You’re a pro at researching, analyzing your findings, and drawing useful conclusions that can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. Your analytical mind and impeccable eye for detail help you streamline and innovate the research process.
Whether you’re in an undergraduate program or already have your PhD, a research position can be an excellent way to progress your career. However, to beat the competition you’ll need to create a cover letter that complements your research assistant resume and highlights your strengths.
We’re here to help you with that. Check out our research assistant cover letter examples, expert tips, and free AI cover letter generator to help you prepare an irresistible job application.
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123 Fictional Avenue
Columbus, OH 43004
(123) 456-7890
August 10, 20XX
Lily Nguyen
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
123 Fictional Lane
Columbus, OH 43004
Dear Ms. Nguyen:
Pursuing my master’s degree in statistics fueled my passion for the intricate mechanisms steering financial institutions. This curiosity, coupled with my eagerness to contribute to the industry, has led me to apply for the research assistant role at JPMorgan Chase & Co. With six years of experience conducting literature reviews, gathering data, and more, I am equipped to contribute to your dynamic environment.
In my recent role at Citizens Bank, I liaised with 11 financial analysts to collect, review, and interpret data from over 1000 client accounts. This data played a pivotal role in identifying emerging market trends, enabling the firm to increase its client base by 37 percent during my tenure.
I have also had the chance to lead a team diverse in skills and experiences. For example, I partnered with 3 financial managers from KeyBank, employing statistical analysis methodologies to cut financial forecast errors by $301,788.
With robust analytical and interpersonal skills, I can adapt swiftly to ever-changing circumstances. My professional competencies and propensity to thrive within dynamic environments make me a strong fit for this role.
It would be an honor to discuss how my skills and enthusiasm for finance can enhance JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s esteemed reputation. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Lucas Brown
Enclosures:
Resume
Application
2 letters of recommendation
Academic Transcripts
Why this cover letter works
- A recruiter hiring for this role primarily seeks proficiency in data collection and interpretation. Your research assistant cover letter should demonstrate the impact of these skills in numbers.
- But again, don’t leave out interpersonal skills; you’ll need them to conduct interviews and communicate your findings effectively.
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Graduate Research Assistant Cover Letter Example
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123 Fictional Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84004
(123) 456-7890
August 10, 20XX
Emma White
ARUP Laboratories
123 Fictional Lane
Salt Lake City, UT 84004
Dear Ms. White:
Navigating through my degree in Biomedical Sciences, much like the calculated and precise nature of laboratory research, instilled in me an unquenchable thirst for breakthroughs, rapid advancements, and the quest for knowledge in the diagnostic medicine realm. Today, I am thrilled at the prospect of applying my skills and passion as a graduate research assistant at ARUP Laboratories, a leader in academic and diagnostic medicine.
While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I had the opportunity to complete a four-month-long internship at Myriad Genetics. Here, I worked alongside reputable professionals in the field, gaining deep insights into the world of diagnostic research. As an integral part of a team that conducted a groundbreaking study, I facilitated the automation of data collection and analysis procedures, resulting in a 29% increase in lab productivity.
I also accepted a seven-month part-time role at Intermountain Healthcare. I spearheaded an initiative to collate, review, and analyze five years’ worth of patient data. The comprehensive report I generated assisted the clinic in identifying diagnostic trends and has been instrumental in inculcating a data-oriented approach in their operations.
ARUP Laboratories’ commitment to diagnostic innovation and excellence resonates with my passion for pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge. Your prestigious, long-standing reputation in diagnostic medicine, complemented by my knack for pertinent research and comprehensive data analysis, creates a synergy I’m excited to explore. I look forward to further discussing how my experience and passion align with your research objectives.
Thank you,
Freya Nilsen
Why this cover letter works
- Don’t let limited professional experience intimidate you here. Valuable experiences from internships and volunteer opportunities complemented by quantified results will give your graduate research assistant cover letter an edge.
- Enthusiasm also matters for a beginner role. Research the company and weave its mission or values into your passion for the role.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Cover Letter Example
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123 Fictional Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202
(123) 456-7890
November 30, 20XX
Mason Brown
University of Detroit Mercy
123 Fictional Lane
Detroit, MI 48202
Dear Mr. Brown:
Driven by a commitment to academic excellence and a passion for psychological research, the opening for an undergraduate research assistant at the University of Detroit Mercy aligns with my experiences and career goals. Pursuing a Bachelor’s in Neuroscience from the University of Colorado and hands-on experience in neuroscience research, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your esteemed department’s projects.
Working in the Seastedt & Suding Plant Field Research Lab for a practicum project, I documented all research findings using Microsoft Office tools. By organizing 85+ record logs, I helped the project leader to identify critical trends 7 minutes quicker. In this experience, I also assisted in therapeutic interventions that avoided aggressive breakouts in 11 patients.
I acted as a research assistant for a project at the University of Colorado’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and grew study participation by 17% via strategic recruitment and interaction plans. My meticulous attention to detail enabled me to complete data analysis on NVivo with a record-low 2.7% error rate.
Additionally, my resident adviser experience allowed me to effectively communicate with students and mitigate annual on-campus disputes by 29%. I also used Measurely to track the behavior data of 14 students with special needs, assisting them whenever necessary.
I appreciate your consideration of my application and look forward to discussing how my skills and dedication can benefit your research team.
Sincerely,
Sakura Tanaka
Enclosures:
Resume
Application
2 letters of recommendation
Academic Transcripts
Why this cover letter works
- Begin your undergraduate research assistant cover letter with a dose of passion and relevance so compelling that Albert Bandura would approve.
- Mention that you’re pursuing a degree in psychology (bonus points if you casually drop specialization courses like neuroscience). Next, tease them with your past experiences by clarifying what research type you covered—think cognitive behavioral or experimental research to leave them curious and eager to read more about what you bring.
Psychology Research Assistant Cover Letter Example
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123 Fictional Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28202
(123) 456-7890
November 30, 20XX
James Smith
University of North Carolina
123 Fictional Lane
Charlotte, NC 28202
Dear Mr. Smith:
As a psychology research assistant at the University of North Carolina, I am excited to drive impactful research within the vibrant academic community. I am particularly inspired by your commitment to advancing psychological understanding and addressing mental health challenges. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA and substantial hands-on research experience at City of Hope and UC Irvine, I bring a solid foundation in behavioral psychology and data analysis.
At City of Hope, I leveraged tools like SPSS and NVivo to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data of patients facing poor mental health due to cancer. Collaborating with six peers, I visualized all data on Tableau and enabled senior executives to learn that 18% of their annual patients’ mental state deteriorates after stage 3 cancer.
While acting as a team assistant for a project at UC Irvine on E-Prime-based assessments, I designed four innovative survey strategies using PsyToolkit, helping the team gain high-quality feedback data from 159 participants. I was also responsible for presenting all research findings at a state-wide conference, attracting the attention of 3 industry professionals who provided us $14,580+ in research funding.
I was also part of a team project during my sophomore year at UCLA, where I used EndNote to cite an average of 8 credible references for each research paper. My initiative to track the latest IRB records further helped the team prevent 3 cases of not complying with federal laws while surveying test subjects.
Knowing the responsibilities and daily workload expected in this role, I am eager to contribute to impactful projects at the University of North Carolina as a psychology research assistant.
Sincerely,
Amina Ahmed
Enclosures:
Resume
Application form
2 letters of recommendation
Why this cover letter works
- Never worked as a psychology assistant before? Now’s the time to use your university projects to impress employers. You’ll do well if you have impacts that show your ability to support fundamental research outcomes.
- Include achievements like “ensured team compliance with XYZ psychological standards” and “analyzed qualitative data with 97% accuracy” to demonstrate that your projects have real-world value and are just as good as real-life experiences.
Clinical Research Assistant Cover Letter Example
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123 Fictional Avenue
Denton, TX 14201
(123) 456-7890
August 10, 20XX
Noah Smith
Horizon Health Services
123 Fictional Lane
Denton, TX 14201
Dear Mr. Smith:
I have long been impressed with Horizon Health Services’ reach across western New York along with your institution’s outstanding reputation as a behavioral health and addiction treatment leader. Friends and professional peers have spoken of the remarkable workplace environment at HHS, so I’m thrilled to bring my values and career goals to your team as a clinical research assistant. I believe my skills in data management, EMR systems, and clinical trial documentation will greatly contribute to your exceptional team.
My internship at LabCorp Innovation equipped me with a strong foundation in clinical research and data analysis. I managed data for over 69 patient studies, employing Meditech EMR to maintain high data accuracy and ensuring that records were up-to-date and compliant with stringent regulations. This initiative led to a 35% reduction in data retrieval time and an 18% improvement in record accuracy.
Recognizing the recurring issues in EMR accessibility, I led an initiative to restructure the system workflow, creating an easier interface while safeguarding patient information. This improved the staff’s efficiency in accessing and inputting data by 47%, which directly scaled the monthly number of successfully processed patient data from 750 to more than 987.
I also have hands-on experience managing clinical trial documentation. While with Medix Infusion, I supervised the document control process of 32 clinical trials, ensuring that all required papers were timely and accurately maintained. That enhanced the audit-readiness of trials by 40% and reduced preparation time for regulatory audits by 23%.
I believe my strong dedication to delivering high-quality research and a deep understanding of health data protocols will greatly contribute to your esteemed institute. Thank you for considering my application. I’m keen to discuss further how I could be a great fit for Horizon Health Services.
Sincerely,
Malik Farag
Why this cover letter works
- Kick your clinical research assistant cover letter off well by paying homage to the potential employer’s reputation. However, that alone won’t land you an interview.
- Demonstrate your knowledge and application of data collection, analysis, and management methodologies and skills. More importantly, the hiring manager wants to see the quantified impacts of these proficiencies in your previous roles.
Related cover letter examples
How to Write an Excellent Research Assistant Cover Letter
Once you’ve captured the attention of recruiters or professors with your research assistant resume, the next step is to seal the deal with an excellent cover letter. Make sure your cover letter matches the job description but adds a personal flair that goes beyond mere keywords.
Use your cover letter to highlight your passion for your field, your experience in research and data analysis, and, most of all, your excitement at joining that particular company or institution.
Tailoring your cover letter to match the job is a good way to show dedication and the ability to draw useful insights based on a limited amount of information. As both of those qualities are crucial for a research assistant, it’s a good way to impress the reader.
Write an intro that hooks the reader
If you want to prove that you’re a skilled researcher right off the bat, impress the recipient by addressing them by name.
This might be easier if you’re applying for a position within your college, as you likely already have connections and may be addressing a professor or another faculty member. However, it’s just as important to do if you’re applying for a job, so be ready to do some digging.
Use the first paragraph of your cover letter to show that you’re familiar not just with the intricacies of your field, but also with the company you’re applying to.
Lastly, make sure to paint yourself as an expert from the get-go. For example, if you’re applying for a role in clinical research, mention your in-depth knowledge of medical studies and how you want to leverage it in a way that aligns with the company’s values.
The following opener fails to tick the boxes we’ve talked about above—it’s not at all personalized.
Better not!
I saw your job listing online and I want to apply for this position. I’m looking for any role that is hiring right away.
Now, the below example is what you want to aim for. It showcases an interest and expertise in a relevant field, and most of all, it explains why they chose this job and not any other.
Well done!
Navigating through my degree in Biomedical Sciences, much like the calculated and precise nature of laboratory research, instilled in me an unquenchable thirst for breakthroughs, rapid advancements, and the quest for knowledge in the diagnostic medicine realm. Today, I am thrilled at the prospect of applying my skills and passion as a graduate research assistant at ARUP Laboratories, a leader in academic and diagnostic medicine.
Elaborate on your expertise in the body paragraphs
Research assistant jobs vary wildly, so use this part of your cover letter to show that you know what you’re about in your chosen field of study.
Pick the things you’re most proud of for this. It’s okay if you don’t have professional experience yet—talk about your projects and academic background to give employers some insight into your level of knowledge.
Pepper in some useful metrics to make this section stand out even more. For instance, if you’re applying to a role that heavily prioritizes managing and collecting data, talk about how you’ve already analyzed over 50,000 entries in Python to identify crucial patterns, streamlining the process by 39%.
That sounds impressive!
Recognizing the recurring issues in EMR accessibility, I led an initiative to restructure the system workflow, creating an easier interface while safeguarding patient information. This improved the staff’s efficiency in accessing and inputting data by 47%, which directly scaled the monthly number of successfully processed patient data from 750 to more than 987.
End on a strong note with a closer and signoff
Having covered your background in using Matlab to automate data processing or conducting comprehensive literature reviews to support your research projects, you’ve established yourself as an expert.
To leave a lasting impression on the reader, pick out a couple of skills that are key to this particular role, such as data visualization and technical writing. Next, describe how you’re excited to put them to good use and contribute to impactful research studies at your new workplace.
Demonstrate that you’re a pleasant person to work with—a key factor in busy research facilities—and thank the reader for their consideration. Lastly, express how eager you are to join this research team to further seal the deal.
This closing paragraph doesn’t really work. It’s very generic and doesn’t highlight the applicant’s unique blend of expertise.
That won’t work…
I’m not an expert yet, but if you take the time to train me, I will do what I can. I really need a research placement for extra credits so please let me know if I can work with you.
The example below does a much better job. It delves into the applicant’s strengths and clearly shows what they can bring to the role.
You got this!
It would be an honor to discuss how my skills and enthusiasm for finance can enhance JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s esteemed reputation. Thank you for considering my application.
This depends on whether you’re applying for a part-time research role as part of your education or a full-time job. For the former, you’ll likely apply directly to the professor or researcher leading the project or department, so ask a faculty member if you’re unsure. Outside of academia, start by checking LinkedIn and the company website, then call or email the business if all else fails.
Mention the company by name a couple of times, especially in the opening and closing paragraphs. Delve into why you chose it above others—perhaps it’s an industry leader or its mission to introduce new life-saving medicine is close to your heart. Lastly, emphasize your expertise in relevant fields like qualitative and quantitive research.
Lean into your education and discuss relevant coursework and projects you were part of, such as field studies and laboratory work. You can also mention transferable skills from part-time jobs, including attention to detail and database management.
