Science Cover Letter—Examples and How to Write

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. 

Because 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:

• A science letter example you can use.
• Tips on how to write a science cover letter that will land you more interviews.
• Clues on how to properly format your science cover letter.

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If you’re looking for a different cover letter sample, take a look at this selection:

• Academic Advisor Cover Letter
• Academic Cover Letter
• Graduate School Cover Letter
• Internal Position Cover Letter
• Medical Assistant Cover Letter
• Physician Cover Letter
• Postdoc Cover Letter
• Recent Graduate Cover Letter
• Research Assistant Cover Letter
• Psychologist Cover Letter

Haven't found what you're looking for? Browse all of our Best Cover Letter Examples

Science Cover Letter Example

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

How to Write a Science Cover Letter

1. Follow the Rules of Science Cover Letter Formatting

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:

• Align your letter to the left, don’t use justification.
• Set all the margins to 1 inch.
• Pick a professional font that is easy to read. Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, Georgia are always good ideas. 
• Use 1.15 line spacing throughout your cover letter. 
• Limit your cover letter to the right length: one page. 
• List your contact details in the cover letter heading, including your full name, job title, email, and phone number. Your mailing address is optional—only include it if you’re sending the letter via traditional post. 

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).

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2. Give a Brief Introduction of Your Experience

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. 

3. Describe Your Skills and Expertise in More Detail

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.

4. Explain Why You Are the Perfect Candidate

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. 

5. End on a Strong Note

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. 

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Key Points

When writing a science cover letter, remember to:

• Apply the correct cover letter formatting. 
• Address the letter to the person responsible for the recruitment process. 
• Highlight your skills and achievements that are relevant to the job.
• Explain why you want to join this particular institution. 
• Finish with a solid sign-off and strong call to action. 

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.