How to Write a PhD CV

You’ll usually need to write an academic CV as part of your PhD application. Unlike a traditional CV, an academic CV focuses intensely on your academic accomplishments, research experience, and scholarly contributions. It’s usually two to four pages long and includes sections like publications, research and teaching experience, funding, and professional society memberships.

Writing a PhD CV can feel daunting, especially given its importance and the specific requirements it entails. In this comprehensive guide, I'll explore how to write a compelling PhD CV — with detailed examples and actionable advice to help you stand out.

A PhD CV is a thorough representation of your scholarly journey and potential to contribute to your chosen field of study. There are some sections, similar to a standard CV, you must include in your academic PhD CV. There are also some additional sections that are unique to an academic CV. Let's have a look at both.

Sections similar to a standard CV

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. 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.

Additional sections for an academic CV

This section, often found at the top of your CV, should provide a brief summary of your research experience and interests. Tailor it to the specific PhD programme by addressing the project or job description directly. A well-crafted personal profile can set the tone for the rest of your CV.

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 this section – it should be fairly clear from your research experience.

List any journal articles, books (or chapters), reports and patents in reverse chronological order. Highlight your name if you are one of many authors. This section demonstrates your ability to contribute original research to your field.

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

Detail all relevant research projects, including your current research. Describe the projects clearly, listing the skills and experiences gained. Mention supervisors and highlight any impressive aspects. This section is crucial as it shows your hands-on experience and technical abilities.

Include any teaching or mentoring roles you've undertaken, indicating the level of students and any additional responsibilities, such as planning or grading. Teaching experience is often highly valued in academic settings as it shows your ability to disseminate knowledge effectively.

List any competitive grants, scholarships, fellowships or bursaries you’ve received. This demonstrates your ability to secure competitive funding — a key skill in academia. Highlighting these achievements can significantly bolster your application.

Being actively involved in professional societies shows commitment to your field of study. Ensure you include dates of membership. Active participation in these societies can also provide networking opportunities and demonstrate your engagement with the academic community.

Always check the application requirements for the number of referees needed. Typically, provide at least two academic references who can vouch for your competence and potential. Choose referees who know your work well and can speak to your specific qualifications and achievements.

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).

Infographic: Writing a PhD CV

• Professional and up-to-date: Ensure the CV is professional, up-to-date and tailored to the specific PhD program you’re applying for. Regularly update your CV to include new research, publications and academic achievements.
• Reverse-chronological order: Present information in reverse-chronological order, starting with the most recent activities. This approach makes it easier for reviewers to see your latest work and progress.
• Focus on relevance: Highlight experiences and accomplishments relevant to the PhD programme. Tailoring each section to align with the specific requirements and interests of the programme can significantly increase your chances of success.
• Concise and clear: Despite the potential for length, aim for clarity and conciseness. Avoid overly verbose descriptions and ensure that essential information is easily accessible.

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 my tips for producing a great academic CV:

• Make it clear and scannable: Ensure all information is easy to find at a glance. Use clear headings, bullet points and avoid splitting sections across two pages. A well-organised CV will make a better impression.
• Proofread and seek feedback: Have multiple people review your CV to catch potential errors and improve clarity. It’s particularly useful to receive feedback from someone experienced in your field.
• Avoid redundancy: Do not duplicate information already present in your cover letter, research proposal or personal statement. Each document should provide unique insights into your qualifications and ambitions.
• Tailor to each application: Customise each CV to align with the specific requirements of the PhD programme or project description. Highlight the experiences and skills most relevant to each unique opportunity.
• Correct formatting: Use consistent fonts and styles, avoid jargon, and submit your CV in PDF format to prevent formatting issues. Proper formatting ensures that your CV looks polished and professional.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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