phd and postdoc cv template
Why Your PhD CV Matters More Than You Think
When you apply for a PhD, your CV is not just paperwork—it’s your story. It tells admissions committees, supervisors, and scholarship boards who you are as a researcher, what you’ve accomplished, and where you’re heading.
A well-written CV can be the difference between getting lost in the pile or catching someone’s eye. Think of it as your chance to say, “Here’s why I’m the right person for this opportunity.”
CV or Résumé: Which One Do You Need?
It’s easy to get confused. Many people use CV and résumé as if they mean the same thing, but for PhD applications, they don’t.
A résumé is short—one to two pages—focused on jobs and quick highlights.
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is much fuller. It digs into your education, research, teaching, and academic impact.
For almost all PhD programs, what they want to see is the CV.
What to Include in Your PhD CV
So, what makes a strong PhD CV? Here are the essentials:
Education: List your degrees, universities, and thesis/dissertation titles.
Research Experience: Projects you’ve worked on, labs, and collaborations.
Publications & Conferences: Journal articles, posters, talks, or papers.
Teaching: Any tutorials, lectures, or mentoring you’ve done.
Skills & Awards: Technical abilities, languages, scholarships, or honors.
These sections paint the picture of you not just as a student, but as a researcher in the making.
Free PhD CV Samples You Can Use
Sometimes it’s easier to see how others have done it. That’s why we’ve gathered 10 real, free PhD CV samples. These examples show exactly how successful applicants structured their stories. Browse them, borrow ideas, and adapt what fits your journey.
Choosing the Right CV Template for Your Field
Not all CVs are created equal—and they shouldn’t be. An engineering PhD CV will naturally look different from one in literature.
In STEM, research projects, lab work, and publications usually take center stage.
In the humanities, teaching, writing, and conferences matter more.
In social sciences, methodology, fieldwork, and research impact shine through.
The key is to choose a template that highlights what matters most in your field.
Mistakes That Hold Applicants Back
Even strong candidates make common mistakes. Here are a few to watch out for:
Adding irrelevant jobs just to fill space.
Writing vague lines like “worked on a project” instead of showing results.
Overloading the CV with dense text.
Forgetting to include your latest achievements.
The best CVs are clear, specific, and updated.
Tailoring Your CV for Each Application
Here’s a secret: the CV that lands you a scholarship might not be the same one that wins over a PhD supervisor or an industry recruiter. Each audience looks for different things:
Scholarships: They love to see awards, honors, and academic excellence.
Supervisors: They focus on your research fit—methods, topics, and publications.
Industry: They’ll be more interested in transferable skills and impact.
This is where ApplyKite AI can save you hours. You can generate a tailored CV in just one click—fine-tuned for scholarships, supervisors, or even postdoc jobs.
How ApplyKite AI Helps You Build a Better CV
Editing your CV for every opportunity can be exhausting. ApplyKite AI makes it effortless by:
Highlighting your most relevant achievements.
Structuring everything in a professional format.
Suggesting the right keywords that committees and recruiters expect.
It’s like having a mentor look over your CV every single time.
Final Thoughts: Your CV as Your Academic Story
At the end of the day, your CV isn’t just a record of what you’ve done—it’s your academic journey on paper. Keep it clean, keep it focused, and make sure it reflects who you are as a researcher.
And remember: every PhD supervisor or scholarship committee wants to know, “Why you?” Your CV is your chance to answer that with confidence.