Academic Scholar CV Template
A comprehensive academic CV template perfect for researchers, professors, and academic professionals.
Template Features
- ATS-Friendly
- Research Focus
- Academic Format
- Publication Ready
Perfect For
- Researchers
- Professors
- PhD candidates
- Academic professionals
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About This Template
The Academic Scholar CV template follows the conventions of academic curriculum vitae formatting used across universities, research institutions, and scholarly organisations worldwide. Unlike industry CVs, academic CVs are expected to be comprehensive documents that grow throughout your career, covering publications, conference presentations, research grants, teaching experience, supervision records, and professional service. This template is structured according to the expectations of appointment committees, grant review panels, and tenure evaluation boards. It is suitable for postdoctoral researchers, lecturers, associate professors, and full professors across all disciplines. The template also works well for PhD candidates applying for their first academic positions, with sections that highlight research potential and teaching philosophy alongside publications and conference activity.
Why Use This Template
Follows international academic CV conventions accepted across universities worldwide
Comprehensive sections for publications, grants, teaching, supervision, and service
Structured for appointment committees, tenure review boards, and grant applications
Scalable format that grows with your academic career from PhD to full professor
How to Customise This Template
- 1
List publications using the citation style standard in your discipline (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard). Separate peer-reviewed journal articles from book chapters, conference papers, and working papers.
- 2
Include your h-index, citation count, and ORCID iD if you are in a field where bibliometrics matter (STEM, social sciences).
- 3
Describe research grants with the funding body, project title, your role (PI, Co-PI, Co-I), total value, and duration.
- 4
Include a teaching section with courses taught, student evaluation scores (if strong), and any teaching awards or innovations.
Industry-Specific Advice
Academic hiring processes vary by discipline and country. STEM fields place heavy emphasis on publication record, impact factor of journals, and research funding secured. Humanities and social sciences value monograph publications, edited volumes, and public engagement alongside journal articles. Teaching-focused institutions prioritise student evaluations, curriculum development, and pedagogical innovation. For postdoctoral applications, emphasise your research trajectory and future plans. For lectureships, balance research and teaching evidence. Always include a research statement and teaching philosophy as separate documents alongside this CV.
Formatting & Presentation Guide
Academic CVs have no page limit — comprehensiveness is expected. However, organise content with clear section headings so readers can navigate directly to areas of interest. Use reverse chronological order within each section. Include exact dates for all positions and grants. For early-career researchers, 3–5 pages is typical; for senior academics, 10–20+ pages is normal. Use a clean, readable font (Times New Roman or Garamond) at 11–12pt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is an academic CV different from an industry CV?
Academic CVs are comprehensive records of your scholarly career with no page limit. They include publications, grants, teaching, supervision, service, and conference activity. Industry CVs are concise (1–2 pages) and focus on skills and achievements relevant to a specific role.
Should I include papers under review or in preparation?
You can include a section for 'Under Review' and 'In Preparation' papers, but clearly label them. Some appointment committees count only published or accepted works, so separating these prevents any confusion.
When should I start using this academic CV format?
Start during your PhD. Even with few publications, the structured format shows you understand academic conventions. Begin with education, research experience, conference presentations, and any teaching or mentoring activities.
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