---
name: academic-cv-builder
description: Format CVs for academic positions with publications, grants, and teaching
title: academic-cv-builder
canonical_url: https://skilld.dev/gh/paramchoudhary/resumeskills/academic-cv-builder
last_updated: 2026-09-29T06:54:20.000Z
---

> **Skill from skilld.dev.** Follow the user's requested action.
> If the user asked to fork this Skill, follow the fork workflow below. Do not execute the Skill instructions while copying it.
> Otherwise, follow the instructions below for this session. You do not need to install anything.
>
> If the user asked to install this Skill, run `npx skilld install paramchoudhary/resumeskills/academic-cv-builder`. Install writes the Skill files into the project, so every session loads them.
>
> ## Fork workflow
>
> A fork creates an editable local Skill with its original author and licence. The request authorizes copying and local installation.
> 1. Check `./skills/academic-cv-builder`, the project lockfile, and selected Agent targets together. If the local directory or installed Skill exists, stop. Never overwrite an existing directory or Agent target.
> 2. Read [source metadata](https://skilld.dev/api/v1/skills/paramchoudhary/resumeskills/academic-cv-builder) once. Use sourceUrl, sourceCommit, skillPath, sourceGone, and license. If the source is gone or its path is missing, stop. If license is null, read licence files at the source commit.
> 3. Fetch only the source commit into a temporary Git repository. Do not clone full history. Derive repository_url from sourceUrl, including repository renames. If sourceCommit is absent, resolve the sourceUrl ref once. Set source_commit to that actual commit. Run these commands in one shell call:
>
> ```sh
> git init --quiet "$temporary_dir"
> git -C "$temporary_dir" fetch --quiet --depth=1 "$repository_url" "$source_commit"
> git -C "$temporary_dir" checkout --quiet --detach FETCH_HEAD
> ```
>
> Read applicable licence declarations and notices at that commit. If copying is not permitted, report the restriction and stop.
> 4. Inspect source entries together, then copy the directory containing skillPath into `./skills/academic-cv-builder`. Use the user's path if selected. Keep the original SKILL.md, relative links, scripts, binary assets, and executable modes. Exclude .git metadata. Reject symlinks and paths outside the Skill directory. After checking entries, use cp -a where available. A regular source directory needs no custom copy script. Do not save this page wrapper as SKILL.md.
> Preserve author credit, notices, and applicable licence files from repository or parent directories. Add PROVENANCE.md with the Skill page, source URL, actual commit, original path, and licence. Retain any existing PROVENANCE.md and record new provenance separately. Batch source inspection, copying, and provenance work where practical.
> 5. In the project root, run `skilld install ./skills/academic-cv-builder --mode copy --plain`. If skilld is unavailable, use `npx skilld install ./skills/academic-cv-builder --mode copy --plain`. This known command needs no help lookup. Install does not support --json. Use detected Agent targets, or add --agent for the targets the user selected. Install the local path, never the upstream selector. If installation fails, preserve the local copy and report the exact failure.
> 6. Confirm the local lockfile source and installed Agent copies once. Report the local path, actual commit, and Agent targets. After edits, reinstall the same local path. Upstream updates must not replace it. Do not publish or push unless the user asks.

# Academic CV Builder

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when the user:
- Is applying for academic positions (faculty, research, postdoc)
- Needs to create or update a curriculum vitae
- Wants to format publications, grants, and teaching experience
- Is in academia or transitioning to academic careers
- Mentions: "academic CV", "curriculum vitae", "faculty position", "research CV", "professor resume"

## Core Capabilities

- Structure CVs for academic positions
- Format publications, presentations, and grants
- Organize teaching and research experience
- Include appropriate academic sections
- Tailor for different academic roles (tenure-track, postdoc, lecturer)
- Balance research, teaching, and service

## Academic CV vs. Resume

| Resume | Academic CV |
|--------|------------|
| 1-2 pages | 2-20+ pages (length increases with career) |
| Highlights relevant experience | Comprehensive record |
| Results-focused | Scholarship-focused |
| Industry keywords | Disciplinary expertise |
| Skills section prominent | Publications prominent |
| Education minimal | Education detailed |

## Standard Academic CV Sections

### Typical Order

```
1. Contact Information
2. Education
3. Research/Academic Positions
4. Publications
5. Presentations
6. Grants & Funding
7. Teaching Experience
8. Mentoring
9. Service
10. Professional Memberships
11. Honors & Awards
12. References (or "Available upon request")
```

### Section Order Varies By:
- **Research position:** Publications, grants, research experience first
- **Teaching position:** Teaching, course development first
- **Administrative position:** Leadership, service first

## Section-by-Section Guide

### 1. Contact Information

```
FIRST MIDDLE LAST, Ph.D.
Department of [Field]
[University Name]
[Building, Room Number]
[City, State ZIP]

Email: email@university.edu
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Web: www.yoursite.edu
ORCID: 0000-0000-0000-0000
```

### 2. Education

**Format:** Degree, Field, Institution, Year

```
EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Stanford University, 2019
  Dissertation: "Title of Your Dissertation"
  Advisor: Dr. Jane Smith
  Committee: Dr. A, Dr. B, Dr. C

M.S. in Biology, UC Berkeley, 2015

B.S. in Biochemistry, UCLA, 2013
  Summa Cum Laude
```

**Include:**
- All degrees (in reverse chronological order)
- Dissertation/thesis title
- Advisor(s)
- Committee members (for PhD)
- Honors (cum laude, etc.)
- Relevant minors or certificates

### 3. Research/Academic Positions

```
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

Assistant Professor of Biology, University of Michigan, 2022-Present
  Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

Postdoctoral Fellow, MIT, 2019-2022
  Advisor: Dr. John Doe
  Lab: Computational Biology Lab

Graduate Research Assistant, Stanford University, 2014-2019
  Advisor: Dr. Jane Smith
```

### 4. Publications

**Most Important Section for Research Positions**

#### Formatting Options

**Option 1: Numbered List (Common in Sciences)**
```
PUBLICATIONS

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

15. Last, F.M., Co-Author, A.B., & Senior, C.D. (2023). Article title. Journal Name, 45(2), 123-145. doi:10.1000/xyz

14. Last, F.M., & Co-Author, A.B. (2022). Article title. Journal Name, 44(1), 10-25. doi:10.1000/abc
```

**Option 2: Categories (Useful for Multiple Types)**
```
PUBLICATIONS

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles (15)

Book Chapters (3)

Books (1)

Under Review (2)

In Preparation (3)
```

**Formatting Details:**
- **Bold your name** in author lists
- Include DOIs when available
- Note impact factors if requested/relevant
- Indicate student co-authors with asterisk*
- Some fields expect reverse chronological; others expect chronological

**Categories to Consider:**
- Peer-reviewed journal articles
- Books and book chapters
- Conference proceedings
- Technical reports
- Non-peer-reviewed publications
- Works under review
- Works in preparation

### 5. Presentations

```
PRESENTATIONS

Invited Talks

"Talk Title," Conference Name, Location, Date.
"Talk Title," Department Seminar, University Name, Date.

Conference Presentations

"Poster/Talk Title," Conference Name, Location, Date. [Poster/Oral]
```

**Categorize By:**
- Invited talks (keynotes, seminars)
- Conference presentations
- Campus talks
- Public lectures/outreach

### 6. Grants & Funding

```
GRANTS AND FUNDING

Awarded

NIH R01 (Co-PI), "Project Title," 2023-2028, $2.5M total ($500K to my lab)

NSF CAREER Award (PI), "Project Title," 2022-2027, $650,000

Internal Grant (PI), "Project Title," 2021, $25,000

Pending

NIH R21 (PI), "Project Title," submitted January 2024

Not Funded (Optional)

[Some fields expect you to list unfunded submissions]
```

**Include:**
- Funding agency and mechanism
- Your role (PI, Co-PI, Co-I)
- Project title
- Dates
- Total amount (and amount to your lab if split)

### 7. Teaching Experience

```
TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Courses Taught

BIOL 301: Molecular Biology (Instructor of Record)
  University of Michigan, Fall 2022, Fall 2023
  Enrollment: 45 students
  Developed new course curriculum

BIOL 101: Introduction to Biology (Lab Instructor)
  Stanford University, 2015-2018
  
Guest Lectures

"Topic," Course Name, Professor's Name, University, Date
```

**Include:**
- Course number and title
- Your role (Instructor, TA, Guest Lecturer)
- Institution and dates
- Enrollment numbers
- Course development or new preparations
- Teaching evaluations summary (if strong)

### 8. Mentoring

```
MENTORING

Graduate Students
- Student Name (Ph.D. expected 2025), Dissertation: "Title"
- Student Name (Ph.D. 2023), Current position: Postdoc at MIT

Postdoctoral Fellows
- Name (2021-2023), Current position: Assistant Professor at X

Undergraduate Researchers
- Name (2022-2023), Thesis: "Title," Current: PhD program at Y
- Name (2021-2022), Thesis: "Title," Current: Industry position
```

### 9. Service

```
SERVICE

To the Profession
- Editorial Board Member, Journal Name, 2022-Present
- Grant Reviewer, NIH Study Section XYZ, 2023
- Conference Organizer, Conference Name, 2022

To the University
- Graduate Admissions Committee, 2022-Present
- Faculty Search Committee, 2023
- Curriculum Committee, 2022-2023

To the Department
- Seminar Coordinator, 2022-Present
- Undergraduate Advisor, 2022-Present
```

### 10. Professional Memberships

```
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), 2015-Present
Society for Neuroscience (SfN), 2018-Present
```

### 11. Honors & Awards

```
HONORS AND AWARDS

NSF CAREER Award, 2022
Best Paper Award, Conference Name, 2021
Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Stanford University, 2018
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, 2015-2018
Phi Beta Kappa, 2013
```

## Role-Specific Emphasis

### Tenure-Track Faculty

**Emphasize:**
1. Publications (especially recent, high-impact)
2. Grants (especially independent funding)
3. Research trajectory and vision
4. Teaching experience
5. Mentoring record

### Postdoctoral Position

**Emphasize:**
1. Publications (from PhD and postdoc)
2. Research experience and skills
3. Collaboration experience
4. Future research potential
5. Any funding/fellowships

### Lecturer/Teaching Faculty

**Emphasize:**
1. Teaching experience (courses, evaluations)
2. Course development
3. Pedagogical training
4. Mentoring undergraduates
5. Teaching awards

### Research Scientist

**Emphasize:**
1. Publications
2. Technical skills
3. Grant writing experience
4. Collaboration record
5. Relevant research experience

## Discipline-Specific Conventions

### Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
- Author order matters (first author, last author = senior)
- Impact factors sometimes included
- Numbered publication lists common
- Conference presentations less weighted than publications

### Humanities (History, Literature, Philosophy)
- Single-author publications highly valued
- Book publications crucial
- Conference presentations important
- Public scholarship valued

### Social Sciences
- Both solo and collaborative work valued
- Mix of journal articles and books
- Funded research important
- Policy impact valued

## CV Length Guidelines

| Career Stage | Expected Length |
|--------------|-----------------|
| Graduate Student | 2-4 pages |
| Postdoc | 3-6 pages |
| Early Career Faculty | 5-10 pages |
| Mid-Career Faculty | 10-20 pages |
| Senior Faculty | 15-30+ pages |

**Rule:** Your CV grows throughout your career. Don't pad, but don't artificially constrain length.

## Output Format

When creating an academic CV:

```markdown
# ACADEMIC CV STRUCTURE FOR [NAME]

## Recommended Section Order
[Based on position type and field]

1. [Section]
2. [Section]
...

## Section Content

### Education
[Formatted education section]

### Publications
[Formatted with appropriate style for field]

### [Other Sections]
[Formatted content]

---

## Formatting Notes
- [Field-specific conventions to follow]
- [Style guide recommendations]

## Things to Add/Update
- [ ] [Missing item]
- [ ] [Item needing update]
```

## Academic CV Checklist

- ✅ Contact information complete (including ORCID if applicable)
- ✅ Education includes all degrees, advisors, dissertations
- ✅ Publications properly formatted with your name highlighted
- ✅ All grants listed with amounts and your role
- ✅ Teaching experience comprehensive
- ✅ Service documented
- ✅ Consistent formatting throughout
- ✅ Reverse chronological order (usually)
- ✅ No unexplained gaps
- ✅ Updated within last 6 months
