To write a good research assistant cover letter, focus on how you can help conduct experiments or surveys for the organization that posted the job. Use your letter to show research-related skills like data gathering, report writing, or laboratory analysis.
This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your next job as a research assistant.
Research Assistant Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Research Assistant Cover Letter
A good research assistant cover letter usually has five sections, outlined below. When possible, connect each section back to the employer and its stated hiring needs. The following advice and examples show what to include in your cover letter so it’s optimized for each job application.
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include your resume contact header, the date, and any basic details you have on your recipient (as in the example below). To set a clear professional focus, add the title research assistant to your contact header. You can then modify this title based on each job posting to show hiring managers you’re the right kind of candidate. For instance, if you’re applying to a leadership role and have recent leadership experience, consider using the title senior research assistant.
Example
Jacob Stanton
Junior Research Assistant | [email protected] | (503) 555-4512 | 3434 Julip St., Portland, OR 97267
October 9, 2024
Sarah Hibbins
Human Resources Manager
Contemplative Inc.
(503) 555-1212
[email protected]
2. Salutation
Address your recipient by name as in the first example below – this is the quickest way to signal you’re sending a job-specific letter and not a boilerplate. If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager” so your greeting is still tailored somewhat to each job opening.
Examples
Dear Mr. Greene:
Dear Critical Learning Institute Manager:
3. “Hook” or introduction
Catch the reader’s attention by starting your letter with a clear example or measure of your success as a research assistant. Describe a key way you’ve helped test theories or gather data, and spell out the benefit of that work. If possible, choose a highlight that reflects your background in forms of inquiry or investigation similar to those you’re now pursuing.
Example
One of my proudest moments last year was studying how synovitis, when treated with anti-inflammatory polysaccharides, resulted in a 36% decrease in rheumatoid arthritis. As a senior research assistant at Westfield College, this success was featured on the cover of Arthritis & Rheumatology as a “breakthrough therapy.” Similar results could be achieved if I were chosen as your new senior research assistant at Lakeview University.
4. Body paragraph(s)
Use the main section of your cover letter to tell why this research assistant job interests or suits you. For instance, maybe it centers on preparing data for publication, an area in which you excel. Or maybe the facility performs studies or experiments that spark your curiosity. Also, consider how the organization’s research mission or approach compares to your own.
Following this explanation, cite a few more of your skills or achievements, possibly as bullet points.
Example
Your organization has been at the forefront of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-focused education. For over seven years, I have led our research team to develop STEM competency requirements, quality control procedures, and curriculum reviews. Some of my recent accomplishments include:
- Managed survey rollout for Consortium for the Study of Leadership and Ethics in Education (CSLEE) conference in 2021
- Led the creation of a statistical data library to improve reading and writing testing methods for K-12 students
- Published 20 articles in Social Science Research and received several accolades from peers regarding quantitative methods for integrative learning
5. Call to action
Finally, request an interview and thank the hiring manager for their time. Consider briefly restating your main skills as a research assistant and your eagerness to apply them at the organization. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.
Example
I look forward to discussing how my critical thinking and writing skills would benefit your company. Feel free to contact me at your convenience to schedule an interview. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Justin Stewart
Research Assistant Cover Letter Tips
1. Highlight your main research skills
As part of your letter’s body text, add a short list of bullet points to show your success in key work areas for a research assistant. With this section, you can give more examples of your conducting experiments, surveys, interviews, or data analysis. Cite data and metrics to show the value of your contributions to research projects and studies.
Example
Some of my other achievements include:
- Developed system using Python and JavaScript to efficiently troubleshoot production quality code and reduce user interface (UI) costs by 67%
- Decreased reporting needed by reconfiguring quantitative protocols, saving $75,000 in overall testing costs in 2020
- Helped train 25 staff members attending Code Documentation class
2. Network
Whenever you can, start your letter by citing any personal or professional connections you have with the hiring manager. If someone at the organization alerted you to the job, use a line like “I was excited to hear from your colleague [Name] about [Company]’s new research assistant position.” Even better if you’ve already met your recipient – mention that with a line like “It was great speaking with you at the job fair last week.”
3. When in doubt, brainstorm
Any time you’re stuck on a section of your cover letter, take 10 minutes to quickly jot down your thoughts on a separate document or sheet of paper. By pausing to think more creatively, you can jog your memory and find new details to include about your research assistant experience. Brainstorming also helps you figure out the best and most original way to describe that experience, giving your letter the confident tone it needs to catch a hiring manager’s attention.
Research Assistant Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Justin Stewart
Research Assistant | [email protected] | (503) 555-1895 | 2367 Sage St., Portland, OR 97267
October 9, 2024
David Greene
HR Manager
Critical Learning Institute
(503) 555-9924
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Greene,
One of my top achievements in 2020 was streamlining needs assessment data in order to launch a new adaptive learning platform and increase enrollment by 60%. As a Research Assistant at Aspiring Minds, I understand how well executed Agile methodologies ensure an optimal learning experience. I believe similar results could be achieved at the Critical Learning Institute if I were chosen as your new Research Assistant.
Your organization has been at the forefront of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-focused education. For over seven years, I have led our research team to develop STEM competency requirements, quality control procedures, and curriculum reviews. Some of my recent accomplishments include:
- Managed survey rollout for Consortium for the Study of Leadership and Ethics in Education (CSLEE) conference in 2021
- Led the creation of a statistical data library to improve reading and writing testing methods for K-12 students
- Published 20 articles in Social Science Research and received several accolades from peers regarding quantitative methods for integrative learning
I look forward to discussing how my critical thinking and writing skills would benefit your company. Feel free to contact me at your convenience to schedule an interview. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Justin Stewart
Research Assistant Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a cover letter for my job search?-
Yes, in most cases. Job postings today usually require or allow you to send a cover letter along with your resume or curriculum vitae (CV). While not every hiring manager reads or prioritizes them, a well-crafted letter can only help you stand out from other applicants. It will also clarify what points to emphasize during the interview.
What’s the most important part of a cover letter?-
Any explanation you give for why the specific job opening or employer interests you. These details distinguish the cover letter from your other application materials and can help you get past applicant tracking systems. They also set the stage for a good interview discussion about how you fit the role and the organization’s work culture.
How long should my cover letter be?-
No more than one page, or around 250 words. Unlike a resume or CV, the cover letter is bound by pretty strict expectations for page length. Resist the urge to tell your whole career story, even if you have an extensive background as a research assistant. Give just enough detail to pique hiring managers’ interest so they take a closer look at your application.
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