An academic CV template is a crucial tool for anyone looking to make a strong impression.

Whether you are applying for a faculty position, a research grant, or a scholarship, having a well-structured document is essential. It should not only highlight your qualifications but also organize your achievements and experience in a way that stands out to hiring committees.

In this article, we will explore how to create a curriculum vitae that showcases your background effectively.

What is an academic CV?

An academic curriculum vitae is an in-depth document primarily used for applying to positions in research or education.

Academic CV template showcases an individual’s scholarly background, including qualifications, research contributions, publications, and teaching experience. This differs from a resume, which typically highlights professional achievements in business or industry roles.

AspectAcademic CVTraditional Resume
LengthGenerally longer, spanning several pages.Concise, limited to 1-2 pages.
FocusHighlights academic qualifications, research projects, and publications.Centers around professional experience and skill sets.
Detail LevelProvides comprehensive information on scholarly work.Summarizes expertise in a brief format.
ContentIncludes sections such as publications and grants.Focuses on work history, competencies, and achievements.
Personal InfoOften contains research interests and academic affiliations.Includes contact details and possibly an objective statement.

Resume examples:

How to write an academic CV template?

An academic curriculum vitae is an extensive document that outlines your background, contributions, and professional experiences. Below are the crucial sections to include in your document, along with practical examples.

1. Personal Information

This part should contain your full name, contact details, and any relevant titles. Optionally, you can add links to your professional website, social profiles, or portfolio.

Andrew Warlick
Email: andrew.warlick@email.com
Phone: (123) 456-7890
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewwarlick
Website: www.andrewwarlickacademic.com

2. Research Interests

Here, briefly describe your primary academic focus. This section of academic CV template provides insight into the areas you're exploring in your field, whether through experiments, theoretical work, or applied research.

Research Interests:

  • Economic policies for promoting sustainability
  • Urban development in response to climate change
  • Renewable energy integration in emerging economies

3. Education

List your diplomas starting from the most recent. Include the name of the degree, institution, and year of completion on your academic CV template.

You may also add your thesis or dissertation title if it aligns with the role you are pursuing.

Ph.D. in Environmental Economics, University of California, Berkeley | 2021
- Dissertation: "Evaluating the Economic Impact of Drought on U.S. Agriculture"

M.A. in Agricultural Economics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 2017
- Thesis: "Economic Effects of Water Conservation Policies on Small Farms"

B.A. in Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison | 2015

4. Publications

For academics, this section is central. Here, you write peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, and other scholarly work.

Make sure to follow the academic CV citation format common to your field.

Publications:

  • Carter, E. (2023). "The Economic Impact of Water Shortages on U.S. Crop Yields." Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, 50(4), 512-530.
  • Carter, E., & Thompson, R. (2021). "Evaluating Government Water Management Policies in the American West." Journal of Agricultural Economics, 72(2), 180-198.
  • Carter, E. (2020). "The Future of Farming in a Warming World." Climate Change Review, 28(1), 110-123.

5. Conferences and Presentations

Include any events where you've delivered research or been involved in academic discussions on your academic CV template. This helps demonstrate your involvement in the broader community.

  • "Adapting to Drought: Economic Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture" – Presented at the Annual Environmental Economics Conference, Washington, D.C. | March 2023
  • "Water Management in the American West" – Panel Discussion at the Climate Change and Agriculture Conference, Denver, CO | October 2021
  • "The Future of Sustainable Farming" – Invited Speaker at the Global Agricultural Sustainability Forum, Berlin, Germany | June 2020

6. Honors

Mention any fellowships, scholarships, or recognitions you’ve received for outstanding academic performance, like summa cum laude or research.

Awards:

  • Outstanding Dissertation Award, University of California, Berkeley | 2021
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship | 2018-2021
  • Dean’s Award for Research Excellence, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 2017

7. Teaching Experience

This part of academic CV template should provide details about courses you’ve taught or assisted with, including your responsibilities and key contributions.

8. Research Experience

Describe your involvement in research projects, highlighting the methodologies you’ve used, the outcomes, and your specific role in each one.

Research Fellow, "Economic Modeling of Water Usage in Agriculture"

University of California, Berkeley | 2019-2021

  • Conducted statistical analysis and developed econometric models to evaluate the impact of water policies on farm productivity.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to prepare findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Research Assistant, "Drought Mitigation Strategies in the Midwest"

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 2016-2017

  • Analyzed agricultural production data to assess the effectiveness of government drought relief programs.
  • Assisted in writing reports that were presented to policymakers and stakeholders.

9. Professional Service

If you’ve been involved in academic committees or other scholarly service, include that information here. These positions reflect your commitment to your field beyond research and teaching.

Example:

  • Reviewer, Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy | 2020-Present
  • Member, Committee on Sustainability, University of California, Berkeley | 2019-Present
  • Co-Organizer, Annual Conference on Climate Change and Agriculture, Chicago, IL | 2020

10. Skills

In this section, add the technical, methodological, and language abilities that support your academic work. Mention software, tools, or techniques that are relevant to your industry.

  • Data Analysis: R, Stata, SPSS
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS): ArcGIS, QGIS
  • Statistical Techniques: Regression analysis, time series forecasting
  • Languages: Fluent in English and Spanish; basic proficiency in French

11. References

Provide contact details for at least two academic or professional references. Be sure to get permission from this person before sharing their information.

Dr. Sarah Miller, Professor of Environmental Economics, University of California, Berkeley

sarah.miller@berkeley.edu

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Academic CV examples

Scientific academic CV template

Professor academic CV sample

Dr. Emma Watson
New York City, NY | emma.watson@university.edu | (123) 456-7890 | www.emmawatsonresearch.com

Experienced professor specializing in Modern History with a focus on European intellectual movements and their impact on contemporary society. Proven track record in research, teaching, and publishing.

Education

  • PhD in History, University of Oxford | 2008
  • MA in European History, University of London | 2004
  • BA in History, University of Edinburgh | 2002

Academic Experience

Professor of History

Columbia University, New York, NY | 2015–Present

  • Lead undergraduate and graduate courses on Modern European History and Global Politics, focusing on historical developments and their modern-day implications.
  • Develop and implement a new curriculum designed to deepen students' understanding of 20th-century European intellectual history through engaging lectures and discussions.
  • Published over 15 peer-reviewed articles on subjects such as nationalism, identity, and the effects of political ideologies.
  • Supervise and mentor 10+ graduate students on their dissertation projects, providing constructive feedback and professional guidance.

Assistant Professor of History

University of California, Berkeley, CA | 2010–2015

  • Taught undergraduate and graduate courses covering various aspects of Modern European History and its cultural, political, and economic impacts.
  • Mentored undergraduate students on independent research projects, fostering their development in critical thinking and academic writing.
  • Published key research articles that contributed to the understanding of political ideology and historical narratives across Europe.

Selected Publications

  • Watson, E. (2022). The Politics of Memory in Post-War Europe. Cambridge University Press.
  • Watson, E. (2019). "Nationalism and Its Discontents: Revisiting the European Crisis." Journal of European History, 34(2), 98-115.

Professional Service

  • Reviewer for European Historical Review
  • Member of the Modern History Advisory Board, Columbia University
  • Chair of the History Department, Columbia University (2020-2023)

Lecturer academic CV template

Scholarship academic CV example

Dr. John Harris
Los Angeles, CA | john.harris@education.org | (987) 654-3210

Scholarly researcher focused on interdisciplinary studies in environmental science and sustainable development. Adept in managing large-scale research projects and fostering international collaborations.

Education

  • PhD in Environmental Science, Stanford University | 2017
  • Master of Environmental Policy, University of California, Berkeley | 2013
  • BS in Biology, University of Washington | 2010

Research Experience

Research Fellow

Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC | 2021–Present

  • Lead and manage multi-disciplinary studies on the long-term effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems, collaborating with teams across the globe to ensure high-quality, impactful research.
  • Developed and implemented innovative research strategies to monitor environmental changes, securing over $2 million in funding for major projects.
  • Authored numerous research papers focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and policy recommendations aimed at reducing environmental damage.
  • Foster international collaborations with research organizations and governmental bodies to address global environmental challenges.

Graduate Research Assistant

Stanford University, Stanford, CA | 2013–2017

  • Conducted extensive field and laboratory research on the effects of water pollution on aquatic species, contributing valuable data to the scientific community.
  • Published key research articles on water conservation and environmental health, presented at global environmental conferences.
  • Assisted in organizing an international sustainability conference, facilitating discussions between policy-makers, researchers, and educators.

Honors & Awards

  • 2022 Outstanding Research Award, Environmental Protection Agency
  • 2018 Global Scholar Fellowship, Stanford University
  • 2015 Best Paper Award, Journal of Environmental Sustainability

Skills & Methods

  • Advanced data analysis (SPSS, R, GIS)
  • Fluent in English, Spanish, and French
  • Strong background in fieldwork and remote sensing technologies

Sample academic CV template for assistant faculty position

Faculty academic CV template

Dr. Aisha Karim
Chicago, IL | aisha.karim@university.edu | (312) 555-1234 | www.aishakarimresearch.com

Dedicated educator and researcher in the field of Computational Neuroscience, with an emphasis on machine learning applications for neurological disorders. Skilled at leading research teams and developing innovative, interdisciplinary projects.

Education

  • PhD in Computational Neuroscience, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 2016
  • MS in Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois | 2012
  • BS in Computer Science, University of Chicago | 2009

Teaching Experience

Associate Professor of Computational Neuroscience

University of Chicago, Chicago, IL | 2021–Present

  • Design and teach graduate-level courses on computational models of the brain, incorporating hands-on lab experiences and real-world case studies to deepen student learning.
  • Lead interdisciplinary workshops and seminars that bridge neuroscience, AI, and machine learning, fostering collaboration between students from diverse academic backgrounds.
  • Supervise 12 doctoral students in their research projects, guiding them through the complexities of neurological disease modeling and innovative technology applications.
  • Receive outstanding teaching evaluations (average rating 4.9/5), reflecting a commitment to engaging students and fostering critical thinking.

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL | 2016–2021

  • Developed cutting-edge algorithms for analyzing and interpreting brain imaging data, enhancing the precision of neurological disorder diagnosis.
  • Delivered lectures and led hands-on workshops on the integration of machine learning and neuroscience, creating opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning.
  • Co-authored influential papers on the use of machine learning to model neurological conditions, significantly contributing to advancements in the field.

Research & Grants

  • Principal Investigator, Brain-Computer Interface Development for ALS Patients, NIH Grant, 2023–Present.
  • Co-Investigator, Machine Learning for Early Alzheimer's Detection, NSF Grant, 2018–2022.
  • Research collaboration with Harvard University on cognitive disorders and machine learning.

Selected Publications

  • Karim, A., et al. (2023). "Advances in AI for Neurological Disorder Prediction." Journal of Neural Engineering, 29(3), 234-250.
  • Karim, A., & Shah, R. (2020). "Optimizing Brain-Computer Interfaces with Deep Learning." IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 67(5), 982-993.

Conclusion

Using an academic CV template allows you to present your qualifications in the most organized and impactful way possible.

By following a clear structure and focusing on your achievements, you can create a document that truly reflects your expertise and dedication to the field.

Whether you are a seasoned researcher or just starting your career, a strong academic curriculum vitae will be an invaluable asset in your job search.

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