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The initial stage when writing a successful academic CV for your job search is to put together a professional document that will target the job you’re interested in, as well as showcase your most impressive qualifications, skills, and experience. A CV template can give you good idea for the structure and design when doing so.
Before you work on your CV, looking through this academic CV sample will help you determine what type of information to include and how to set it out. Recruitment managers look for CVs that make a good impression, and following this example will help you to get to the top of the interview list.
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Sample chemistry lecturer CV
Georgia Smith
4 Georges Street, Birmingham B2 C6VB
07912345678
georgia.smith@example-example.co.uk
Professional summary
Organic Chemistry-qualified Chemistry Lecturer, offering comprehensive scientific teaching and research experience. Using effective communication, motivational leadership and proven engagement abilities to enthuse high-performing students for optimised department success.
Work history
February 2019 – Current
University of Birmingham – Birmingham
Senior Lecturer in Chemistry
- Contributed to teaching, research and consultancy developments and improvements.
- Developed and improved courses to better serve students’ needs and meet standards.
- Modernised syllabus, updating with current research, new techniques, and latest findings to improve relevancy.
January 2016 – January 2019
Department of Chemistry, University of Birmingham – Birmingham
Postdoctoral Fellow
- Wrote convincing proposals that helped secure £100k in research grants.
- Performed high-quality data analysis of experimental and survey datasets, using R and Stata.
- Generated thorough reports summarising projects’ results.
Skills
- Applied science
- Programme management
- Subject research
- Curriculum planning
- Grant proposal writing
- Syllabus development
Education
University of London- 2015
PhD Organic Chemistry
Chemistry lecturer CV template
Choosing the right format for your chemistry lecturer CV
There’s no point in spending hours writing compelling content only to scatter it haphazardly across the page. Instead, organise your information in a digestible way using professional CV format. There are two widely accepted structures in the UK – the reverse-chronological CV and the skills-based CV. The former focuses on work experience, while the latter highlights your growth potential.
Why is choosing the correct CV format so important? Firstly, CV reading software can’t process illegible text and messy sections – and most companies use these innovative programmes to streamline recruitment. Additionally, a thoughtfully presented application shows bundles of enthusiasm. Hiring managers always appreciate candidates who spend a little extra time polishing their chemistry lecturer CV.
Which is the best layout for you? Without a doubt, the reverse-chronological format. Higher education establishments usually require tangible experience in a similar role. As the name suggests, you’d outline your employment history, starting from your current or most recent job. You can discuss internships, volunteering, temporary contracts, and part-time positions alongside full-time employment.
There are a few rules to remember when putting pen to paper. Your CV should only be one to two pages maximum, typed in a clear font like “Times New Roman” or “Arial”, and saved as a Word or PDF file.
How to write a CV for a chemistry lecturer
Above all else, you want your CV to be readable – bullet points and short sentences will make it easier for recruiters to pick out the most important information first. But what should you actually talk about?
If you’re suffering from the dreaded writer’s block, the following advice will explain how to write a CV for a chemistry lecturer. We’ve broken down each section step-to-step to simplify the process and save you the headache:
- How to add contact details to your chemistry lecturer CV
- Start your chemistry lecturer CV with a personal statement
- Tackling work experience on a CV for a chemistry lecturer
- Skills worth having on your chemistry lecturer CV
- How to add education to your chemistry lecturer CV
How to add contact details to your chemistry lecturer CV
Picture this – you’ve created an eye-catching chemistry lecturer CV that blows the competition out of the water, but you never receive a call back. On closer inspection, you realise you forgot to add your most up-to-date contact detail!
Although it sounds obvious, you’d be surprised how many candidates skip over this essential step. Employers can only invite you to interviews with a phone number or email address. Plus, they want to know your location to determine your suitability.
Place the following information at the top of your CV – you might like to use a slightly larger or bolder text:
- Full name
- Current address
- Phone number
- Email address
Example of contact section for a chemistry lecturer CV
Adam Galloway
12 Lea End Road, Harborne
Birmingham, B24 9WL
07721 122 221
agalloway@gmail.com
Start your chemistry lecturer CV with a personal statement
The key to success is composing a fantastic personal statement that makes it impossible for the hiring manager to ignore your credentials. In three to four concise sentences, you must explain who you are, what you can achieve, and how your unique skills will be an asset to the organisation – no pressure then!
However, sparking the reader’s interest doesn’t have to be complicated – simply implement the below suggestions:
- Limit the text to between 50 to 100 words
- Use the third person to sound more professional
- Include plenty of positive adjectives to reflect your personality
- Write in short, punchy sentences to boost engagement
- Only highlight your proudest achievements and most valuable qualities
The pièce de résistance is substantiating your claims with hard statistics – as a scientist, this should be easy! Instead of saying you were “responsible for creating course material”, describe how you “created brand-new undergraduate course material that led to a 91% pass rate in the final university year”. The more specific and factual you can be, the better.
Example of personal statement for a chemistry lecturer CV
An ambitious and talented professional with a proven academic background in science and valuable experience in teaching and lecturing. Possesses first-class academic written skills and is also an effective verbal communicator. Has acquired diverse professional skills through studying, researching, and working in academic and professional environments and is extremely competent when it comes to liaising with students and colleagues on all levels.
OR
A knowledgeable chemistry lecturer with over 15 years of experience working in universities across the UK. Takes a flexible approach to work, applying an immaculate level of detail to everything, adapting well to new goals and new professional environments. Can work effectively, both autonomously and as part of a team. Has the initiative required to make decisions and possesses the drive and diligence to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Tackling work experience on a CV for a chemistry lecturer
The employment history section is usually the chunkiest part of a chemistry lecturer CV – not to mention the most interesting for employers. You should outline the name of the organisation you worked for, how long you stayed there, and a short list of responsibilities. You can include as many jobs as you like, but we recommend only expanding on the most relevant ones.
When running through your professional background, list the following:
- Job title
- Employment start and end dates
- Company name and location
- Primary duties– between three to six for each role
- Notable achievements
This is an unmissable opportunity to shout about your most desirable qualities, strengths and accomplishments. As such, spend a few hours writing and refining the information. Lead with action verbs that convey confidence, such as “spearheaded”, “orchestrated”, and “innovated”, and keep the overall tone upbeat.
Similar to the personal statement, incorporate as many facts and figures as possible – it’s far more effective to show recruiters how amazing you are rather than making unverified claims. If you boast any notable achievements, like awards or promotions, emphasise them at the top of the list of responsibilities.
Finally, avoid repetition – you want to dive into a diverse range of duties to show the hiring manager the breadth of your capabilities. If you’ve noted “lesson planning” underneath one position, talk about “monitoring lab experiments” in another.
Example of work experience for a chemistry lecturer CV
October 2013 – June 2016: Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, University of Birmingham
- Teaching the University’s chemistry curriculum to students.
- Delivering lectures and mentoring students at all levels.
- Collaborating with colleagues to design, manage, deliver and review the teaching and learning programmes.
January 2010 – June 2013: Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Chemistry, University of Birmingham
- Carrying out mentored research in a variety of specialist areas in the field of chemistry.
- Working in the university chemistry lab and assisting undergraduate students.
- Involved in ordering scientific supplies for the lab.
Skills worth having on your chemistry lecturer CV
Recruiters only spend about six seconds looking at each chemistry lecturer CV. Consequently, you must immediately capture their attention with a collection of impressive CV skills. We advise blending job-specific hard skills with transferable soft skills – this will paint a comprehensive picture of your greatest talents.
Hard skills are technical and tailored to the position you’re applying for – think “class planning”, “grading laboratory experiments”, and “preparing course materials”. In contrast, soft skills are umbrella qualities that benefit most roles, like “communication”, “problem-solving”, and “organisation”. Our top advice is to include up to 12 skills in total, split equally between the two.
Although tempting, don’t lift skills directly from the job advertisement – think about the unique traits that set you apart from the competition. The more authentic you can be, the higher your chance of finding a position that matches your strengths. Still unsure? Here are some ideas to inspire you:
Essential skills for a chemistry lecturer
- Knowledge of theoretical chemistry, electrochemistry, and biophysics
- Experience in laboratory preparation and monitoring
- Able to deliver engaging class plans and lectures
- Understanding of different learning technologies
- Confident communicator
Desirable aptitudes to set you apart
- Capable of liaising with parents and other educators
- Patience with students of varying abilities
- Good communication skills
- Safeguarding knowledge
- Able to maintain high academic standards
How to add education to your chemistry lecturer CV
Chemistry lecturers must demonstrate an exceptional level of education to work in universities, colleges, and adult learning centres. Qualifications prove that you possess the knowledge to nurture the next generation’s brightest stars. The route into this career is pretty long but well worth the effort!
Whatever the establishment, you’ll need a good degree pass (e.g. first-class honours or upper second-class) in chemistry or a related subject. Aspiring university lecturers must complete a postgraduate master’s degree or PhD or be working towards one. You’ll also have to undertake a teaching qualification on top of your regular studies.
As the process takes a considerable amount of time, you don’t have to finish your postgraduate master’s degree or Ph.D. before lecturing. Most universities recruit students from their courses, giving them practical experience in a classroom setting.
If every candidate is equally knowledgeable, how can you stand out? One way is by including awards, distinctions, and fellowships as a separate section or at the top of education – these glittering accolades will give you a competitive edge.
Not we’ve covered the details, ensure to note:
- Name of school, college, university, or other awarding body
- Study dates
- Course title – not applicable to GCSEs
- Qualification level – e.g. postgraduate degree or Ph.D.
- Qualification result
Example of education for a chemistry lecturer CV
Awards, Distinctions, and Fellowships Dissertation Excellence Award, University of York (2005) Dissertation Excellence Award, University of York (2005) SMCF Foundation National Fellowship, University of London (2013)
2005 – 2009: University of London Ph.D. in Chemistry Thesis Title: Modeling Interactions at Chemical Interfaces) Mentor: Professor M.D. Jones
2001 – 2004: University of York Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Chemistry: Distinction
1997 – 2000: University of York Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Chemistry: First-class honours
Get your chemistry lecturer CV right with our proven tips
Attach an awesome cover letter
Most organisations will only accept applications with a well-written cover letter. It's a polite introduction and a one-page summary of your most incredible achievements and skills. Alongside convincing employers that you're the best person for the role, remember to express enthusiasm – it’s always a good idea to mention how excited you are by the opportunity!
Focus on key qualifications
TAs chemistry lecturing is an academic pursuit, you might want to place your core qualifications at the top of your CV. It's a quick way to reassure recruiters that you have the correct credentials. You can use a margin at the side to do so without pushing your personal statement down.
Don’t skip over soft skills
Although chemistry is a technical subject, you shouldn't overstuff your CV with hard skills – it only sounds impersonal. Lecturers also need people skills as they work closely with hundreds of students of varying abilities. Many organisations will prioritise friendly, patient, and compassionate candidates over highly qualified robots!
Mention non-traditional employment
If you're a recent graduate who hasn't had many full-time roles, there's no need to worry – you can talk about internships, apprenticeships, teaching placements, and part-time positions instead. You would've had to complete some of these as part of your teaching qualification.
Highlight your specialism
Chemistry is a broad subject that covers many sub-disciplines, such as applied chemistry, biological chemistry, and chemical analysis. Therefore, it's essential to note your specialisms in your personal statement – this will give institutions a better idea of your strengths.
Your chemistry lecturer CV questions answered
What does a chemistry lecturer do?
Chemistry lecturing is a varied career that presents new and exciting challenges every day. Some weeks might be more admin-focused, while others concentrate on cementing complex theories. Here are a few fundamental duties:
- Prepare and deliver lectures to students
- Plan and revise course materials
- Supervise and assess laboratory work
- Office tasks, such as maintaining attendance records
- Moderate classroom discussions and inspire healthy debate
What are the qualities of a chemistry lecturer?
The most successful chemistry lecturers aren’t simply knowledgeable but patient and inspiring. As well as bringing out the best in their students, they must keep on top of their own learning. Some of the qualities that make an excellent lecturer include the following:
- Self-motivated to continue their studies
- Patient in classroom settings
- Highly organised
- Creative and able to use different teaching mediums
- Critical thinker
Are chemistry lecturers in demand?
Absolutely! There’s always a need for science teachers, especially chemistry teachers who specialise in chemical engineering or pharmaceutical research. People with these skills often go on to work in healthcare, innovating new medicines and treatments.
How long does it take to become a chemistry lecturer?
The process to become a chemistry lecturer is long – roughly three years for the undergraduate degree, two years for the master’s degree, and three to four years for the PhD if studying full-time. However, you can teach before finishing your postgraduate qualifications, as many institutions hire students as assistant lecturers or teachers.
Get the chemistry right on your chemistry lecturer CV
This academic CV sample forms part of our extensive collection of CVs that are available for you to use to create your own professional CV.
When searching for jobs, our CV builder, CV examples, CV templates, and other online tools are invaluable in providing you with the help and guidance you need for success. With our help, writing a CV doesn’t have to take as long as your chemistry thesis!
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