Cover Letter for PhD Application

Hi there! I need your precious help. I have written a cover letter for a PhD application. More likely I made some mistakes. Could you kindly help me?

Dear Professor XXX

I am interested in the PhD position in Microbiology with the XXX group at the Department of Biology at University of XXX. I received my Master’s in Functional Genomics at the University of XXX in March 2014, and I am confident my academic background and research experience would allow me to contribute positively to your research into generating new knowledge and tools to combat antimicrobial resistance.

In one of my classes, Molecular Biology of the Cell, taught by Professor XXX XXX, I discovered the fascinating world of bacterial pathogens. I subsequently received an Erasmus placement scholarship for a 7-month training period at the Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine in Leipzig. Under Professor XXX XXX, I was involved in research elucidating proline-rich antimicrobial peptides mechanisms of action and identifying their potential intracellular targets. The resulting thesis provided insight into the ability of these antimicrobial peptides to kill bacteria by blocking in vivo protein synthesis.

This experience reinforced my appreciation for microbiology in light of the increasing global threat of bacterial multi-drug resistance. It also allowed me to broaden my skills relevant to biology and biomedicine, as well as develop my abilities to work independently, take initiative in planning and organizing tasks, and assume responsibility for problems that arise.

I am very interested in working on host-pathogen interactions for their impact on global health. With bacterial and other infectious diseases becoming potential threats, antibiotic and vaccine research is a critical area. I have explored your web page, and your program seems like an excellent fit for me because of its emphasis on multi-drug resistance. Besides designing more effective pharmacological interventions and strategies, what I find very impelling is the ambition to discover the detailed control of bacterial chromosome replication, from what govern of both frequency and synchronicity of replication initiation to its potential involvement in processes like tolerance towards antibiotic and dormant cells formation.

At the Department of Biology, I would be able to employ a wide range of laboratory techniques and cutting-edge equipment to expand my skills as a researcher. Living in XXX would also obviously offer me the chance to learn the XXX language as well as maintain my English. Becoming part of the research community of your internationally respected institute would be an honor and a unique opportunity for my future professional career.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Yours Sincerely,

Marco Distefano