Professor Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

Dear Search Committee, I am writing to apply for the Assistant Professor position in Computer Science at Stanford University. As a researcher specializing in machine learning and natural language processing with a strong commitment to both cutting-edge research and undergraduate education, I am excited about the opportunity to join Stanford's world-renowned CS department. My research accomplishments include: • Published 18 peer-reviewed papers in top-tier venues (NeurIPS, ICML, ACL) with 850+ citations • Developed novel transformer architectures for low-resource language translation, improving BLEU scores by 12% • Principal Investigator on NSF grant ($450K) investigating interpretable machine learning methods • Received Best Paper Award at ACL 2023 for work on multilingual NLP • Collaborated with industry partners (Google, Microsoft) on applied ML research • Mentored 8 PhD students and 15 undergraduate researchers, with 3 students winning fellowship awards My teaching experience spans introductory programming, machine learning, and advanced NLP courses. I have taught 500+ students with consistently high evaluations (4.7/5.0 average) and developed new curriculum integrating recent research advances into coursework. Stanford's interdisciplinary approach to AI research and commitment to ethical technology development align perfectly with my research vision. I am particularly excited about potential collaborations with the Stanford HAI institute and opportunities to contribute to both the CS and Linguistics departments. My research productivity, teaching effectiveness, and collaborative approach position me to contribute significantly to Stanford's mission of advancing computer science research and education. I have enclosed my CV, research statement, teaching statement, and diversity statement for your review. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Dr. Jennifer Wu Ph.D. Computer Science, MIT

Dear Hiring Committee, I am writing to apply for the Assistant Professor position in Economics at Harvard University. As an economist specializing in development economics and causal inference methods, I am eager to contribute to Harvard's tradition of rigorous empirical research and policy-relevant scholarship. My research agenda focuses on education and labor markets in developing countries: • Published 6 papers in top field journals (QJE, AER, Journal of Development Economics) • Conducted large-scale randomized controlled trials in India and Kenya examining education interventions • Research on teacher incentives cited in World Bank policy reports and adopted in pilot programs • Received IZA Young Economist Award for research on youth employment programs • Secured research funding totaling $600K from NSF, World Bank, and J-PAL • Presented research at 20+ seminars and conferences including AEA annual meeting My teaching portfolio includes econometrics, development economics, and labor economics courses. Student evaluations average 4.8/5.0, and I have supervised 6 undergraduate honors theses, with 3 students continuing to economics PhD programs. Harvard's strength in applied microeconomics and development research makes this my ideal academic position. I am particularly excited about collaborating with faculty in the Economics Department and Kennedy School, and contributing to the Evidence for Policy Design initiative. My empirical research skills, policy engagement, and commitment to mentoring position me to thrive as a faculty member at Harvard. I have included my CV, research statement, teaching statement, and three letters of recommendation. I look forward to discussing my application. Thank you for your consideration. Best regards, Dr. Michael Okonkwo Ph.D. Economics, UC Berkeley

Dear Search Committee, I am writing to apply for the Associate Professor position in Mechanical Engineering at MIT. As an established researcher in robotics and autonomous systems with a track record of innovation and leadership, I am excited about the opportunity to advance my career at one of the world's premier engineering institutions. My research contributions include: • Published 42 peer-reviewed articles in leading robotics journals and conferences • Developed novel soft robotic grippers used in warehouse automation (licensed to Amazon Robotics) • Principal Investigator on $2.3M in research grants from NSF, DARPA, and industry partners • H-index of 24 with 2,100+ citations across my work • Received NSF CAREER Award and IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Early Career Award • Filed 5 patents, with 2 commercialized through startup spinoff (raised $8M Series A) Over 8 years at my current institution, I have built a research group of 4 PhD students and 2 postdocs, graduated 3 PhD students (all in tenure-track or industry research positions), and taught robotics courses to 300+ students. MIT's culture of innovation and entrepreneurship aligns perfectly with my research philosophy of developing fundamental theory with real-world impact. I am particularly excited about collaborating with the Computer Science and AI Lab (CSAIL) and contributing to MIT's leadership in robotics research. My research excellence, mentoring success, and entrepreneurial experience position me to contribute significantly to MIT's mechanical engineering department. I have enclosed my CV, research statement, teaching statement, and contact information for references. I welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Dr. Rebecca Martinez Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University

Dear Search Committee, I am writing to apply for the Assistant Professor position in English Literature at Yale University, specializing in 19th-century American literature and critical race studies. As a scholar committed to both rigorous literary analysis and contemporary social relevance, I am excited about joining Yale's distinguished English department. My scholarly achievements include: • Published monograph with University of Chicago Press examining representations of freedom in post-Civil War African American literature (Winner of American Studies Association book award) • Published 8 peer-reviewed articles in top journals including PMLA, American Literary History, and African American Review • Presented research at 25+ conferences including MLA, American Literature Association, and Society for the Study of American Women Writers • Research featured in The Atlantic and NPR's "Code Switch" podcast • Received ACLS Fellowship and NEH Summer Stipend supporting archival research My teaching experience spans American literature surveys, seminars on race and literature, and critical theory courses. I have taught 400+ students with strong evaluations (4.6/5.0) and mentored 8 honors thesis students, with multiple winning departmental awards. Yale's commitment to interdisciplinary humanities research and social justice makes this my ideal academic home. I am particularly excited about contributing to the African American Studies program and collaborating with colleagues across English, History, and American Studies. My scholarly productivity, teaching excellence, and public engagement position me to contribute meaningfully to Yale's mission. I have included my CV, research statement, teaching statement, diversity statement, and writing sample. I look forward to discussing my application. Thank you for your consideration. Best regards, Dr. Jasmine Williams Ph.D. English, Princeton University

Dear Hiring Committee, I am writing to apply for the Assistant Professor position in Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley. As a cell biologist investigating mechanisms of cellular aging with expertise in advanced microscopy and genomics, I am eager to establish my independent research program at one of the world's leading research universities. My research accomplishments include: • Published 12 papers including first-author Cell and Nature Cell Biology articles • Discovered novel role of mitochondrial dynamics in cellular senescence using live-cell imaging • Developed CRISPR-based screening approach to identify aging regulators (cited 120+ times) • Received K99/R00 NIH Pathway to Independence Award ($750K over 5 years) • Selected for Rita Allen Foundation Scholar Award recognizing early-career scientists • Presented research at Gordon Research Conference and Keystone Symposia My postdoctoral training provided extensive experience mentoring junior scientists - I supervised 3 graduate students and 6 undergraduate researchers, with students co-authoring papers and presenting at conferences. I am committed to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in cell biology, developing hands-on laboratory courses, and creating inclusive learning environments. My teaching philosophy emphasizes active learning and scientific communication skills. Berkeley's stellar reputation in molecular biology and commitment to diversity in STEM make this my top faculty position. I am excited about potential collaborations across MCB, the QB3 institute, and the Innovative Genomics Institute. My research vision, technical expertise, and commitment to mentorship position me to build a thriving research group at Berkeley. I have enclosed my CV, research statement, teaching statement, and diversity statement. I welcome the opportunity to discuss my application. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Dr. David Chen Ph.D. Biology, Harvard University

Dear Search Committee, I am writing to apply for the Assistant Professor position in Sociology at the University of Chicago. As a sociologist studying urban inequality and housing policy using mixed methods, I am excited about the opportunity to join Chicago's renowned sociology department with its rich tradition of urban research. My research examines residential segregation and gentrification processes: • Published book manuscript under contract with Princeton University Press on neighborhood change in post-industrial cities • Published 7 peer-reviewed articles in top sociology journals including American Journal of Sociology, Social Forces, and City & Community • Conducted 18 months of ethnographic fieldwork in Detroit examining displacement and community organizing • Analyzed longitudinal census data and administrative housing records across 50 U.S. metropolitan areas • Received NSF Dissertation Research Grant and Ford Foundation Fellowship • Research cited in urban policy reports and covered in The New York Times and CityLab My teaching includes urban sociology, research methods, and inequality courses. I have taught 300+ students with excellent evaluations and developed community-engaged learning projects connecting students with local organizations. Chicago's intellectual tradition in urban sociology and commitment to rigorous social science research align perfectly with my scholarly approach. I am particularly excited about collaborating with faculty in Sociology, Public Policy, and the Center for Spatial Data Science. My research productivity, methodological versatility, and community engagement position me to contribute significantly to Chicago's sociology department. I have included my CV, research statement, teaching statement, diversity statement, and writing sample. I look forward to discussing my qualifications. Thank you for your consideration. Best regards, Dr. Marcus Johnson Ph.D. Sociology, Northwestern University

Dear Hiring Committee, I am writing to apply for the Assistant Professor position in History at Columbia University, specializing in modern Latin American history with focus on social movements and state formation. As a historian committed to rigorous archival research and undergraduate mentorship, I am eager to join Columbia's distinguished history department. My scholarly work examines labor movements and democratization in 20th-century South America: • Completed book manuscript under review at Cambridge University Press based on multi-archive dissertation research • Published 5 peer-reviewed articles in The Americas, Hispanic American Historical Review, and Journal of Latin American Studies • Conducted 14 months of archival research across Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay • Received Fulbright-Hays Fellowship and American Historical Association Dissertation Fellowship • Presented research at 20+ conferences and invited seminars in U.S., Latin America, and Europe • Developing second book project on transnational labor organizing in the Cold War era My teaching experience spans Latin American history surveys, seminars on revolution and dictatorship, and historiography courses. I have taught 350+ students with strong evaluations (4.7/5.0) and supervised multiple undergraduate research projects. Columbia's strength in Latin American studies and commitment to global history make this an ideal academic position. I am excited about collaborating with colleagues in History, Latin American and Iberian Cultures, and the Institute of Latin American Studies. My archival expertise, language skills (Spanish, Portuguese), and dedication to teaching position me to thrive at Columbia. I have enclosed my CV, research statement, teaching statement, diversity statement, and writing sample. I welcome the opportunity to discuss my application. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Dr. Ana Rodríguez Ph.D. History, Duke University

Dear Search Committee, I am writing to apply for the Assistant Professor position in Physics at Princeton University. As an experimental physicist specializing in quantum materials and nanoscale imaging techniques, I am excited about the opportunity to establish my research program at one of the world's premier physics departments. My research contributions include: • Published 16 papers in top physics journals including Nature Physics, Physical Review Letters, and Nano Letters • Developed novel scanning probe microscopy technique enabling atomic-resolution magnetic imaging • Discovered topological surface states in new class of quantum materials • Received DOE Early Career Research Award ($750K over 5 years) • Selected as Packard Fellow for Science and Engineering • H-index of 18 with 1,200+ citations (significant for early-career experimentalist) During my postdoctoral training, I built new experimental capabilities from scratch, managed a $1.2M lab budget, and mentored 4 graduate students and 6 undergraduate researchers. Two students co-authored papers published in Physical Review journals. I am committed to teaching undergraduate and graduate physics courses, developing laboratory courses introducing students to research techniques, and creating inclusive physics education environments. Princeton's excellence in condensed matter physics and quantum materials research makes this my top faculty position. I am particularly excited about collaborations with faculty in Physics, PRISM (Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials), and potential for undergraduate research involvement. My experimental expertise, research vision, and commitment to education position me to build a world-class research group at Princeton. I have enclosed my CV, research statement, teaching statement, diversity statement, and reference letters. I look forward to discussing my qualifications. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Dr. Sarah Kim Ph.D. Physics, UC Berkeley