# Academic Career > Academic career document preparation and professional development for faculty and researchers. Use when drafting academic CVs, research statements, teaching philosophies, diversity statements, cover letters for faculty positions, tenure dossiers, promotion narratives, or academic portfolios. Also covers conference networking strategies, building academic web presence, understanding impact metrics… - **Type:** Skill - **Install:** `agentstack add skill-lunartech-x-superpowers-academic-career` - **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior - **Seller:** [LUNARTECH-X](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/lunartech-x) - **Installs:** 0 - **Category:** [Data & Analytics](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/data-and-analytics) - **Latest version:** 0.1.0 - **License:** MIT - **Upstream author:** [LUNARTECH-X](https://github.com/LUNARTECH-X) - **Source:** https://github.com/LUNARTECH-X/superpowers/tree/main/skills/academy-skills/academic-career ## Install ```sh agentstack add skill-lunartech-x-superpowers-academic-career ``` Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent. ## About # Academic Career Documents and Professional Development ## Overview Academic career advancement depends on a portfolio of carefully crafted documents that communicate scholarly identity, research vision, teaching effectiveness, and service commitment. Unlike industry resumes that emphasize brevity and skills keywords, academic career documents are comprehensive narratives that position a scholar within their discipline, articulate the significance of their contributions, and demonstrate alignment with institutional missions. This skill covers the full lifecycle of academic career documents — from the first job application through tenure and promotion — along with professional development strategies for building visibility, networks, and impact. The academic job market operates on distinct norms: CVs can be 20+ pages, statements are read by committees with diverse disciplinary expertise, and evaluation criteria vary dramatically across institution types (R1, SLAC, community college, professional school). Mastering these documents is not about self-promotion but about clearly communicating the significance, trajectory, and potential of your scholarly work. ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when: - Preparing an academic curriculum vitae (CV) for faculty positions - Drafting a research statement or research agenda for a job application - Writing a teaching philosophy statement - Composing a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement - Crafting a cover letter for an academic position - Assembling a tenure or promotion dossier - Writing a promotion narrative or personal statement for review - Building an academic portfolio (physical or digital) - Preparing for conference networking and professional visibility - Creating or optimizing an academic website or online presence - Understanding and contextualizing bibliometric indicators (h-index, impact factor) - Setting up or optimizing an ORCID profile - Writing a mentorship statement for grant applications or reviews ## Core Capabilities ### 1. The Academic Curriculum Vitae (CV) The academic CV is a comprehensive record of scholarly activity, fundamentally different from an industry resume. ``` Academic CV vs. Industry Resume: | Dimension | Academic CV | Industry Resume | |-----------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------| | Length | No limit (5-30+ pages) | 1-2 pages | | Content | Comprehensive record | Curated highlights | | Education | Detailed with advisors | Degrees only | | Publications | Complete list, categorized | Rarely included | | Presentations | All listed | Rarely included | | Grants | Full details with amounts | Rarely included | | Service | Committees, reviews, boards | Brief or omitted | | Format | Dense, text-heavy | Design-forward, scannable | | Updates | Every time you add an entry | Per application | ``` #### CV Section Order and Content ```markdown ## Standard Academic CV Structure ### 1. Header - Full name (no nicknames unless that is your professional name) - Title and department - Institutional address - Email (institutional preferred), phone - Website URL, ORCID iD - Do NOT include: photo, age, marital status, citizenship (unless required) ### 2. Education - Reverse chronological order - Include: degree, institution, year, dissertation/thesis title, advisor name - Example: Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology, University of Michigan, 2019 Dissertation: "Attentional Mechanisms in Bilingual Language Switching" Advisor: Dr. Jane Smith ### 3. Academic Appointments - Current position first - Include: title, department, institution, dates - List visiting positions and postdocs separately or together ### 4. Publications Organize into clear categories: a. Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles (numbered, reverse chronological) b. Books and Edited Volumes c. Book Chapters d. Conference Proceedings (if peer-reviewed and valued in your field) e. Manuscripts Under Review (be honest about status) f. Working Papers / Preprints g. Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications (commentaries, reviews, etc.) Formatting conventions: - Bold your name in author lists - Include DOI when available - Note corresponding authorship if relevant - Mark student co-authors with asterisk (*) and note convention - Include journal impact factor ONLY if your field values this ### 5. Grants and Funding - Funded grants (role, agency, title, amount, dates) - Pending grants - Internal grants and fellowships Example: Co-PI, National Science Foundation (SES-2345678), "Computational Models of Decision-Making Under Uncertainty," $450,000, 2024-2027 ### 6. Awards and Honors - Reverse chronological - Include the granting body and brief description if not self-evident ### 7. Invited Talks and Presentations a. Invited Keynotes and Plenaries b. Invited Talks / Colloquia c. Conference Presentations (oral) d. Conference Posters ### 8. Teaching Experience - Courses taught with institution and term - Note if new course development, graduate vs. undergraduate - Include enrollment numbers if impressive ### 9. Mentoring and Advising - Doctoral students (current and completed, with placement) - Master's students - Undergraduate thesis students - Postdoctoral scholars supervised ### 10. Service a. Departmental (committees, roles) b. University (senate, task forces) c. Professional (journal editor, reviewer, conference organizer) d. Community and public engagement ### 11. Professional Memberships ### 12. Skills and Training (optional) - Languages, software, methodological training - Only if relevant and not obvious from your work ``` #### CV Tailoring by Position Type ``` Research-Intensive (R1) University: Priority order: Publications → Grants → Research Statement → Teaching Emphasize: Publication record, funding trajectory, research impact De-emphasize: Teaching volume (quality matters more than quantity) Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI/SLAC): Priority order: Teaching → Student Mentoring → Scholarship → Service Emphasize: Teaching philosophy, course development, undergraduate research mentoring De-emphasize: Grant amounts (show scholarly activity, not funding totals) Teaching-Focused / Community College: Priority order: Teaching → Service → Professional Development Emphasize: Courses taught, pedagogical training, student outcomes De-emphasize: Publication count (relevant publications still matter) Professional School (Med, Law, Business): Priority order: Practice experience → Research → Teaching → Service Emphasize: Professional experience, applied research, clinical work Include: Licensures, certifications, professional appointments ``` ### 2. Research Statement The research statement (1-3 pages typically) articulates your research program's past accomplishments, current projects, and future vision. ```markdown ## Research Statement Structure ### Opening Paragraph: The Big Picture - State your overarching research question or program in one sentence - Explain why this matters (significance to field and/or society) - Preview the key threads of your research program - Hook the non-specialist reader ### Body: Research Threads (2-4 threads) For each thread: 1. Motivating question or problem 2. Your approach or innovation 3. Key findings (cite 2-3 of your publications) 4. Significance and contribution to the field 5. Connection to other threads (show coherence) ### Current and Ongoing Work - What you are working on right now - Preliminary findings or expected outcomes - Funding status (funded, under review, planned) ### Future Directions (Critical Section) - Where your research is going in the next 3-5 years - Specific projects you plan to pursue - How these build on your track record - What resources you need (equipment, collaborators, students) - How this aligns with the hiring department's strengths ### Broader Impacts - Interdisciplinary connections - Societal relevance - Student training opportunities - Potential for external funding ``` **Key principles for research statements:** ``` DO: ✓ Write for an educated non-specialist (search committees are diverse) ✓ Use clear topic sentences — skimming should convey your program ✓ Show a coherent arc, not a list of disconnected projects ✓ Quantify impact where possible (citations, adoptions, downloads) ✓ Name specific funding agencies you plan to target ✓ Connect your future work to the department you are applying to ✓ Demonstrate independence from your advisor/postdoc mentor DON'T: ✗ List every paper — select the most impactful ✗ Use dense jargon without explanation ✗ Be vague about future plans ("I hope to continue my work...") ✗ Ignore the institution type (R1 wants fundability; SLAC wants student involvement) ✗ Exceed the page limit ✗ Forget to proofread (errors signal carelessness) ``` ### 3. Teaching Philosophy Statement ```markdown ## Teaching Philosophy Structure (1-2 pages) ### Opening: Your Core Teaching Belief - State your pedagogical values in a clear thesis - Ground in your discipline and experience - Example: "I believe that learning statistics is fundamentally about developing critical thinking, not memorizing formulas. My teaching centers on authentic data analysis experiences that build students' confidence as independent investigators." ### Principles and Practices (2-3 principles) For each principle: 1. State the principle 2. Explain why it matters (connect to learning science if possible) 3. Give a SPECIFIC example from your teaching 4. Describe the outcome or evidence of effectiveness Example: "Active Learning Through Real Data" I structure each class session around a genuine research question with real data. In my Intro Statistics course, students analyzed local public health data from the county health department. This approach increased exam performance by 12% compared to the previous lecture-based format, and student evaluations of the course rose from 3.8 to 4.5 out of 5. ### Inclusive Teaching - How you create an equitable learning environment - Specific strategies (Universal Design for Learning, culturally responsive pedagogy, multiple assessment modes) - Evidence of impact (disaggregated evaluations, DFW rates, etc.) ### Assessment and Evidence - How you assess student learning (beyond exams) - Evidence that your approach works - Teaching awards, evaluation data, student feedback quotes ### Growth and Future Goals - How your teaching has evolved - What you want to try next - Professional development in pedagogy - Courses you would like to develop ``` ### 4. Diversity Statement ```markdown ## Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement (1-2 pages) ### Framework Address three dimensions: 1. Your understanding of diversity and its importance in academia 2. Your track record of actions (not just beliefs) 3. Your future plans for advancing equity and inclusion ### Structure Opening: Personal and Scholarly Context - Your relationship to diversity (be authentic, not performative) - How diversity connects to your intellectual work - Avoid: trauma narratives (unless you choose to share), savior language, treating diversity as a problem to solve Research Contributions: - How your research addresses inequity or includes diverse perspectives - Inclusive research practices (community engagement, diverse samples) - Mentoring scholars from underrepresented groups Teaching Contributions: - Inclusive pedagogy practices (specific examples) - Curriculum diversification efforts - Supporting students from marginalized backgrounds - Accessibility accommodations and Universal Design Service and Institutional Contributions: - Committee work related to DEI - Community partnerships - Mentoring and pipeline programs - Professional development in DEI Future Plans: - Specific, actionable goals (not vague aspirations) - How you would contribute to the hiring institution's DEI efforts - Programs you would develop or expand ``` ### 5. Academic Cover Letter ```markdown ## Academic Cover Letter Structure (1-2 pages) ### Paragraph 1: Introduction - Position you are applying for (with reference number if applicable) - Where you saw the advertisement - Your current position and institution - One-sentence summary of why you are a strong fit ### Paragraph 2: Research - Concise summary of your research program - 2-3 key accomplishments (publications, grants, impact) - How your research aligns with the department - Name specific faculty you could collaborate with (carefully) ### Paragraph 3: Teaching - Teaching experience and philosophy in brief - Courses you can teach from the ad - New courses you could develop - Evidence of teaching effectiveness ### Paragraph 4: Service and Fit (if space) - Institutional service contributions - DEI commitments - Why this specific institution excites you (be genuine and specific) ### Closing Paragraph - Materials enclosed/attached - Availability for interview - Contact information - Thank the committee ### Tailoring Checklist □ Department name is correct (triple-check after copy-pasting) □ Position title matches the advertisement exactly □ Specific courses from the ad are mentioned □ Research alignment with department strengths is explicit □ Institution type is matched (R1 emphasize research; SLAC emphasize teaching) □ Named faculty are actually still at the institution □ Page limit is respected □ All requested materials are referenced ``` ### 6. Tenure and Promotion Dossier ```markdown ## Tenure Dossier Components ### 1. Personal Statement / Candidate's Narrative (3-10 pages) Structure: - Research accomplishments and trajectory - Teaching effectiveness and evolution - Service contributions - Integration of research, teaching, and service - Future vision Tone: Confident, evidence-based, reflective (not defensive or boastful) ### 2. CV (updated, comprehensive) ### 3. External Review Letters (solicited by department) - You may suggest names (and names to exclude) - Choose reviewers who: ● Know your subfield but are not collaborators ● Are at peer or aspirational institutions ● Are themselves tenured (ideally full professors) ● Represent the breadth of your work ### 4. Teaching Portfolio - Summary of courses taught - Student evaluation data (quantitative and qualitative) - Peer observation reports - Sample syllabi (especially for new courses) - Evidence of student mentoring outcomes - Teaching awards ### 5. Publications Portfolio - Copies of published work (or a selected subset) - Statements of contribution for multi-author work ### 6. Letters from Department Chair and Committees - Department vote - Chair's letter - College committee recommendation ``` ### 7. Building an Academic Web Presence ``` Essential Components: 1. Personal Academic Website - Clean, professional design (no flashy themes) - Key pages: About, Research, Publications, Teaching, CV, Contact - Host options: GitHub Pages (free), WordPress, Squarespace, university page - Update at least once per semester - Include a professional headshot - Make publications accessible (link to PDFs where copyright allows) 2. Google Scholar Profile - Claim your profile and verify your email - Merge duplicate entries - Monitor for incorrect attributions - Your h-index and citation counts are publicly visible here 3. ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) - Register at orcid.org — it's free and takes 5 minutes - Use your ORCID iD on all manuscripts, grants, and reviews - Connect … ## Source & license This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code. - **Author:** [LUNARTECH-X](https://github.com/LUNARTECH-X) - **Source:** [LUNARTECH-X/superpowers](https://github.com/LUNARTECH-X/superpowers) - **License:** MIT Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above. ## Pricing - **Free** — Free ## Security capabilities Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access: - **Network access:** no - **Filesystem access:** no - **Shell / process execution:** no - **Environment & secrets:** no - **Dynamic code execution:** no *"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.* ## Versions - **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source. ## Links - Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-lunartech-x-superpowers-academic-career - Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/lunartech-x - Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse --- Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.