Research Assistant Cover Letter Example

Showcase your academic experience and research skills with our research assistant cover letter example that can be adapted to any field.

August 23, 2024

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Entry Level

An example cover letter for a research assistant position by an applicant with no experience.

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Senior Level

An example cover letter for an experienced research assistant.

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Research Assistant Cover Letter Template

Copy-paste Research Assistant Cover Letter (Text Format)

Entry
Mid
Senior

FIRST AND LAST NAME

Email: your.email@email.com

Phone: (123) 456-7891

Address: Street, City, State

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[456 Company Address]
[Company City, State XXXXX]
[(XXX) XXX-XXXX]
[hiring.manager@gmail.com]

Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./Mx.] [Hiring Manager’s Name]

I am writing to apply for the Research Assistant position in your Neuroscience Research Lab at Westcoast University, as advertised on the university’s job board. As a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Psychology, I am eager to begin my research career and contribute to your groundbreaking work on neural plasticity.

My academic background has prepared me well for this role:

Lab skills: Gained hands-on experience with microscopy, cell culture techniques, and basic data analysis through laboratory coursework
Senior project: Conducted a literature review on the effects of mindfulness meditation on brain structure, developing my ability to critically analyze scientific papers and synthesize information
Computer skills: Proficient in Excel, SPSS, and basic Python programming, which I believe will be valuable for data management and analysis

What draws me to your lab is your innovative approach to studying neuroplasticity in adults. Your recent publication on the potential for cognitive enhancement through targeted brain stimulation particularly fascinated me, and I would be thrilled to contribute to the continuation of this research.

I am a dedicated, detail-oriented individual with a strong work ethic. During my studies, I balanced a part-time job as a peer tutor, which honed my time management skills and ability to explain complex concepts clearly. I’m eager to apply these skills to assist with experiments, data collection, and literature reviews in your lab.

Thank you for considering my application. I am very excited about the possibility of joining your team and contributing to the important work happening in your lab. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my enthusiasm and potential align with the needs of your research projects.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

17 July 2023

Alex Reed
5508 Terrace Drive
La Crescenta, CA, 91214
(818) 835-3371
alex.reed@gmail.com

Dear Dr. Reed,

I’m writing to you regarding the Lab Research Assistant position at BioSpace. I’m confident my academic background in molecular biology and biomedical research experience will make me a competent contributor to your team.

The time I spent as a research assistant at Stanford Center for Biomedical Informatics Research has helped me develop and fine-tune the skills necessary for a full-time research position. Specifically, my experience with crafting grant proposals has equipped me with the reading and writing skills you’re looking for in your ideal candidate.

Additionally, during my time at the UCLA Center for Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, I learned how to manage my work in a collaborative environment. Together with 5 lab workers, I conducted thorough examinations of DNA and RNA structures, carefully documenting any changes or variations observed during the analysis process. Utilizing advanced laboratory techniques and state-of-the-art equipment, I ensured accurate data collection and recorded comprehensive notes on genetic mutations, sequence alterations, and any other relevant findings.

I look forward to discussing my candidacy with you in person or over the phone. If any additional information will help move my application forward, please let me know. Thanks for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Gloria Perez

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[456 Company Address]
[Company City, State XXXXX]
[(XXX) XXX-XXXX]
[hiring.manager@gmail.com]

Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./Mx.] [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Research Assistant position at the Genomics Innovation Institute, as advertised on your website. With five years of hands-on experience in molecular biology research and a Master’s degree in Genetics, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills to your cutting-edge work in personalized medicine.

In my current role as a Research Assistant at the Boston Medical Research Center, I have:

Led daily operations of a study on gene therapy for rare metabolic disorders, managing a team of two junior assistants and coordinating with clinical partners
Co-authored three peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, including a first-author paper in Nature Genetics
Developed and maintained a database of over 10,000 patient samples, ensuring data integrity and compliance with privacy regulations

My technical expertise includes next-generation sequencing, qPCR, Western blotting, and cell culture techniques. I am also proficient in R and Python for data analysis and visualization, and have experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

What particularly excites me about the Genomics Innovation Institute is your interdisciplinary approach to translating genomic discoveries into clinical applications. Your recent breakthrough in identifying novel biomarkers for early-stage pancreatic cancer aligns perfectly with my research interests and experience.

I am eager to bring my combination of hands-on research experience, technical skills, and passion for genomics to your team. I am particularly interested in contributing to your ongoing work on pharmacogenomics and would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background could support the institute’s research goals.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how I can contribute to the innovative research at the Genomics Innovation Institute.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

How to write a research assistant cover letter

If you’re great at processing data and information, you’ll be in high demand for jobs supporting the work of primary researchers.

Show employers you’re a perfect fit for the job by showcasing your expertise in your cover letter.

Follow these three tips to write an impressive research assistant cover letter:

1. Highlight your research assistant skills

As a research assistant, you’ll spend your time gathering information, checking facts, and presenting findings.

Highlight essential skills in your cover letter that go hand-in-hand with your research skills. For example, attention to detail and organizational skills are some soft skills employers look for in a research assistant.

Here’s a list of other hard and soft skills to include in your research assistant cover letter:

Communication skills
Time management skills
Observational skills
Data analysis
Critical thinking
Problem solving skills
Data collection
Processing information
Conducting research and preparing reports
Information retrieval
Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and Outlook)
Analytical software (SAS, The MathWorks MATLAB, and IBM SPSS Statistics)
Data software (StataCorp Stata)
Query software (Microsoft Access and Microsoft SQL Server)
Knowledge of online resources and library databases

When writing your research assistant cover letter, avoid generic statements. Instead, add details to make your achievements stand out. Here’s an example of a sentence that effectively demonstrates the candidate’s abilities:

In my last position, I compiled and meticulously analyzed data from 500 survey respondents for a groundbreaking research study on the impact of social media usage on mental health.

In this example, the candidate includes details and hard numbers to convey that they’re capable of handling large amounts of data.

2. Open with a strong introduction

Research assistant positions are highly competitive, so knowing how to start your cover letter with an eye-catching introduction ensures your application stands out among applicants with similar research abilities.

Here’s how to write a strong introduction for your research assistant cover letter:

Convey enthusiasm for the job – Show employers you have the skills and passion required to excel in the role. For example, link the company’s goal to a research project you worked on in college.

Lead with an impressive accomplishment – If your cover letter doesn’t immediately grab the hiring manager’s attention, they might not read it until the end. That’s why you should start off with one of your greatest accomplishments.

Scan the job posting for cover letter keywords – Analyze the job posting to uncover specific skills employers are looking for, and then emphasize them in your cover letter. For example, if a job ad mentions that you’ll regularly be managing large data sets, provide examples that demonstrate your attention to detail.

3. Research the organization

The main responsibilities of a research assistant revolve around conducting research and gathering information, so do your research before you begin writing your cover letter.

Doing your homework showcases your research skills and ability to take the initiative. Use the information you gather to market yourself by aligning your talents with a facility’s needs.

For instance, if you find out that the organization is particularly well-known for its work in a specific field, mention that you’re passionate about this area of research and provide examples of work you’ve done in the field previously.

Here’s a good example:

I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity to join the Center for Sustainable Industry, an organization renowned for its groundbreaking contributions to solar power research. As an avid advocate for sustainable technologies, I have actively engaged in research projects focused on this area, such as my recent work on developing innovative solar cell designs as part of my undergraduate thesis.

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Written by

Corissa Peterson

A dedicated member of the Resume Genius team with a passion for the career space, Corissa is always looking for ways to create useful resources for job seekers, from writing job-specific resume samples to crafting in-depth articles on how to ace interviews. Corissa graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A. in Philosophy and a certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies. Corissa’s articles have been published on Diversity Jobs, Recruiter.com, Teachstone, and Jobillico, among others, and her career advice has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, GOBankingRates, and UpJourney. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.