Academic CV Template: How to Write a CV for Academia & Research (2026)
Academic CVs follow different rules than business CVs. This guide covers the complete academic CV format — from PhD applications to full professorship — with templates and examples.
An academic CV is fundamentally different from a business CV. It's longer, more detailed, and includes sections that would be irrelevant in the corporate world. Getting the format wrong can cost you a position — even if your research credentials are excellent.
Academic CV Template
An academic CV (sometimes called a "curriculum vitae" in its original Latin sense) is a comprehensive document detailing your scholarly career. Unlike a business CV, there is no page limit.
The complete academic CV structure:
Length guidelines:
Key difference from business CVs:
In academia, comprehensiveness is valued. Every publication, every conference, every grant matters. Omitting items from your academic CV is unusual and can raise questions.
CV Resume Template
Understanding when to use a CV versus a resume — and how to create a template that works as both.
The CV vs. Resume distinction:
In everyday usage, especially outside the US, "CV" and "resume" are used interchangeably. But technically:
When the distinction matters:
| Situation | Use |
|---|---|
| UK/European job application | CV (1-2 pages) |
| US corporate job application | Resume (1 page preferred) |
| Academic position (anywhere) | Academic CV (no page limit) |
| International organization (UN, WHO) | CV |
| Medical position | CV (with registration details) |
| US federal government | Resume (can be longer) |
Creating a dual-purpose template:
The smartest approach is to maintain one master document with all your information, then create targeted versions for each application:
The modular template approach:
Structure your master document in modular sections that can be easily included, excluded, or reordered:
Section A: Contact Details (always include)
Section B: Professional Summary (customize per application)
Section C: Work Experience (select most relevant roles)
Section D: Education (always include)
Section E: Skills (customize to match job description)
Section F: Publications (include for academic, exclude for corporate)
Section G: Certifications (include when relevant)
Section H: Languages (include for international roles)
Section I: References (include for academic, "available upon request" for corporate)
Writing an Academic CV — Step by Step
Step 1: Start with publications
Your publication list is the centrepiece of your academic CV. Organize by type:
Formatting publications:
Step 2: Detail your teaching
For each course:
Step 3: Document grants and funding
For each grant:
Step 4: List academic service
Academic CV for Different Career Stages
PhD application CV:
Focus on: education, research interests, relevant coursework, any publications or conference presentations, research experience, language skills, academic references.
Keep it to 2-3 pages. If you have no publications yet, that's normal — emphasize your research proposal, methodology training, and any research assistantships.
Postdoc CV:
Focus on: publications (this is now your primary section), research interests, teaching experience, conference activity, methodological skills.
3-5 pages. Your publication list should be growing. Include papers under review and in preparation (clearly marked as such).
Lecturer / Assistant Professor CV:
Focus on: publications, grants secured, teaching portfolio, supervision record, academic service. Evidence of impact (citations, media coverage, policy influence).
5-8 pages. You need to show independence from your PhD supervisor and a developing research programme.
Full Professor CV:
Comprehensive document. Include everything: full publication list, all grants, complete teaching history, supervision record, editorial roles, keynote invitations, awards.
10-20+ pages is normal. Organize with clear section headings for navigability.
Academic CV vs. Business CV — Key Differences
| Feature | Academic CV | Business CV |
|---|---|---|
| Length | No limit | 2 pages max |
| Publications | Essential | Never included |
| Photo | Sometimes (varies) | No (UK/US) |
| References | Included (3-4) | "Available upon request" |
| Teaching | Detailed | Rarely mentioned |
| Grants | Listed with amounts | Not applicable |
| Personal statement | "Research Interests" | "Professional Summary" |
| Skills section | Research methods, software | Industry tools, soft skills |
| Format | Can be dense | Must be scannable |
| ATS optimization | Rarely needed | Critical |
Tips for Academic CV Success
Tip 1: Keep a running CV
Update your academic CV after every publication, conference, or grant. Don't try to reconstruct your career history from memory.
Tip 2: Use your field's citation format
If you're in psychology, use APA. English literature uses MLA. History uses Chicago. Using the wrong format signals you're an outsider.
Tip 3: Include impact metrics
If you have highly cited papers, mention it. If your research influenced policy, note it. If media covered your work, reference it.
Tip 4: Get feedback from your field
Ask a senior colleague or mentor to review your academic CV. Conventions vary between fields, and an insider's perspective is invaluable.
Tip 5: Don't pad with irrelevant experience
Your part-time retail job during undergrad doesn't belong on an academic CV (unless you're a business school researcher studying retail). Focus on academic and research activities.
Tip 6: Tailor for the specific position
Even in academia, tailoring matters. If you're applying for a teaching-focused role, move Teaching Experience higher. For a research position, lead with Publications and Grants.
Tip 7: Prepare different versions
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*Whether you're in academia or industry, SUAR helps you create the perfect CV for your target role. AI-powered analysis, ATS optimization, and expert formatting — tailored to your career level.*