Academic CV Format: Sections for Students and Researchers

An academic CV is usually longer and more detailed than a job resume because it documents a scholarly record. Always check the department, fellowship, grant, or institution instructions first.

Common sections

Use contact details, education, research interests, appointments, publications, presentations, teaching, grants, awards, service, and relevant professional memberships when they apply. Put the sections most important to the opportunity first.

Describe contributions clearly

For research, explain your role, methods, subject area, and output. For teaching, include courses, audience, materials, and responsibilities. Use consistent citation and date formatting.

Keep it current

Review the CV before each application, remove outdated information when appropriate, and use a file name that includes your name and version. An academic CV should be complete, accurate, and easy for a committee to navigate.