by PhD cover letter examples serve as valuable guides for candidates aiming to enter advanced academic or research roles.
Crafting a compelling document at this level requires more than listing credentials — it involves presenting your expertise and fit for the position with clarity and purpose.
In this article, we’ll walk through a detailed instruction, illustrating how to communicate your strengths effectively.
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How to write a cover letter for PhD?
When applying for a doctoral program, your PhD covering letter serves as a bridge between your background and the faculty’s survey goals.
It provides context for your achievements, highlights your alignment with ongoing projects, and demonstrates your motivation to pursue rigorous study.
1. Header
Begin with a formal headline, listing your name and contact information, followed by the date and the recipient’s credentials.
Include the following in a cover letter headline:
- Your full name
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- Date
- Recipient’s title
- Department and institution
Cover letter header example:
Rachel Lee
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
rachel.lee@email.com
(412) 555-9087May 6, 2025
Professor Yann LeCun
Department of Computer Science
New York University
New York, NY 10011
2. Salutation
Address your fellowship cover letter directly to the relevant individual. This shows initiative and respect.
Preferable formats for the greeting:
- Dear Professor LeCun
- Dear Dr. Alvarez
Avoid vague greetings such as:
- To Whom It May Concern
- Dear Sir or Madam
3. Introduction
Open with a clear statement of purpose. Indicate which PhD opportunity you're applying for, how you discovered it, and provide a brief introduction to your scholarly mastery.
I am writing to apply for the PhD program in Machine Learning at New York University. With an M.S. in Data Science from Carnegie Mellon and hands-on experience in algorithm design, I am eager to contribute to NYU's cutting-edge work in deep learning and computer vision.
4. Background
Use this researcher cover letter section to elaborate on your educational journey. Highlight techniques, tools, or frameworks you've mastered, and explain how they’ve prepared you for advanced study.
At Carnegie Mellon, I collaborated with the Auton Lab to develop predictive models for early sepsis detection in ICU patients. My responsibilities included curating large-scale EHR datasets, optimizing feature selection, and deploying models using PyTorch. The resulting framework improved early warning capabilities by 15% and is currently being piloted at UPMC hospitals. This hands-on work sharpened my understanding of statistical modeling and its real-world applications.
5. Fit with the Program
Demonstrate that you’ve monitored the department and can connect your interests to its ongoing initiatives. Mention particular faculty members, labs, or institutional priorities that resonate with you.
I am especially drawn to NYU’s Courant Institute and its work on unsupervised learning. Dr. LeCun's recent exploration of self-supervised models, particularly his 2024 paper on energy-based learning systems, directly reflects the direction I hope to pursue. My proposed research, which focuses on low-resource visual recognition, aligns with these themes and could contribute meaningfully to your lab’s investigations.
6. Long-Term Vision
Go beyond immediate goals by outlining how this program fits into your broader academic or career trajectory. Whether you’re aiming for an R&D leadership or policy influence, convey in cover letter for PhD application how the training will support those ambitions.
My long-term objective is to lead a group focused on ethical AI development, particularly in underrepresented healthcare contexts. NYU’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, offers a rich environment to develop both my technical and translational skills.
7. Conclude with Clarity
Wrap up PhD cover letter by reaffirming your enthusiasm and noting the enclosures (CV, transcripts, recommendations, etc.). Express interest in a future conversation or interview.
Thank you for reviewing my application. I have included my resume, graduate transcript, and letters of reference for your consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss how my experience and interests align with the goals of your department.
8. Sign-Off
End on a polite and polished note. Utilize a standard cover letter closing followed by your full name.
Examples of cover letter ending:
Sincerely, Best regards, Respectfully,
Tips for the cover letter closing:
- Adapt your message for the specific institution you’re addressing.
- Vary your word choices—apply terms like “project,” “initiative,” “investigation,” “analysis,” and “exploration”.
- Aim for 3–4 focused paragraphs within a single page.
- Write in a natural voice, avoiding both casual language and excessive jargon.
- Errors in grammar or tone can undercut a strong academic record.
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Tech PhD cover letter sample
David Nguyen Seattle, WA 98101 david.nguyen.ai@gmail.com (206) 555-7822
May 6, 2025
Mr. Bryan Catanzaro Vice President, Applied Deep Learning Research NVIDIA Corporation Santa Clara, CA 95051
Dear Mr. Catanzaro,
I am writing to apply for the Deep Learning Research Scientist role at NVIDIA. My PhD in Computer Vision, combined with hands-on experience in generative AI and video synthesis, positions me to contribute meaningfully to your work.
At the Allen Institute for AI, I collaborated with Dr. Yejin Choi to develop a multimodal transformer for zero-shot scene understanding. My work involved training large-scale diffusion models on video datasets, optimizing inference pipelines for deployment, and presenting results at CVPR 2024. Through this, I gained deep familiarity with CUDA, TensorRT, and real-time inference architectures.
What excites me most about NVIDIA is your integration of AI across industries — from autonomous vehicles to medical imaging. Your recent announcement of Project GR00T, targeting embodied AI agents, aligns with my vision for robust, adaptable machine intelligence. I’m confident that my technical foundation and research-driven mindset would add value to this initiative.
I appreciate your consideration. I’ve included my CV and GitHub portfolio for review, and would welcome the opportunity to explore potential collaborations further.
Best regards, David Nguyen
Example of cover letter for PhD application in consulting
Finance cover letter PhD example
Marcus Li
New York, NY 10011
marcus.li.math@gmail.com
(646) 555-4019May 6, 2025
Mr. Ashok Varadhan
Co-Head, Global Markets Division
Goldman Sachs
New York, NY 10282Dear Mr. Varadhan,
I am writing to apply for the Quantitative Strategist position within the Global Markets Division at Goldman Sachs. As a recent PhD graduate, I bring rigorous analytical training and a strong command of stochastic modeling.
In my doctoral work under Dr. Ronnie Sircar, I developed a volatility surface fitting model using stochastic differential equations and neural approximators. I implemented this in C++ and Python to generate near-real-time pricing tools. These I later enhanced during an internship at Citadel by integrating high-frequency tick data. These tools helped reduce pricing errors in FX options by 22%.
Goldman Sachs’s reputation for innovation in quantitative finance — particularly in structured products and trading infrastructure — is what attracts me most. I’m especially interested in your team’s use of machine learning for liquidity prediction in illiquid markets. I’m confident my technical skills and practical experience with modeling uncertainty could strengthen your ongoing projects.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I’ve included my resume and references, and would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss this role in more detail.
Respectfully,
Marcus Li
Government PhD cover letter example
Publishing PhD covering letter sample
Jonathan Reed
New York, NY 10012
jonathan.reed.lit@gmail.com
(917) 555-3290May 6, 2025
Ms. Deborah Treisman
Fiction Editor
The New Yorker
New York, NY 10007Dear Ms. Treisman,
I am writing to apply for the Editorial Assistant role at The New Yorker. I recently completed a PhD in English Literature at Yale University, where I focused on narrative form, modernist fiction, and literary criticism. I am passionate about bringing smart, clear, and imaginative writing to a broader audience, and I admire the journal’s commitment to literary excellence.
During my graduate studies, I served as assistant editor for The Yale Review, where I reviewed submissions, fact-checked manuscripts, and managed author correspondence. I also interned at Farrar, Straus and Giroux, where I helped prepare fiction titles for publication, including novels by Mieko Kawakami and Teju Cole. These roles gave me a keen eye for voice and structure, and a deep respect for editorial precision.
The New Yorker's blend of literary artistry and journalistic rigor is unlike any other. Your recent fiction features by Bryan Washington and Claire Keegan reflect the kind of work I deeply admire and hope to support. I would be honored to contribute to the editorial process behind such influential storytelling.
Thank you for considering my application. I’ve attached my resume and samples of published work. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my skills align with your team’s needs.
All best,
Jonathan Reed
NGO example of cover letter for PhD application
Environmental policy fellowship cover letter
Carlos Ortega
75116 Paris, France
c.ortega.enviro@gmail.com
+33 6 87 45 23 10May 6, 2025
Achim Steiner
Administrator
United Nations Development Programme
New York, NY 10017Dear Mr. Steiner,
I am writing to express my interest in the Environmental Policy Specialist role at UNDP. I recently earned my PhD in Environmental Governance from Sciences Po Paris, where I researched climate finance mechanisms and low-carbon transitions in emerging economies.
My doctoral work focused on Brazil’s green bond market and its integration into national sustainability frameworks. I collaborated with the OECD and the French Development Agency to evaluate financial incentives supporting the 2030 Agenda. I also represented my department at COP28 in Dubai, where I co-led a workshop on nature-based solutions for urban climate adaptation.
UNDP's emphasis on capacity-building and inclusive development is closely aligned with my own vision for equitable climate action. I am especially drawn to your Climate Promise initiative, which I have followed closely since its launch. With experience in policy analysis, program evaluation, and stakeholder coordination, I am confident in my ability to support global efforts toward resilience and sustainability.
Thank you for considering my application. I’ve attached my CV, writing samples, and two recommendation letters. I would be delighted to discuss how I can contribute to your environmental policy portfolio.
With respect,
Carlos Ortega
Corporate PhD cover letter sample
Conclusion
Writing a standout PhD cover letter is essential for making a strong impression in any application process. It acts as a vital introduction, showcasing not only your academic background but also how your interests align with the specific needs of the institution.
With the cover letter examples and strategies outlined, you now have a solid foundation to create a persuasive and unique document. Best of luck in your endeavors!
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