UCL CAREERS
The
Academic
CV
Dr Calum Leckie
Careers Consultant
UCL Careers
UCL CAREERS
WHAT WE WILL COVER
• What academic recruiters are looking for
• Example academic CVs
• Common elements and key principles
UCL CAREERS
Key achievements & types of experience you would
expect to see on a PhD graduate CV
First author paper(s) (book) published / in press, high impact:
31
Strong in relevant methods, in depth knowledge & understanding of
topic / project 18
Conference presentations (national & International): 16
A well recognised host research group & / or high profile referee: 8
Prizes / awards / some grant experience: 7
Evidence of independent thought & work: 7
Non research activities (e.g. event organising, public engagement): 6
PhD completed on – time / promptly: 4
Previous academic excellence (first degree, masters): 4
Teaching: 4
Evidence of Transferable skills: 4
UCL CAREERS
Key achievements & types of experience you would
expect to see on a CV for a Lectureship application
Substantive publication record /good journals
Teaching & mentoring experience
Research vision & plans
Fellowship & / or funding success
Administrative / Departmental experience
Independent work / ideas
Leadership
Conference presentations
Impact on field; UK & International
21
13
7
7
4
3
3
2
1
UCL CAREERS
UCL CAREERS
EXAMPLE #1
DOCTORAL GRADUATE
Application for postdoctoral research
position
UCL CAREERS
UCL CAREERS
• Clear headings &
subheadings
• Consistent
Formatting
• More than two page
UCL CAREERS
EXAMPLE # 2
RESEARCH FELLOW
Containing a ‘Research Interests’
section
UCL CAREERS
UCL CAREERS
UCL CAREERS
LECTURER
Example of an Online Academic CV.
Considerable experience showing a range of
professional activities
http://marcodavare.weebly.com/cv.html
UCL CAREERS
Suggested CV Structure
Note: The Emphasis & order of the sections below could be changed
depending on the job (research focus or teaching focus)
PERSONAL DETAILS – name, contact details beneath. Other personal
details optional
EDUCATION – Summarised & Reverse chronological order. Include name of
doctoral supervisor & funding body (PhDs)
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE – Aims, methodology, key outcomes /
achievement. Level of responsibility. Collaborations.
•
RELEVANT TECHNICAL SKILLS (OPTIONAL)
Or RESEARCH / ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS (SUMMARY) followed by;
RESEARCH INTERESTS – Previous & current research: Methodologies &
approaches. Future research (unless separate research statement)
UCL CAREERS
AWARDS & FUNDING – e.g. travel grants, scholarship awards, research
grants - explain level of contribution (e.g. co-applicant), who funded, how
much.
PUBLICATIONS – Can use subheadings e.g. Journal articles, authored books,
conference proceedings, review articles, peer-reviewed
CONFERENCES – Indicate level of engagement e.g. invited speaker, poster.
TEACHING & SUPERVISION – e.g. student project supervision, tutor groups,
public engagement & outreach, formal lectures. Later in career – course
design, teaching methods, peer review & student feedback
DISCIPLINE / EXPERIENCE DEPENDENT SECTIONS
• PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT / OUTREACH
• PATENTS / IP
• INDUSTRY / NON ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS
• PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES e.g. Editorial work
UCL CAREERS
RELEVANT TRAINING
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE – emphasise ‘Transferable skills’ relevant to
research e.g. generating ideas, critical thinking, analysis, problem solving
ADMIN EXP – e.g. committee memberships, seminars organiser, events
experience (later – invigilation, exam marking, admissions)
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES
OTHER INTERESTS?
Most do not include a section on extracurricular activities, personal interests or
hobbies
REFEREES
•Names and contact details for at least three academic referees (PhDs)
•Ideally one of them your project supervisor
•Think of academic reputation & relevance for post
UCL CAREERS
Personal feedback on your applications
Research Students
Thirty minute appointments
are available Tuesdays from
10 am - 12 noon and
Thursdays 2 - 4:30 pm
These are bookable online
up to 7 days in advance using
MyUCLCareers
www.ucl.ac.uk/careers/myuc
lcareers
Research Staff
Thirty minute appointments
are available every Monday, 2
- 4 pm and Wednesday 10 11:30am
They can be booked in
advance by phone on 020
7866 3600 or in person at UCL
Careers.
UCL CAREERS
UCL CAREERS
4th Floor ‘Student
Central’
Malet Street, WC1E 7HY
020 7866 3600
careers@ucl.ac.uk
www.ucl.ac.uk/careers/researchers