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Cover letters for faculty job applications
The cover letter serves as an introduction to your application package and answers the following questions: Who are you? When will you defend your dissertation (if you’re currently ABD)? Why are you interested in applying for this assistant professor position? Why are you interested in this institution? What is your dissertation research about? What are your research plans? What kind of teaching experience do you have? How will you contribute to our department and institution? Why is the school a good fit for you and vice versa? A strong cover letter will be tailored to the institution to which you’re applying. For the humanities and social sciences, it is typically two to three pages long, and for STEM fields, it is typically one to two pages but will vary depending on the specific discipline.
The purpose of a cover letter
Sometimes called a “ letter of intent ” or “ letter of interest “, a cover letter is an introduction to the rest of your job application materials. The purpose of a cover letter is to quickly summarize why you are applying to an organization or for a particular position, and what skills and knowledge you bring that make you the most suitable candidate for that position. The cover letter is often the first impression that a prospective employer will have of you, especially if they do not know you, or have not heard about you from their network of contacts. First impressions count, and so getting your cover letter right is a critical step in your job application process. Like all your job application materials, it may take time and focus to write your cover letters well. You will likely have several drafts before you come up with a final version that clearly articulates your skills and your understanding of the employer and the job requirements.
While your CV briefly states your skills, knowledge, experience, and (most importantly) what you have achieved using your abilities, the cover letter gives you an opportunity to create a narrative that shows the path you have taken in your career or education, emphasizing the skills you’ve used along the way, and explaining why the position you are applying to is the next desirable step on this path.
Timeline: Getting Started with your Cover Letter
Step 1: The first step to writing a good cover letter is to first have a good CV. Your cover letter expands upon some of the information you include within these documents, and describes the role you have played in achieving your academic goals (i.e., showing how your experiences have made you the best candidate for the position).
Step 2: The next step is to find an open position that interests you. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all cover letter, as each should be tailored to each job you apply to, but there will certainly be parts of the letter that will stay much the same, and be appropriate for multiple jobs. A 1-3 page cover letter might be the norm when applying for a tenure-track, faculty position, but you need to check with your own department to find out what the norms are in your field.
Step 3: Go through the job ad and carefully note all of the requirements and skills the employer is looking for. Based on your background research of the employer and the people you have spoken to who know about this employer (whether a business or a university department), try to identify the two or three most important skills that the employer is looking for. You should then try to create a cover letter that illustrates that you have these skills and have used them effectively.
When applying for faculty positions, especially those that involve both teaching and research, you will be expected to spend some time in your cover letter talking about your research and goals, as well as your teaching – even though you may have covered these in more detail in your research statement and teaching philosophy documents. How much time you need to spend talking about teaching and research will depend on the nature of the position and your field of study. For some humanities and social sciences applications, you will not be asked for a separate research statement, and this information will need to be integrated into the cover letter. Cover letters for scientific positions will generally be shorter as more (but not all) of the information about research will be covered in the research statement. Academic letters also need to cover everything that non-academic cover letters address, however, because you need to show that you are not only a good academic, but that you are a good person to work with who is committed to working at that particular institution. Make sure that you address the requirements of the position as stated in the job ad. Speak to faculty in your department to get a sense of what is expected in cover letters used in faculty job applications for your discipline. See if any faculty you know have been involved in search committees, and find out what they looked for in cover letters.
Explore other application documents:

Create Cover Letter
Ms. Nancy Eddings HR Manager Barton College 1359 Ray Court Wilmington, NC 28403
Subject: Application for position of Assistant Professor
Dear Ms. Eddings,
I wish to apply for the position of Assistant Professor as advertised. I have the necessary skills and qualifications for this post, as well as the necessary experience. I therefore believe that what I have to offer to Barton College – North Carolina will be of great benefit to the company.
I have a B.S in Science from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. My dissertation is entitled War and Knowledge Production. As you can see, I am highly suited to the post of Assistant Professor at Barton College – North Carolina.
I have some experience in teaching and tutoring students when I worked at Western Carolina University – North Carolina. I was 7 years there and established a very good working relationship with the staff, as well as with the students.
I take a friendly approach to teaching, believing that my students are simply equals who have yet to gain the knowledge I can impart to them. I find this approach helps to break traditional “them” and “us” type barriers between students and their tutors.
I also feel that the students gain more as a result of using this approach, not to mention the satisfaction that the teacher can also gain. I was highly thought of in my previous post, and I know I can repeat my standard of professionalism at Barton College as well.
I am sure that my proven ability to manage and maintain the highest standards as an Assistant Professor will be of the greatest benefit to Barton College, and I have confidence that I can make a significant contribution to the college.
I may be contacted at (222)-408-6921, or by email at [email protected] I look forward to the opportunity of meeting you at interview level, and I thank you for the opportunity to be considered for the post of Assistant Professor.
Yours Sincerely,
(Signature hand written in blue pen ink)
Michael Berrios
In addition to the Assistant Professor Cover Letter, be sure to check out our Assistant Professor CV Templates
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In this article, we'll cover:
Sample Cover Letter for Assistant Professor
How to write an assistant professor cover letter, assistant professor cover letter template.
If you are ready to mentor students and pursue a rewarding academic career, an assistant professor position could be perfect for you. Assistant professors perform an important function at any college or university. They teach, conduct research, and work with students. Daily tasks can include answering inquiries, hosting office hours, grading assignments and planning lessons. Unlike professors, assistant profs don’t have tenure and might not have much teaching experience.
To land an assistant professor position, a cover letter for the application is essential. While your resume will list your experience, your assistant professor cover letter will elaborate on your specific skills and give the hiring committee an idea of why you are passionate about the position. Putting a little extra effort into your cover letter for an assistant professor job will help you to beat out your competition and land an interview.
✉️ Cover letter for assistant professor in English
If you are applying for the post of assistant professor in English, you’ll need to customize your associate professor cover letter to the specific English department. This cover letter sample for assistant professors can act as a guide for your own application.
Peter Ettore 111-111-1111 [email protected]
Ginette Vibeke English Department Manager Great Mind University
Dear Ms. Vibeke,
I’m writing to apply for the open Assistant Professor position in the English Department at Great Mind University. I have a master’s degree in English literature from New City College and relevant experience as a teacher’s assistant. I believe my professional history will make me a good fit in your department.
In my previous position as a TA, I was responsible for planning and teaching tutorials and maintaining regular communication with my students. I developed tests and assignments, and graded essays, all of which required keen attention to detail and strong organization skills. I was able to develop my confidence as a teacher during those two years, and I look forward to bringing these skills to an assistant professor position at Great Mind.
My passion has always been medieval literature, and your English department is second to none in this regard. My particular focus is on the early Renaissance period, and I’m excited at the prospect of exploring this further in an assistant professor role.
If you have any questions about my qualifications, you can reach me by email or phone. I look forward to discussing my resume in person. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, Peter Ettore
✉️ Cover letter for assistant professor in mathematics
If the faculty you are applying to is mathematics, make sure you demonstrate relatable skills in your cover letter for associate professors. Use this cover letter for a faculty position example to help inspire your writing.
Eliana Thando 123-123-1233 [email protected]
Nathan Mehmoud Hiring Manager Academy University
Dear Mr. Mehmoud,
I’m excited to submit my application for the assistant professor position at Academy University. I have a master’s in applied mathematics, and previous history as an associate professor. My combination of skills and experience make me an ideal applicant for this role.
I’ve spent the last four years working as an assistant professor at Small City College, where I planned lessons and taught tutorials while maintaining frequent communication with students and faculty. My experience as a tutor helped me develop my interpersonal skills, and I found a passion for helping students to meet their potential. These experiences all transfer directly to the assistant professor role.
I’m excited by the mathematics department at Academy University because its program attracts applicants from all over the world. I’m confident my skills and experience can support Academy University to achieve its objectives and students from diverse backgrounds.
I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further. You can reach me by phone or email. Thank you for your consideration.
Regards, Eliana Thando
Like any application letter, writing a good assistant professor cover letter takes some time, but don’t overthink it! Here are some simple steps to writing a great cover letter for an assistant professor job.
✏️ Do proper research
Before you write your assistant professor cover letter, do some research about the position and the school. Knowing more about the faculty or school you’ll be working for can help you incorporate some key details into your cover letter for a university staff job. If you understand what the school is looking for in their profs, you can use the assistant professor cover letter to demonstrate that you share their values and meet their needs.
✏️ Include necessary elements
An associate professor cover letter should include all the standard components of any application letter. Use these tips to help you create an outline for your cover letter for an assistant professor job.
- Information of the sender and recipient
The very first section of your assistant professor cover letter should be basic personal information. Include your name, address, email, and links to online profiles at the top of your associate professor cover letter. You should also write the name of the hiring manager, their position title, and the company name on a cover letter for an assistant professor job.
- A clear subject line (for emails)
If you’re applying for the post of assistant professor by email, use a clear subject line. It should be specific but brief and include the position title. For example, use a subject line like ‘Assistant Professor Job Application’ or ‘Assistant Professor Cover Letter and Resume.’
The greeting of your associate professor cover letter should be polite and professional. Use ‘Dear’ and then the manager’s last name.
- Body paragraphs
The body paragraphs of your cover letter for the assistant professor position should be tailored to the position. Be specific about your relevant skills and experience and use direct examples of times you’ve used those skills. Try not to fit too much of your work history into the associate professor cover letter, since this will already be laid out in your resume.
Use the closing paragraph of your assistant professor cover letter to let the manager know how they can contact you. Thank them for their time and attention and invite them to follow up with you. Be confident but polite when closing your cover letter for the post of assistant professor.
The sign-off of your associate professor cover letter should be professional and polite. Words like ‘sincerely,’ or ‘best regards’ are safe choices.
- Your contact information (for emails)
If you’re writing your cover letter for an associate professor post as an email, don’t forget to include your contact information at the end. List your email and phone number once more, so the manager has easy access to your information after they’ve read your assistant professor cover letter.
✏️ Highlight assistant professor skills
When you are applying for the post of assistant professor, certain skills will make you stand out from your competition. Your assistant professor cover letter is a great opportunity to showcase these skills in action.
- Communication
One of the best skills you can demonstrate on your assistant professor cover letter is good written and verbal communication. Assistant professors must communicate with faculty and students both in-person and over email. They also need to write papers and get their ideas across clearly and concisely. In your associate professor cover letter, you can give examples of times that you’ve used communication skills.
Assistant professors are often tasked with conducting research and submitting their findings to be published. Experience or training in research methods is a great skill to highlight on a cover letter for a university staff job. When you are applying for the post of assistant professor, you can mention any previous research projects you’ve worked on.
- Analytical
While writing a cover letter for the post of assistant professor, look for ways to demonstrate your analytical skills. Professors need to teach their students reasoning skills and be critical thinkers themselves. One way to demonstrate analytical skills on your assistant professor cover letter is by describing a challenge at work and your method of resolving it.
Keep in mind as you’re creating your assistant professor cover letter, that writing will be a big part of your job. Professors must write their research as well as email correspondence with students and faculty. A great way to demonstrate writing skills is with a well-written associate professor cover letter, but you can also indicate times that you’ve successfully used writing skills in your academic career.
If you’re applying for the post of assistant professor, you are likely passionate about academia and have dedicated a huge part of your life to your studies. Don’t be afraid to show your passion for your subject or the department in your associate professor cover letter. Passion will let the hiring manager know that you care and help your assistant professor cover letter stand out.
Educators have a challenging position and occasionally need patience when dealing with students and other faculty members. Patience is therefore a good skill to incorporate in your assistant professor cover letter. Try to give an example of a time when patience and thoughtfulness helped you in a work environment.
Since assistant professors must lead a class of students, then leadership skills are essential to include in your assistant professor cover letter. You could be speaking in front of a large group at times and may need to take charge of different tasks in your department. Include examples of your leadership ability on your cover letter for an associate professor job to help your chances with the hiring committee.
It will help you to show you’re a motivated person when applying for the post of assistant professor. Professors have a difficult job, and the hiring manager will want to know that you are enthusiastic. Look for ways to give examples of your tireless commitment to academia in your assistant professor cover letter.
Since professors work independently, present their ideas, and speak publicly, confidence is a crucial skill to demonstrate in a cover letter for a university staff job. Give examples of times you’ve been self-assured in a previous position when applying to the post of assistant professor.
- Organization
A professor has many duties they need to juggle, including countless administrative tasks. It may help your chances to show your organisation skills in a cover letter for an assistant professor position. Give specific examples of your organisation skills in action when you write your assistant professor cover letter.
✏️ Proofread
The best thing you can do to perfect your associate professor cover letter is to proofread it. Wait some time after you’ve finished your assistant professor cover letter to reread it and check for grammatical errors or awkward sentences. You can improve your cover letter even further by asking a friend or colleague to proofread it for you.
✏️ Highlight relevant experience
Whether you are applying for the post of assistant professor for the first time or have experience teaching at the university level, use your associate professor cover letter to elaborate on applicable experience. This can be anything from tutoring to camp counselling. Don’t go into your entire work history in your assistant professor cover letter but instead write about directly relevant experience and pick one or two positions you think will help you shine.
If you’re not sure how to start writing, try following an example of a cover letter for a faculty position as a jumping off point. Use this template of an assistant professor cover letter and fill it in with your own details.
[Your Name] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email] [Your Website URL]
[Hiring Manager’s Name] [Hiring Manager’s Position Title] [School Name] [School Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name] ,
I’m writing to apply for the position of [Position Title] at [School Name] . I am skilled in [list skills] and I have relevant experience in [list experience] . My qualifications and professional history make me an ideal candidate for this role.
In my previous role as [Previous Position Title] at [Company Name] , I was responsible for [describe several key responsibilities] . During my time there, I [list major accomplishments] . I used this opportunity to advance my skills in [describe a skill] when I [give specific examples of that skill in action] .
I am excited by the prospect of working for [School Name] because [give a reason you are excited] . I look forward to bringing my expertise in [list skills] to the team at [School Name] .
If you have any questions about my qualifications, you can reach me by [preferred contact method] . I look forward to meeting you. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
🔑 Key Takeaways
If you’re applying for the post of assistant professor, you surely have a passion for academia and maybe even some experience under your belt.
Writing a strong associate professor cover letter is the first step in a rewarding career. Think about the skills you need to demonstrate when you write your assistant professor cover letter and give specific examples of your accomplishments. Do some research before writing a cover letter for a university staff job, and make sure you proofread before you submit.
A well-written assistant professor cover letter can land you your dream position!
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Academic Cover Letters

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When you're applying for a faculty position with a college or university, the cover letter is your first chance to make a strong impression as a promising researcher and teacher. Below you'll find some strategies for presenting your qualifications effectively in an academic context.
Distinctions between Academic and Business Cover Letters
A cover letter for an academic job has a function similar to one for a business job, but the content differs significantly in quantity and kind. While the general advice for business cover letters—such as tailoring your letter for the specific job and selling your strengths—still applies, a cover letter for an academic position should be long enough to highlight in some detail your accomplishments during your graduate education in research, teaching, departmental service, and so on. The typical letter is thus usually one and a half to two pages long, but not more than two—roughly five to eight paragraphs.
The First Paragraph
In the opening of your letter you need to convey some basic information, such as what specific position you are applying for (using the title given in the job notice) and where you learned of the opening. Since a cover letter is a kind of persuasive writing (persuading a hiring committee to include you on a list of candidates for further review), the first paragraph of your letter should also make the initial claim as to why you are a strong candidate for the position.
Tailoring for Your Audience
In an academic context knowing your audience means reading the job notice carefully and knowing the type of institution to which you are applying. Most graduate students have studied a broad range of material within their discipline before specializing in a narrow field for the dissertation project. Since it is rare to find a job notice specifying your exact qualifications, you need to emphasize those aspects of your graduate training that seem particularly relevant to the position advertised.
- Job notice: If you've written a political science dissertation on populism in early twentieth-century US national politics, you probably won't respond to a notice seeking a specialist in international politics during the Cold War. But you may wish to apply for a position teaching twentieth-century US political parties and movements. In this case you would want to stress the relevance of your dissertation to the broad context of twentieth-century US politics, even though the study focuses narrowly on the pre-World War I period. You might also highlight courses taken, presentations given, or other evidence of your expertise that corresponds to the job notice.
- Type of institution: Often the job notice will provide a brief description of the college or university, indicating such factors as size, ownership (public, private), affiliation (religious, nonsectarian), geography (urban, suburban, rural), and so on. These factors will influence the kind of information emphasized in your letter. For example, for a job at a small liberal arts college that focuses on undergraduate teaching, you would emphasize your teaching experience and pedagogical philosophy early in the letter before mentioning your dissertation. On the other hand, for a job at a large research university you would provide at least one detailed paragraph describing your dissertation early in the letter, even indicating your plans for future research, before mentioning your teaching and other experience.
Other Advice
If you're still working on your dissertation, you should mention somewhere in the letter when you expect to be awarded the Ph.D., even being as specific as to mention how many chapters have been completed and accepted, how many are in draft version, and what your schedule for completion is. Last-paragraph tips include the following:
- Mention your contact information, including a phone number where you can be reached if you will be away during a holiday break.
- If you will be attending an upcoming major professional conference in your field, such as the MLA convention for language and literature professionals, indicate that you will be available for an interview there. Be sure to mention that you are available for telephone or campus-visit interviews as well.
- If you have some special connection to the school, type of institution, or region, such as having attended the school as an undergraduate or having grown up in the area, you may wish to mention that information briefly at some point.
- Mention your willingness to forward upon request additional materials such as writing samples, teaching evaluations, and letters of recommendation.
Job seekers at Purdue University may find value in the Purdue Career Wiki.

Cover letter for a faculty position
Criteria for success.
- Demonstrate scientific accomplishments and scholastic achievement.
- Clearly define the vision and impact of your future research program.
- Differentiate yourself from colleagues, e.g. your advisors and other faculty candidates.
- Establish what your niche will be in the department.
- Clearly display excitement and passion.
- Keep the cover letter to 1 to 2 pages . The optional second page may contain a list of publications/presentations or a list of references.
The faculty cover letter, as with cover letters for other positions , is the first part of your application to be read by the Faculty Search Committee. Therefore, the primary purpose of a faculty cover letter is to summarize your application by connecting your Research and Teaching Statements, CV, and references.
Analyze your audience
Knowing what the Faculty Search Committee is looking for will help you tailor your application.
Searches for new hires may focus on specific research areas ( e.g. nanomaterials, systems engineering, therapeutic science, renewable energy). In this case, you should customize your application to highlight your work in the specified research area.
Alternatively, departments may concentrate solely on the best candidates regardless of pre-selected scientific disciplines, in which case you have more flexibility in how you present yourself.
In addition, academic employment opportunities differ based on whether positions are tenure-tracked or require teaching, and the type of institution (university, medical school, research institute). Research the responsibilities associated with each of these positions, and include only information relevant to the specific position – don’t waste valuable space on irrelevant experiences.
Structure of a Cover Letter
- Critical contact information: name, degree, current position, email, and phone number
- Your professional profile or webpage ( e.g. LinkedIn, ResearchGate, Academia.edu)
- Date, department, and university name and address .
- Salutation – “Dear [Faculty Search Committee / Department Head],”
- Brief introduction – Display excitement. State specific terms related to the faculty position, department and university. For example, if you are applying to a “cluster” hire that includes faculty across multiple departments, such as Systems and Synthetic Biology , then state this directly. State the position for which you are applying ( i.e. tenure-track appointment, assistant faculty position).
- Strong opening statement – Declare your targeted research areas. Establish the foundation on which you will base your research. Emphasize novel interfaces and applications within your proposed research.
- Scientific achievements – Summarize successes highlighted in your CV that demonstrate the breadth and depth of scientific expertise. Demonstrate your productivity, as well as key scientific or technical strengths, with supporting details.
- Motivation & impact – State areas of expertise and indicate specific aims of your future research program. Clearly describe how these aims align with current research initiatives in the department or university.
- Teaching & mentorship – Highlight your experience in the classroom and as a research mentor, and service in the profession or community.
- Wrap-up – “Additional documents are enclosed. Please feel free to contact me if supplemental information is required.”
- Follow-up & thank you – Be clear that you expect to hear back (e.g. “I look forward to your reply”). Thank the committee for their time and consideration.
- Closure – Maintain professionalism. “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” and “Kindest regards” are appropriate closing phrases. Include your electronic signature.
Advocate for yourself
The faculty cover letter emphasizes your past and present academic career, while promoting your future potential. For many of us, exuding confidence in an open letter of introduction is challenging, but you have to believe in yourself before you can convince others to believe in you.
State your pedigree
In academia, the institutions and departments you have attended and the advisors for whom you have worked do matter. State this information in Scientific Achievements . Inform your audience if you have co-taught classes with distinguished professors in Teaching & Mentorship or emphasize existing collaborations in the Motivation & Impact section.
Quantify your productivity
Academia identifies scientific contributions by the following conventions: number of publications, quality, and impact. In addition to research articles, noteworthy contributions may also include opinion articles, book chapters, or your role as a journal reviewer. Emphasize alternative sources of scientific communication (and funding) such as distinguished merit-based fellowships.
Engineering students are likely to be co-authors of patents; state this information.
Describe your future potential
Beyond reiterating your past accomplishments, you must also show that you are prepared to handle the future challenges of being a Principal Investigator. By far, the most difficult paragraph to write in the faculty cover letter focuses on the Motivation & Impact of your future research program. Clearly articulate the vision of your future research program and describe how your leadership will facilitate an environment of scientific and teaching excellence. Demonstrate expert understanding of your field, and confidently state your qualifications as a leader in research, an educator, and a citizen of the university.
Define your niche
Your application will be one out of hundreds. You must differentiate yourself and your research program from other candidates, as well as previous or current advisor(s). Ask yourself what you will do that is unique compared to any of your past or future colleagues. How will you fit uniquely into the department — what is your niche?
The Motivation & impact section provides an opportunity to concisely define your niche. State specific aims of your proposed research that expand upon the department’s core strengths while simultaneously diversifying the university’s research portfolio ( e.g. emerging research fields, state-of-the art technologies, novel applications). Carefully consider research centers, core facilities, affiliated institutes or medical centers at the university. In many cases, campus- or state-wide research initiatives may complement your research program.
Finally, take advantage of any experiences you’ve had outside of academia. Have you previously worked in industry or consulted? Would these former and future relationships lead to additional funding for your lab? If so, suggest more unusual avenues of additional funding. It may no longer suffice to focus primarily on traditional grants sponsored by government agencies. Think of creative alternatives and diversify your future financial portfolio. This, in turn, differentiates your research program from colleagues.
Finally, you will more than likely apply to multiple departments and universities. Therefore, modify your niche for every application!
Make important information concise and identifiable
Again, your application is one out of hundreds. Helping the Faculty Search Committee easily identify important information in your cover letter will only improve your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. A faculty cover letter should not exceed 1 page , so you must present your qualifications to the Faculty Search Committee in a concise manner.
Maximize impact of words. Use verbs that illustrate impact (“led,” “developed,” “innovated”) over verbs that make you sound passive (“participated”). Aim for verbs that are more specific to the actual contribution you made.
Minimize redundancy and wordiness. For every sentence, challenge yourself to remove as many words as possible without changing the meaning of the sentence.
Use keywords. Keywords cited by grant-funding agencies, easily recognizable by any faculty member, should be included in relevant sections of your faculty cover letter. Using field-specific vocabulary may demonstrate your understanding of the field and the department’s needs, but be aware that Faculty Search Committees with mixed expertise may require simpler vocabulary and/or explanations accessible to a broader audience.
Maintain abundant white space. In terms of formatting, inclusion of white space is easy on the eye while providing a precise transition from one section to the next.
Devote time!
Crafting your faculty application is a process that will continue indefinitely.
- Devote time to your faculty application, working in consistent increments over the course of weeks not days.
- Take time to brainstorm, reflect, write, edit, critique, and revise accordingly.
- Seek guidance in terms of technical content, emphasis of soft skills, as well as grammatical improvements and aesthetics from colleagues and friends.
Above all else, remember that the faculty application is a creative process. Enjoy it!
This content was adapted from from an article originally created by the MIT Biological Engineering Communication Lab .
Resources and Annotated Examples
Annotated example 1.
Example Faculty Cover Letter 887 KB
Annotated Example 2
Example Faculty CV 85 KB
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Assistant Professor Cover Letter Examples
Assistant Professors are employed by universities alongside associates and full professors. Assistant Professors are untenured faculty also called probationary faculty; the probationary period lasts for five or six years. Essential duties of an Assistant Professor include: teaching students, supporting student learning, implementing e-learning solutions, preparing course materials, serving as a member of thesis committees, advising students and answering to their emails, and doing office hours.
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Include These Assistant Professor Skills
- Teaching and research skills
- Organization and planning
- Teamwork and the ability to work independently
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Computer competences
- Administrative skills
- Time management and deadline sensitivity
An example cover letter for Assistant Professor emphasizing similar qualifications is available below.
Dear Dr. Wilson:
It is with great interest that I am sending my CV to you in response to your posting for an Assistant Professor. As a skilled, research-oriented, and dedicated instructor with a recent Doctorate Degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan, I am prepared to substantially benefit your department in this role.
Preparing lessons, leading class lectures, supervising lab projects, and conducting both independent and peer-based research projects are just a few of the areas in which I excel. By teaching students from a wide range of backgrounds and learning styles I have honed my communication and creativity skills, enabling me to heighten student interest, participation, and motivation. Additionally, I have continually demonstrated a record of research and publishing excellence, including collaborative publications of numerous articles in top-tier academic journals.
Highlights of my qualifications include:
Creating individualized plans and programs to facilitate a targeted, personalized approach to education while stimulating students’enjoyment and appreciation for the subject.
Incorporating college philosophies, regulations, and assessments into lessons while allowing for customizable creativity and flexibility.
Encouraging student participation and progress, meeting with them during and after office hours to ensure optimal subject comprehension and real-world application.
Continually attending professional development seminars to remain abreast of new technologies and alternative delivery methods; integrating tools such as hand-outs, presentations, videos, online activities, and laboratory offerings into classes.
Playing a pivotal role as a key student member of the departmental curriculum review process as a teaching assistant at the University of Michigan.
With my credentials and enthusiasm to teaching excellence, I am well prepared to dedicate myself to the highest standards of instruction at your university and exceed your expectations for this position. I look forward to discussing my qualifications in further detail. Thank you for your consideration.
Brian S. Messer, PhD
A professional cover letter is the first step toward your new job!


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Check with faculty in your department. ... The cover letter is a writing sample. ... I am writing to apply for the position of Assistant Professor in
Why are you interested in applying for this assistant professor position? Why are you interested in this institution? What is your dissertation research about?
Thank you deeply for your kindness and attention in considering me for this position. I hope that as we move forward through the hiring process
I wish to apply for the position of Assistant Professor as advertised. I have the necessary skills and qualifications for this post, as well as the necessary
To land an assistant professor position, a cover letter for the application is essential. While your resume will list your experience
I am writing to apply for the position as assistant professor of English with an emphasis in rhetoric and composition that you advertised in the October MLA
When you're applying for a faculty position with a college or university, the cover letter is your first chance to make a strong impression as a promising
The faculty cover letter, as with cover letters for other positions, is the first part of your application to be read by the Faculty Search Committee.
Creating your academic cover letter ... I am excited to learn of the opening for an assistant professor in the Department of.
With my credentials and enthusiasm to teaching excellence, I am well prepared to dedicate myself to the highest standards of instruction at your university and