Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, scan resumes for keywords and structured data. They rank or filter resumes before a human ever reads them. That matters for a Physical Chemistry Professor because search committees often use keyword filters for research, teaching, and grants.

ATS look for specific terms like "physical chemistry," "thermodynamics," "kinetics," "spectroscopy," "quantum chemistry," "DFT," "calorimetry," "NMR," "IR," "computational chemistry," "Python," "MATLAB," "grant writing," "NSF," "ACS," "peer-reviewed" and "tenure." Use those terms where they truly apply. Put them in Skills, Research, and Publications sections so the scanner finds them.

Best practices:

• Use standard headings: "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," "Publications," "Research" and "Teaching."
• Include keywords from job ads naturally in bullets and titles.
• Keep formatting simple: no tables, columns, text boxes, headers, footers, images, or graphs.
• Use readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman and use font sizes 10-12.
• Submit .docx or PDF if the job post allows PDF; avoid heavily designed templates.

Common mistakes:

People replace exact keywords with creative synonyms. That makes ATS miss vital skills. Another error uses headers or footers for contact details; some ATS ignore them. Finally, candidates leave out grant and publication keywords that committees search for.

Write clear, short bullets that start with action verbs. Quantify results like grants awarded or students mentored. That helps both ATS and the committee.

Pick a clean, professional layout that highlights teaching, research, and publications. Use reverse-chronological order for your academic roles so reviewers see your latest work first.

Keep length to one page if you're early or mid-career. Use two pages only if you have long lists of grants, publications, or course development tied directly to physical chemistry.

Choose ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Use 10-12pt for body and 14-16pt for section headers. Keep margins at least 0.5 inches and add white space between sections so readers scan easily.

Use standard headings like Education, Research, Teaching, Grants, and Publications. List items with concise bullets. Lead bullets with strong verbs and quantify results when you can.

Avoid complex two-column templates and heavy graphics. Those layouts confuse applicant tracking systems and human readers. Stay simple so your keywords parse correctly.

Watch common mistakes. Don't cram too much text into small fonts. Don't use nonstandard fonts or excessive color. Don't mix multiple bullet styles or inconsistent dates.

Format publications consistently and use a clear citation style. Keep the most relevant work first and move less relevant items to an appendix or separate document.

Writing a tailored cover letter matters for a Physical Chemistry Professor role. You use the letter to show fit beyond your resume. You show real interest in the department and research direction.

Keep the letter focused. Use a clear header with your contact information, the department or hiring committee contact, and the date. That makes it easy for them to reply.

Opening paragraph

• State the exact position you want.
• Say why the department or school excites you.
• Mention your top qualification or where you saw the post.

Body paragraphs (1–3)

Connect your experience to the role. Describe one major research project and one teaching success. Use specific techniques, like spectroscopy or kinetic modeling, when relevant. Show one quantifiable result, such as grant dollars, publications, or improved student outcomes.

Highlight technical skills with care. Mention methods like ultrafast spectroscopy or computational chemistry only when they match the job. Name soft skills like mentoring, collaboration, and curriculum design. Use keywords from the job ad so your letter reads as a fit.

Closing paragraph

Reiterate your interest in this specific role and department. State confidence in your contributions to research, teaching, and service. Ask for an interview or a meeting to discuss fit. Thank the reader for their time.

Tone and tailoring matter. Keep the tone professional, confident, and warm. Customize each letter. Avoid generic phrases. Speak directly to the hiring committee or chair. Keep sentences short and clear. Write like you are talking to a colleague, not writing a paper.

If you're applying for a Physical Chemistry Professor role, small resume errors can cost interviews. You need to show clear research impact, teaching skills, and fit with the department.

Paying attention to wording, structure, and evidence will make your case much stronger. Below are common pitfalls and how you can fix them.

If you teach or research physical chemistry, this FAQ and tips set will help you shape your resume for faculty roles. You’ll find focused advice on skills, format, length, and how to present research, teaching, and funding in ways search committees value.