Andrei combines academic knowledge with over 10 years of practical experience to help job seekers navigate the challenges of resumes, interviews, and career growth. Through the Novorésumé Career Blog, he offers actionable advice to simplify and ace the job search process.
Updated on 01/14/2026
You're skilled at delving into complex topics and uncovering valuable insight.
Your curiosity knows no bounds, and you’re devoted to the pursuit of knowledge.
Yet, when it comes to writing a cover letter, you find yourself at a loss for words.
Articulating your skills and experience in a single cover letter can be as challenging as doing research for a complex project.
Don’t worry—this doesn’t have to be a reason for you to miss out on any opportunities.
We’re here to help!
In this article, we’re going to lay out the formula for a standout research assistant cover letter.
You’ll discover:
What a Brilliant Research Assistant Cover Letter Looks Like
5 Steps to Writing a Superb Research Assistant Cover Letter
9 Essential Cover Letter Tips for Research Assistants
Let's dive in!
Research Assistant Cover Letter Example
5 Steps for the Perfect Research Assistant Cover Letter
You now have a clear picture of what a great cover letter looks like, so you're all set to write your own.
Just follow these simple steps:
#1. Put Contact Information in the Header
When you start your cover letter, the first thing you should add is a header for your personal details.
Making sure your contact information is listed correctly is crucial. This part of your cover letter should mirror what's on your research assistant resume to maintain consistency and professionalism.
Here's what to include:
Full Name. Your full name should be at the top of the page.
Professional Title. Include the same title as the job you’re applying for underneath your name. For example, if it’s 'Biological Research Intern', make sure to include it instead of the more generic ‘Research Assistant’.
Email Address. Use a professional email address, preferably with your name. Anything goofy from your younger years is a no-go. (E.g.: janethecranegoestospain@hotmail.com is a bad choice, but doe.jane@novoresume.com is perfect.)
Phone Number. Provide a reliable number where you can be easily reached for interviews. A single typo here can mean a missed opportunity.
Location. Add your current city and state/country. If you’re looking to relocate or apply for a remote position, mention this somewhere in your cover letter.
Relevant Links. You can optionally include a link to your LinkedIn profile or a personal website that showcases your work or academic achievements.
Company Name. State the full name of the organization you're applying for.
Hiring Manager’s Full Name. Address your cover letter to the hiring manager or employer as a whole.
Professional Title. If applicable, add their role underneath their name instead of just ‘Hiring Manager’. (E.g.: Senior Research Coordinator).
Company Location. Include the location of the organization you’re applying to. Usually, the city and state/country are enough. But if they have more than one headquarters in the same city, you can specify a street address, too.
Date of Writing. Adding the date you wrote your letter on provides a professional touch and can be helpful to hiring managers during lengthy application processes.
#2. Address the Hiring Manager
Once your contact information is in place, it's time to address your cover letter to the appropriate reader.
The way your letter begins can create an impactful first impression.
Start by, naturally, doing a bit of research. Check the job listing, the organization's website, or LinkedIn page to discover who's in charge of hiring for the research assistant position you're interested in. Generally, the hiring manager's name is mentioned in the job ad.
Next, address them respectfully. The impersonal "To Whom It May Concern" just won’t cut it here. A more reliable approach is using "Ms." or "Mr." followed by their surname.
If you're unsure about their gender or marital status, using their full name is always a good alternative.
Examples of Addressing the Hiring Manager:
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Dear Andreas Thompson,
If your search for the hiring manager or department head comes up short, don't worry. You can address your letter to the specific department or the organization more broadly.
Examples of Addressing the Company or Department:
Dear Research Department,
Dear Hiring Team,
Dear Human Resources Team,
Dear Head of Research,
💡
Quick Tip
Are you struggling to prepare your application for that research assistant job? Learn how to write a resume with our detailed guide!
#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement
Hiring managers tend to skim through cover letters before deciding whether they’re worth reading. This means your cover letter’s opening paragraph is your prime opportunity to capture their attention.
Start by clarifying why you are writing. It's good to convey your passion for the field of research as much as your interest in the particular role. A cover letter that begins with enthusiasm and a clear professional intention can stand out.
This first paragraph can show off the highlights of your expertise. Feel free to mention a relevant skill, achievement, or qualification that is directly applicable to the research assistant position.
#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details
The body of your research assistant cover letter is where you can elaborate, with facts and figures, on why you’re ideal for the job.
It's crucial to go beyond simply repeating your resume or academic CV. Instead, use this area to delve deeper into your unique qualifications and experiences.
This section is where you can give more information on things your resume doesn’t give you space for. For example, if there's a research project you contributed to that aligns well with the prospective employer's work, you can provide more details on it here.
Make sure to tie any skill or experience directly back to the job description. For example, if the job emphasizes data analysis, give a specific example of how you've used these skills in a past project. This tailored approach shows you're looking for this specific job, not just randomly applying.
But the body of your research assistant cover letter can go beyond explaining your experiences and skills. This is where you can show your understanding of the employer's needs and values and how you align with them.
Read up on the organization and its culture, and explain how you fit in in your cover letter. Showing that you know what the company stands for and how you can contribute to its goals can set you apart.
At last comes the conclusion of your research assistant cover letter, which is as crucial as the opening.
Knowing how to close your cover letter gives you the opportunity to convince the hiring manager that you're the perfect candidate for the job.
First, summarize the key points that make you a great fit for the role. This should include your most relevant skills, field achievements, or research experience. After that, it’s time to encourage the hiring manager to take the next step with a well-placed call to action.
But don’t go too fast! A crucial cover letter mistake is forgetting to sign off on your letter. Just choose an appropriate closing line and follow it with your full name.
Here’s an example:
Example of Signing Your Cover Letter:
I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience would be beneficial to your team and would welcome the chance to meet for an interview. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at the provided email address or phone number.
Best regards, Derek Foster
If “Best regards" doesn’t flow well with you, there are plenty of other options you can choose from. Such as:
9 Essential Cover Letter Tips for Research Assistants
Now that you know the structure of how to write a research assistant cover letter, it’s time to take it to the next level.
Here are some tailored cover letter tips to make your research assistant application shine:
Use a Matching Cover Letter Template. Make sure your cover letter visually aligns with your resume for a professional look. You can create your resume in our free resume builder and pick a cover letter template for a cohesive application.
Tailor Your Letter to the Job. Customize your research assistant cover letter for each application for a tailored touch. Highlight how specific skills and experiences of yours align with the job description to make your application stand out.
Express Your Enthusiasm. By showing genuine interest in the role and the organization, your enthusiasm can make a difference in front of the hiring manager.
Highlight Your Key Achievements. Focus on a few significant achievements in your career that are relevant to the role you are applying for.
Use Clear and Concise Language. Keep your language simple and to the point. Jargon and overly complex sentences don’t belong on your cover letter.
Incorporate Keywords. Use keywords from the job description to show you understand the field and align with what the employer is looking for.
Proofread Your Letter. Double-check that your cover letter is free from any spelling and grammatical errors. A well-edited letter reflects attention to detail, while a letter with typos gets tossed aside.
Showcase Research Skills. Highlighting your research abilities and any relevant experience or projects is a must for your research assistant cover letter. It shows the hiring manager that you have exactly what they’re looking for.
Explain Any Gaps or Career Changes. If there are gaps in your employment history or you’re in the process of changing fields, briefly explain them in a positive light.
Key Takeaways
And that wraps up your guide to crafting a standout cover letter as a research assistant!
With these tips and examples, you're well-equipped to create a compelling research assistant application that showcases your skills and enthusiasm.
But before you embark on your research journey, let's summarize some of our key points:
Make sure to align your cover letter with your resume for a visually seamless application. Use our resume builder and pick matching cover letter templates to get that professional look.
Do a bit of research to find out what the hiring manager’s name is. Addressing your cover letter to them by name adds a personal touch and makes your application more memorable.
Always tailor your research assistant cover letter to the specific role and organization you're applying to. Reference the job description to know which skills, experiences, and values you should emphasize.
Let your enthusiasm for the role and the field of research shine throughout your whole research assistant cover letter.
End your cover letter with a call to action. It shows proactivity and makes it more likely that the hiring manager will actually contact you for an interview.
