Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords and structure. They rank or drop applications based on matches to job descriptions and readable formatting.

For a Hydrodynamics Professor, ATS looks for terms like "computational fluid dynamics (CFD)", "Navier-Stokes", "turbulence modeling", "experimental fluid mechanics", "hydraulic modeling", "MATLAB", "Python", "FORTRAN", "wind-wave interaction", "grant writing", "PhD", and "peer-reviewed publications".

Follow these best practices:

• Use standard section titles: "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills", "Publications", "Grants".
• Include exact keywords from the job posting in natural sentences and bullet points.
• Use plain formatting. Avoid tables, columns, text boxes, headers, footers, images, and graphs.
• Choose readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman at 10–12pt.
• Save as a clean .docx or simple PDF. Avoid heavily designed templates.

Avoid common mistakes. Don’t replace key phrases with creative synonyms. ATS may not match "fluid mechanics expert" to "hydrodynamics" unless both appear.

Don’t hide info in headers, footers, or images. ATS often skips those areas.

Make sure you list critical tools and certifications. Missing "CFD", "Navier-Stokes", or "PhD" can cut your chances.

For a Hydrodynamics Professor, pick a clean, professional template with a reverse-chronological layout. This layout highlights recent research, teaching, and publications first, and it reads well to hiring committees and ATS systems.

Keep length tight. Use one page if you have under 10 years of relevant experience. Use two pages only if you list many peer-reviewed papers, grants, and major projects.

Choose ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Use 10–12pt for body text and 14–16pt for headers. Keep margins at least 0.5 inch and leave space between sections so readers can scan quickly.

Use clear section headings such as Education, Research Experience, Teaching Experience, Publications, Grants, and Skills. Use bullets for achievements and start each bullet with an active verb.

Avoid complex columns, images, or embedded charts that break ATS parsing. Skip unusual fonts or heavy color. Keep formatting simple so both people and systems can read your document.

Watch these common mistakes: cramming too much on one page, inconsistent spacing, and random icons or images. Also avoid vague phrasing like "responsible for" or long paragraphs that hide your results.

Use consistent date formatting and list affiliations with role, institution, and dates. Quantify impact when you can, for example enrollments, citation counts, grant amounts, or model performance metrics. That helps committees see your influence at a glance.

Writing a tailored cover letter helps you show fit for the Hydrodynamics Professor role. It complements your resume and shows genuine interest in the department and students.

Header: Put your contact details, the department or hiring committee name if known, and the date. Keep it neat and current.

Opening paragraph: Start by naming the Hydrodynamics Professor role you want. Say why this department appeals to you. Mention a top qualification or where you found the posting.

Body paragraphs: Focus on how your experience meets the job needs. Highlight research, teaching, and lab leadership. Use keywords from the ad and show clear links to the department goals.

• Research: Note methods like experimental wave tanks or computational fluid dynamics. Cite a major paper or grant and its impact.
• Teaching: Describe courses you led, mentoring, and curriculum development.
• Service: Mention lab management, grant review, or committee work.

Write about specific projects and results. Give numbers when possible, like student outcomes, grant amounts, or citation counts.

Closing paragraph: Restate your strong interest in the Hydrodynamics Professor position at the named school. Express confidence in your ability to contribute to research and teaching. Ask for an interview and thank the reader.

Tone and tailoring: Keep your voice professional, confident, and warm. Write like you would to a colleague. Use short sentences. Edit each letter for the role and school. Avoid generic templates.

Final check: Read aloud to catch long sentences. Remove passive phrasing. Replace jargon with simple terms, unless a technical term helps your point.

Hiring committees for Hydrodynamics Professor roles scan resumes fast. You need clear research statements, solid teaching evidence, and measurable impact.

Small errors can cost interview chances. Focus on clarity, relevance, and concise accomplishments.

If you teach or research fluid flow, your resume must show your research, teaching, and technical skills clearly. These FAQs and tips help you present experiments, publications, and grant work so hiring committees see your fit fast.