Political Scientist Resume Examples and Templates: A Complete Guide for India

A professional political scientist resume is essential for standing out in India’s academic and policy research sector. Whether you’re applying for positions at leading universities like JNU, DU, or Ashoka, research think tanks like ORF, IDSA, or CPR, policy organisations, or government advisory roles, your resume should highlight your research expertise, analytical skills, and understanding of political systems and governance.

This guide walks you through political scientist resume examples and templates, formatting tips, and keywords to help you write a resume that stands out to academic institutions, research organisations, and policy think tanks across India.

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Understanding the Political Scientist Role in India

Political scientists in India study political systems, governance, public policy, international relations, and democratic processes. They work across academic institutions, research think tanks, policy organisations, media, and government advisory roles, contributing to understanding of India’s complex political landscape and its place in global affairs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting research on political systems and processes
• Analysing public policy and governance
• Studying electoral behaviour and political parties
• Researching international relations and foreign policy
• Writing research papers and policy briefs
• Teaching political science courses
• Advising government and organisations
• Contributing to public discourse through media
• Presenting at conferences and seminars
• Publishing in academic journals

India’s vibrant democracy, complex federal structure, and growing global role create strong demand for political scientists across universities, research institutions, policy think tanks, and media organisations.

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Preparing to Write Your Political Scientist Resume

Before drafting your resume, gather all relevant information:

Professional details to compile:

• Complete academic and research history
• Publications in journals and edited volumes
• Research projects and grants received
• Teaching experience and courses
• Conference presentations
• Policy briefs and reports authored
• Media contributions and op-eds
• Awards and fellowships received

Research target institutions:

• Review requirements for university faculty positions
• Understand expectations at research think tanks
• Note specific qualifications mentioned in job descriptions

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Choosing the Best Resume Format

Select a format that best presents your political science expertise:

Academic CV Format

Best for university and research positions. Comprehensive format highlighting publications, teaching, research projects, and academic achievements.

Professional Resume Format

Suitable for policy organisations, NGOs, and corporate roles. Focused format emphasising research skills, policy expertise, and practical achievements.

Combination Format

Ideal for those with both academic credentials and practical policy experience who want to highlight both aspects.

Format recommendations by experience: | Experience Level | Recommended Format | Resume Length | |-----------------|-------------------|---------------| | Entry-level (Fresh PhD) | Academic CV | 2-3 pages | | Mid-level (Assistant/Associate) | Academic CV | 3-5 pages | | Senior (Professor/Director) | Academic CV | 5+ pages | | Policy/NGO roles | Professional Resume | 2 pages |

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Professional Summary Examples

Your professional summary should immediately communicate your political science expertise:

Entry-Level Political Scientist

PhD candidate in Political Science from JNU seeking research position at policy think tank. Specialisation in electoral studies and Indian democracy with published research on voting behaviour. Completed fieldwork across 5 states studying grassroots politics. Presented at national conferences including IPSA and PSA-India. Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills. Fluent in Hindi, English, and Marathi. Passionate about contributing to policy-relevant research on Indian politics.

Political Scientist (Academic)

Political scientist with 6+ years of teaching and research experience at leading Indian universities. Currently Assistant Professor at Delhi University teaching courses on Indian politics and comparative government. Published 12 peer-reviewed articles in journals including EPW, Studies in Indian Politics, and Seminar. Research focus on federalism, coalition politics, and state-level governance. PhD from JNU with UGC-NET qualification. Known for engaging pedagogy and rigorous research.

Senior Political Scientist/Professor

Distinguished political scientist with 15+ years of academic leadership at premier institutions. Currently Professor of Political Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University heading Centre for Political Studies. Published 40+ papers and 3 books on Indian democracy and foreign policy. Supervised 15 PhD scholars. Recipient of ICSSR Senior Fellowship and Fulbright Scholarship. Regular contributor to national debates through media and policy engagements. Known for pioneering research on India’s neighbourhood policy.

Policy Research Director

Senior policy researcher with 18+ years of experience bridging academia and policymaking. Currently Director at Observer Research Foundation leading research on strategic affairs and foreign policy. Previously advisor to Ministry of External Affairs. Published extensively on India-China relations and Indo-Pacific strategy. PhD from JNU with post-doctoral fellowship at Brookings. Known for policy-relevant research and stakeholder engagement across government, academia, and international institutions.

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Showcasing Your Work Experience

Present your political science experience with specific achievements and metrics:

Director/Distinguished Fellow

Observer Research Foundation | New Delhi April 2018 – Present

• Lead Strategic Studies programme with team of 10 researchers
• Published 25+ policy briefs on foreign policy and security
• Advised Ministry of External Affairs on Indo-Pacific strategy
• Organised 30+ Track 2 dialogues with international partners
• Secured ₹5 crore in research grants from foundations
• Media presence with 100+ articles and interviews
• Keynote speaker at 15 international conferences
• Mentored 8 young scholars in policy research
• Built partnerships with 20 international think tanks
• Received “Distinguished Policy Scholar” award

Associate Professor

Jawaharlal Nehru University | New Delhi June 2014 – March 2018

• Taught 4 courses per year to 150+ students
• Published 15 peer-reviewed articles in top journals
• Supervised 5 PhD scholars and 20 MPhil dissertations
• Received ICSSR research grant of ₹15 lakh
• Organised 5 national conferences and workshops
• Served on university academic committees
• Promoted from Assistant Professor
• Received “Best Teacher Award” from student body

Research Fellow

Centre for Policy Research | New Delhi July 2010 – May 2014

• Conducted research on urban governance and politics
• Published 8 papers and policy briefs
• Completed fieldwork across 10 Indian cities
• Contributed to major research projects
• Presented at national and international conferences
• Collaborated with government agencies
• Mentored research assistants
• Developed expertise in mixed methods research

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Essential Skills for Political Scientists

Research Skills

• Quantitative methods (surveys, statistical analysis)
• Qualitative methods (interviews, case studies)
• Mixed methods research design
• Survey design and implementation
• Fieldwork and ethnography
• Archival research
• Content and discourse analysis
• Data analysis (SPSS, Stata, R)
• Policy analysis frameworks
• Comparative political analysis

Academic Skills

• Academic writing and publishing
• Grant proposal writing
• PhD supervision and mentoring
• Course design and pedagogy
• Conference organisation
• Peer review expertise
• Journal editing
• Academic administration
• Curriculum development
• Student assessment

Soft Skills

• Critical thinking and analysis
• Communication and presentation
• Stakeholder engagement
• Media interaction
• Policy communication
• Team leadership
• Project management
• Cross-cultural competence
• Public speaking
• Network building

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Qualifications for Political Scientists in India

Educational Qualifications

Qualification	Institution Type	Relevance
PhD in Political Science	Central Universities, IITs	Essential for faculty
MPhil in Political Science	JNU, DU, HCU	Research foundation
MA in Political Science	Universities	Basic requirement
MA in International Relations	JNU, TISS	IR specialisation
BA in Political Science	Colleges	Undergraduate base
PG Diploma (Public Policy)	IIMs, Ashoka	Policy focus

Qualifying Examinations

• UGC-NET (National Eligibility Test) - mandatory for faculty
• UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) - for PhD
• ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship
• State SET/SLET examinations

Fellowships and Grants

• ICSSR (Indian Council of Social Science Research)
• UGC Faculty Improvement Programme
• Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship
• Raman Fellowship
• Commonwealth Scholarship
• Rhodes Scholarship

Professional Certifications

• UGC-NET/JRF Certificate
• Research methodology certifications
• Data analysis certifications
• Policy analysis training
• Media and communication training

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Tips by Experience Level

Entry-Level Political Scientists (PhD/Fresh PhD)

• Highlight doctoral research and thesis
• Include publications and conference papers
• Emphasise teaching experience
• Showcase fieldwork conducted
• Include UGC-NET/JRF qualification

Target positions: Research Associate, Assistant Professor, Policy Analyst

Mid-Level Political Scientists (5-10 years)

• Quantify publications and citations
• Highlight research grants secured
• Showcase PhD supervision
• Demonstrate leadership roles
• Include policy engagements

Target positions: Associate Professor, Senior Fellow, Programme Director

Senior Political Scientists (10+ years)

• Emphasise academic leadership
• Highlight institution building
• Showcase international recognition
• Demonstrate policy impact
• Include mentoring achievements

Target positions: Professor, Director, Distinguished Fellow, Department Head

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ATS Optimisation for Political Scientist Resumes

Ensure your resume passes screening systems:

Essential keywords to include:

• Political scientist, researcher
• PhD, UGC-NET, JRF
• Publications, peer-reviewed
• Indian politics, governance
• Policy analysis, research
• Teaching, supervision
• International relations
• Qualitative, quantitative methods
• Think tank, university
• Fellowship, grant

ATS-friendly formatting:

• Use standard section headings (Summary, Experience, Publications, Education)
• List publications with full citations
• Include h-index and citation count
• Avoid tables, graphics, and complex formatting
• Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)

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Conclusion

A professional political scientist resume is essential for success in India’s academic and policy research sector. Whether you’re targeting faculty positions at universities, research roles at think tanks, or policy advisory positions, your resume must demonstrate your research expertise, publications record, and contribution to understanding India’s political landscape.

Focus on quantifying your achievements—publications, citations, grants secured, and students supervised. Highlight your UGC-NET/JRF qualification and degrees from reputed institutions that validate your expertise. With India’s growing importance in global affairs and its vibrant democratic politics, qualified political scientists have excellent opportunities across academia, research organisations, and policy institutions.

Use our resume builder to create an ATS-optimised political scientist resume, or explore our professional templates designed specifically for academic and research professionals in India.