So, your degree has wrapped up and you’re ready to take the next step in your academic journey and apply for a PhD. Whether you’re aiming to uncover groundbreaking discoveries or dive deep into your field, the first challenge is convincing the admissions panel you’re the one to watch.
Your CV isn’t just a list of what you’ve done; it’s a showcase of your academic journey, research experience, and potential for future contributions. This guide, complete with 2 PhD application CV examples, will help you craft a CV that stands out and gets you that coveted doctorate.
PhD Application CV example



Biology PhD Application CV



How to write your PhD Application CV
Learn how to create your own interview-winning PhD Application CV with this simple step-by-step guide.
A PhD CV needs to demonstrate your academic achievements, research experience, and passion for your field. A good CV is your chance to show the admissions committee that you’re prepared for the rigours of a doctoral program and capable of making a meaningful impact.
This guide will help you write a CV that highlights your education, research contributions, and academic potential, making you a strong candidate for any PhD program.
PhD Application CV structure
Your CV structure should be as meticulous as your research – well-organised, precise, and highlighting your most relevant achievements.
Here’s how to structure your PhD CV:
- Name and personal details – Place contact details at the top for easy access. Including a picture of yourself is optional and depends on the university’s preferences.
- Profile – Provide a concise summary of your academic interests, achievements, and aspirations.
- Core skills – Quickly highlight the technical and transferable skills you bring to the program.
- Work and research experience – Showcase your research projects, internships, or assistantships in reverse chronological order.
- Education – Emphasise your academic background, including degrees, awards, and relevant coursework in your CV.
- Additional info – You can optionally outline the hobbies or interests that reflect curiosity, dedication, or a well-rounded personality.
PhD Application CV format
A messy CV is like a thesis with no references – it might have good content, but no one’s taking it seriously. Keep it neat and professional, or risk being sent back to the drawing board. A clear and professional layout ensures the admissions panel focuses on your qualifications, not your CV format .
Here’s how to format your PhD CV effectively:
- Bullet points – Use concise lines to present your research, skills, and achievements clearly.
- Divide sections – Organise your CV with clear headings and consistent formatting.
- Use a clean font – Go for a professional font that’s easy to read, keeping the focus on your accomplishments.
- Keep it the right length – Two pages are ideal, but academic CVs can extend to three pages in length if you have extensive research or publications.
PhD Application CV profile
Think of your profile as the abstract of your CV – it’s your first chance to show the admissions panel why your research journey deserves a closer look. They receive countless applicants, so convey the benefits and value you’d bring them.
PhD Application CV profile examples
Profile 1
Dedicated researcher with a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and two years of experience in climate impact studies. Skilled in designing experiments, analysing large datasets, and publishing findings on ecosystem resilience in peer-reviewed journals. Seeking a PhD opportunity to investigate adaptive strategies for coastal ecosystems under rising sea levels, contributing to sustainable environmental management practices.
Profile 2
Passionate academic with a strong background in Computational Biology and Data Science, holding a Master’s degree from Greenfield University. Experienced in integrating machine learning algorithms with genomic data analysis to uncover insights into disease patterns. Eager to pursue a PhD focused on bioinformatics applications in personalised medicine to advance healthcare solutions.
What to include in your PhD Application CV profile
Here are some tips on what to put in your PhD CV profile:
- Academic background – Make sure to note your degrees, disciplines, and areas of focus.
- Research interests – Tell the recruiter which areas of study you’re passionate about and want to explore further.
- Relevant experience – Quickly mention internships, research projects, or assistant roles that prepared you for a PhD.
- Your aspirations – Highlight how the PhD aligns with your long-term academic or career goals.
- Notable achievements – Mention any awards, publications, or recognitions you’ve earned.
Core skills section
This section is like your lab notebook – packed with all the technical and transferable skills that prove you’re ready to tackle complex research and, occasionally, temperamental lab equipment.
Focus on the tools, methodologies, and soft skills that make you a well-rounded researcher. Make sure your CV skills are tailored towards the specific research area you’re going for.
Top skills for your PhD Application CV
- Research Proposal Development – Crafting compelling and well-structured research proposals that align with academic priorities and funding requirements.
- Literature Review Expertise – Identifying, evaluating, and synthesising existing research to establish a foundation for new studies.
- Quantitative and Qualitative Methods – Designing and applying robust methodologies to collect and analyse data effectively.
- Academic Writing – Producing high-quality research papers, dissertations, and journal articles following scholarly standards.
- Grant Application Writing – Preparing detailed and persuasive grant proposals to secure research funding from institutions or organisations.
- Data Analysis Tools – Proficiency in tools like SPSS, R, MATLAB, or NVivo to process and interpret research data.
- Presentation Skills – Delivering engaging academic presentations at conferences, seminars, and university lectures.
- Experiment Design – Planning and executing controlled experiments to test hypotheses and gather reproducible results.
- Peer Review – Providing constructive feedback on academic work as part of collaborative or journal review processes.
- Ethical Compliance – Ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines, including data privacy and informed consent, in all research activities.
Education section
The education section is your golden chance to flex those hard-earned qualifications (if your dissertation title has more words than your CV, you’re doing it right).
Include degrees, institutions, graduation dates, and relevant coursework. Mention any academic awards, scholarships, or distinctions. If you’ve completed a thesis or dissertation, provide its title and a brief description.
Always list qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
Example education sections
Education 1
PhD Application Pending
Research Focus: Machine learning applications in bioinformatics, particularly in protein structure prediction.
MSc in Computational Biology | University of Manchester | 2021-2023
Dissertation: “Developing Deep Learning Models for Genomic Sequence Analysis”
Key Modules: Advanced Bioinformatics, Machine Learning for Life Sciences, Statistical Modelling
Achievements: Published two conference papers on AI-based genomic tools and received Distinction for coursework.
BSc in Biomedical Science | University of Bristol | 2018-2021
Key Modules: Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Data Analysis in Biomedical Research
Achievements: Conducted a group research project on CRISPR applications, receiving top marks.
A-Levels | Westfield High School | 2016-2018
Subjects: Biology (A*), Chemistry (A), Mathematics (A)
GCSEs | Westfield High School | 2014-2016
10 GCSEs, including Mathematics (A*) and English (A).
Education 2
MSc in Environmental Science | University of Leeds | 2020-2021
Dissertation: “Green Infrastructure in Urban Design: Evaluating Ecosystem Services in UK Cities”
Key Modules: Climate Change Policy, Environmental Modelling, Advanced GIS Techniques
Achievements: Presented dissertation findings at a national environmental conference and received a First.
BSc in Geography | University of Exeter | 2017-2020
Key Modules: Urban Geography, Environmental Monitoring, Remote Sensing Applications
Achievements: Achieved top marks for a project on urban heat islands using satellite data.
3x A-Levels | Meadowfield College | 2015-2017
11x GCSEs | Meadowfield Academy | 2013-2015
What to include in your education section
For each qualification, add the following info:
- Qualification & organisation – State the name of the university or research institution where you acquired each qualification.
- Dates studied – Tell the recruiter the date you started and the date you finished, or the date you’re expected to complete the course.
- Extra details – The most recent and relevant of your qualifications should contain the most detail, exploring the key modules and projects which you feel make you a good fit for the role you’re applying for.
Best qualifications for PhD Applications
- Bachelor’s Degree– A foundational degree demonstrating expertise in your subject area.
- Master’s Degree – Advanced study and research preparation, often required for PhD entry.
- Research Assistantship – Hands-on experience in academic or industry research.
- Published Articles – Peer-reviewed publications showcasing your ability to contribute to academic discourse.
- Academic Conference Presentations – Demonstrates engagement with the research community and communication skills.
Work experience
Your work experience section shows that beyond your impressive academic background, you’re able to put your skills to the test in real-world settings. Whether you’ve worked on independent projects, assisted professors, or completed internships, this section should showcase your contributions to academia.
You might be low on experience – but that’s fine, just mention what you can: every minor role helps build the skills you’ll need to survive the trials of academia (and grant applications).
How to structure jobs
- Outline – Provide a brief description of the project, your role, and its relevance to your academic goals.
- Responsibilities – Highlight your key tasks, such as conducting experiments, analysing data, or writing papers.
- Achievements – Include measurable outcomes, like publications, presentations, or successful grant applications. Always list experiences in reverse chronological order.
Example jobs for PhD Application
Researcher | Molecular Dynamics Research Lab
Outline
Assisted in laboratory experiments focused on protein folding mechanisms and molecular interactions for a university biochemistry department. Supported senior researchers in conducting cutting-edge experiments related to drug discovery.
Responsibilities
- Prepared and maintained laboratory equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability of experiments.
- Assisted in running simulations and analysing results using molecular modelling software.
- Recorded and organised experimental data, contributing to published research on enzyme activity.
- Monitored inventory of lab supplies and ordered materials for ongoing projects.
- Collaborated with researchers to troubleshoot experimental protocols and improve methodologies.
Achievements
- Contributed to a study published in a peer-reviewed journal on protein-drug interactions.
- Reduced data processing time by 20 percent through efficient coding in Python.
- Praised by senior researchers for meticulous record-keeping and reliable experimental support.
Tutor | Department of Environmental Science, Greenfield University
Outline
Provided academic support to undergraduate students in environmental science courses, focusing on ecological systems and sustainability practices. Delivered lectures and facilitated learning for small groups to enhance student understanding.
Responsibilities
- Planned and conducted tutorials on ecosystem dynamics, conservation strategies, and climate adaptation.
- Assisted students in developing research proposals and interpreting scientific literature.
- Provided one-on-one mentorship to students struggling with course material or research methods.
- Marked assignments and provided constructive feedback to improve academic performance.
- Organised revision sessions to prepare students for exams, tailoring content to meet diverse learning needs.
Achievements
- Improved student performance by 25 percent through targeted tutoring sessions.
- Received outstanding feedback from students and faculty for engaging teaching methods.
- Developed supplementary materials that were adopted for departmental use in subsequent courses.
Additional info
The additional info section in a PhD applicant’s CV offers a chance to highlight experiences and achievements that reflect your academic curiosity, dedication, and well-rounded personality. This section can include extracurricular activities, volunteer work, memberships in academic societies, or awards outside of your core research.
It’s an optional section, but it’s particularly valuable for showcasing traits like leadership, collaboration, and a passion for lifelong learning – qualities that admissions panels appreciate.
Good additional info for PhD Applications
- Hobbies and interests – Include hobbies that demonstrate dedication, creativity, or skills transferable to research. For example, you might be a writer who blogs about academic topics or interdisciplinary interests.
- Languages – Demonstrate a fluency in a language for primary source analysis in historical research, for example, or for conducting interviews or fieldwork in international settings.
- Awards – Highlight any accolades from education, professional settings, or extracurricular activities. These showcase excellence and recognition, even outside academia.
- Professional memberships – Note memberships in academic or industry organisations, as they reflect your engagement with the research community and your field.
Additional info
Academic Societies and Memberships
- Member of the British Psychological Society – Engaged with industry-leading publications and attended annual conferences to stay updated on advancements in the field.
- Treasurer of the University Philosophy Society – Managed budgets for guest lectures and events, demonstrating organisational skills and financial responsibility.
Hobbies and Interests
- Amateur astronomer – Regularly participate in stargazing events and contribute to online astrophotography forums.
- Reading – Focus on non-fiction works related to social sciences and critical theory, expanding interdisciplinary knowledge.
- Marathon runner – Completed three half-marathons, demonstrating discipline and perseverance.
Awards and Achievements
- Recipient of the University Leadership Award – Acknowledged for leading a student initiative to enhance research collaboration across departments.
- Winner of the “Best Poster Presentation” at the 2022 Annual Research Symposium – Recognised for clear communication of complex research findings.