Getting a Ph.D. Position!! Motivation Letter for Ph.D. Position (Explained)

This article seeks to provide a brief explanation of how to write a motivation letter for a P.h.D Position. Kindly read…

1. Address the professor:

Ph.D. job ads list the contact person. For Ph.D./postdoc positions, the professor’s name. Write Dear Prof. Peter.

2. Use that professor’s language:

Write to a specific person. This means using the professor’s research keywords. Use the advertisement’s key terms. Your letter will resonate with the professor. Cyber security, data science, and software engineering are likely to appear in a letter.

3. Quantify your fit: Numbers clarify.

Quantify whenever possible. Focus on results, not process. Instead of saying I have data science research experience, say my 2-year experience has yielded 3 research papers.

𝟒. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:

Why read a 500-word letter? Why should he/she read this letter? Write your letter smoothly. Help readers transition between sentences.

5. One page:

People are busy. They don’t have time for long letters or complicated writing. Write one page in plain language. Use two-line sentences.

𝟔. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭:

Your letter’s purpose? Introduce the goal. ‘I am writing to express my interest in the Ph.D. position available at your research lab’ is a good opener.

7. Don’t complain or blame:

Write positively. Do not criticize or blame. Explain how your qualifications match the job. Do not claim that you deserve the position due to a past misfortune.

8. Check for typos and grammar:

Grammarly can fix such mistakes.

𝟗. 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞:

Self-centered resumes Cover letters match your qualifications to the advertised position. It’s about you and the advertised position. Demonstrate this link instead of your profile.