Careers in academia
Advice and guidance on how to enter into the academic jobs market and how to develop your career from there.
- Why an academic career?
- Academic jobs: applying
- How to handle academic job interviews
- Academic jobs: CVs, cover letters, statement of interest
Pursuing an academic career
So, you’ve finished, or are coming to the end of your doctorate, and are considering building a career within academia.
On this page we’ll outline some information about applying for academic jobs, including CVs, research statements and interviews.
Why an academic career?
Careers within academia can be rewarding, but it can be challenging industry to secure a job in, and permanent and secure positions can be particularly competitive.
It is a good idea to reflect on your values when planning your career, and to explore the options that are available to you. You may want to find inspiration by reading how others have navigated the challenge of securing work within academia, or read our research findings on what researchers do after their doctorates.
Remember too, that there are many different types of career path within academia – make sure you check out what kind of career planning support is offered by your institution, you may be able to access workshops or one-to-one support from a specialist career advisor.
Being clear on what is driving you towards a career within academia will help when you come to search and apply for jobs.
What skills and experiences are required?
The skills and experience you need will depend on the type of job you are applying for. Many postdoctoral research or teaching and research roles are highly prized, and therefore, highly competitive. To give yourself a chance of success, you will likely need to have completed some of the following:
- Publications in well-recognised journals
- Experience of securing research funding
- Teaching experience, which includes designing, delivering, and evaluating degree level courses
- A profile within the academic community – this could be conferences as well as publications to raise your profile
- Project management skills required to deliver research projects
- International experience or other mobility
- Understanding the process of quality assessment in teaching and research
- Understanding of current issues in higher education
- A network of people who can support and advise you.
Not all of these experiences will be required for every role. Take a look at some job descriptions within your specialism to get an idea of what skills or experiences you may need to develop.
Before you apply to any position, become as informed as possible about the department and the research area. If you know anyone in the institution, try to reach out as many institutions often invite candidates to make contact informally about advertised posts before making applications. Talk to other academics and ask colleagues to review your application.
Where to look for jobs within academia:
Applying for jobs: CVs, cover letters, statements of research interest
Academic CVs
Unlike other types of CV, academic CVs should only be used for academic applications and follow a unique format. This format differs by having extra features such as:
- Publications your research has been included in
- Your research activities
- Funding awarded to you.
By this nature, academic CVs are longer than other types, however, try to keep them to maximum four pages.
Ask for feedback on your CV from careers advisors, your peers, mentors or other academics. Don’t apply to non-academic jobs with an academic CV.
Keep a professional development record for compiling your CV and include your education, work experiences paid and unpaid and your professional development.
General guidance for your academic CV:
- Tailor your academic CV for every application.
- Highlight your academic achievements and research interests, ensuring that your knowledge complements the research area you are applying to.
- Cut all jargon and write with clarity and conciseness. Spell out your qualifications and any other relevant information.
- Describe your contributions to publications, particularly highly regarded ones. Don’t hold back in explaining your achievements!
- For publications information: include a reverse chronological list best presented as an appendix.
- Put research experience in reverse chronological order.
- For education, also put this in reverse chronological order. If appropriate, include the name of your doctoral supervisor and funding body.
- Funding: include awards for research projects or to attend meetings, conferences or prizes. If appropriate, include the amount of money allocated.
- Teaching experience: include lecturing, supervision, demonstrating curriculum development, seminar and group work, assessment etcetera. Especially include this if teaching is specified in the job description.
- Administrative experience: highlight any positions of responsibility, event and course organisation, committee membership etcetera.
- Professional qualifications: memberships of learned societies or professional bodies.
- Professional development activities, including any training undertaken.
- Conference and seminar attendance – highlight any invitations to present, provide papers or posters.
- References – details of two or three referees, at least two academic. Ask for permission first.
Academic cover letters
Always include a cover letter as a way to stand out of the crowd unless the job application says otherwise.
Give the organisation you are applying to what they are looking for – format your cover letter and CV correctly and think of who your audience will be.
Key points for great cover letters:
- Convey your enthusiasm, outline why you fit the job, and why you want to work in that department or research group
- Tailor the letter to the specific position and employer, do not use a generic letter as this could indicate a lack of interest
- Don’t repeat what is on your CV, instead expand upon how your skills match the job description
- Ensure the right tone, especially if you are applying for jobs internationally or across cultures, and check your spelling and grammar
- Label your cover letter and application documents with your name and the name of the role applied for, if you are sending your application by email
- Ensure you have a professional email address, and that your tone is always professional when emailing
Academic statements of research interest
In this statement, you need to include a proposal for future academic research and demonstrate how this builds on your current expertise and achievements. It forms the basis for discussions, and potentially for a presentation if you are invited to interview.
Tailor your statement of research interest to the specific role you are applying for – don’t generalise!
Ensure that there is a connection between your research and what your department already conducts research on.
Explain your research experience through the following:
- Aims
- Achievements
- Relevant techniques
- Your responsibilities
If possible, and appropriate, talk with people in the department you are applying to, as this will raise your profile and inform your thinking.
A note on cultural differences
When applying to institutions or organisations outside of your context, research what is required from them in terms of tone, understanding of academic qualifications (how they convert in different countries) and the expected processes for applying. Seek guidance from your university if you are unsure.
Academic job interviews
How to handle academic job interviews
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
It may sound a bit harsh, but the reality is that academic jobs are so competitive that your preparation for interviews must be thorough.
Your interview is most likely to be a panel interview with between two – ten interviewers. This may seem daunting, but ask for their names and research their careers thoroughly as a starting point to help you.
Preparation to do before your interview:
- Read recent papers from those nearest to your research area. Also read research papers that have come from the department you are applying for.
- Review the department’s website and staff list.
- Review the job description and the essential and desirable criteria and see how your skills match.
- Try to get first-hand experience from others of their experiences in academic job interviews.
- Try to practise in a mock-interview.
- Assess your capabilities and self-reflect so that you can answer any questions that may be asked.
On the day of the interview:
- Dress smartly as this will be a formal occasion
- Remember the interviewers’ names and use them during the interview, if appropriate
- Demonstrate your capability to do the job, and that you understand the department and the institution, as well as that you know how you and the job will develop in the future
- Make suitable eye contact, and ensure to look at everyone at the panel from time to time
- Prepare your answers in advance and communicate them coherently during the interview
- Ask your own questions, usually at the end of the interview, but if suitable, during the interview.
On occasion, you may have to meet informally with several departmental staff either before or after your interview. This is a chance to learn more about the department and your potential future colleagues.
Sample academic interview questions
The questions will be tailored to the relevant job criteria, so the examples below are a general guide.
- What were the key achievements of your research project/PhD?
- Describe the project you would undertake if you were awarded research funding
- Who are the key researchers in your area? How does your work compare to theirs?
- What opportunities for multi-disciplinary work does your research offer?
- What plans do you have for publication of your current research?
- Does your research have the potential to serve the wider community, and the economy?
- If your current funding application is unsuccessful, what alternatives do you have in mind? (This question is test of knowledge about the funding infrastructure)
- If you were starting your project again today, what would you do differently?
- Describe a research problem you have faced – what did you learn?
Interview presentations
It is often the case that you will be asked to give a presentation about the outline of your recent research or a short lecture. You can start to prepare by talking to your supervisor or other researchers about the presentations they have given during interviews.
- Keep to the brief you have been given when preparing your interview
- Anticipate your audience – find out about them and their interests
- Have a clear structure with concise points
- Practise your timing and get feedback beforehand if possible
- Speak confidently and clearly to the whole audience and engage in appropriate eye contact
- Use a PowerPoint slide or any other audio or visual if it will enhance your presentation, and ensure all technology you use is of good quality and easy to set up
- As an option, you could prepare handouts to give to your audience
- At the end, invite questions and thank your audience
Key takeaways
- This industry is very competitive, and not all researchers and research staff can attain a long-term academic career.
- Academic jobs are highly prized, and therefore, highly competitive.
- Before you apply for any position, become as informed as possible about the department and the research area.
- Academic jobs are so competitive that your preparation for interviews must be thorough.
- Unlike other types of CV, academic CVs should only be used for academic applications and follow a unique format.
- Always include a cover letter as a way to stand out from the crowd unless the job application says otherwise.
- Tailor your statement of research interest to the specific role you are applying for – don’t generalise!