Postdoc Cover Letter & Writing Guide
A postdoc cover letter is a document to use when you’re applying for a postdoctoral research position . It’s an academic role where those with PhDs can continue their work, using it to transition from being students to full-time professionals.
A well-written postdoc cover letter should showcase your highly specialized knowledge in the field of interest, along with your motivation and passion for research . In this article, we’ll show you how to achieve that in a concise and information-packed letter to land an interview and, afterward, a postdoc fellowship.
Let’s dive right in!
Key Takeaways
A business letter format is the best one for a postdoc cover letter.
The ideal length for your postdoc cover letter is one page, 250–400 words, or 3–5 paragraphs.
The first paragraph should explain what position you’re after while highlighting your key strengths.
The final paragraph should feature a call to action to increase your chances of success.
Your letter should have a professional tone and no typos or mistakes.
Postdoc Cover Letter Format
A postdoc cover letter format should be the same as for a standard cover letter, which is the business letter format . This is an established way of writing letters in professional circles, ensuring an organized and easy-to-follow structure.
Here’s what that format should look like and how you should arrange the parts of your cover letter:
Cover Letter Mandatory Details
Contact information should be in the header.
A polite greeting addresses the reader.
The body of the letter should consist of three parts: a. An introductory paragraph to grab attention b. The summary of your research to emphasize your qualifications c. A closing paragraph with a call to action
A polite conclusion closes the cover letter.
In addition to optimizing the format of your letter, you also need a strong layout to create an enticing visual experience .
Here are some guidelines to help you achieve that:
Cover Letter Layout Guidelines
Your cover letter should be one page long .
The writing should be concise and information-packed, no more than 250–400 words and 3–5 paragraphs .
You should pick an established font for your cover letter , such as Arial or Calibri.
An optimal font size is between 10 and 12 pt .
Margins should be at least 1 inch .
Typical line spacing is 1.0 , with an extra line of space between paragraphs.
While following these guidelines is a simple way to get a professional postdoc cover letter, it’s entirely possible that you don’t want to bother formatting your document from scratch. In that case, you can use our cover letter builder to simplify the process and ensure maximum accuracy .
You’ll find a number of expertly made postdoc cover letter templates that you can fully customize . With preset formats and layouts, all you need to do is add your writing and download a finished product.
Postdoc Cover Letter: 7 Fundamental Parts
Let’s learn how to write a postdoc cover letter by examining each of the seven fundamental parts. You’ll discover what each section of your cover letter should have and how you can make it perfect.
#1. Heading
A cover letter heading should showcase contact information and the date of writing .
You should start with your details and include:
Heading Mandatory Details
Mailing address
Phone number
Email address
Following that, you should specify the location and date of writing the cover letter before listing the recipient’s details , such as:
Recipient's Mandatory Details
The recipient’s name
The university or the company’s name
The university or the company’s address
Let’s see all that in an example:
Header Example
James Brown 3451 Quiet Valley Lane Woodland Hills, CA 91303 818-883-3690 [email protected]
Berkeley, 03/11/2024
Dr. George Cooper University of California, Berkeley University Avenue and Oxford St Berkeley, CA 94720
#2. Greeting
Every postdoc cover letter should start with a polite greeting. You want to address the reader and introduce them to your writing cordially. For the most impact, you want to include the recipient’s name.
This creates a personalized experience , builds rapport with the reader, and maximizes the chances of them focusing on your writing.
Here’s an example:
Greeting Example
Dear Dr. Cooper,
If you researched the company or institution and didn’t find the name of the recipient, you can include their job title, department, or similar information. Avoid using generic greetings , like “ To Whom It May Concern ,” as they are too impersonal.
#3. Introduction
The introduction of your postdoc cover letter should be catchy while explaining its purpose . To start your cover letter , you should state why you’re writing it and what position you’re applying for.
After that, you want to highlight a couple of your most notable strengths to outright convince the reader that you’re a strong candidate. This is also the place to include a professional reference if you have one.
Let’s see that in an example:
Introduction Example
I am writing to express my enthusiasm for the postdoctoral position in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. As a recent graduate from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where I focused on nanomaterials in energy storage, I would love to continue my pursuit in the field as a part of your team. You may recall I was referred by Dr. Jane Doherty, who speaks highly of your department.
#4. Summary of Your Research
The central part of your postdoc cover letter should represent the summary of your research. You want to talk about your work and efforts and, through that, emphasize your skills and qualifications .
You can mention relevant information, such as your field of study or dissertation topic. However, keep the details relevant to the position that you’re applying for . You want to make sure you’re emphasizing those abilities that the reader wants in candidates.
Here’s a good example:
Summary of Your Research Example
During my doctoral studies, I focused on the research and synthesis of innovative nanomaterials, with the goal of improving their efficiency and creating sustainable systems for storing energy. One of the greatest challenges I tackled was the issue of material degradation, which I approached by developing a new grade of anode material. During trial testing, we achieved a 39% increase in capacity with up to a 31% improvement in sustainability after 50 cycles.
#5. Reasons for Applying
When you state the specific reason for applying to the particular institution or company, you demonstrate in-depth knowledge of its organization .
This allows you to get ahead of the competition, as members of the hiring committee often look for more in candidates than just their skills and qualifications . For instance, familiarity with the goals and aspirations of the organization that you want to join indicates that you’ll likely be a good cultural fit .
Reasons for Applying Example
I would be excited to continue my work in your laboratory. Your department’s focus on sustainable chemistry aligns with my academic aspirations, and I’d like to keep researching advanced materials as a member of UC Berkeley. I admire your reputation for leveraging cutting-edge research to address global concerns, and I believe my research on nanomaterials can contribute to your efforts.
#6. Call to Action
A call to action in the final paragraph of your postdoctoral cover letter draws on human psychology to increase your chances of getting a response . You can use it to mention your CV or emphasize that you’d be happy to discuss your application further over an interview.
Call to Action Example
Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my CV, which contains detailed information about all my relevant skills, experience, and publications, for your review. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss our potential future together further over an interview.
#7. Conclusion & Sign-Off
A conclusion and sign-off—much like a greeting—should be polite and to the point . You should use any of the cordial closing phrases followed by your name.
Check out the following example:
Conclusion & Sign-Off Example
Sincerely, James Brown
Here’s a complete example of a chemistry postdoc cover letter:
Postdoc Cover Letter Example
Cover letter templates
With a postdoc cover letter example out of the way, let’s finish this comprehensive guide with a couple of expert tips that will help you take it to the next level:
5 Best Tips for Writing a Postdoc Cover Letter
Leverage numbers to quantify your accomplishments. If your work has already provided substantial results, including numbers can help you add measurable value and further validate your skills and qualifications.
Don’t forget to highlight your motivation in addition to your competence. The power of a postdoc cover letter lies in its ability to demonstrate your drive and career goals in addition to factual details about your abilities.
Make sure to proofread your cover letter before submitting it. When it comes to academic writing , proofreading is essential. Any typos or errors can draw the wrong kind of attention. You can even ask a friend or a mentor to go through your letter before you submit it.
You should write a new postdoc cover letter every time you apply for a new position. This way, you’ll ensure that your document is perfectly tailored to the needs of the organization that you’re applying to, maximizing your chances of success.
Maintain a professional tone throughout your cover letter. Even though you want to highlight drive and enthusiasm, you should still remain courteous and professional.
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to write a compelling postdoc cover letter for Harvard, Caltech, or any other institute or organization. Formats and layouts remain the same, regardless of the position or the institution that you’re applying to.
Moreover, the writing rules don’t change based on the field of study , so a postdoc cover letter in the humanities and social sciences will be rather similar to a physics or biology one. Your goal is to concisely explain what you’re applying for, highlight your strongest qualifications, and emphasize your motivation.
Now, all you need to know is how to write a CV , and you’re ready to apply for a postdoc and get your new role in academia. Best of luck in your future efforts!
Create your cover letter once, use it everywhere
Our experts gather the best career & resume tips every 2 weeks. It takes 15 minutes or less. They will be sent straight to your inbox!
IMAGES
VIDEO