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PhD CV example

A CV for a PhD application shows a supervisor you are ready for research: your degrees and marks, your dissertation and what you found, the methods you can already use and anything you have presented. Put education first.

This example is a master's student applying for a funded studentship in environmental science.

Academic design1 page
PhD CV example: fictional example, page 1. Full text is available below.
Read the example as text
Hannah Okafor
MSc Environmental Science student
Norwich · 07700 900223 · hannah.okafor@example.com · orcid.org/0000-0000-0000-0000

Research interests

Freshwater ecology and nutrient pollution: how farm run-off changes the invertebrate life of chalk streams, measured with field sampling and eDNA. Applying for a funded PhD studentship in catchment science.

Education

MSc Environmental Science (Freshwater Systems), University of Wensum 2025–2026

Expected Distinction; current average 74%

Dissertation: Nitrate and invertebrate diversity in three Norfolk chalk streams (supervisor: Dr R. Lowe)

BSc (Hons) Biology, 2:1 (67%), University of Wensum 2022–2025

Dissertation: Mayfly larvae as indicators of fine sediment, 72%

Research experience

Field and lab work for the MSc dissertation 2026

Sampled invertebrates at 18 sites over four months and identified them to family level.

Ran nitrate and phosphate tests and analysed the results in R with mixed-effects models.

Research assistant (summer, paid), Broadland Rivers Trust 2025

Collected water samples for an eDNA survey and kept the sample log and chain of custody.

Presentations and teaching

Poster: Nitrate and chalk stream invertebrates, Postgraduate Research Day, University of Wensum | 2026

Demonstrator, first-year ecology practicals, 40 hours | 2025–2026

Research skills

Freshwater invertebrate sampling and identification

Water chemistry tests

R (tidyverse, lme4) and QGIS

Writing for reports and posters

Fictional example for a phd applicant. Every person and employer in it is invented. Replace every detail with your own.

What PhD supervisors look for, and where this CV shows it

The job asks you toWhere this CV shows it
A good degree in a relevant subjectA 2:1 in biology and an expected distinction in the MSc, with marks
Research or project experienceTwo dissertations and a paid summer post with a rivers trust
Skills in the project's methodsInvertebrate sampling, water chemistry and eDNA sampling
Data analysisMixed-effects models in R and mapping in QGIS
Communication of researchA conference poster and 40 hours of demonstrating

The left column is what funded PhD adverts commonly ask for; read the studentship you are applying for and use its person specification.

Facts checked against UK Research and Innovation: Support for UKRI-funded students on .

Inside this example
  • Research interests: 30 words here
  • Education: 50 words here
  • Research experience: 67 words here
  • Presentations and teaching: 24 words here
  • Research skills: 22 words here

How to write yours

01

Education first, with marks

Degree class, percentage and dissertation mark tell a supervisor more than a profile can.

02

Describe the dissertation as research

Give the question, the method and what you found in one or two lines.

03

Match the methods

If the project uses eDNA or a model, say how you have used it, even on a small scale.

04

Two pages are fine

An academic CV can run to two pages once you have papers or posters; this one fits on one.

Rules and checks for a PhD application CV

  • Where to apply. You cannot apply to UKRI for a studentship: you apply to the university or research organisation offering it (UK Research and Innovation).
  • Entry requirements. Each studentship sets its degree requirement and eligibility; quote your class or mark against it.
  • Referees. Applications usually ask for two academic referees. Ask them first and give their names on the form if it has a box for them.

Academic design: education and research lead, and the layout stretches to a second page as papers are added.

Help with your next edit

Education on a CV: UK Qualifications and Examples Awards and Achievements on a CV: What Counts and Where How Long Should a CV Be? UK Pages and What to Cut How to Write a UK Cover Letter: Template and Example

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