdocs, lectureships, or tenure-track roles, a one-page résumé isn’t enough. You need an academic CV – a detailed, structured record of your education, research, teaching, and scholarly activity.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Academic CV
- Academic CV vs Résumé: Key Differences
- Core Formatting Rules for a Strong Academic CV
- Essential Sections to Include in an Academic CV
- Optional Sections That Make Your Academic CV Stand Out
- Academic CV Template – Humanities (English / Literature Example
- Free Academic CV Templates (Copy & Download)
- Academic CV Template – Engineering / STEM (Civil & Environmental Example)
- Early-Career PhD CV
What Is an Academic CV
A curriculum vitae (CV) is a comprehensive document that showcases your:
- Academic degrees and institutions
- Teaching experience and course responsibilities
- Research projects, publications, and presentations
- Grants, awards, and professional service
You use an academic CV when you’re applying for:
- PhD, postdoctoral, or research fellowships
- Tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty roles
- Research staff jobs at universities or institutes
- Some advanced roles in think tanks, NGOs, and research labs
Important:
For four-year colleges/universities, the full academic CV is the standard.
For community colleges or teaching-only roles, a teaching-focused résumé (2–3 pages) is often better.
Academic CV vs Résumé: Key Differences
- Length
- CV: No strict page limit; 2–6+ pages is normal for PhDs.
- Résumé: Usually 1–2 pages max.
- Purpose
- CV: Show your academic identity – what you study, teach, and publish.
- Résumé: Sell your fit for one specific job quickly.
- Content
- CV: Detailed sections for publications, conferences, grants, teaching, service.
- Résumé: Focus on skills, achievements, and impact relevant to industry roles.
Core Formatting Rules for a Strong Academic CV
Your CV should feel like a clean, structured academic document – not a messy wall of text.
General formatting
- Use a simple professional font (e.g. Calibri, Garamond, Times New Roman, 11–12 pt).
- Maintain consistent spacing, headings, and bullet styles.
- Use bold for institutions/titles and italics for book/journal titles.
- Keep margins around 1 inch / 2.5 cm for readability.
- Use reverse chronological order in each section (most recent first).
Layout tips
- Put your name in large font at the top (e.g. 16–18 pt).
- Align institution names and job titles to the left, dates to the right where possible.
- Include a footer with
Last Name – Page X of Yin multi-page CVs. - Export as PDF before sending to keep formatting intact.
Essential Sections to Include in an Academic CV
Almost every academic CV should include these core sections.
1. Heading
At the very top:
- Full name (large, bold)
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- City & country (or full address if required)
- Optionally: LinkedIn, personal academic website, ORCID, Google Scholar
2. Education
List degrees in reverse chronological order:
- Degree type, field (e.g. PhD in English)
- Institution name, city, state/country
- Month and year completed or expected
- Dissertation title and advisor (for current or completed PhD)
3. Research Experience
Include:
- Role (e.g. Doctoral Researcher, Research Assistant)
- Department & institution
- Years active
- 3–6 bullet points describing what you did, how, and why it mattered
Avoid “Responsibilities included…” and use strong, specific action verbs:
Conducted, Designed, Analyzed, Coordinated, Developed, Presented, Led…
4. Teaching & Advising Experience
For each role:
- Course title(s) & level (e.g. Introduction to Poetry, 1st–2nd year undergraduates)
- Your position (Instructor, Teaching Assistant, Discussion Leader, etc.)
- Institution & dates
- Bullet points that show what you taught and your teaching style/impact
If you’re targeting teaching-focused colleges, move this section above research.
5. Publications
Use the citation style standard in your discipline (MLA, APA, Chicago, IEEE, etc.).
Group logically if needed:
- Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
- Book Chapters
- Edited Volumes
- Works in Progress / Under Review
Include status: forthcoming, in press, submitted, in preparation.
6. Presentations & Conferences
You can split into:
- Conference Presentations (Oral)
- Conference Posters
- Invited Talks
Include:
- Your name, co-authors
- Year, title of talk/poster
- Conference/meeting name
- Location (city, country)
7. Honors, Awards & Scholarships
Show prestige and competitiveness:
- Fellowships
- Travel grants
- Teaching awards
- Merit scholarships
Mention the granting body and year(s).
8. References
Normally 3–5 references:
- Name, title, institution
- Email address
- Phone (optional)
You can either include them on the last page or write “References available upon request” if the ad doesn’t explicitly ask for them up front.
Optional Sections That Make Your Academic CV Stand Out
These are especially useful if you have relevant content:
- Grants & Funding
- Professional Service (journal editing, peer review, committees)
- University/Department Service
- Professional Memberships
- Certifications & Licenses
- Technical Skills (stats packages, programming, lab tools)
- Languages
- Community Engagement / Outreach
- Educational Travel / Study Abroad
Don’t add everything to make the CV longer. Use the sections that genuinely strengthen your profile.
Academic CV Template – Humanities (English / Literature Example
Free Academic CV Templates (Copy & Download)
Classic, text-only academic CV for literature, languages, history and related fields. Includes teaching, research, publications, and conference sections.
- Premium layout in one HTML block
- Academic-style headings & bullet structure
- Easy to edit in Word, Google Docs or PDF
Structured CV for engineering, physics, computer science and other STEM profiles, with sections for research, grants and technical skills.
- Research-focused structure for R1 institutions
- Ready-made bullet points for labs & TA roles
- Perfect for PhD, postdoc and faculty applications
Shorter CV layout for MA students, first-year PhDs or candidates with limited teaching and publication history.
- Focus on education, potential and skills
- Bridge between résumé and full academic CV
- Ideal for research internships & early grants
To download these templates, select everything inside the rounded box, copy it (Ctrl+C) and paste into Word or Google Docs. Or save as PDF or .docx and edit with your details.
RACHEL GREEN
Education
PhD in English, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, May 20XX
Dissertation: “Down on the Farm: World War I and the Emergence of Literary Modernism in the American South”
Committee: Margaret Black, Naomi Blue, John Jay, Robert Roberts (Chair)
MA in English, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 20XX
BA in English and Communications, summa cum laude, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN, 20XX
Teaching & Advising Experience
Composition Instructor, Research Writing Program, University of Illinois, 20XX–Present
- Designed and taught multiple sections of first-year composition.
- Built a writing-intensive curriculum grounded in contemporary issues.
- Integrated instructional technology and peer-review workshops.
- Collaborated within an interdisciplinary teaching team.
Literature Instructor, Department of English, University of Illinois, 20XX–Present
- Instructor of record for “Major American Authors” and “Introduction to Poetry.”
- Used multimedia, archival materials, and film to contextualize literary texts.
- Developed assignments to build close reading and critical writing skills.
Coordinating Group Leader, Research Writing Program, University of Illinois, 20XX–20XX
- Planned and led training sessions for teaching assistants and new composition instructors.
- Mentored new hires on pedagogy and classroom management.
- Organized job shadowing and observation opportunities.
Discussion Leader, Carolina Summer Reading Program, University of Illinois, 20XX
- Facilitated small-group discussions on assigned texts for first-year students.
- Supported students’ transition to college-level academic expectations.
Teaching Assistant, Department of English, University of Illinois, 20XX–20XX
- Taught discussion sections on film criticism, including history, theory, and technical vocabulary.
- Planned lessons and assignments; graded exams and essays with detailed feedback.
- Organized and led group discussions on social and academic issues.
Research Experience
Doctoral Researcher, Department of English, University of Illinois, 20XX–20XX
- Conducted archival research on Southern modernism and early twentieth-century publication history.
- Analyzed works by William Faulkner, Thomas Wolfe, and Tennessee Williams.
- Explored links between regional culture, literary identity, and modernism.
Research Assistant, Department of English, University of Illinois, 20XX
- Assisted Professor Robert Warren with primary and secondary source research.
- Helped organize the interdisciplinary conference “New Directions in the Study of Southern Literature.”
Publications
Associate Editor, North Carolina Slave Narratives, John Jacob Franz (ed.). University of Illinois Press, forthcoming 20XX.
Johnson, J.M., Lolie, T., & Green, R. “Lost on the Farm: Popular Beliefs.” Somebody Journal, Special Issue: Reflections on the Americas, vol. 6, forthcoming.
Green, R. “Fugitives/Agrarians.” In A Companion to Twentieth-Century American Poetry. Rutgers University Press, 20XX.
Davis, D.A. & Green, R. “Will N. Harben,” “Etheridge Knight,” and “James Wilcox.” In Southern Writers: A Biographical Dictionary. Louisiana State University Press, 20XX.
Conference Presentations
“Artistic Colloquialism.” Illinois Graduate College Seminar, Urbana, IL, 20XX.
“Transitional Bible Belt.” U.S. Divergence Symposium, Duke University, Durham, NC, Feb 20XX.
“The Ministry of Rev. Thomas H. Jones.” South Atlantic MLA, Atlanta, GA, May 20XX.
“Shackles and Stripes: The Cinematic Representation of the Southern Chain Gang.” American Literature Association, Cambridge, MA, Nov 20XX.
“Body, Place, and Spirits in the South.” Queen Mary College, University of London, London, UK, April 6–8, 20XX.
Honors & Awards
Jacob K. Javits Fellowship, U.S. Department of Education, 20XX–Present
Graduate College Dissertation Completion Award, University of Illinois, 20XX
Campus Teaching Award (based on student evaluations), University of Illinois, 20XX–20XX
Doctoral Fellowship, Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities, 20XX–20XX
Summer Research Grant, Center for Summer Studies, City, ST, 20XX
Graduate College Conference Travel Grant, University of Illinois, 20XX & 20XX
Most Outstanding Butler Woman & Academic Scholarship, Butler University, 20XX–20XX
Professional & University Service
Managing Editor, Southern Literary Journal, 20XX–Present
- Processed manuscripts, coordinated peer review, and oversaw production.
- Maintained editorial correspondence, subscriptions, and advertising.
Poetry Staff, University Quarterly, 20XX–Present
- Reviewed and solicited poetry submissions for publication.
Editorial Assistant, Southern Literary Journal, 20XX–20XX
- Maintained the journal’s website and digital presence.
- Edited and proofread copy prior to publication.
Graduate Mentor, The Career Center, University of Illinois, 20XX–20XX
Committee Member, Career Advisory Committee & University Library Advisory Committee, University of Illinois, 20XX–20XX
Professional Memberships
Modern Language Association (MLA) · American Literature Association (ALA) · American Studies Association (ASA) · South Atlantic Modern Language Association (SAMLA) · Society for the Study of Southern Literature · Robert Penn Warren Circle · Southern Research Circle · Fellowship of Southern Writers
References
Robert Roberts, Professor of English, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · (217) 333-0203 · [email protected]
John Jay, Associate Professor of English, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · (217) 333-1112 · [email protected]
Jacob S. Snyder, Associate Professor of English, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · (217) 333-4700 · [email protected]
Sally Briscoe, Associate Professor of English, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN · (317) 492-8763 · [email protected]
Academic CV Template – Engineering / STEM (Civil & Environmental Example)
JUAN GARCIA
Education
PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Expected Fall 20XX
Dissertation: “Visualizing Geotechnical Engineering Principles”
Advisor: Professor Ted S. Visor
BS in Civil Engineering, Universidad Nacional de San Juan (UNSJ), San Juan, Argentina, May 20XX
Research Interests
Investigating seismic force-resisting systems through simulations and visualization techniques to improve structural performance and earthquake resilience.
Research Experience
Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Illinois, 20XX–Present
- Designed and executed small-scale experiments to validate control algorithms for seismic force-resisting systems.
- Developed visualizations and numerical simulations to predict seismic damage in reinforced concrete and steel structures.
- Collaborated with faculty, staff scientists, and graduate students on multi-disciplinary research projects.
Undergraduate Consultant, Departamento de Ingeniería, UNSJ, 20XX
- Selected by the General Director of the City Planning Department of San Juan to assist with the structural and seismic assessment of the Dr. Guillermo Rawson Hospital, one of the largest construction projects in a high-risk seismic zone.
- Performed nonlinear static analysis in accordance with FEMA 356 Prestandard for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings.
Teaching & Mentoring Experience
Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Structural Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois, Spring 20XX–Present
- Guided 15–25 first- and second-year undergraduates through analysis of determinate and indeterminate structures.
- Prepared lectures, example problems, and in-class activities focused on core structural engineering concepts.
- Created and graded quizzes, exams, and homework assignments.
- Recognized on the “List of Teachers Ranked Excellent by Their Students.”
Instructor, Latino/a Culture, Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois, Spring–Fall 20XX
- Taught a 75-student lecture course using an interdisciplinary approach to Latino/a cultures.
- Used multimedia materials and online tools to enhance engagement and participation.
- Planned lessons, assignments, and discussions to develop critical thinking and writing skills.
Graduate Mentor, Illinois Summer Research Opportunities Program, The Graduate College, University of Illinois, Summers 20XX & 20XX
- Mentored two undergraduate students on data collection and analysis for geotechnical visualization projects.
- Supervised the preparation and presentation of research posters summarizing project outcomes.
Honors & Awards
Fulbright Scholarship to Pursue a PhD in Engineering, Argentina, 20XX
One of 20 scholarships awarded nationally.
Flag Honor Guard Member, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, 20XX
Selected by graduating with honors and ranking 4th among engineering majors.
Grants
Granting Agency, “Title of Grant”, $00,000, 20XX–20XX. Role: Co-Investigator.
Publications
Garcia, J., other authors. (Year). Title. Journal, Volume(Issue), pages. doi:.
Garcia, J., other authors. (in press). Title. Journal, Volume(Issue), pages.
Garcia, J., other authors. (Year produced). Title. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Garcia, J., other authors. (Year draft produced). Title. Manuscript in preparation.
Conference Presentations
Oral Presentations
Garcia, J., other authors. (Year, Month). Title. Minisymposium on subject, Meeting, City, State.
Garcia, J., other authors. (Year, Month). Title. Meeting, City, State.
Poster Presentations
Garcia, J., other authors. (Year, Month). Title. Poster session presented at Meeting, City, State.
Garcia, J., other authors. (Year, Month). Title. Poster presented at Meeting, City, State.
Professional Experience
Civil Engineer, TOSS Ingeniería, La Paz, Peru, 20XX–20XX
- Led implementation of seismic validation procedures at La Paz Central Hospital.
- Developed modelling and visualization algorithms to accelerate structural validation workflows.
University Service
Facilitator, College of Engineering, University of Illinois, July 20XX
- Helped organize the Principal’s Scholars Program GEAR UP College Bound Summer Program for minority students.
- Designed a popsicle-stick bridge competition to introduce basic structural engineering concepts.
Student Assistant, Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), University of Illinois, July 20XX
- Assisted with check-in procedures for incoming international students.
- Provided information on campus resources and procedures for a successful arrival.
Technical Skills
Programming & Math Packages: Matlab, Mathematica, C, C++
CAD & Engineering Software: AutoCAD, Patran, Abaqus; optical imaging tools
Other Software: SPSS; Linux (openSUSE, Ubuntu); macOS; Windows
Languages
Spanish – Native / Fluent · English – Professional Proficiency
References
Ted S. Visor, Professor and Graduate Programs Head, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · (217) 244-2345 · [email protected]
John D. Faculty, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · (217) 244-1234 · [email protected]
Barbara A. Smith, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · (217) 244-4321 · [email protected]
Joseph B. Car, Senior Civil Engineer, TOSS Ingeniería, La Paz, Peru · 011 51 1 123-4567 · [email protected]
Early-Career PhD CV
ALEX MORGAN
Education
PhD in Sociology, Northeastern University, Expected May 20XX
Dissertation (working title): “Precarious Work and Digital Surveillance in Service Jobs”
Advisor: Professor Dana Lee
MA in Sociology, Northeastern University, 20XX
BA in Psychology, magna cum laude, University of Vermont, 20XX
Research Interests
Precarious and gig work · workplace surveillance · organizational behavior · mixed-method research · digital labor platforms.
Research Experience
Graduate Research Assistant, Digital Labor Lab, Northeastern University, 20XX–Present
- Collaborate on a mixed-method study of algorithmic scheduling in food-delivery platforms.
- Clean and analyze survey data (N = 1,200) using R and Stata.
- Co-authored conference abstracts and contributed figures and tables for a manuscript in preparation.
Master’s Thesis Researcher, Department of Sociology, Northeastern University, 20XX–20XX
- Designed and conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with call-center workers on burnout and turnover.
- Presented preliminary findings at the Northeastern Graduate Research Symposium.
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Sociology, Northeastern University, 20XX–20XX
- Led two weekly discussion sections (25 students each) focused on applying core concepts to real-world cases.
- Graded exams and essays; provided detailed written and verbal feedback on academic writing.
Teaching Assistant, Research Methods, Northeastern University, 20XX
- Supported labs on survey design, sampling, and introductory data analysis in R.
- Held weekly office hours and offered one-on-one support on term-project design.
Publications & Selected Presentations
Morgan, A., & Lee, D. (in preparation). “Scheduling by Algorithm: Precarious Time in Food-Delivery Work.” Manuscript in preparation for submission to Work and Occupations.
Morgan, A. (20XX, August). “Burnout, Scripts, and Control in Call-Center Work.” Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, Chicago, IL.
Morgan, A. (20XX, April). “Why Workers Stay: Narratives of Loyalty in Precarious Jobs.” Poster presented at the Northeastern Graduate Research Symposium, Boston, MA.
Methods & Skills
Methods: qualitative interviewing · focus groups · survey design · mixed-methods integration.
Data & Software: R · Stata · NVivo · Excel · Qualtrics · basic Git/GitHub workflows.
Teaching & Communication: small-group facilitation · syllabus and assignment design · conference presentations · public-facing writing.
Honors & Awards
Graduate Fellowship, Northeastern University College of Social Sciences and Humanities, 20XX–20XX
Best MA Thesis Prize, Department of Sociology, Northeastern University, 20XX
Dean’s List, University of Vermont, 20XX–20XX
References
Available upon request.
Andrej Fedek is the creator and the one-person owner of two blogs: InterCool Studio and CareersMomentum. As an experienced marketer, he is driven by turning leads into customers with White Hat SEO techniques. Besides being a boss, he is a real team player with a great sense of equality.