Cover Letter - PhD

Hello,

Thanks for this forum, It has been of great help to me by looking at your response to questions.

At the moment i am apply for a PhD fellowship and I do need help with my Cover letter which is suppose to state my suitability,competence and motivation . I would be glad if you could take a look at it and offer help on how to improve it.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Thank you

Peegee.

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Dear Selection Committee Members,

I am writing to apply for your Early Stage researcher (PhD student) fellowship for Ground water -surface water interactions currently advertised on the xxxxx website. This cover letter aims to show my suitability for the fellowship, my competence (drawn from my academic background) and my motivation in pursuing the programme.

Suitability

I graduated from the University of xxxx in 2009 with Merit in MSc Environmental Geochemistry and I have a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of xxx. My undergraduate curriculum in Geology introduced me to a wide range of topics including hydrogeology, geochemistry and environmental geology and a module in environmental geology sparked my interest in remediation. The desire to delve deeper into this subject motivated me to move to the UK to study MSc in Environmental Geochemistry. This was made possible with an international scholarship from xxxx awarded by A B C . This recognised my high academic achievement as there are only 10 awards made for this scholarship to students from the whole of my country. During my MSc, in addition to the main modules of Theoretical Geochemistry and Groundwater Geochemistry, I chose the following optional courses, Contaminated Land and Discharge, Sediment and Solute Dynamics in River Management as they were more relevant to my interests. These modules covered a wide range of topics including monitored natural attenuation, ground water-surface water interactions, remediation and contaminant fate and transport in groundwater. With this academic background and interest, I believe I am well qualified to meet the needs of the project.

Competence

My research abilities have been developed over my academic years especially during my MSc. I have been exposed to excellent opportunities concerning research in both field and laboratory based environment. Most of the modules are based on different research projects and I advanced my ability to read and assimilate information obtained from diverse material, interpret them and write report effectively. My problem solving and analytical skills have flourished and I have also gained valuable understanding of the ethics and rules of conduct in laboratories while developing the skills to collaborate effectively with different sets of people. A major example of my research and technical competence stems from my MSc dissertation. The dissertation was both field and laboratory based. The dissertation looked at the origin of the negative carbon isotope record of Sulphur Bands occurring just above the Pliensbachian-Toarcian Boundary and its implication on the probable cause of the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event. (See details in the attached document: My previous research). These experiences have provided me with the experiences and the skills needed to successfully undertake a research.

Motivation

I am committed to pursuing a research career in remediation. I enjoy research, the challenges it presents and the opportunity to make meaningful contribution to a project. The fellowship, I understand, aims to provide advanced skills and training in in situ remediation techniques for contaminated land and ground water. I believe studying a PhD in Groundwater-surface water interaction at the University of xyz under the xxx fellowship will enable me achieve my desire and interest. The interdisciplinary nature of the project and the opportunity to be part of a project group involved in sustainable development really intrigues me. During my higher education I have been fortunate to work under and with diligent and resourceful scholars and researchers in geology and geochemistry. I am therefore excited at the prospect of joining a research team with competent and motivated researchers and I particularly look forward to working under Prof. Dr. XYZ.

As earlier stated, my interest in this area dates back to my undergraduate days in geology. After my BSc in 200X, I was determined to pursue my interest and go for a Masters. Although it took me three years to get the desired funding for it, I kept at it until I got it. This exemplifies my motivation and passion towards a research career. Coming to England was another challenge for me, but I found I enjoyed the international academic environment and I was able to adapt to the social life outside. I have excellent personal initiative, I am determined and have strong personal drive, these attributes, I believe, will sustain me in this PhD programme.

I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications and the PhD position in more details

Yours Sincerely,

Peegee