professional cover letter research assistant

11 Professional Research Assistant Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your research assistant cover letter should immediately highlight your keen attention to detail. This quality is non-negotiable for success in compiling and analyzing data efficiently. Consistently demonstrate your ability to support complex research projects with precision. Your cover letter must reflect a proactive approach and a solid understanding of the research process.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Entry-Level Research Assistant

Research Associate

Research Director

Research Manager

Clinical Research Assistant

Postdoctoral Research Assistant

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Graduate Research Assistant

Laboratory Research Assistant

Cover letter guide.

Research Assistant Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Research Assistant Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

By Experience

Embarking on the quest for a research assistant role, you've likely encountered the pivotal step of crafting a compelling cover letter. It's not just about parroting your resume; your cover letter should weave a narrative around a standout professional triumph, capturing the essence of your expertise without resorting to overused clichés. Remember, keeping it concise within a single page is key. Let's navigate these waters together, ensuring your cover letter showcases your achievements with clarity and impact.

• Introduce your profile to catch recruiters' attention;
• Use professional templates and examples to make sure your research assistant cover letter follows the best industry standards;
• Settle on your most story-worthy achievement to shine a light on what makes your application unique;
• Write a research assistant cover letter, even when you lack professional experience.

Ready to start with the basics: upload your resume to Enhancv's AI, below, to see the research assistant cover letter it would write for you.

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

• Research Assistant resume guide and example
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• Lab Technician cover letter example
• Entry Level Chemist cover letter example
• Quantitative Researcher cover letter example
• Quality Control Chemist cover letter example
• Chemist cover letter example
• Researcher cover letter example
• Student Researcher cover letter example
• Scientist cover letter example
• Biology cover letter example

Research Assistant cover letter example

ISABELLA ADAMS

New York City, New York

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Tailoring Experience to the Job Role: Mentioning the achievement of increasing efficiency in data collection processes for clinical trials directly relates to a key function of a Research Coordinator, thereby emphasizing relevant experience.
• Demonstrating Quantifiable Achievements: The cover letter highlights a specific metric of success – a 25% increase in efficiency – which demonstrates the candidate's ability to deliver measurable results.
• Attention to Data Privacy and Integrity: Research Coordinators must ensure the highest standards of data management. The applicant underscores her commitment to this aspect by citing past experience in maintaining data privacy and integrity.
• Proactive Problem Solving: The applicant describes how she proactively coordinated with research teams to improve operations, showcasing her problem-solving skills and initiative – qualities that are highly valued for a Research Coordinator position.

What about your research assistant cover letter format: organizing and structuring your information

Here is one secret you should know about your research assistant cover letter assessment. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't analyze your cover letter.

You should thus focus on making an excellent impression on recruiters by writing consistent:

• Introduction
• Body paragraphs (and explanation)
• Promise or Call to action
• Signature (that's optional)

Now, let's talk about the design of your research assistant cover letter.

Ensure all of your paragraphs are single-spaced and have a one-inch margins on all sides (like in our cover letter templates ).

Also, our cover letter builder automatically takes care of the format and comes along with some of the most popular (and modern) fonts like Volkhov, Chivo, and Bitter.

Speaking of fonts, professionals advise you to keep your research assistant cover letter and resume in the same typography and avoid the over-used Arial or Times New Roman.

When wondering whether you should submit your research assistant cover letter in Doc or PDF, select the second, as PDF keeps all of your information and design consistent.

The top sections on a research assistant cover letter

• Header: Include your name, contact information, and the date to ensure the recruiter knows who you are and how to reach you, which establishes professionalism and attention to detail.
• Greeting: Address the hiring manager or lead researcher by name if possible to personalize your cover letter and immediately demonstrate your commitment to building professional relationships.
• Introduction: Open with a clear statement about your interest in the research assistant role and your relevant educational background, which is critical in showing your enthusiasm and foundation for the position.
• Body: Elaborate on your research experience, technical skills, and any relevant coursework or projects, emphasizing how these uniquely qualify you for the research assistant position and demonstrate your ability to contribute meaningfully to the research team.
• Closing: Affirm your interest in the role and suggest an in-person or virtual meeting to discuss how you can contribute to their ongoing research projects, showing initiative and eagerness to engage further with the team.

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

• Attention to Detail : Essential for ensuring accuracy in data collection, analysis, and reporting findings in research.
• Analytical Skills : Important for interpreting data, identifying patterns, and contributing to research outcomes.
• Technical Proficiency : Ability to use various research tools and software pertinent to the field of study.
• Relevant Research Experience : Previous involvement in research projects or familiarity with the subject matter shows readiness to contribute effectively.
• Strong Writing Abilities : Necessary for drafting research proposals, reports, and publications.
• Time Management : Capability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and manage the research timeline efficiently.

Kick off your research assistant cover letter: the salutation or greeting

When writing your research assistant cover letter, remember that you're not writing for some complex AI or robot, but for actual human beings.

And recruiters, while on the lookout to understand your experience, would enjoy seeing a cover letter that is tailored to the role and addresses them . Personally.

So, if you haven't done so, invest some time in finding out who's the hiring manager for the role you're applying to. A good place to start would be LinkedIn and the corporate website.

Alternatively, you could also get in touch with the company to find out more information about the role and the name of the recruiter.

If you haven't met the hiring manager, yet, your research assistant cover letter salutation should be on a last-name basis (e.g. "Dear Mr. Donaldson" or "Dear Ms. Estephan").

A good old, "Dear HR Professional" (or something along those lines) could work as your last resort if you're struggling to find out the recruiter's name.

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [Name of the Principal Investigator or Supervisor],
• Dear [Research Department Head],
• Dear Dr. [Last Name],
• Dear Professor [Last Name],
• Dear Search Committee,

First introductions in your research assistant cover letter

Within your research assistant cover letter introduction , genuinely state what you like about the organization.

Research the latest company projects, honorary awards, company updates, etc.

Write up to two sentences to let recruiters know what impresses you about the company,

This would help you to set a good tone for the rest of the communication.

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

You've got your whole resume sorted, detailing your achievements and skills. What else can you write in your research assistant 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.

Ending your research assistant cover letter: a closing paragraph with a promise

If you're thinking of finishing your research assistant cover letter with a "Sincerely yours" or "Thanks for the consideration," you need to read on.

End the final paragraph of your research assistant cover letter with a twist:

• a promise - of how you'd grow as a professional, part of the company, or improve organizational metrics;
• a call to action - prompt interviewers with some follow-up actions if they are interested in your profile.

A personalized ending would surely help you to stand out by being a memorable candidate.

Keep this in mind when writing your zero experience research assistant cover letter

Even though you may not have any professional experience , your research assistant cover letter should focus on your value.

As a candidate for the particular role, what sort of skills do you bring about? Perhaps you're an apt leader and communicator, or have the ability to analyze situations from different perspectives.

Select one key achievement from your life, outside work, and narrate a story that sells your abilities in the best light.

If you really can't think of any relevant success, you could also paint the picture of how you see your professional future developing in the next five years, as part of the company.

Key takeaways

Writing your research assistant cover letter has never been easier, so remember to:

• Select a research assistant cover letter template that automatically meets industry formatting (e.g. has one-inch margins, is single-spaced, is in PDF, etc.);
• Make your research assistant cover letter personal by mentioning the recruiters' first or last name;
• Within the introduction, describe what you like best about the company in no more than two sentences;
• Use your research assistant cover letter body to tell a story of your greatest achievement, backed up by job-relevant skills and technologies;
• If you have no professional experience, be honest about it in your research assistant cover letter, but also write about your unique talents.

Research Assistant cover letter examples

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

Cover letter examples by industry

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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.

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Research Assistant cover letter examples

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Can you be there to support the primary researcher in collecting data and information?

If so, you need to prove it with an engaging and persuasive cover letter. We want to see those research skills in action as you perfect and tailor your application.

But in case you need a little guidance, we’ve also put together some of our top tips and research assistant cover letter examples in the guide below.

CV templates 

Research Assistant cover letter example 1

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Research Assistant cover letter example 2

Research Assistant cover letter example 3

These 3 Research Assistant cover letter example s should provide you with a good steer on how to write your own cover letter, and the general structure to follow.

Our simple step-by-step guide below provides some more detailed advice on how you can craft a winning cover letter for yourself, that will ensure your CV gets opened.

How to write a Research Assistant cover letter

Here’s how you can write your own eye-catching cover letter, broken down into simple steps.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When you send a cover letter with a job application, you should always write your message into the body of your email – or the body of the messaging system if you are sending via a job website.

Why do this?

Simply because you want to get your message seen as soon as the recruiter opens your application.

If you attach the cover letter as a separate item, this means the recipient will have to open it before they can read it – slowing down the process and potentially causing frustration along the way.

So, write your cover note in the body of your email/message to ensure you make an instant connection with the reader.

Start with a friendly greeting

Start you cover letter with a greeting that is professional but friendly.

This will build rapport with the recruiter whilst showing your professionalism.

• Hi, hope you’re well
• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very traditional companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you’ve opened up the cover letter with a warm greeting to start building a relationship, it is time to identify which role you want to apply for.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so you need to ensure you apply to the correct one.

Be very specific and use a reference number if you can find one.

• I am interested in applying for the position of Research Assistant with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 406f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for a junior project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The bulk of your cover letter should be focused around highlighting your suitability for the job you are applying to.

Doing this will show the recruiter that you are suitable candidate and encourage them to open your CV.

The best way to do this, is by studying the job advert you are applying to, and find out what the most important skills and knowledge are.

Once you know the most important requirements, you then need to highlight your matching skills to the recruiter. In a few sentences, tell them exactly why you are a good fit for the job and what you can offer the company.

Keep it short and sharp

A good cover letter is short and sharp, getting to the point quickly with just enough information to grab the attention of recruiters.

Ideally your cover letter should be around 4-8 sentences long – anything longer will risk losing the attention of time-strapped recruiters and hiring managers .

Essentially you need to include just enough information to persuade the reader to open up your CV, where the in-depth details will sit.

Sign off professionally

To round of your cover letter, add a professional signature to the bottom, giving recruiters your vital contact information.

This not only gives various means of contacting you, it also looks really professional and shows that you know how to communicate in the workplace.

Include the following points;

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Gerald Baker Senior Accountant 07887500404 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip : To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application email, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

What to include in your Research Assistant cover letter

Your Research Assistant cover letter will be unique to your situation, but there are certain content guidelines you should stick to for best results.

To attract and entice recruiters, stick with the following key subjects in your cover letter – adapting them to fit your profession and target jobs.

• Your professional experience – Employers will be keen to know if your experience is suitable for the job you are applying to, so provide a good summary of it in your cover letter.
• Your qualifications and education – Highlight your most relevant and high-level of qualification, especially if they are essential to the job.
• The positive impact you have made – Employers love to hear about the benefits you can bring to them, so shout about anything impressive you have done, such as saving money or improving processes.
• Your reasons for leaving – Use a few words of your cover letter to explain why you are leaving your current job and ensure you avoid any negative reasons.
• Your availability – Let recruiters know when you can start a new job . Are you immediately available, or do you have a month notice period?

Research Assistant cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Research Assistant cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

Good day Judith

I would like to apply for the Research Assistant position at the University of London. I am eager to contribute my skills and dedication to support the impactful work conducted by your research team.

I have successfully completed my MSc in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Manchester, with a focus on mental health and disease studies and scientific inquiry. Throughout my coursework, I gained experience in research methodologies, literature reviews, and data collection/analysis. I am drawn to the ground-breaking trials conducted at your institution, especially those related to various forms of dementia. Your department’s commitment to improving patient outcomes and enhancing medical practices aligns perfectly with my own dedication to making a meaningful impact in the medical field.

In my previous role as a Junior Research Assistant at the University of Oxford, I collaborated with a multi-disciplinary team to fuel promising research to end Alzheimer’s, where I contributed towards securing £50K in funding to investigate the role of genetics in Alzheimer’s disease, as well as decreasing costs by 15% through efficiently executing experiments.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to attending an interview with you.

Kind regards

Gillian Shaw

Good day Margaret

I am writing to apply for the Senior Research Assistant position at the University of Cambridge. With a strong academic background including a Ph.D. in Dementia Studies from the University of Worcester and significant Dementia with Lewy Bodies research experience, I am eager to contribute my passion for improving the lives of individuals affected by dementia to support the work conducted by your team.

Throughout my career, I have been committed to advancing clinical trials and enhancing our understanding of complex neurodegenerative diseases. As a Research Assistant with 10 years of experience, I have been actively involved in multiple projects which explore aspects of dementia, including risk factors, early detection, and therapeutic interventions. Your institution’s dedication to finding approaches to treat and prevent dementia aligns with my vision of making a significant impact.

In this role I was pivotal in obtaining £3M in grants from government agencies, co-authored five papers in reputable peer-reviewed journals, and identified potential biomarkers associated with early-stage dementia which provided crucial insights into disease progression.

I look forward to attending an interview, where we can discuss my qualifications and experience further.

Paul Hayward, Ph.D.

Good morning, Joseph

I hope my CV reaches you concerning the Junior Research Assistant position advertised by the University of Bristol on LinkedIn. With a genuine passion for Parkinson’s disease clinical trials and a strong academic background, I am eager to contribute my competencies to your institution.

I recently completed my BSc (Hons) in Neuroscience from Plymouth University, where the coursework equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies, data evaluation, and the intricacies of Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, I gained practical experience in laboratory techniques through my involvement in two university-led research projects. Some of my contributions included supporting the recruitment of 80 participants for a Parkinson’s disease clinical trial, ensuring timely enrolment and adherence to protocols, as well as ensuring 0% lab incidents during research activities.

I am confident in my ability to adhere to the highest ethical standards in research and maintain strict attention to detail throughout the research process. My solid problem-solving skills will be invaluable in conducting data analysis and interpreting findings.

I look forward to speaking with you to discuss my application further. Thank you for your consideration.

Damian Harris

Writing a strong attention-grabbing cover letter is a vital step in landing a good Research Assistant job.

Use the tips, strategies and examples above to get more responses from you job applications and start lining job interview up.

Good luck with your job search!