How to Write Cold Emails for Research Positions

Undergraduate research provides an excellent opportunity to explore various career pathways and gain first-hand experience in different areas of interest (Easley, 2017). Research experience offers the chance to work closely and develop a professional relationship with an experienced researcher (“Why do Research,” n.d.). Engaging in research allows individuals to challenge themselves, learn to advocate for their research, and acquire valuable transferable skills, like problem-solving and professionalism. These are all important traits to possess when looking to pursue graduate school or applying for jobs (Easley, 2017; “Why do Research,” n.d.).  Getting involved in research projects usually begins by building relationships and networking with professors and other researchers in the faculty of interest (Norcross, 2014). However, obtaining a research position is highly competitive, especially since a lot of research has been interrupted or halted due to the pandemic. Since COVID-19 has removed the possibility of physical interaction, cold emailing is an effective method to virtually reach out to research professors to convey your interest in working with them in hopes of learning more about their field of study (Smith, n.d.).

A cold email for a research position must be formal and show genuine interest in the professor’s research. Professors have many priorities and often receive numerous emails, so it is important that your email is concise, as it will increase the likelihood that your message will be read and replied to (“clear communication,” 2015; Mirsaidi, 2020). The email must have a brief, precise, and captivating subject line that will prompt them to open the message (Santo, 2020). Ensure that the subject line is clearly related to the message (“clear communication,” 2015). The email should begin by addressing the researcher in a formal manner, such as “Dear Dr. (last name).” This should be followed by an introduction of yourself that includes your name, year of study, university, and major (Bhattacharjee, 2018). Next, it is important to describe how you were introduced to the professor’s research and express why you are interested in what they do (Mirsaidi, 2020). This could be because it is in line with the career path you are intending to pursue. Then, you should convey your intentions, such as what position you would like to apply for in their laboratory, and what skills or experience you would like to obtain from the research opportunity (Bhattacharjee, 2018; Mirsaidi, 2020). It is essential to specify your availability, and the number of hours that can be dedicated to the position. Then, ask for their availability to schedule a meeting to discuss their research and potential research opportunities (Bhattacharjee, 2018).

The next section of the email should state how your skills make you the most valuable candidate for this research position (Bhattacharjee, 2018). You can briefly include previous research experience, or your part-time job/volunteer work. It is crucial to construct a strong resume that showcases your skills and previous experience that would be valuable for the position. The resume should be clear, concise, and attached to the email, along with your academic transcript (Bhattacharjee, 2018). To end the email, wish your best regards and sign your full name. Finally, it is important to review the email for any grammatical or sentence structure errors and ensure it is professional and conveys your legitimate interest for the research opportunity (“clear communication,” 2015; Bhattacharjee, 2018).

Continuing to develop your skills in cold emailing for research positions can eventually open the doors to a surplus of invaluable experiences and strong working relationships that can be crucial later in your professional career. Below is a sample template that can be used as a guide when creating your cold emails.

Subject: Undergraduate Research Opportunity – [Enter Lab Name]

Dear Dr. [enter last name],

My name is [enter full name] and I am currently a [enter year of study] year student majoring in [enter major] at [enter university name]. I am writing to ask about available undergraduate research positions in your laboratory during [enter time period]. I am interested in [enter topic] and want to pursue a career in [enter career goal]. I was first introduced to this [enter topic] in [enter class/previous research experience] and would love to pursue this topic further. I am very interested in your work on [describe a specific paper of research topic] and I would love to have the opportunity to contribute to your research.

My resume and unofficial transcript are attached to this email. Please contact me for any additional information or if you have any questions. If possible, I would love to schedule a time at your convenience to discuss this opportunity further.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Enter full name]