cover letter for research and development scientist

How to Write an Research Scientist Cover Letter (With Template)

Key takeaways

• A cover letter can be the most important element in a job application. Ensuring your profile stands out to recruiters is crucial to your professional success.
• A well-tailored cover letter should provide relevant information clearly and concisely. Focus on detailing your skills and why you are the right person for that specific role.
• The included Research Scientist cover letter template provides an easy starting point to craft your own cover letters. Adapt and personalize it to fit your profile.

A well-written cover letter is key to quickly getting the attention of prospective employers. Among countless job seekers, resumes, and application letters, yours need to stand out on first impression if you want to ensure your job search   translates to a new role .

In this post, you will discover:

• Reasons why a well-crafted cover letter is key to professional success, from entry-level roles to senior positions
• Cover letter do’s and dont’s
• A Research Scientist sample cover letter you can easily adapt and personalize

A well-tailored   cover letter : The key to   job application   success

Ensuring you know how to write a cover letter that is clear, informative, and tailored to the role you are applying to will benefit you in many ways. Well-crafted cover letters have many benefits, which include:

• Showcasing relevance:   Tailoring your cover letter allows you to emphasize the most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that align with the specific job requirements. This immediately captures the attention of the   talent acquisition   team, recruiters, or human resources reps.
• Demonstrating research:   A good cover letter conveys your understanding of the organization's needs and illustrates how you can contribute to its success, signaling to potential employers that you've done your homework.
• Telling your story:   Each job application is unique, and a tailored cover letter enables you to craft a personalized narrative. It lets you connect your professional journey with the role's specific challenges and opportunities, making your application more compelling.
• Highlighting cultural fit:   Your cover letter allows you to address the company's values, mission, and culture. By aligning your experiences and values with those of the organization, you demonstrate a cultural fit and convey your enthusiasm for being part of the team.
• Addressing specific requirements:   Job postings often include   specific skills or qualifications   the employer is seeking. Tailoring your cover letter enables you to address these requirements directly, showcasing how you possess the desired attributes and can meet the company's expectations.

Cover letter tips

A great cover letter should reflect your professional profile and personality. However, no matter what your cover letter's content is, the tips below will help ensure the message you want to convey is clear and easily accessible to hiring managers.

• Keep it concise:   Aim for a cover letter length of 250-400 words. Be succinct in presenting your qualifications and experiences.
• Use a clean layout:   Opt for a professional and clean cover letter format with a standard font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman) and a font size of 10-12 points.
• Include   contact information :   Provide your contact information at the top of the cover letter, including your name, phone number, and professional email address.
• Use   headers   and sections:   Organize your cover letter into clear sections with headers such as Introduction, Work Experience, and Achievements for easy readability.
• Maintain a professional tone:   Keep the tone of your cover letter professional and upbeat. Avoid overly casual language, and focus on showcasing your skills and experiences.
• Use keywords:   Incorporate relevant keywords from the Agile Project Manager   job description   and company website into your cover letter. This can help your application pass through   applicant tracking systems (ATS)   used by many employers.
• Highlight achievements with bullet points:   Use bullet points to list specific accomplishments or notable projects. This makes it easier for the reader to grasp your accomplishments quickly.
• Use quantifiable data:   Whenever possible, include quantifiable data to demonstrate the impact of your achievements. Numbers provide concrete evidence of your contributions.
• Match company tone:   Adapt your writing style to match the tone of the company and industry. Research the company's culture to strike the right balance between professionalism and personality.
• Showcase company knowledge:   Demonstrate your understanding of the company by referencing its values, mission, or recent achievements. Explain why you're excited about the opportunity to work for this specific organization.
• Address employment gaps (if applicable):   If you have employment gaps, briefly address them in a positive light, focusing on any skills or experiences gained during those periods.
• Proofread   thoroughly:   Eliminate typos and grammatical errors by proofreading your cover letter multiple times. Consider using tools like Grammarly to catch any overlooked mistakes and ensure your English (or any language you use) is correct.
• Include a   call to action :   Conclude your cover letter with a call to action, expressing your enthusiasm for the opportunity and indicating your readiness for an interview.
• Follow submission instructions:   If there are specific instructions for submitting the cover letter, such as naming conventions or document formats, ensure that you adhere to them.
• Save as a PDF:   Save your cover letter as a PDF before submitting it. This ensures that the formatting remains consistent across different devices and software.

While understanding the correct steps to write a cover letter is crucial to your professional success, knowing what mistakes to avoid is equally important. The best cover letter can easily be made useless by a tiny blunder. Avoid making the mistakes listed below; you will be halfway to your new job.

• Don't use a generic greeting:   Avoid generic salutations like "To whom it may concern," “Dear sir or madam, “ or “Dear hiring manager.“ Whenever possible, address the cover letter to a specific person.
• Don't repeat your resume:   An effective cover letter should complement your resume, not duplicate it. Focus on specific experiences and achievements that showcase your qualifications for the role.
• Don't exaggerate or lie:   Be truthful in your cover letter. Exaggerating your qualifications or providing false information can harm your chances and damage your professional reputation.
• Don't use unprofessional email addresses:   Ensure that the email address you use in your contact information is professional. Avoid using nicknames or unprofessional terms.
• Don't include irrelevant information:   Keep your cover letter focused on the job. Avoid including unrelated personal details or experiences that do not contribute to your suitability for the role.
• Don't use jargon unnecessarily:   While demonstrating your knowledge is essential, avoid unnecessary jargon that may confuse the reader. Use clear and straightforward language.
• Don't sound overly eager:   Expressing enthusiasm is positive but can easily feel unauthentic if overdone.

Remember, the goal of a practical cover letter is to present your qualifications in a clear, organized, and compelling manner while adhering to professional standards.

How to structure your Research Scientist   cover letter

Express your genuine interest in the Research Scientist position at [Research Institution or Company Name] in the opening paragraph. Communicate your passion for scientific discovery, data analysis, and your eagerness to contribute to a team dedicated to advancing knowledge and making significant contributions to your field. If applicable, mention any referrals that have influenced your decision to apply for this specific role.

About your current role

Highlight your achievements and effective research strategies that have positively impacted the success of your current team. Emphasize your role in designing and conducting experiments, analyzing complex datasets, and contributing to high-impact research projects. Demonstrate your proficiency in research methodologies, advanced data analysis techniques, and your ability to lead and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Use this section to outline your current responsibilities and ongoing projects, emphasizing how they align with the requirements and objectives of the Research Scientist role.

About your experience

Detail your extensive hands-on experience in research scientist roles, showcasing your ability to conceptualize and lead research projects, publish in reputable journals, and contribute to the advancement of your field. Clearly communicate that your research skills and readiness for the role are well-established. This section is also an opportunity to highlight any relevant publications, presentations, or additional skills you've acquired throughout your research career.

Notable achievements

Highlight notable accomplishments that showcase your effectiveness as a Research Scientist. Whether you played a key role in a groundbreaking research project, developed novel research methodologies, or contributed to significant advancements in your field, use this section to concisely mention your achievements, how they were measured, and their impact on the overall success of the research projects you've been involved in.

Why you want to work there

Express your interest in the institution or company by highlighting specific aspects of its research focus, mission, and values related to your field of expertise that resonate with you. Convey how these align seamlessly with your professional goals and how you envision contributing to the organization's success through your expertise as a research scientist. Be concise but articulate about your motivations.

Specific projects or initiatives that motivated you to apply

Demonstrate your understanding of the organization by referencing specific research-related projects or initiatives that have captured your interest. Draw connections between these initiatives and your skills and experiences, emphasizing how your contributions align with the institution or company's goals for advancing scientific knowledge. This shows your genuine interest and proactive approach to aligning with the organization's mission.

In the closing paragraph, reiterate your enthusiasm to contribute to the organization's success as a Research Scientist. Express your eagerness to discuss how your skills align with the organization's research objectives and invite the reader to reach out with any questions they may have. Sign off with a professional salutation.

Research Scientist   cover letter template

Dear [Hiring Manager’s name],

I am writing to express my interest in the Research Scientist position at [Institution or Company Name], as advertised. With a strong background in [Your Field of Expertise] and a proven track record of conducting impactful research, I am eager to contribute my skills and expertise to your esteemed research team.

About my current role

In my current position as a Research Scientist at [Current Institution or Company], I have:

• Led and conducted independent and collaborative research projects in [Your Field of Expertise].
• Published research findings in reputable journals and presented at national and international conferences.
• Mentored and collaborated with junior researchers, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.

About my Research Scientist experience

My experience extends to:

• Designing and executing experiments, ensuring the integrity and validity of research methodologies.
• Utilizing advanced research techniques and methodologies, such as [specific techniques or tools relevant to your field].
• Securing research funding through successful grant applications and contributing to proposal writing.

Some of my notable achievements include:

• Leading a research project that resulted in [specific research outcome, e.g., a new discovery, a novel methodology, etc.].
• Establishing collaborations with [specific institutions or researchers], enhancing the reach and impact of research projects.
• Contributing to the development of [specific technology or product] based on research findings.

Why I want to work for [Institution or Company]

I am particularly drawn to [Institution or Company Name] due to its [mention aspects unique to the institution or company such as commitment to cutting-edge research, renowned researchers on the team, access to state-of-the-art facilities, growth,...]. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to [Institution or Company Name]'s reputation for excellence in [Your Field of Expertise] and to collaborate with other leading researchers in the field.

Specific research projects or initiatives of [Institution or Company] that motivated me to apply

In researching [Institution or Company Name], I was impressed by your recent projects in [specific research focus or area]. I believe my expertise in [Your Field of Expertise] aligns seamlessly with your organizational objectives. My commitment to rigorous and impactful research and my dedication to advancing knowledge in the field would make me a valuable addition to your research team.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to further discuss how my skills and experiences align with the Research Scientist role at [Institution or Company Name]. I look forward to contributing to your team's success.

[Your Full Name]

Get your career rolling with Deel

Your job application is your chance to tell your professional story, and a well-tailored cover letter is your narrative's opening chapter. Remember that personalization is key. Make each word count, emphasizing how your background uniquely positions you as the ideal candidate, and get your dream job. 

Looking for even more inspiration?   Discover how to write a stellar cover letter in 5 steps .

Discover more tips and tools to help boost your career further and climb the steps to your dream job on   the get-hired content hub .

Deel makes growing remote and international teams effortless. Ready to get started?

Legal experts

• Hire Employees
• Hire Contractors
• Run Global Payroll
• Integrations
• For Finance Teams
• For Legal Teams
• For Hiring Managers
• Deel Solutions - Spain
• Deel Solutions - France
• Support hub
• Global Hiring Guide
• Partner Program
• Case Studies
• Service Status
• Worker Community
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service
• Whistleblower Policy
• Cookie policy
• Cookie Settings

• Extremes and Natural Hazards
• Adaptation Science
• Earth Data Across Scales
• Earth Data Science Education
• Earth Analytics
• Landscape Dynamics
• Partnerships
• Earth Analytics Professional Certificate
• Environmental Data Science Seminar Series
• Post Docs and Graduate Students
• Earth Data Science Corps
• How to Engage
• Learning Portal

How to Write a Good Cover Letter for a Research Position

Writing a cover letter can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be!

Some people believe cover letters are a science. Others seem to think they are more akin to black magic. Regardless of how you feel about cover letters, they are one of the most important parts of the job application process. Your resume or CV may get you an interview, but a good cover letter is what ensures that the hiring manager reads your resume in the first place.

Writing a cover letter for any job is important, but the art of writing a good cover letter for a research position can make or break your application. While writing a cover letter for a research position, you have to walk a fine line of proving your expertise and passion while limiting jargon and dense language.

In this post, we will explain cover letter writing basics, and then dive into how to write a research specific cover letter with examples of both good and bad practices.

What Is A Cover Letter and Why Do Cover Letters Matter?

A cover letter is your opportunity to tell a story and connect the dots of your resume. Resumes and curriculum vitae (CVs) are often cold and static—they don’t show any sort of character that will give companies a hint about if you will fit in with their culture. 

Your cover letter gives you the chance to demonstrate that you are an interesting, qualified, and intelligent person. Without proving that you are worth the time to interview, a company or research organization will set your application in the rejection pile without giving it a second look. 

So, what is a cover letter, exactly? It is an explanation (written out in paragraph form) of what you can bring to the company that goes beyond the information in your resume. Cover letters give a company a glimpse into the qualities that will make you the ideal candidate for their opening. 

Note that a cover letter is not the same as a letter of intent. A cover letter is written for a specific job opening. For example, if I got an email saying that the University of Colorado was looking for a tenure track faculty member to teach GEO 1001, and I chose to apply, I would write a cover letter. 

A letter of intent, however, is written regardless of the job opening. It is intended to express an interest in working at a particular company or with a particular group. The goal of a letter of intent is to demonstrate your interest in the company (or whatever type of group you are appealing to) and illustrate that you are willing to work with them in whatever capacity they feel is best. 

For example, if I loved the clothing company, Patagonia and wanted to work there, I could write a letter of intent. They may have an opening for a sales floor associate, but after reading my application and letter of intent, decide I would be better suited to a design position. Or, they may not have any positions open at all, but choose to keep my resume on hand for the next time they do. 

Most organizations want a cover letter, not a letter of intent, so it is important to make sure your cover letter caters to the specifics of the job posting. A cover letter should also demonstrate why you want to work at the company, but it should be primarily focused on why you can do the job better than any of the other applicants.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter: The Basics 

Writing a cover letter isn’t hard. Writing a good cover letter, a cover letter that will encourage a hiring manager to look at your application and schedule an interview, is more difficult (but certainly not impossible). Below, we will go over each of the important parts of a cover letter: the salutation, introduction, body, and conclusion, as well as some other best practices.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter Salutation

Don’t start with “Dear Sir/Ma’am” (or any iteration of a vague greeting, including “to whom it may concern”). Avoiding vague greetings is the oldest trick in the book, but it still holds a lot of weight. Starting a cover letter with the above phrase is pretty much stamping “I didn’t bother to research this company at all because I am sending out a million generic cover letters” across your application. It doesn’t look good. 

The best practice is to do your research and use your connections to find a name. “Dear Joe McGlinchy” means a lot more than “Dear Hiring Manager.” LinkedIn is a great tool for this—you can look up the company, then look through the employees until you find someone that seems like they hire for the relevant department. 

The most important thing about the salutation is to address a real human. By selecting someone in the company, you’ve demonstrated that you’ve done some research and are actually interested in this company specifically. Generic greetings aren’t eye-catching and don’t do well.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter Introduction

Once you’ve addressed your cover letter to a real human being, you need a powerful introduction to prove that this cover letter is worth the time it will take to read. This means that you need a hook. 

Your first sentence needs to be a strong starter, something to encourage the hiring manager not only to continue reading the cover letter, but to look at your application as well. If you have a contact in the company, you should mention them in the first sentence. Something along the lines of “my friend, Amanda Rice (UX/UI manager), suggested I apply for the natural language processing expert position after we worked together on a highly successful independent project.” 

The example above uses a few techniques. The name drop is good, but that only works if you actually have a connection in the company. Beyond that, this example has two strengths. First, it states the name of the position. This is important because hiring managers can be hiring for several different positions at a time, and by immediately clarifying which position you are applying for, you make their job a little bit easier.  Next, this sentence introduces concrete skills that apply to the job. That is a good way to start because it begins leading into the body, where you will go into depth about how exactly your experience and skills make you perfect for the job. 

Another technique for a strong lead-in to a cover letter is to begin with an applicable personal experience or anecdote. This attracts more attention than stereotypical intros (like the example above), but you have to be careful to get to the point quickly. Give yourself one or two sentences to tell the story and prove your point before you dive into your skills and the main body of the cover letter.

A more standard technique for introductions is simply expressing excitement. No matter how you choose to start, you want to demonstrate that you are eager about the position, and there is no easier way to do that than just saying it. This could take the form of “When I saw the description for X job on LinkedIn, I was thrilled: it is the perfect job for my Y skills and Z experience.” This option is simple and to-the-point, which can be refreshing for time-crunched hiring managers. 

Since we’ve provided a few good examples, we will offer a bad example, so you can compare and contrast. Don’t write anything along the line of: “My name is John Doe, and I am writing to express my interest in the open position at your company.” 

There are a few issues here. First, they can probably figure out your name. You don’t need that to be in the first sentence (or any of the sentences—the closing is an obvious enough spot). Next, “the open position” and “your company” are too generic. That sounds like the same cover letter you sent to every single employer in a hundred mile radius. Give the specifics! Finally, try to start with a little more spice. Add in some personality, something to keep the hiring manager reading. If you bore them to death in the first line, they aren’t going to look over your resume and application with the attention they deserve. 

How to Write a Good Cover Letter Body

So, you’ve addressed a real human being, and you’ve snagged their attention with a killer opening line. What next? Well, you have to hold on to that attention by writing an engaging and informative cover letter body. 

The body of a cover letter is the core of the important information you want to transmit. The introduction’s job was to snag the attention of the hiring manager. The body’s job is to sell them on your skills.  There are a few formatting things to be aware of before we start talking about what content belongs in the body of the cover letter. First, keep the company culture and standards in mind when picking a format. For example, if I want to work for a tech startup that is known for its wit and company culture, I can probably get away with using a bulleted list or another informal format. However, if I am applying to a respected research institution, using a standard five paragraph format is best. 

In addition, the cover letter should not be longer than a page. Hiring managers are busy people. They may have hundreds of resumes to read, so they don’t need a three page essay per person. A full page is plenty, and many hiring managers report finding three hundred words or less to be the idea length. Just to put that into context, the text from here to the “How to Write a Good Cover Letter Body” header below is about perfect, length-wise. 

Now, on to the more important part: the content. A cover letter should work in tandem with a resume. If you have a list of job experiences on your resume, don’t list them again in the cover letter. Use the valuable space in the cover letter to give examples about how you have applied your skills and experience. 

For example, if I have worked as a barista, I wouldn’t just say “I have worked as a barista at Generic Cafe.” The hiring manager could learn that from my resume. Instead, I could say “Working as a barista at Generic Cafe taught me to operate under pressure without feeling flustered. Once…” I would go on to recount a short story that illustrated my ability to work well under pressure. It is important that the stories and details you choose to include are directly related to the specific job. Don’t ramble or add anything that isn’t obviously connected. Use the job description as a tool—if it mentions a certain skill a few times, make sure to include it!

If you can match the voice and tone of your cover letter to the voice of the company, that usually earns you extra points. If, in their communications, they use wit, feel free to include it in your letter as well. If they are dry, to the point, and serious, cracking jokes is not the best technique.

A Few Don’ts of Writing a Cover Letter Body   

There are a few simple “don’ts” in cover letter writing. Do not: 

• Bad: I am smart, dedicated, determined, and funny.
• Better: When I was working at Tech Company, I designed and created an entirely new workflow that cut the product delivery time in half. 
• Bad: When I was seven, I really loved the monkeys at the zoo. This demonstrates my fun-loving nature. 
• Better: While working for This Company, I realized I was far more productive if I was light-hearted. I became known as the person to turn to in my unit when my coworkers needed a boost, and as my team adopted my ideology, we exceeded our sales goals by 200%. 
• Bad: I would love this job because it would propel me to the next stage of my career.
• Better: With my decade of industry experience communicating with engineers and clients, I am the right person to manage X team. 
• Bad: I know I’m not the most qualified candidate for this job, but…
• Better: I can apply my years of experience as an X to this position, using my skills in Y and Z to… 
• Bad: I am a thirty year old white woman from Denver…
• Better: I have extensive experience managing diverse international teams, as illustrated by the time I…  

The most important part of the cover letter is the body. Sell your skills by telling stories, but walk the razor’s edge between saying too much and not enough. When in doubt, lean towards not enough—it is better for the hiring manager to call you in for an interview to learn more than to bore them.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter Conclusion

 The last lines of a cover letter are extremely important. Until you can meet in-person for an interview, the conclusion of your cover letter will greatly affect the impression the hiring manager has of you. A good technique for concluding your cover letter is to summarize, in a sentence, what value you can bring to the company and why you are perfect for the position. Sum up the most important points from your cover letter in a short, concise manner. 

Write with confidence, but not arrogance. This can be a delicate balance. While some people have gotten away (and sometimes gotten a job) with remarks like, “I’ll be expecting the job offer soon,” most do not. Closing with a courteous statement that showcases your capability and skills is far more effective than arrogance. Try to avoid trite or generic statements in the closing sentence as well. This includes the template, “I am very excited to work for XYZ Company.” Give the hiring manager something to remember and close with what you can offer the company. 

The final step in any cover letter is to edit. Re-read your cover letter. Then, set it aside for a few hours (or days, time permitting) and read it again. Give it to a friend to read. Read it aloud. This may seem excessive, but there is nothing more off-putting than a spelling or grammar error in the first few lines of a cover letter. The hiring manager may power through and ignore it, but it will certainly taint their impression. 

Once the cover letter is as flawless and compelling as it can be, send it out! If you are super stuck on how to get started, working within a template may help. Microsoft Word has many free templates that are aesthetically appealing and can give you a hint to the length and content. A few good online options live here (free options are at the bottom—there is no reason to pay for a resume template).

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Research Position

Writing a cover letter for a research position is the same as writing any other cover letter. There are, however, a few considerations and additions that are worth pointing out. A job description may not directly ask for a cover letter, but it is good practice to send one unless they specifically say not to. This means that even if a cover letter isn’t mentioned, you should send one—it is best practice and gives you an opportunity to expand on your skills and research in a valuable way.

Format and Writing Style for a Research Position Cover Letter

Research and academics tend to appreciate formality more than start-ups or tech companies, so using the traditional five paragraph format is typically a good idea. The five paragraph format usually includes an introduction, three short examples of skills, and a concluding paragraph. This isn’t set in stone—if you’d rather write two paragraphs about the skills and experience you bring to the company, that is fine. 

Keep in mind that concise and to-the-point writing is extremely valuable in research. Anyone who has ever written a project proposal under 300 words knows that every term needs to add value. Proving that you are a skilled writer, starting in your cover letter, will earn you a lot of points. This means that cover letters in research and academia, though you may have more to say, should actually be shorter than others. Think of the hiring manager—they are plowing through a massive stack of verbose, technical, and complex cover letters and CVs. It is refreshing to find an easy to read, short cover letter. 

On the “easy to read” point, remember that the hiring manager may not be an expert in your field. Even if they are, you cannot assume that they have the exact same linguistic and educational background as you. For example, if you have dedicated the last five years of your life to studying a certain species of bacteria that lives on Red-Eyed Tree Frogs, all of those technical terms you have learned (and maybe even coined) have no place in your cover letter. Keep jargon to an absolute minimum. Consider using a tool like the Hemingway Editor to identify and eliminate jargon. While you want to reduce jargon, it is still important to prove that you’ve researched their research. Passion about the research topic is one of the most valuable attributes that a new hire can offer. 

Use your cover letter to prove that you have done your homework, know exactly what the institution or group is doing, and want to join them. If you have questions about the research or want to learn more, it isn’t a bad idea to get in touch with one of the researchers. You can often use LinkedIn or the group’s staff site to learn who is working on the project and reach out.

What Research Information Should be Included in a Cover Letter

A research position cover letter is not the place for your academic history, dissertation, or publications. While it may be tempting to go into detail about the amazing research you did for your thesis, that belongs in your CV. Details like this will make your cover letter too long. While these are valuable accomplishments, don’t include them unless there is something  that pertains to the group’s research, and your CV doesn’t cover it in depth. 

If you do choose to write about your research, write about concrete details and skills that aren’t in your CV. For example, if you have spent the last few years working on identifying the effects of a certain gene sequence in bird migration, include information about the lab techniques you used. Also, try to put emphasis on the aspects of your resume and CV that make you stand out from other candidates. It is likely that you will be competing with many similarly qualified candidates, so if you have a unique skill or experience, make sure it doesn’t get lost in the chaos—a cover letter is the perfect place to highlight these sorts of skills. 

Industry experience is a great differentiator. If you have relevant industry experience, make sure to include it in your cover letter because it will almost certainly set you apart. Another valuable differentiator is a deep and established research network. If you have been working on research teams for years and have deep connections with other scientists, don’t be afraid to include this information. This makes you a very valuable acquisition for the company because you come with an extensive network

Include Soft Skills in Your Cover Letter

Scientific skills aren’t the only consideration for hiring managers. Experience working with and leading teams is incredibly valuable in the research industry. Even if the job description doesn’t mention teamwork, add a story or description of a time you worked with (or, even better, lead) a successful team. Soft skills like management, customer service, writing, and clear communication are important in research positions. Highlight these abilities and experiences in your cover letter in addition to the hard skills and research-based information. 

If you are struggling to edit and polish your letter, give it to both someone within your field and someone who is completely unfamiliar with your research (or, at least, the technical side of it). Once both of those people say that the letter makes sense and is compelling, you should feel confident submitting it.

Cover letters are intended to give hiring managers information beyond what your resume and CV are able to display. Write with a natural but appropriately formal voice, do your research on the position, and cater to the job description. A good cover letter can go a long way to getting you an interview, and with these tips, your cover letters will certainly stand out of the pile.

Related Articles

Writing engaging science blogs.

Casey Jenson

Acing Your Earth Data Science Job Interview

Ally Faller

Lauren Herwehe

What is Scientific Programming (And Why It Rocks)

Chelsea Nagy

Certificate Form

2 Research Scientist Cover Letter Examples

Research Scientists meticulously dissect complex problems, seeking innovative solutions and contributing to the advancement of knowledge. Similarly, your cover letter is a platform to dissect your professional journey, highlighting your innovative contributions, problem-solving skills, and dedication to scientific discovery. In this guide, we'll delve into the best cover letter examples for Research Scientists, helping you craft a narrative that showcases your scientific prowess and passion for research.

Cover Letter Examples

Cover letter guidelines, research scientist cover letter example, research analyst cover letter example, how to format a research scientist cover letter, cover letter header, what to focus on with your cover letter header:, cover letter header examples for research scientist, cover letter greeting, get your cover letter greeting right:, cover letter greeting examples for research scientist, cover letter introduction, what to focus on with your cover letter intro:, cover letter intro examples for research scientist, cover letter body, what to focus on with your cover letter body:, cover letter body examples for research scientist, cover letter closing, what to focus on with your cover letter closing:, cover letter closing paragraph examples for research scientist, pair your cover letter with a foundational resume, cover letter writing tips for research scientists, highlight your research niche and expertise, emphasize collaborative experiences, discuss your publication and grant successes, articulate your long-term research goals, personalize your letter for the institution, cover letter mistakes to avoid as a research scientist, lack of customization, overemphasis on academic credentials, excessive technical jargon, ignoring the cover letter's structure, failure to address potential concerns, cover letter faqs for research scientists.

The best way to start a Research Scientist cover letter is with a strong opening that captures the reader's attention. Begin by addressing the hiring manager by name, if possible, to establish a personal connection. Then, succinctly state your interest in the position and highlight a key achievement or relevant expertise that aligns with the job requirements. For example: "Dear Dr. Smith, I am excited to apply for the Research Scientist position at XYZ Corp, where I can contribute to groundbreaking oncology research. My recent publication on targeted gene therapy in 'Nature Genetics' has prepared me to bring innovative solutions to your team." This approach demonstrates your enthusiasm, relevance, and potential impact, setting a professional and engaging tone for the rest of your letter.

Research Scientists should end a cover letter by summarizing their interest in the position and their belief in their ability to contribute significantly to the role. They should reiterate their key skills, achievements, or experiences that make them a strong candidate. It's also important to express enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the organization's research goals. For example: "I am excited about the opportunity to bring my unique blend of skills and experience to your esteemed organization and contribute to your ongoing research projects. I am confident that my background in [specific field] and my proven track record in [specific achievement or skill] will make a significant impact on your team. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my application with you further." Finally, they should thank the reader for considering their application, and express their eagerness for a follow-up conversation.

A Research Scientist's cover letter should ideally be one page long. This length is sufficient to introduce yourself, explain your interest in the position, highlight your most relevant skills or achievements, and conclude with a call to action. It's important to keep it concise and focused, as hiring managers often have many applications to review and may not spend a lot of time on each individual cover letter. However, the content of the cover letter should be tailored to the specific job posting and should clearly demonstrate how your research experience and skills align with the job requirements.

Writing a cover letter with no experience as a Research Scientist can seem challenging, but it's important to remember that everyone starts somewhere. Here are some steps to help you craft a compelling cover letter: 1. Start with a Strong Introduction: Begin your cover letter by introducing yourself and stating the position you're applying for. You can also mention where you saw the job posting. This sets the stage for the rest of your letter. 2. Highlight Relevant Skills and Education: Even if you don't have direct experience as a Research Scientist, you likely have relevant skills or education. This could be a degree in a related field, coursework, or projects you've completed. Highlight these in your cover letter, focusing on how they've prepared you for the role. For example, if you've conducted research for a thesis or project, you can discuss the methods you used, the data you analyzed, and the results you found. 3. Show Enthusiasm for the Field: Passion can often compensate for lack of experience. Show your enthusiasm for the field of research science and the specific area you're interested in. This could be through discussing relevant books you've read, seminars you've attended, or thought leaders you follow. 4. Discuss Transferable Skills: If you've worked in other roles or industries, you likely have transferable skills that could be valuable in a research science role. This could be problem-solving, data analysis, project management, or communication skills. Discuss these in your cover letter, providing examples of how you've used these skills in the past. 5. Show You've Done Your Homework: Research the company or institution you're applying to and mention specifics in your cover letter. This could be their mission, current projects, or recent publications. This shows you're serious about the role and have taken the time to understand their work. 6. Close with a Strong Conclusion: In your conclusion, reiterate your interest in the role and your eagerness to contribute to their research efforts. Thank them for considering your application and express your hope for further discussion. Remember, your cover letter should be concise, professional, and free of errors. It's your chance to make a strong first impression, so take the time to craft it carefully.

Related Cover Letters for Research Scientists

Research and development manager cover letter.

Data Scientist Cover Letter

Machine Learning Scientist Cover Letter

Director of Data Science Cover Letter

AI Researcher Cover Letter

Chief Information Officer Cover Letter

Research Scientist Cover Letter

Research Analyst Cover Letter

Related resumes for research scientists, research scientist resume example.

Try our AI-Powered Resume Builder

Research Scientist Cover Letter Examples (Template & 20+ Tips)

Create a standout research scientist cover letter with our online platform. browse professional templates for all levels and specialties. land your dream role today.

Are you looking to stand out from the competition and land that dream job as a Research Scientist? Our Research Scientist Cover Letter Guide is here to help you do just that. Get tips on how to write a compelling cover letter, key elements to include and important considerations for advancing your career.

We will cover:

• How to write a cover letter, no matter your industry or job title.
• What to put on a cover letter to stand out.
• The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
• How to build a cover letter fast with our professional Cover Letter Builder .
• What a cover letter template is, and why you should use it.

Related Cover Letter Examples

• Backend Developer Cover Letter Sample
• Energy Engineer Cover Letter Sample
• Engineering Assistant Cover Letter Sample
• Energy Consultant Cover Letter Sample
• Chemist Cover Letter Sample
• Embedded Engineer Cover Letter Sample
• Stationary Engineer Cover Letter Sample
• CAD Engineer Cover Letter Sample
• Automation Engineer Cover Letter Sample
• Asic Verification Engineer Cover Letter Sample
• Helicopter Pilot Cover Letter Sample
• Implementation Engineer Cover Letter Sample
• Equipment Engineer Cover Letter Sample
• Analytical Scientist Cover Letter Sample
• Biologist Cover Letter Sample
• Energy Analyst Cover Letter Sample
• Principal Electrical Engineer Cover Letter Sample
• Lead Software Engineer Cover Letter Sample
• Industrial Electrician Cover Letter Sample
• QA Software Tester Cover Letter Sample

Research Scientist Cover Letter Sample

Dear Dr. Smith, I am writing to apply for the Research Scientist position at ABC Company as advertised in the Times newspaper. With my strong background in scientific research, I am confident that I would be a great fit for your team.

I am currently employed as a Research Scientist at XYZ Company, where I have gained extensive experience in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. During my time at XYZ Company, I developed a number of innovative solutions to complex research problems, and I am proud to say that my research has been published in several leading scientific journals. Additionally, I have presented my findings at several international conferences and have won a number of awards for my research.

In addition to my scientific research experience, I am also highly skilled in the areas of data analysis, statistical modeling, and laboratory techniques. I have a deep understanding of the principles of scientific research and I am always looking for ways to further develop my skills. I am also highly organized and have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, which are essential for working in a research team.

I am confident that I have the skills and experience necessary to be a great addition to ABC Company as a Research Scientist. I am excited at the prospect of joining your team and contributing to the success of your research projects.

If you would like to discuss my application further, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Why Do you Need a Research Scientist Cover Letter?

A Research Scientist cover letter is an important tool for any job seeker looking to break into the field of research. Here are some reasons why you need a Research Scientist cover letter:

• It is an excellent way to introduce yourself to potential employers and showcase your qualifications for the position.
• It can help to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the field of research.
• It can help to demonstrate your enthusiasm and passion for the field of research.
• It can help to showcase your communication and interpersonal skills.
• It can help to demonstrate your ability to think critically and solve problems.
• It can help to highlight any awards or recognition you have received.
• It can help to draw attention to any publications or presentations you have given.
• It can help to demonstrate your commitment to the field of research.

A Few Important Rules To Keep In Mind

• Keep your cover letter short and concise. Generally, research scientist cover letters should be no more than one page.
• Start the cover letter with a strong introduction that outlines your qualifications and expertise.
• Include your contact information in the header of the cover letter.
• Provide a brief overview of the research experience you have that is relevant to the research scientist position.
• Highlight your impressive qualifications and achievements in research, such as awards or publications.
• Explain why you are the best candidate for the research scientist position and how your skills and experience will benefit the organization.
• End the cover letter by reiterating your interest in the research scientist position and expressing appreciation for the hiring manager’s time.
• Proofread the cover letter to ensure there are no spelling or grammar errors.

What's The Best Structure For Research Scientist Cover Letters?

After creating an impressive Research Scientist resume , the next step is crafting a compelling cover letter to accompany your job applications. It's essential to remember that your cover letter should maintain a formal tone and follow a recommended structure. But what exactly does this structure entail, and what key elements should be included in a Research Scientist cover letter? Let's explore the guidelines and components that will make your cover letter stand out.

Key Components For Research Scientist Cover Letters:

• Your contact information, including the date of writing
• The recipient's details, such as the company's name and the name of the addressee
• A professional greeting or salutation, like "Dear Mr. Levi,"
• An attention-grabbing opening statement to captivate the reader's interest
• A concise paragraph explaining why you are an excellent fit for the role
• Another paragraph highlighting why the position aligns with your career goals and aspirations
• A closing statement that reinforces your enthusiasm and suitability for the role
• A complimentary closing, such as "Regards" or "Sincerely," followed by your name
• An optional postscript (P.S.) to add a brief, impactful note or mention any additional relevant information.

Cover Letter Header

A header in a cover letter should typically include the following information:

• Your Full Name: Begin with your first and last name, written in a clear and legible format.
• Contact Information: Include your phone number, email address, and optionally, your mailing address. Providing multiple methods of contact ensures that the hiring manager can reach you easily.
• Date: Add the date on which you are writing the cover letter. This helps establish the timeline of your application.

It's important to place the header at the top of the cover letter, aligning it to the left or center of the page. This ensures that the reader can quickly identify your contact details and know when the cover letter was written.

Cover Letter Greeting / Salutation

A greeting in a cover letter should contain the following elements:

• Personalized Salutation: Address the hiring manager or the specific recipient of the cover letter by their name. If the name is not mentioned in the job posting or you are unsure about the recipient's name, it's acceptable to use a general salutation such as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Team."
• Professional Tone: Maintain a formal and respectful tone throughout the greeting. Avoid using overly casual language or informal expressions.
• Correct Spelling and Title: Double-check the spelling of the recipient's name and ensure that you use the appropriate title (e.g., Mr., Ms., Dr., or Professor) if applicable. This shows attention to detail and professionalism.

For example, a suitable greeting could be "Dear Ms. Johnson," or "Dear Hiring Manager," depending on the information available. It's important to tailor the greeting to the specific recipient to create a personalized and professional tone for your cover letter.

Cover Letter Introduction

An introduction for a cover letter should capture the reader's attention and provide a brief overview of your background and interest in the position. Here's how an effective introduction should look:

• Opening Statement: Start with a strong opening sentence that immediately grabs the reader's attention. Consider mentioning your enthusiasm for the job opportunity or any specific aspect of the company or organization that sparked your interest.
• Brief Introduction: Provide a concise introduction of yourself and mention the specific position you are applying for. Include any relevant background information, such as your current role, educational background, or notable achievements that are directly related to the position.
• Connection to the Company: Demonstrate your knowledge of the company or organization and establish a connection between your skills and experiences with their mission, values, or industry. Showcasing your understanding and alignment with their goals helps to emphasize your fit for the role.
• Engaging Hook: Consider including a compelling sentence or two that highlights your unique selling points or key qualifications that make you stand out from other candidates. This can be a specific accomplishment, a relevant skill, or an experience that demonstrates your value as a potential employee.
• Transition to the Body: Conclude the introduction by smoothly transitioning to the main body of the cover letter, where you will provide more detailed information about your qualifications, experiences, and how they align with the requirements of the position.

By following these guidelines, your cover letter introduction will make a strong first impression and set the stage for the rest of your application.

Cover Letter Body

Dear [Name],

I am writing to apply for the Research Scientist position you have advertised. I am confident that my qualifications and experience make me an ideal candidate for this role.

I have a Doctorate in [Subject] and over [Number] years of experience in scientific research. I have published several papers in renowned scientific journals and regularly attend conferences to stay up to date with the latest developments in the field. I have also been involved in developing innovative methods and approaches to solve complex problems. I have extensive experience in laboratory work and am highly skilled in the use of analytical instruments and software.

In my current role as a Research Scientist at [Company], I have been responsible for developing and validating new methods for testing and analysing data. I have also been involved in designing and conducting experiments, managing projects, and writing technical reports. I have a proven record of success in delivering results and developing new ideas.

I am a self-motivated and creative thinker who works well independently and collaboratively. I am highly organised and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills that enable me to build good working relationships with colleagues. I am also comfortable working with tight deadlines and under pressure.

I am confident that I would make a valuable contribution to your team and I look forward to discussing my candidacy further. Please find enclosed my CV and I am happy to provide any additional information you may need.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Complimentary Close

The conclusion and signature of a cover letter provide a final opportunity to leave a positive impression and invite further action. Here's how the conclusion and signature of a cover letter should look:

• Summary of Interest: In the conclusion paragraph, summarize your interest in the position and reiterate your enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the organization or school. Emphasize the value you can bring to the role and briefly mention your key qualifications or unique selling points.
• Appreciation and Gratitude: Express appreciation for the reader's time and consideration in reviewing your application. Thank them for the opportunity to be considered for the position and acknowledge any additional materials or documents you have included, such as references or a portfolio.
• Call to Action: Conclude the cover letter with a clear call to action. Indicate your availability for an interview or express your interest in discussing the opportunity further. Encourage the reader to contact you to schedule a meeting or provide any additional information they may require.
• Complimentary Closing: Choose a professional and appropriate complimentary closing to end your cover letter, such as "Sincerely," "Best Regards," or "Thank you." Ensure the closing reflects the overall tone and formality of the letter.
• Signature: Below the complimentary closing, leave space for your handwritten signature. Sign your name in ink using a legible and professional style. If you are submitting a digital or typed cover letter, you can simply type your full name.
• Typed Name: Beneath your signature, type your full name in a clear and readable font. This allows for easy identification and ensures clarity in case the handwritten signature is not clear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Research Scientist Cover Letter

When crafting a cover letter, it's essential to present yourself in the best possible light to potential employers. However, there are common mistakes that can hinder your chances of making a strong impression. By being aware of these pitfalls and avoiding them, you can ensure that your cover letter effectively highlights your qualifications and stands out from the competition. In this article, we will explore some of the most common mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter, providing you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you create a compelling and impactful introduction that captures the attention of hiring managers. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey, understanding these mistakes will greatly enhance your chances of success in the job application process. So, let's dive in and discover how to steer clear of these common missteps and create a standout cover letter that gets you noticed by potential employers.

• Not addressing the letter to a specific person.
• Not customizing the letter to the specific position.
• Using overly generic language and not specifically highlighting relevant skills or research.
• Lengthy cover letters that don't get to the point.
• Being overly negative about past experiences.
• Not proofreading for spelling and grammar errors.
• Not including contact information at the end.
• Failing to follow directions.

Key Takeaways For a Research Scientist Cover Letter

• Demonstrate your understanding of the research scientist role and the company
• Highlight your research accomplishments and relevant experience
• Showcase any awards, publications, and patents you have earned
• Emphasize your knowledge of the industry, trends, and technologies
• Communicate your passion for research and development
• Describe your ability to collaborate in a research environment
• Express your enthusiasm for the position and the organization
• Proofread your letter and use proper grammar and spelling

15 Research Scientist Cover Letters That Will Get Hired (NOW)

Are you are looking to write a cover letter for Research Scientist jobs that will impress recruiters and get you noticed by hiring managers? You need one to apply for a job, but you don’t know what to say.

The recruitment process for a job can be a long and tedious process. A resume may not always capture the candidate’s qualifications, but a well-crafted cover letter will. Every year, companies spend billions of dollars just to review resumes that have no cover letters attached. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of writing a cover letter and how it can help you land your next job.

Here are 15 amazing Research Scientist cover letters that are professionally written and will help you stand out and get that job!

Research Scientist Cover Letters

Each cover letter is written with a different focus. Review all of them and pick the ones that apply to your situation. Take inspiration from multiple samples and combine them to craft your unique cover letter.

Research Scientist Sample 1

I am a Research Scientist with an educational background in the natural sciences and I am interested in your open position as a Research Scientist. I would like to discuss how my skills and experience will contribute to your company.

My skills and qualifications include: -Ability to train, motivate, and organize research groups -Quality control of laboratory experiments for accuracy -Expertise in molecular biology and biochemistry, including cloning and sequencing techniques -Experience with both basic research as well as applied research projects -Hands on experience with the latest technologies such as PCR, DNA sequencing, RNA analysis etc. etc.

Research Scientist Sample 2

I am writing to apply for the Research Scientist position at your company. As a PhD in molecular biology with experience in research and teaching, I have an impressive resume of work to show off. I have been doing research on the link between DNA methylation and how it relates to cancer since my undergraduate years, which is what initially sparked my interest in the field. It has been my life-long ambition to be able to dedicate all of my time towards this area of study, which is why applying for your position excites me so much. If you are interested, please contact me by email at [email protected] or by phone at (520) 555-1212 ext 12345

Research Scientist Sample 3

Dear Dr. Ford,

I am writing to express my interest in the Research Scientist position you posted on LinkedIn. In addition to my work experience and education, I have a proven ability to learn quickly and apply new skills in a fast-paced environment. I believe that these qualifications and my experience working with both large and small research teams would be invaluable for this role.

Research Scientist Sample 4

Research scientist sample 5.

I am a PhD candidate at University of Phoenix with a specialization in Clinical Psychology. I have been working as a research assistant for the last two years and am seeking a Research Scientist position. My background includes mixed methodology, organizational interventions, and statistical analysis.

Research Scientist Sample 6

Dear Mr. or Ms. ________, I’m a recent graduate from ________ University with a Bachelors degree in Biology and an emphasis on ecology and conservation biology. I have been successful in my studies so far by being very focused and determined to be the best student I can be as well as being passionate about what I do. As a result of this, I am confident that I am the perfect candidate for your Research Scientist position at your company! I hope to further develop my skills with you company by working alongside like-minded individuals who are committed to finding solutions for our planet’s ecological challenges. Sincerely, ________________

Research Scientist Sample 7

Dear Manager,

I am writing in regards to the Research Scientist position you recently posted. I would like to express my interest in this position and share with you some of my qualifications. My resume is attached for your review. I have a PhD in Business Administration, but since then I have spent years working as an independent consultant for technology companies, research institutes and government organizations all over the world. My experience includes management of large projects requiring strategic thinking and creative problem solving skills; liaising with high-level personnel; advising on budgeting; effective team leadership; project management from start-up through completion including contract negotiation and execution; strong interpersonal skills which enable me to work successfully with all levels of staff from executives to interns. In

Research Scientist Sample 8

I am interested in the Research Scientist position advertised on your website and would like to inquire about the status of the position. I believe I am a strong candidate for this role with my extensive research experience and expertise in ____. My resume is attached, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like to set up an interview.

Research Scientist Sample 9

I am writing to inquire about the Research Scientist position. I have a PhD in Biochemistry and a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from XYZ University, as well as experience conducting research on a variety of topic areas. I am confident that my education and experience qualify me for this position.

Research Scientist Sample 10

I am writing in response to your advertisement for a Research Scientist position with ABC Corporation. I am very interested in the position and think my extensive experience with XYZ company qualifies me for this position.

I have over 10 years of experience working as a research scientist with both small and large companies. I’m confident that my skills would be an asset to your company, so I wanted to apply for this job. Thank you for considering me!

Research Scientist Sample 11

I am writing to express my interest in the research scientist position you have vacant. I have a PhD degree in molecular biology and four years of experience working as a research scientist for an environmental consulting firm. I would be happy to provide any additional information you require, and thank you for your consideration of my application.

Research Scientist Sample 12

I am a Research Scientist with a Masters degree in Biochemistry and extensive experience in performing experiments. I have a proven track record of working collaboratively with teams to complete project timelines. My goal is to find a position that can leverage my skills and experiences, so I am interested in the Research Scientist position you posted on your website.

Research Scientist Sample 13

I am writing in response to your advertisement for a Research Scientist position. I am an experienced biomedical scientist who has substantial research experience in the fields of pulmonary biology and immunology. My recent work has focused on stem cell differentiation, with particular interest in neurogenesis and the study of how organ systems communicate with one another. I believe that my extensive knowledge would be an asset to your laboratory team.

I am writing in response to your advertisement for a Research Scientist position. My background is primarily in virology, specifically influenza A virus, but I have also studied rabies virus, HIV-1 virus, coronavirus 229E and 230P2, and rabbit parainfluenza 3 virus

Research Scientist Sample 14

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my interest in being considered for a Research Scientist position at ABC Corporation. I have an extensive background in research and data analysis and am confident that I would be a perfect fit for this position. In addition to my experience, I have a strong work ethic and drive that will help me contribute to the team’s success. Thank you for your consideration of my application.

Research Scientist Sample 15

City, ST Zip Code  Dear Sir or Madam,  I am a recent graduate from the University of California Santa Cruz with a degree in Biology. I have extensive experience in biological research and have had my work published in multiple scientific journals. I would like to apply for the Research Scientist position at your company. If you need any further information please contact me at (phone number). Thank you for your consideration, Yours truly

Recruiters and hiring managers receive hundreds of applications for each job opening.

Use the above professionally written Research Scientist cover letter samples to learn how to write a cover letter that will catch their attention and customize it for your specific situation.

Related Careers:

• 15 Web Designer Cover Letters That Will Get Hired (NOW)
• 15 Healthcare Administrator Cover Letters That Will Get Hired (NOW)
• 15 Editor Cover Letters That Will Get Hired (NOW)
• 15 Esthetician Cover Letters That Will Get Hired (NOW)
• 15 Research Assistant Cover Letters That Will Get Hired (NOW)
• 15 Radiologic Technologist Cover Letters That Will Get Hired (NOW)
• 15 Event Manager Cover Letters That Will Get Hired (NOW)
• 15 Accounting Intern Cover Letters That Will Get Hired (NOW)
• 15 Retail Pharmacist Cover Letters That Will Get Hired (NOW)
• 15 Kennel Assistant Cover Letters That Will Get Hired (NOW)

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Research Scientist Cover Letter

Introduction:

A research scientist cover letter is a crucial component of your job application as it allows you to showcase your skills, qualifications, and experiences that make you a suitable candidate for the position. Just like a resume , a cover letter is an opportunity for you to make a strong first impression and set yourself apart from other applicants.

In this blog post, we will provide you with two examples of research scientist cover letters, answer some frequently asked questions, and offer tips to help you write an effective cover letter that gets noticed by employers.

Cover Letter Example 1: [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Today’s Date]

[Employer’s Name] [Company/Organization Name] [Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the Research Scientist position at [Company/Organization Name], as advertised on [where you found the job posting]. With a strong background in scientific research and a passion for advancing knowledge in the field, I believe that my skills and experiences align perfectly with the requirements of this position.

I have recently completed my Ph.D. in [Field of Study] from [University/Institution]. Throughout my graduate studies, I have gained extensive hands-on experience in conducting experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting results. My expertise includes [mention specific techniques or methods relevant to the job]. I have also published several peer-reviewed articles in reputable scientific journals, which demonstrates my ability to contribute to the scientific community.

During my time as a research assistant at [University/Institution], I collaborated with a team of scientists on various research projects. This experience has honed my organizational skills, ability to work in a team, and attention to detail. I am also proficient in using various software and tools for data analysis and visualization, such as [mention specific software or tools relevant to the job].

I am impressed by [Company/Organization Name]’s commitment to innovative research and cutting-edge technologies. Being part of a dynamic and collaborative team at [Company/Organization Name] would provide me an excellent platform to further my research interests, contribute to groundbreaking discoveries, and make a tangible impact in the field.

Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my resume for your review, and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences make me a strong candidate for the Research Scientist position. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Cover Letter Example 2: [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Today’s Date]

I am excited to apply for the Research Scientist position at [Company/Organization Name]. I am a highly motivated and detail-oriented scientist with a strong background in [Field of Study]. I believe that my expertise and passion for research make me an excellent fit for this role.

With a Ph.D. in [Field of Study] from [University/Institution], I have acquired a comprehensive knowledge base and practical experience in scientific research. My doctoral research focused on [describe your research topic or focus area]. Through this project, I gained expertise in [mention specific techniques or methods relevant to the job]. I also developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which enabled me to successfully interpret complex data sets and draw meaningful conclusions.

I am particularly impressed by [Company/Organization Name]’s reputation for innovation and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration. Being part of a dynamic team at [Company/Organization Name] would not only allow me to contribute to groundbreaking research but also provide opportunities for professional growth and development.

In addition to my research skills, I have strong communication and interpersonal skills, which are essential for collaborating with fellow scientists, presenting research findings, and building productive relationships. I am also proficient in using various software and tools for data analysis and visualization.

Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my resume for your review, and I am available for an interview at your convenience. I am excited about the possibility of joining [Company/Organization Name], and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to its mission and make a meaningful impact in the field of scientific research.

FAQs about Research Scientist Cover Letters:

1. Do I need to include a cover letter with my research scientist resume? It is highly recommended to include a cover letter with your research scientist resume as it allows you to provide additional context and information about your qualifications and experiences.

2. How long should my research scientist cover letter be? Ideally, a research scientist cover letter should be no longer than one page. Keep it concise and focused on highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences.

3. Should I address my cover letter to a specific person? Whenever possible, address your cover letter to a specific person, such as the hiring manager or the head of the research department. This shows that you have taken the time to research and personalize your application.

4. How should I format my research scientist cover letter? Use a professional and clean format for your cover letter. Include your contact information, a salutation, an introduction paragraph, one or two body paragraphs highlighting your qualifications and experiences, a closing paragraph, and a professional sign-off.

5. What information should I include in the introduction paragraph? In the introduction paragraph, briefly introduce yourself, state the position you are applying for, and mention how you found out about the job opening.

6. How should I highlight my research experience and achievements? In the body paragraphs, focus on your research experience, including the specific techniques, methodologies, and tools you have used. Highlight any research projects, publications, or patents that demonstrate your expertise and contributions to the field.

7. Is it important to mention why I am interested in the company? Yes, it is important to mention why you are interested in the company or organization you are applying to. This shows that you have done your research and are genuinely enthusiastic about joining their team.

8. Should I provide references in my research scientist cover letter? It is not necessary to provide references in your cover letter. Instead, mention that references are available upon request.

9. Is it okay to use a template for my research scientist cover letter? Using a template as a starting point is acceptable, but make sure to customize it according to the specific job requirements and your own experiences and qualifications. Avoid using generic or overused templates.

10. Should I follow up after submitting my research scientist cover letter? It is a good practice to follow up with the employer after submitting your cover letter and resume. This shows your interest in the position and allows you to inquire about the status of your application.

Conclusion:

A research scientist cover letter is an essential document that can help you stand out from the competition and showcase your qualifications and experiences. Take the time to tailor your cover letter to the specific job requirements and highlight your research skills, achievements, and passion for scientific exploration. With a well-written cover letter, you can increase your chances of securing a job interview and ultimately landing your dream research scientist position.

Introducing John Smith: Your Expert Resume Writer, Cover Letter Specialist, and Career Coach. Meet John Smith, your dedicated partner in crafting the perfect resume, compelling cover letter, and charting your career path to success. With a passion for helping individuals reach their professional aspirations, John brings a wealth of expertise to the table as a resume writer, cover letter specialist, and career coach.

Related Posts

Elevate Your Prospects: Accountant Cover Letter Examples and Templates for 2023 – Download Now

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples and Templates for 2023

A Comprehensive Guide to Writing an Amazing Accounting and Finance Cover Letter

Crafting a Standout Actor Cover Letter: Examples and Tips

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Research Scientist Cover Letter Examples

A great research scientist cover letter can help you stand out from the competition when applying for a job. Be sure to tailor your letter to the specific requirements listed in the job description, and highlight your most relevant or exceptional qualifications. The following research scientist cover letter example can give you some ideas on how to write your own letter.

or download as PDF

Cover Letter Example (Text)

Tyanna Cregar

(642) 759-0954

[email protected]

Dear Chan Tambone,

I am writing to express my sincere interest in the Research Scientist position at Genentech. With five years of dedicated experience in pharmaceutical research at Merck, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the innovative projects at Genentech, a company renowned for its commitment to advancing healthcare through cutting-edge science.

During my tenure at Merck, I have honed my skills in drug discovery and development, with a focus on oncology and immunology. My role involved designing and executing complex experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive projects from conception to completion. I have a proven track record of success, as evidenced by my contributions to several peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international conferences.

My commitment to excellence in research is matched by my ability to adapt to the dynamic nature of the field and to continuously expand my expertise. I am particularly drawn to Genentech's approach to personalized healthcare solutions and the integration of novel technologies in the research process. I am eager to bring my background in molecular biology and my experience with advanced analytical techniques to your esteemed team.

I am confident that my experience, coupled with my passion for scientific discovery, makes me a strong candidate for the Research Scientist role at Genentech. I am looking forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with the goals of your research team.

Thank you for considering my application. I am very enthusiastic about the possibility of contributing to the groundbreaking work at Genentech and hope to discuss my candidacy with you further.

Warm regards,

Related Cover Letter Examples

• Research and Development Engineer
• Forensic Scientist
• Formulation Scientist
• Analytical Scientist
• Associate Scientist

Research Scientist Cover Letter Example

A Research Scientist assists in the development and execution of research projects and experiments. Responsibilities include designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and providing findings and recommendations. Research Scientists must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to design and execute experiments. They must be knowledgeable in their field of research and be able to interpret and analyze data.

Write your perfect Research Scientist Cover Letter using our sample cover letter. We offer professional and expert writing tips to personalize the cover letter. To make things easier, we have designed an easy-to-use cover letter generator to help you accomplish your dreams.

• Cover Letters
• Manufacturing

A Research Scientist is responsible for researching, designing, and developing solutions to scientific problems. They may work in areas such as engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, and other scientific fields. The duties of a Research Scientist include conducting experiments, analyzing data, preparing reports and presentations, and collaborating with other scientists. They must also keep up with the latest developments in their field and present their findings to management and other interested parties. Additionally, Research Scientists must be able to effectively communicate their findings to colleagues and the public.

What to Include in a Research Scientist Cover Letter?

Roles and responsibilities.

• Developing new research methods and techniques.
• Writing research papers and reports.
• Presenting findings at conferences and seminars.
• Developing new theories and hypotheses.
• Assisting in the development of new products or services.
• Monitoring and evaluating research progress.
• Collaborating with other researchers and professionals.
• Supervising junior researchers and staff.

Education & Skills

Research scientist skills:.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work independently as well as part of the team.
• Strong interest in scientific research.
• The ability to work with a variety of data sources.
• Proficiency in computer programs and software used for data analysis and visualization.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols.
• Knowledge of conducting ethical considerations in research.

Research Scientist Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or mathematics.
• Master’s degree or a doctoral degree.
• Staying updated with relevant research and technology.

Research Scientist Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

Dear Mr./Ms.

I am writing to apply for the Research Scientist position you advertised on [website name]. With my background in [field], I believe I am an ideal candidate for this opportunity. My research experience, combined with my expertise in [topic], makes me an excellent addition to your team. I am excited to bring my knowledge and enthusiasm to the role.

I have a Ph.D. in [Field] and many years of experience in research, development, and implementation of scientific projects. My accomplishments include –

• Developed a novel approach to identify pathways that could lead to the development of new treatments for cancer.
• Created a new model for drug delivery that resulted in a 30% increase in drug efficacy • Authored 4 peer-reviewed papers in [Field], resulting in a total of 8 citations.
• Developed a new technique to analyze gene expression data that led to the discovery of novel biomarkers.
• Developed a novel method to identify novel therapeutic targets for cancer.
• Led a team of 10 scientists in the development of a new therapeutic compound that led to a successful clinical trial.

I am confident that my research and development experience, combined with my knowledge of [Field], make me an excellent fit for this position. I am excited to bring my expertise to [Company Name] and am eager to contribute to the success of your team. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

When writing a cover letter for a research scientist role, make sure to showcase your scientific knowledge and research experience, as well as your ability to work independently. Additionally, emphasize your enthusiasm for the specific organization and job. Finally, be sure to highlight any awards, accomplishments, or publications you may have.

Writing a riveting resume is a bit demanding, but with the help of our Research Scientist Resume Sample , it becomes easy for you to draft a compelling resume.

Customize Research Scientist Cover Letter

Get hired faster with our free cover letter template designed to land you the perfect position.

Related Manufacturing Cover Letters

7 Professional Scientist Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your scientist cover letter must immediately grab the attention of the hiring committee. Highlight your most significant research accomplishments to showcase your expertise. Connect your scientific achievements with the goals of the team you're hoping to join. Demonstrate how your unique skills will contribute to their ongoing projects and future successes.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Lab Assistant

Lab Manager

Lab Technician

Research Scientist

Cover letter guide.

Scientist Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Scientist Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

Crafting a scientist cover letter can be a daunting step in your job search. You've polished your resume and started applying, only to realize a powerful cover letter is required—one that doesn't just echo your resume. Focus on highlighting a pivotal achievement, weaving a narrative of your proudest professional moment without falling into clichés. Remember, brevity is key: a compelling, formal cover letter should capture your essence in just one page. Let's dive into making yours stand out.

• Create a scientist cover letter to persuade the recruiters you're the best candidate for the role;
• Use industry-leading scientist cover letter templates and examples to save time;
• Dedicate your scientist cover letter space to your best achievement;
• Make sure your scientist cover letter meets recruiters' expectations and standards.

Avoid starting at the blank page for hours by using Enhancv's AI - just upload your resume and your scientist cover letter will be ready for you to (tweak and) submit for your dream job.

If the scientist isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• Scientist resume guide and example
• Quality Control Chemist cover letter example
• Biology cover letter example
• Clinical Research Assistant cover letter example
• Student Researcher cover letter example
• Lab Assistant cover letter example
• Research Associate cover letter example
• Researcher cover letter example
• Chemist cover letter example
• Graduate Research Assistant cover letter example
• Research Director cover letter example

Scientist cover letter example

CHARLOTTE JONES

Chicago, IL

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Customization to the organization: The cover letter specifically acknowledges the employer's contributions to biotechnology, demonstrating that the candidate has researched the company and is genuinely interested in their particular work.
• Key achievements: It highlights a significant professional achievement relevant to the role, such as the development of a cell staining protocol that improved flow cytometry precision, showcasing the candidate's expertise and potential benefits to the prospective employer.
• Relevant experience: The cover letter cites specific experience with cell culture and assay development, which are likely to be vital for a role in biochemistry and cell biology, underscoring the applicant's suitability for the job.
• Professional contribution: It implies a dedication to improving cancer treatments, which aligns with the hiring organization's goals and suggests that the candidate's personal and professional missions are a match for the role they are applying for.

Structuring and formatting your scientist cover letter

Here's what the structure of your scientist cover letter should include:

• Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
• Salutation (or greeting);
• Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
• Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
• Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
• Signature (that is optional).

Use the same font for your scientist resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.

Your scientist cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder .

When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).

On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your scientist cover letter.

The top sections on a scientist cover letter

• Header: This includes the candidate's contact information, date, and the employer's contact details, allowing the recruiter to easily identify and reply to the applicant.
• Introduction: A strong opening paragraph that briefly explains the applicant's scientific background, passion for research, and the specific position they are applying for, engaging the recruiter's interest from the beginning.
• Research Experience and Skills: This section highlights the candidate's most relevant scientific achievements, research projects, and technical skills, showcasing their suitability for the role.
• Motivation and Fit: Here, the candidate should elucidate their reasons for interest in the organization's research focus, and how their goals align with the institution's mission and values, demonstrating personal and professional compatibility.
• Closing Paragraph: The candidate should use this section to summarise their qualifications, reiterate their enthusiasm for the position, and express a desire for a personal interview, leaving a professional and memorable impression.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

Expertise in a relevant scientific field : Recruiters look for candidates with specialized knowledge and a track record of research or projects in areas pertinent to the role.

Research experience : Having a strong background in designing, conducting, and analyzing experiments is crucial for a scientist role as it demonstrates the ability to contribute to knowledge creation.

Publications and presentations : A list of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations validate a candidate's proficiency and recognition in their scientific community.

Technical proficiency : Knowledge of and experience with specialized equipment, laboratory techniques, and software relevant to the field indicate a candidate's capability to perform required tasks.

Collaborative skills : Science often involves teamwork. Demonstrating successful collaborations shows that a candidate can work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Problem-solving abilities : Scientists must be able to design experiments to test hypotheses and adapt when faced with unexpected results, showcasing critical thinking and flexibility.

How to address hiring managers in your scientist cover letter greeting

Goodbye, "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To whom it may concern!"

The salutation of your scientist cover letter is how you kick off your professional communication with the hiring managers.

And you want it to start off a bit more personalized and tailored, to catch the recruiters' attention.

Take the time to find out who's recruiting for the role (via LinkedIn or the company page).

If you have previously chatted or emailed the hiring managers, address them on a first or last name basis.

The alternative is a "Dear HR team" or "Dear Hiring Manger", but remember that a "Dear Ms. Simmons" or "Dear Simon," could get you farther ahead than an impersonal greeting.

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear Dr. [Last Name],
• Dear Prof. [Last Name],
• Dear Search Committee,
• Dear [Specific Role Title] Selection Team,
• Dear [Department] Team,

The scientist cover letter intro: aligning your interest with the company culture

You only have one chance at making a memorable first impression on recruiters with your scientist cover letter.

Structure your introduction to be precise and to include no more than two sentences.

Here are some ideas on how to write a job-winning scientist cover letter introduction:

• get creative - show off your personality from the get-go (if this aligns with the company culture);
• focus on your motivation - be specific when you say what gets you excited about this opportunity.

Storytelling in the middle (or body) of your scientist cover letter

You've got your whole resume sorted, detailing your achievements and skills. What else can you write in your scientist cover letter ?

For starters, take the time to re-assess the job requirements and re-discover the most crucial skills and requirements (or keywords).

After making a list of these important keywords, look back on your experience to select just one of your past accomplishments.

Choose the achievement that is the most noteworthy, relevant to the role, and matches the required skills.

Use the next between three and six paragraphs to narrate how:

• you've grown your skill set, thanks to your achievement;
• you'd use the know-how you've gained in your new role;
• your accomplishment could help your potential employers grow.

Remember that recruiters don't need a retelling of your whole resume, but want to find out what makes you, you.

Time to wrap up your scientist cover letter

Writing the closing paragraph of your scientist cover letter is just as important as the salutation.

You have to make it personalized to the job advert and recruiter.

Experienced professionals advise candidates to end with a request or reminder for follow-up. Write that you're grateful for the opportunity, and, at the same time, hint that you're available for the next steps of the process.

Otherwise, you could also conclude your scientist cover letter by facing the future. How do you see yourself, as part of the team? In particular, how would you settle in your new role in the first six months to a year?

What to write on your scientist cover letter, when you have zero experience

The best advice for candidates, writing their scientist cover letters with no experience , is this - be honest.

If you have no past professional roles in your portfolio, focus recruiters' attention on your strengths - like your unique, transferrable skill set (gained as a result of your whole life), backed up by one key achievement.

Or, maybe you dream big and have huge motivation to join the company. Use your scientist cover letter to describe your career ambition - that one that keeps you up at night, dreaming about your future.

Finally, always ensure you've answered why employers should hire precisely you and how your skills would benefit their organization.

Key takeaways

Writing your scientist cover letter doesn't need to turn into an endless quest, but instead:

• Create an individual scientist cover letter for each role you apply to, based on job criteria (use our builder to transform your resume into a cover letter, which you could edit to match the job);
• Stick with the same font you've used in your resume (e.g. Raleway) and ensure your scientist cover letter is single-spaced and has a one-inch margin all around;
• Introduce your enthusiasm for the role or the company at the beginning of your scientist cover letter to make a good first impression;
• Align what matters most to the company by selecting just one achievement from your experience, that has taught you valuable skills and knowledge for the job;
• End your scientist cover letter like any good story - with a promise for greatness or follow-up for an interview.

Scientist cover letter examples

Explore additional scientist cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Cover letter examples by industry

AI cover letter writer, powered by ChatGPT

Enhancv harnesses the capabilities of ChatGPT to provide a streamlined interface designed specifically focused on composing a compelling cover letter without the hassle of thinking about formatting and wording.

• Content tailored to the job posting you're applying for
• ChatGPT model specifically trained by Enhancv
• Lightning-fast responses

How to Update Your CV

Do you have to list all your jobs on an application, how to write a powerful cv that gets you hired, how do i make a professional resume, my successful product manager resume for microsoft, create a resume from linkedin.

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Resume Guides
• Cover Letter Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

Privacy preference center

We care about your privacy

When you visit our website, we will use cookies to make sure you enjoy your stay. We respect your privacy and we’ll never share your resumes and cover letters with recruiters or job sites. On the other hand, we’re using several third party tools to help us run our website with all its functionality.

But what exactly are cookies? Cookies are small bits of information which get stored on your computer. This information usually isn’t enough to directly identify you, but it allows us to deliver a page tailored to your particular needs and preferences.

Because we really care about your right to privacy, we give you a lot of control over which cookies we use in your sessions. Click on the different category headings on the left to find out more, and change our default settings.

However, remember that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of our website. Finally, note that we’ll need to use a cookie to remember your cookie preferences.

Without these cookies our website wouldn’t function and they cannot be switched off. We need them to provide services that you’ve asked for.

Want an example? We use these cookies when you sign in to Kickresume. We also use them to remember things you’ve already done, like text you’ve entered into a registration form so it’ll be there when you go back to the page in the same session.

Thanks to these cookies, we can count visits and traffic sources to our pages. This allows us to measure and improve the performance of our website and provide you with content you’ll find interesting.

Performance cookies let us see which pages are the most and least popular, and how you and other visitors move around the site.

All information these cookies collect is aggregated (it’s a statistic) and therefore completely anonymous. If you don’t let us use these cookies, you’ll leave us in the dark a bit, as we won’t be able to give you the content you may like.

We use these cookies to uniquely identify your browser and internet device. Thanks to them, we and our partners can build a profile of your interests, and target you with discounts to our service and specialized content.

On the other hand, these cookies allow some companies target you with advertising on other sites. This is to provide you with advertising that you might find interesting, rather than with a series of irrelevant ads you don’t care about.

Research and Development Polymer Scientist Cover Letter Sample

Feel free to utilize this sample Research and Development Polymer Scientist cover letter to secure your dream position. You can use it as is or easily tailor it to suit a specific Research and Development Polymer Scientist role using our user-friendly cover letter creator. Your success awaits.

Related resume guides and samples

How to craft an impressive flight attendant resume

How to write an excellent librarian resume

How to craft a compelling personal trainer resume

Research and Development Polymer Scientist Cover Letter Sample (Full Text Version)

Freya ravenshadow.

Dear Julian Walker,

I am writing to express my interest in the Research and Development Polymer Scientist position at DuPont, as advertised on www.kickresume.com. With a strong academic background and practical experience in polymer research, I am confident in my ability to contribute to the innovative research and development efforts at your esteemed organization.

I recently completed my Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where I gained comprehensive knowledge and skills in polymer synthesis, characterization, and application. During my doctoral research, I successfully designed and synthesized novel polymer structures with tailored properties, contributing to the development of more efficient and sustainable materials in various applications. My research was published in reputable scientific journals and presented at several international conferences, where I received positive feedback and recognition for my contributions.

In addition to my academic achievements, I have gained valuable industry experience through internships and collaborative projects. My internship at 3M provided me with the opportunity to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers. I made contributions to the development and optimization of polymer-based products, enhancing my understanding of translating scientific concepts into practical solutions. This experience also strengthened my project management and communication skills.

As a Research Polymer Scientist, I am confident in my ability to contribute to the advancement of your organization's research goals. I possess expertise in various polymerization techniques, including radical, anionic, and cationic polymerizations. I also have experience with polymer characterization techniques such as NMR, GPC, and DSC. Furthermore, my strong analytical and problem-solving skills enable me to identify innovative solutions to complex challenges, ensuring the development of high-quality and commercially viable products.

Beyond my technical abilities, I am highly motivated, detail-oriented, and possess excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills. I thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy brainstorming and exchanging ideas with colleagues.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute my skills and expertise to the R&D efforts at DuPont. Thank you for considering my application.

As a Research and Development Polymer Scientist, you'll lead efforts in the development of new polymer materials for various applications. Responsibilities include conducting research to understand polymer properties, designing experiments, and synthesizing novel polymer formulations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess material performance, optimize processing techniques, and scale-up production. Utilize your expertise in polymer chemistry, materials science, and characterization techniques to innovate new materials with enhanced properties and functionalities. Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies to drive continuous improvement and innovation in polymer development. Join us to contribute to the advancement of polymer science and develop cutting-edge materials with diverse applications.

Tomáš Ondrejka

Tomas is the CMO and co-founder of Kickresume, the company that has already helped nearly 4,000,000 job seekers land their dream jobs. Although these days his role revolves mostly around Kickresume's marketing strategy, he still likes to share his extensive knowledge of resumes and personal branding with job seekers around the world. Also, due to the nature of his work, he consumes an unhealthy resume-related content on daily basis. 

Edit this sample using our resume builder.

Don’t struggle with your cover letter. artificial intelligence can write it for you..

Similar job positions

Agricultural Scientist Chemist Nature Scientist Flight Attendant Personal Trainer Formal Scientist Medical Researcher / Scientist Humanities Scientist Librarian Natural Scientist Historian Social Scientist

Related science resume samples

Related others cover letter samples

Let your resume do the work.

Join 5,000,000 job seekers worldwide and get hired faster with your best resume yet.

Research and Development Engineer Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

Use these Research and Development Engineer cover letter examples and writing tips to help you write a powerful cover letter that will separate you from the competition.

Table Of Contents

• Research and Development Engineer Example 1
• Research and Development Engineer Example 2
• Research and Development Engineer Example 3
• Cover Letter Writing Tips

Research and development engineers are responsible for designing and testing new products. They work with teams of engineers to develop products that meet the needs of their clients.

To get a job as a research and development engineer, you need a well-written cover letter. Use these examples and tips to learn how to write a cover letter that will make hiring managers want to meet you.

Research and Development Engineer Cover Letter Example 1

I am excited to be applying for the Research and Development Engineer position at Topdown Research. I have a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and five years of experience working in a research and development setting. I am confident that I have the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate and I am eager to join your team and contribute to your success.

In my previous role at ABC Corporation, I was responsible for developing new products and processes for the company. I led a team of engineers in researching and designing a new product line that met the company’s quality and performance standards. I also developed and implemented a new process for manufacturing a key component of the company’s products. This process improvement led to a 20% increase in production efficiency.

I am a strategic thinker with a proven track record of success in research and development. I am also a team player with excellent communication and problem-solving skills. I am confident that I have the skills and experience you are looking for and I am eager to join your team and contribute to your success.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon with more information about the Research and Development Engineer position at Topdown Research.

Research and Development Engineer Cover Letter Example 2

I am writing to apply for the Research and Development Engineer position that was recently advertised on the company website. I am confident that I have the skills and experience that would make me the perfect candidate for this position.

I have been working as a Research and Development Engineer for the past three years, and during that time I have developed a strong understanding of the research and development process. I am familiar with all stages of the process, from ideation and conceptualization to prototyping and product launch. I have also developed strong problem-solving skills, and I am confident that I can find creative solutions to any challenge that comes my way.

In addition to my skills and experience, I am also a highly motivated and hard-working individual. I am always willing to go the extra mile to get the job done. I am also a team player, and I believe in working together to achieve common goals.

I would like to thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Research and Development Engineer Cover Letter Example 3

I am writing to express my interest in the Research and Development Engineer position at your company. I believe that my experience as a research engineer, coupled with my education and training, make me an excellent candidate for this position.

I have been working as a research engineer for the past three years. My duties include developing new products, testing existing products, and troubleshooting problems with existing products. I have extensive experience in all aspects of product development, including design, testing, and manufacturing. I have worked on projects ranging from small-scale prototypes to full-scale production models. I have also gained valuable experience in managing teams of engineers and technicians.

My education is another important factor that makes me a good candidate for this position. I hold a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. My coursework focused on advanced engineering principles such as thermodynamics, materials science, and computer modeling. I also completed an internship at Ford Motor Company during my senior year of college. This internship provided me with hands-on experience in automotive engineering.

I am confident that my skills and experience would be an asset to your company. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my qualifications can best be applied to your organization. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Research and Development Engineer Cover Letter Writing Tips

1. showcase your creativity.

Employers are looking for research and development engineers who can think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems. To show that you have the creativity and ingenuity they’re looking for, describe a time when you had to come up with an original solution to a difficult problem.

You can also highlight your inventive side by discussing your involvement in extracurricular activities, like being part of a robotics club or playing in an engineering club’s steel-pan band. These types of activities show that you’re not only creative, but also have the teamwork skills needed for a research and development engineer role.

2. Demonstrate your problem-solving skills

Problem-solving skills are essential for research and development engineers, so be sure to showcase them in your cover letter. One way to do this is by describing a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex issue.

You can also demonstrate your problem-solving skills by discussing your academic achievements. For example, if you have a degree in engineering, mention how you excelled in courses that involved complex problem-solving.

3. Highlight your experience with technology

Employers are looking for research and development engineers who have experience with the latest technology. To show that you have the skills and knowledge they need, highlight your experience with technology in your cover letter.

You can do this by describing the types of software and hardware you’re familiar with, or by discussing any projects you’ve worked on that involved using cutting-edge technology.

4. Proofread your cover letter

One of the best ways to make sure your cover letter is error-free is by proofreading it. This will help hiring managers see that you’re detail-oriented and have the commitment to excellence needed for the role.

Instructional Coordinator Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

Assistant superintendent cover letter examples & writing tips, you may also be interested in..., behavior support specialist cover letter examples & writing tips, application administrator cover letter examples, physical therapist assistant cover letter examples & writing tips, cad technician cover letter examples & writing tips.

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. A lock ( ) or https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Keyboard Navigation

• Agriculture and Food Security
• Anti-Corruption
• Conflict Prevention and Stabilization
• Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance
• Economic Growth and Trade
• Environment, Energy, and Infrastructure
• Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
• Global Health
• Humanitarian Assistance
• Innovation, Technology, and Research
• Water and Sanitation
• Burkina Faso
• Central Africa Regional
• Central African Republic
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• East Africa Regional
• Power Africa
• Republic of the Congo
• Sahel Regional
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Southern Africa Regional
• West Africa Regional
• Afghanistan
• Central Asia Regional
• Indo-Pacific
• Kyrgyz Republic
• Pacific Islands
• Philippines
• Regional Development Mission for Asia
• Timor-Leste
• Turkmenistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• North Macedonia
• Central America and Mexico Regional Program
• Dominican Republic
• Eastern and Southern Caribbean
• El Salvador
• Middle East Regional Platform
• West Bank and Gaza
• Dollars to Results
• Data Resources
• Strategy & Planning
• Budget & Spending
• Performance and Financial Reporting
• FY 2023 Agency Financial Report
• Records and Reports
• Budget Justification
• Our Commitment to Transparency
• Policy and Strategy
• How to Work with USAID
• Find a Funding Opportunity
• Organizations That Work With USAID
• Resources for Partners
• Get involved
• Business Forecast
• Safeguarding and Compliance
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
• Mission, Vision and Values
• News & Information
• Operational Policy (ADS)
• Organization
• Stay Connected
• USAID History
• Video Library
• Coordinators
• Nondiscrimination Notice
• Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Disabilities Employment Program
• Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey
• Reasonable Accommodations
• Urgent Hiring Needs
• Vacancy Announcements
• Search Search Search

Science and Technology Fellowships

USAID hosts several fellowship programs that are characterized by their commitment to the use of science, technology, and innovation across USAID’s sectors. Fellows bring diverse technical backgrounds to USAID, including life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, mathematics, engineering, public health, and medicine.

These science and technology fellowship programs offer USAID the opportunity to source staff with up-to-date technical knowledge and a desire to apply scientific thinking to international development. Fellows apply analytic rigor to our programs and policies, increase adaptive management and the use of evidence in our programs, support program management and policy implementation, and apply diverse backgrounds to new approaches. Fellows gain firsthand experience and contribute to  solving the most challenging and critical development issues of our time. 

Jefferson Science Fellowship

In partnership with the U.S. State Department, USAID hosts the Jefferson Science Fellowship, which places tenured faculty from U.S. higher education institutions to serve as advisors to the State Department or USAID for a one year fellowship.

Former Jefferson Science Fellows at USAID have :

• Provided in-depth consultation and training on Climate Risk Management, used by over 20 USAID Missions while revising their Country or Regional Development Cooperation Strategies;
• Worked with a foundation to assess and implement molecular surveillance testing for drug resistance in parasites that cause malaria;
• Utilized technical expertise to help increase regional energy security through new technology deployment, policy and regulatory reform, energy efficiency and energy financing
• Provided critical guidance to the USAID Administrator in the days immediately following the 2011 earthquake in Haiti on seismological trends, and
• Designed and launched a pilot project to demonstrate the use of energy management software in the industrial sector in the Western Balkans. 

IEEE-USA Engineering & International Development Fellowship

IEEE-USA and USAID created the Engineering & International Development Fellows program to provide a resource of relevant scientific and technical expertise to USAID, from IEEE members. The intent is to facilitate the sharing of experience, to broaden the perspectives of both the science and technology professional and governmental communities, and to promote interactions that promote mutual learning. Fellows are placed in Washington, D.C. for this one year fellowship.   

IEEE-USA is an organizational unit of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) created in 1973 to support the career and the public policy interests of IEEE’s U.S. members. 

Former IEEE-USA Fellows at USAID have:

• Participated in the planning and design to support compliance with USAID’s Open Data Policy; 
• Prepared briefing materials for USAID’s Senior Science Advisor in advance of site visits to implementing partners’ project sites; and 
• Managed a portfolio of regional research grants, supporting scientific research and partnership across South Asia.

Science for Development Fellowship

USAID’s Science for Development Fellowship will provide direct links to the U.S. higher education community and enable USAID to leverage the expertise of scientists and engineers to support international development priorities around the world.  Fellows will serve for two-year terms in Washington, D.C., with an optional third year, and will work to leverage their expertise across USAID’s technical sectors. 

USAID will host the inaugural Science for Development Fellows cohort beginning in the fall of 2024. PhD-level scientists and Masters of Engineering graduates from all scientific disciplines, including life sciences, social sciences, mathematics, engineering, public health, and medicine, are encouraged to apply. 

Embassy Science Fellowship

The U.S. Department of State’s Embassy Science Fellows (ESF) program leverages the expertise of U.S. government scientists to build relationships and partnerships that advance American foreign policy and scientific priorities, further our understanding of worldwide science trends, promote U.S. scientific norms, and advance American foreign policy interests.

Scientists and engineers from U.S. government technical agencies provide expertise at Embassies and USAID Missions for up to three months. 

Since 2001, more than 550 Embassy Science fellows  from the federal government have lent their expertise to projects in Embassies and Missions around the world.

Opportunities are advertised within eligible Federal Government Agencies annually. USAID Missions may host ESFs in partnership with the Embassy, and USAID staff are eligible to serve as ESFs. 

Past USAID ESFs have:

• Led a collaborative sustainability initiative between the U.S. Embassy of Thailand and the Phuket Hotels Association with the aim of reducing single-use plastics in their 65 associated hotels;
• Focused on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) at the Embassy to the Holy See, a topic which was a rising interest among the Pope and other Vatican officials;
• Consulted with stakeholder entities documenting the opportunities and challenges associated with advancing wastewater collection, treatment, and reuse in the West Bank; and 
• Researched urbanization and climate impacts on Lagos State in Nigeria to create a set of recommendations for the Lagos State Government and inform the U.S. Consulate’s engagement in Lagos around resilience. 

Concluded Fellowships Programs

Research and Innovation Fellowships  AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship AAAS Overseas Fellowship

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Entire Site
• Research & Funding
• Health Information
• About NIDDK
• Current Funding Opportunities

Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Required)

The purpose of the NIH Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) is to provide support and protected time (three to five years) for an intensive, supervised career development experience in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences leading to research independence. Although all of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) use this support mechanism to support career development experiences that lead to research independence, some ICs use the K01 award for individuals who propose to train in a new field or for individuals who have had a hiatus in their research career because of illness or pressing family circumstances. Other ICs offer separate K01 NOFOs intended to increase research workforce diversity.

Funding Opportunity Details

Full Announcement: PA-24-175 Related Notices or Announcements: None

Program Contacts: Tracy L. Rankin, Ph.D.;  Voula Osganian, M.D., Sc.D., M.P.H. 

Open Date: 5/12/2024

Letter of Intent Due Date: Not Applicable

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• NEWS EXPLAINER
• 25 April 2024

NATO is boosting AI and climate research as scientific diplomacy remains on ice

• Natasha Gilbert 0

Natasha Gilbert is a freelance writer in Washington, DC.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

You have full access to this article via your institution.

A NATO research vessel conducting studies of marine mammals in the Mediterranean Sea (pictured in 2009). Credit: U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kristen Allen via Mil image/Alamy

Science has been essential to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the political and military alliance founded 75 years ago this month. The 32-country alliance is admitting more members as it faces evolving geopolitical and military threats. The organization’s scientific work focuses largely on defence and civil-security projects that, for instance, investigate how climate change is affecting war, how emerging technologies could enhance soldiers’ performance and how to reduce discrimination and intolerance among military personnel. “The role of science and technology for NATO is likely to grow significantly over the next two decades,” predicts Simona Soare, a defence-technologies researcher at Lancaster University, UK.

How does NATO use science?

“We’re looking to make sure that we can provide scientific advice to the nations of NATO to enable them to maintain a technical and military advantage,” says Bryan Wells, a chemist and the organization’s chief scientist. Wells works at NATO’s Brussels headquarters, where world leaders gathered earlier this month to mark the organization’s 75th anniversary.

NATO has a complex organizational structure including both military and civilian staff. The civilian part of NATO is headed by a senior political figure from a member state and also includes diplomats representing member countries. The military part is headed by senior military personnel.

Much of NATO’s research and development (R&D) takes place through the Science and Technology Organization (STO), a network of more than 6,000 scientists at universities and national laboratories and in industry. They work together on defence research projects. NATO’s member states and non-member countries together contribute around €350 million (US$380 million) annually for the work of this network, says Wells.

The STO also has its own research laboratory, the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) in La Spezia, Italy. The laboratory employs around 150 people and is led by Eric Pouliquen, a physicist who has worked on underwater remote sensing.

NATO’s civilian arm provides grants for a Science for Peace and Security (SPS) research programme, headed by Claudio Palestini, a researcher in communications engineering.

The programme funds studies in areas such as counterterrorism and cyber defence. Earlier this month , the SPS programme updated its priorities. These now include studies on the impact on defence and security from climate change and from AI; protecting underwater infrastructure; and what it calls “hybrid threats”, which include interference in elections and disinformation. Each of its larger grants is worth between €250,000 and €400,000 and lasts for two to three years.

Wells says the STO publishes research — mostly from the CMRE — in peer-reviewed journals where possible. “We recognize if we can publish openly, it’s very beneficial to do that,” he says.

However, many of its research projects are classified. NATO does not publish a detailed breakdown of its R&D income and expenditure by country; nor does it release its funding trend data.

What sort of research is NATO doing?

Projects cover a spectrum of fields including using autonomous undersea surveillance to hunt for and identify mines; tracking and identifying submarines; quantum radar; and synthetic biology.

For example, one programme led by CMRE researchers explores how autonomous underwater vehicles can identify submarines using quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. Similarly, another project, ‘Military Diversity in Multinational Defence Environments: From Ethnic Intolerance to Inclusion’ studied the reasons for intolerance in NATO members’ armed forces as part of an overall strategy to improve diversity and inclusion across the organization.

NATO is examining how AI could affect troops’ ability to conceal themselves and evade detection . Another initiative is investigating how biotechnology could boost soldiers’ performance by enhancing the microbiome or through brain–computer interface technologies.

Why is NATO interested in climate research?

NATO is concerned that c limate change has significant impacts on security . Melting sea ice creates more routes for naval shipping in the Arctic, for example, and NATO and non-NATO countries are increasingly operating in the region.

NATO is also interested in how temperature changes could affect the security of its member and non-member countries as well as of military installations around the world. In a 2024 review paper in the Texas National Security Review , CMRE researchers — along with colleagues from the University of St Andrews, UK, the University of L’Aquila, Italy, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich — found that submarines could become more difficult to detect using sonar in the North Atlantic Ocean as water temperature rises.

In another study , presented at last week’s conference of the European Geosciences Union in Vienna, CMRE researchers working with scientists at the universities of Princeton in New Jersey and Central Florida in Orlando assessed how extreme weather might affect 91 NATO military bases and installations. The researchers found that multiple bases and installations are likely to become susceptible to climate change as emissions continue to rise.

Last year, one of NATO’s research vessels moored vertical lines holding oceanographic and acoustic recorders in the Arctic Ocean. The intention was to monitor temperature, salinity and ambient noise throughout the water column. Other research projects are looking at the use of new materials for military clothing in warmer climates, says Wells.

In 2022, NATO published the first of a series called Climate change and Security Impact Assessment . It is also developing a methodology for mapping greenhouse-gas emissions from NATO-member military activities and installations.

Personnel from NATO and the Royal Jordanian Navy lower an autonomous undersea vehicle into the Gulf of Aqaba in 2022. Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dawson Roth

How has NATO’s expansion affected science?

NATO’s membership has more than doubled since its founding on 4 April 1949. Finland and Sweden are the latest countries to join. Three more — Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Ukraine — want to become members.

More members potentially means more funding and support for R&D, as well as access to a bigger pool of scientific expertise. However, Finland and Sweden both participated in NATO’s collaborative research for several years before they joined, says Wells.

Soare says that NATO’s defence science originally focused on aerospace, to help its members catch up after the Soviet Union launched Earth’s first artificial satellites — Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2 — in 1957. “Throughout the cold war, ensuring air superiority was considered crucial,” she says.

What about a role for science in diplomacy?

In 1958, NATO established research fellowships and projects in what later became its SPS programme, to boost collaboration between nations including the United States and the Soviet Union. “Science provided a path for superpower adversaries to cooperate,” says Paul Arthur Berkman, founder of the Science Diplomacy Center in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

The fellowships and collaborative projects continued to provide a point of contact between NATO and Russia until 2014, when Russia invaded Crimea. That year, Russia, Romania and the United States were jointly developing a system to connect telemedicine capabilities across all three countries to provide medical care in remote and emergency situations. However, the invasion prompted NATO to freeze cooperation with Russia.

Berkman, who in 2010 co-organized and chaired the first dialogue between NATO and Russia regarding environmental security in the Arctic , is concerned at the alliance’s shift away from using science as a “safety valve” in its relations with Russia. He warns that cutting off scientific dialogue with Russia undermines democracy and nations’ ability to tackle global challenges such as climate change.

“Open science is akin to freedom of speech. If we turn off open science, in a sense we’re undermining democracy,” says Berkman.

Nature 629 , 18-19 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01052-1

Reprints and permissions

• Biotechnology
• Climate change

How I’m supporting other researchers who have moved to Lithuania

Spotlight 01 MAY 24

I fell out of love with the lab, and in love with business

How bioinformatics led one scientist home to Lithuania

85 million cells — and counting — at your fingertips

Technology Feature 29 APR 24

Are robots the solution to the crisis in older-person care?

Outlook 25 APR 24

Lethal AI weapons are here: how can we control them?

News Feature 23 APR 24

Support communities that will lose out in the energy transition

Editorial 01 MAY 24

Frequent disturbances enhanced the resilience of past human populations

Article 01 MAY 24

Why it was right to reject the Anthropocene as a geological epoch

Correspondence 30 APR 24

Faculty Positions & Postdocs at Institute of Physics (IOP), Chinese Academy of Sciences

IOP is the leading research institute in China in condensed matter physics and related fields. Through the steadfast efforts of generations of scie...

Beijing, China

Institute of Physics (IOP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Director, NLM

Vacancy Announcement Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health   DIRECTOR, NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE   THE POSITION:...

Bethesda, Maryland

National Library of Medicine - Office of the Director

Call for postdoctoral fellows in Molecular Medicine, Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine

The Nordic EMBL Partnership is seeking postdoctoral fellows for collaborative projects in molecular medicine through the first NORPOD call.

Helsinki, Finland

Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine

Associate or Senior Editor (microbial genetics, evolution, and epidemiology)

we’re seeking an editor who has a critical eye, a deep understanding of their subject and interests beyond, and who can think on their feet.

London, New York, Philadelphia or Pune – Hybrid working model.

Springer Nature Ltd

Description test

Berlin (DE)

Springer Nature Group

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS. A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Dear Colleague Letter: Graduate Research Internships at National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NSF-NIBIB/BETA INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity

April 30, 2024

Dear Colleague:

Fostering the growth of a globally competitive and diverse research workforce and advancing the scientific and innovation skills of the Nation is a strategic objective of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF and Center for Biomedical Engineering Technology Acceleration ( BETA ) housed in the National Institutes of Health (NIH)- National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering ( NIBIB ) have entered into a partnership to support the training of graduate students to meet both the NSF's strategic workforce development objectives as well the NIBIB's mission to transform through engineering the understanding of disease and its prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment and NIBIB's support of the next generation of diverse, interdisciplinary researchers across the career continuum.

This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) describes this unique partnership with NIBIB/BETA and is aligned with and conforms with the NSF INTERN opportunity described in the Dear Colleague Letter: Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity . This DCL is referred to as the NSF - NIBIB/BETA INTERN DCL.

Recipients submitting an INTERN supplemental funding request are required to have a policy or code of conduct that addresses sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault. For more information, read about NSF policies regarding harassment .

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

NSF will consider supplemental funding requests that enable a Principal Investigator (PI) or co-PI to request up to six months of additional support for a graduate student supported on an active NSF award with the following goals:

• To provide graduate students with the opportunity to augment their research assistantships or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) fellowships with non-academic research internship activities and training opportunities that will complement their academic research training.
• To allow graduate students to engage in professional development experiences that will enhance their preparation for multiple career pathways after graduation.
• To encourage the participation of the full spectrum of diverse talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

ELIGIBILITY

Recipients with awards that include funding for graduate students, including institutional Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) awards, are eligible to submit a supplemental funding request. The PI for an active GRFP fellowship (not the GRFP fellow) should contact GRFP ( [email protected] ) regarding specific requirements before submitting a supplemental funding request on behalf of a GRFP fellow.

To be supported through an INTERN supplement responding to this DCL, graduate students (including graduate research fellows) being considered must have completed at least one academic year in their graduate programs (master's or doctoral), be in good academic standing and demonstrate satisfactory progress towards their research.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

PIs and co-PIs of NSF grants and the research advisor of the GRFP fellows are encouraged to contact Dr. Manu Platt ( [email protected] ) at NIBIB/BETA, to explore suitable opportunities for research traineeships at NIBIB/BETA in Bethesda, Maryland, for the graduate students who are supported on their NSF grants.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING REQUEST PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

Information about requesting supplemental support is contained in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide ( PAPPG ), Chapter VI.E.5. In addition to the PAPPG requirements for supplemental support, the following materials must be included.

• A two-page summary that describes the internship
• A one-page personal statement from the graduate student describing career goals, accomplishments, and how the activity will better prepare the individual to enter the workforce.
• Research summary to include contribution(s) to research discipline
• Institution(s)
• Year of study (1st year, 2nd year, etc.)
• Completed coursework
• Employment and volunteer/outreach history
• Publications (accepted only)
• Other information relevant to the proposed internship
• A letter of collaboration from an authorized official at the host organization that describes the internship opportunity and mentoring the student will experience during the internship.
• An endorsement letter from the PI that confirms that the student meets the eligibility requirements specified in this DCL. The letter must describe how the proposed internship activity will contribute to the student's graduate education experience and how it may impact time to degree.
• A budget and a clear justification for all requested budget costs.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING AMOUNT

The total amount of funding requested must not exceed $55,000 per student for one six-month period. NSF plans to fund about 5-10 supplements per fiscal year, depending on the availability of funds.

PERIOD OF SUPPORT

The supplement funding will provide up to six months of support for an internship. Note: only one supplemental funding request may be submitted for a given student. A PI or co-PI may submit no more than one request per year of their award if there are multiple graduate students supported by the award, with the exception that GRFP will consider requests for internships for more than one GRFP Fellow from a single GRFP award.

Supplemental funding requests may be submitted at any time.

SUBMISSION AND REVIEW

Requests for supplemental funding must be submitted via Research.gov. A PI or Co-PI with an NSF award should contact the program director who manages the award prior to submission. GRFP INTERN supplement requests are submitted by the GRFP PI, not by the GRFP fellow or the fellow's research advisor. Requests for supplemental funding submitted in response to this DCL will be reviewed internally by NSF program directors. All supplements are subject to (a) the availability of funds and (b) merit review of the supplemental funding request.

SPECIAL AWARD CONDITION

Intellectual Property Rights: Internships under this DCL are considered equivalent to traineeships. The National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering claims no rights to any inventions or writings that might result from its traineeship awards. However, trainees should be aware that NSF, another Federal agency, or some private party may acquire such rights through other support for particular research. Also, trainees should note their obligation to include an Acknowledgment and Disclaimer in any publication.

For further information, please contact: Dr. Prakash Balan, [email protected] .

Susan Marqusee, Assistant Director Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO)

Dilma Da Silva, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)

James L. Moore III, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EDU)

Susan Margulies, Assistant Director Directorate for Engineering (ENG)

Alexandra Isern, Assistant Director Directorate for Geosciences (GEO)

C. Denise Caldwell, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS)

Alicia Knoedler, Office Head Office of Integrative Activities (OIA)

Kendra Sharp, Office Head Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE)

Sylvia M. Butterfield, Assistant Director Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)

Erwin Gianchandani, Assistant Director Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnership (TIP)

Coding Careers and Accelerating Research

Discover how Open Source with SLU , a grant-funded initiative in Saint Louis University’s Department of Computer Science , is enhancing research efforts across the University and preparing students to enter today’s workforce with professional software development experience.

We can all recall a time when we brought an assignment home from school. Sometimes, it would take us hours, and other times, only minutes to complete before moving on to the next thing on our to-do list. This whole mentality — checking assignments off a to-do list like a routine — was something that bothered Kate Holdener, Ph.D. , and assistant professor of computer science, when she considered her courses at Saint Louis University. 

“What bothered me about [course] projects is that they were kind of toy projects or throw-away work,” Holdener said. “Students did the work, but it was not going to be used by anyone seriously or be maintained afterward. This felt like a waste because we have so many talented students that could be building something more useful.”

Holdener is a professional software engineer specializing in software engineering, software development, and evolutionary algorithms. In early 2022, she received a two-year grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to create a center that would engage graduate and undergraduate students in open-source software development for SLU research projects. She founded the program called Open Source with SLU.

“I wanted to give students a more realistic environment for software development and also support the faculty that are doing research at SLU,” Holdener said.

“This grant opportunity was looking to support various initiatives that help train a better workforce in open source because it is one of the reasons we have such rapid technological advancement [today]," she said.

Software in the Open

For every piece of technology or automation, a piece of source code is needed to make it function. Once it is ready for release, the creator of the code must answer an essential question: Will the code be closed or open to the public?

The difference between closed and open-source code is in the name itself: It’s either open or closed to public visibility and modification. Open source allows anyone to adjust the code and collaborate to improve performance. It’s a critical learning opportunity for students interested in computer science.

Holdener explained that using open source has an added benefit on university campuses where students' availability and involvement may change from semester to semester.

“We don’t have to reinvent,” she said. “Instead of writing the code from scratch [each semester], we’ll use a library, put code together, and write our own code from there.”

Open Source with SLU gives participating students practical software development experience and helps researchers with their custom software needs. Holdener structured the program to allow SLU researchers to submit a formal request for a software project, and then graduate students lead a team of undergraduate students to execute the work. Graduate students are hired to take on the role of a senior developer, overseeing all stages of the project and checking in with undergraduate developers along the way.

The program has a collaborative atmosphere. Students must develop an actionable plan that includes designing, prototyping, testing and showcasing their work to their clients — much like a corporate software development team. Yet, the greatest takeaway for students is that their capstone project can now be used as professional experience in a job interview.

“Students make contributions to these projects, and all those contributions are visible to anybody,” Holdener said. “As a potential employer, I can go and look at your profile and see these are the things you have worked on and these are the lines of code you wrote. It gives [students] a concrete foundation and proof of what they worked on."

Purpose-Driven Projects

In its first year of operation, Open Source with SLU has contributed to research projects on campus and in the St. Louis community. While each project is research-driven, they are also purpose-driven, developing software that will benefit humanity in the long term. This supports the program’s three learning outcomes that guide student work on their projects — experience, service and promotion.

Daniel Shown, program director for Open Source with SLU, explained that students are able to achieve these goals and gain professional experience as they support research that is interesting or valuable to them.     “First, we are trying to give students real-world software development experience,” he said. “Something more like what they will experience when they are out in the world and less like a class assignment. Second, we are building software that supports research, so we pick clients from across the University who are doing research. The third thing we are trying to do is promote and be a center of gravity for open-source software development and broader conversations about open scholarship on campus.”

At the time of this publication, the program is working on over 13 capstone projects that contribute to research in fields such as mathematics, statistics, chemistry, theology, history and community improvement. One community improvement project includes their recent work with an application that simplifies the process of volunteering at local homeless shelters. This project is in partnership with House Everyone STL.

“This project is a website, where volunteers can easily sign up for shifts at homeless shelters,” said Logan Wyas, SLU graduate student and developer on the project. “It has the ability to make a big impact on our world.”

The application will allow volunteers to sign up, view which shelters have open volunteer shifts, and give shelters the ability to see who is on their schedule. For students, it is the opportunity to address real-world problems in research or the local community that most excites them. When they see the skills they’ve learned in the classroom give them the power to improve the world around them, it makes the work all the more meaningful.

Another mission-driven project is called the Lived Religion Project, which wanted a digital platform that would share media and notes about people’s respective encounters with religion in their everyday life.

“Dr. Adam Parks does research in ethnography, which is how people live, and he is specifically focused on religion and the different ways people experience or engage in religion or religious artifacts,” Holdener said. “He needed a platform that would allow ethnographers to go out in the world, make notes on various religious artifacts, and come home to make more detailed notes after.”

This need developed into the idea for “Where’s Religion?” an application for both desktop and mobile that hosts a platform for collecting, organizing and sharing images, videos and sounds, along with textural notations sourced from a wide range of users. This collection of materials will not only give value to research stemming from history and religion, but also will provide a unique look at several viewpoints of American life.

Undergraduate student Massimo Evelti works on multiple projects within the program to further develop his skills, expand his knowledge of open source, and connect with classmates in a working environment. He said their roles as computer scientists and engineers within Open Source with SLU have an inherent capability to better the world now and into the future.

“Engineering is about creating things to help people, and many of these projects are for the betterment of society and its people,” Evelti said. “If one puts helping others as a priority, there will be plenty of moments to flourish in this field.”

Embracing a Collaborative Environment

Open Source with SLU requires a team effort, which is an expectation that not many of the students face in their other courses. Shown explained that the way scientists work across disciplines is more collaborative than ever, and  putting the open-source work out into the community benefits all.

Holdener built the program to foster a collaborative approach when working on open-source projects. Graduate and undergraduate students come together with their unique interests, varying experience levels, and personal skills to gain the experience they need to move into their careers beyond SLU.

Graduate student Yash Bhatia received his undergraduate degree in computer engineering in 2019 from Mumbai University in India before coming to SLU to obtain his master’s in computer science. He works at Open Source with SLU as a graduate assistant and tech lead for open-source projects, including the “Where’s Religion?” desktop and mobile applications.

Bhatia believes the program helps students gain valuable experience working in a team environment that will prepare students for a career after graduation.

“There are many students who come to the United States with no experience working on real projects or real-time group efforts, where a group leader shapes the team and helps them to become better developers,” Bhatia said. “Open Source with SLU is an excellent initiative that builds skills and makes students learn about different technologies.”

Holdener explained that the program gives students an edge in their resumes. She said most entry-level computer science positions require one to two years of experience, which makes it more challenging for a student entering the job market. This program presents a solution for students — helping them gain relevant and provable experience before entering an interview.

“Whether it's these projects or some other projects, [students] can claim some experience through it,” she said. “Also, it's not just the claim — it's something [they] can demonstrate. I tell my students to list and link their projects on their resume because it’s their development. We run this program in a professional manner just like any software development organization.”

Toward the Discovery of the New

Open Source with SLU is making an immediate impact with computer science students across campus, inviting them to dive into their chosen craft with vigor, innovation and creativity. However, it's not just for students who work in coding and engineering software, but also for students who may have an interest in learning about open-source software.

“A long-term goal for me is to involve students at different levels in the program, and not necessarily from just the computer science department,” Holdener said. “There’s many aspects to these projects that are less technical, and it could be a playground where all students can come, jump in and participate in projects.”

Current students encourage others to reach out and become involved in what projects pique their interest.

“This program is an amazing initiative,” Evelti said. “I highly recommend students to look through the projects, and if there is one that catches your eye, dive in and start with the easiest problem. From there, you will start to understand what you are good at and what you need to work on. The important thing is don’t be timid to ask for help and to finish a problem you have started!”

As Open Source with SLU continues to grow, Holdener is optimistic that this initiative is just the start of an impactful, flourishing open-source community at SLU.

“Students hear about this, and they’ll reach out to say ‘Hey, how do I get involved in this? I want to build up my skills and participate,” she said. “We’re seeing more of this now, and it is exciting to me.”

To learn more about the current projects or to submit a project request to Open Source with SLU, visit their website at https://oss-slu.github.io/ .

Story by Mary Pogue, senior copywriter, Paradigm .

This piece was written for the 2023 SLU Research Institute Annual Impact Report. The Impact Report is printed each spring to celebrate the successes of our researchers from the previous year and share the story of SLU's rise as a preeminent Jesuit research university. Design, photography, and some writing contributions are made by Paradigm . More information can be found here .