Writing a science cover letter can feel like an experiment, but you need a positive outcome. Discover our writing tips and samples for a scientist cover letter!
Research, experiments, lectures, publications are your bread and butter. You know how to plan an experiment, analyze the data, and publish the results in a respectable journal. Now, you’re facing a different type of challenge—writing an engaging and convincing cover letter.
You have to approach this task as a natural-born scientist—with a solid plan in hand. Writing a science cover letter is nothing more than showing your skills and experience to your potential new Department Head.
In this guide, you’ll find:
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If you’re looking for a different cover letter sample, take a look at this selection:
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Karen King
Licensed Psychologist
Phone: +1-567-983-9786
Email: karenking@reslabmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/12karen.king
New York, July 27, 2021
James Lester Ph.D
Head of Psychology Department
Duke University
417 Chapel Dr
Durham, NC 27708
Dear Professor Lester,
I am thrilled to have come across a job opening for a Research Assistant in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mood Spectrum Disorders. I am a licensed psychologist with over 10 years of experience in clinical work and psychoanalysis, and I’d love to offer my skills and expertise to Duke University.
As a scientist, I focus on researching mood disorders and substance-induced anxieties. My papers, including the Design and Research of the Mood Disorder Cohort Research Consortium (MDCRC) Study, were published in a series of respectable journals (Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica and Clinical Psychology Review, among others).
At the University of California Santa Cruz, I was part of 25 research groups, having secured funding of $1.5M for 12 of them. Moreover, I created and implemented my curriculum in various courses, including Mood Disorder—New Ways of In-Patient Treatment. The courses had to be expanded twice, from 150 places to 250 two years later. My expertise is further broadened by my work as an active psychologist, providing individual, group, and family therapy. I conducted intensive therapy sessions for individuals, families, and couples with various social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.
My professional goals align with Duke University's values and mission. I genuinely believe working together at the Department of Psychology will help us deliver the change needed in our society.
Kind regards,
Karen King Ph.D
567-983-9786
karenking@reslabmail.com
That’s an impressive cover letter, isn’t it? Let’s see how to write an even better one for you—
And while you’re here, make sure your resume is up to scratch, too, with our dedicated guide: How to Write a Science Resume: Examples & Tips
According to research, a single glance of a person’s face for just 33 to 100 ms was sufficient to form a first impression. You don’t have much more time to create a positive first impression with your cover letter, either—
Make it appear hard to read and uninviting, and you’re looking at instant rejection.
That’s why you should pay extra attention to formatting your cover letter:
Expert Hint: Save your cover letter and resume as a PDF file. The documents will be easier to read for hiring managers and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
You want to catch the reader's attention right from the start—and the best way to do that is to address your cover letter directly to the person who’ll read it, be it a department head, HR manager, or recruiter.
Then, start the cover letter by clearly stating the position you’re interested in. Then, briefly outline your skills and experience that make you a good match.
You already have the hiring manager's attention; now, you need their curiosity. Spark it by highlighting your relevant skills and experience!
Read the job posting carefully and identify the key skills and requirements. Then, list your best achievements related to the job ad. Try to quantify those achievements with numbers and use plenty of action verbs (also known as power words) for impact.
You’ve already proven your research and academic skills. Now it’s time to explain why you want to work at this particular institution.
Take a closer look at their values and mission. See whether you share those values and if yes, write it in the third paragraph of your cover letter. They want to make sure that you’re the right fit—not only in terms of scientific research but shared values.
To end your cover letter, ask for an interview. It doesn’t get any simpler. Use a solid call to action. To reiterate your value one more time, consider offering to achieve a specific goal for the institution if hired.
With ResumeLab’s resume builder you’ll write your resume in a flash. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Just pick one of 21 resume templates and get started now.
When writing a science cover letter, remember to:
Thanks for reading! Do you have any questions about writing a science cover letter? Post them in the comments below! We’d love to chat.
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Dominika is a job expert with a focus on career development and onboarding processes. At ResumeLab, she co-manages our team of career experts.
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