Motivation letter for a PhD application

Hello everybody! In advance, thank you for taking the time to proof read my motivation letter. While I think of myself as an able English writer, I am not a native English speaker. As such, mistakes and strange grammar are always a danger. This letter is very important to me, as it is a job opening for a PhD that would be absolutely perfect for me.

Without further ado, the letter.

"I studied archaeology from 2009 to 2015 at University X, where I obtained both my bachelor's and master's degrees. At the beginning of this year I received my MA in Archaeology from X University with outstanding grades for both my thesis and courses. A central theme during my studies has been my fondness for research, and my goal from the very beginning of my studies has been to pursue a PhD in archaeology. As such, I am excited that an opportunity to apply for a PhD at Leiden University has now presented itself.

Archaeology is a broad and multifaceted field of study, and there is no specific time period, culture or geographic region that has my preference. As my ambition has always been to pursue research, I feel blessed that I interested in the entirety of human history, as this has broadened my scope and allows me to draw parallels and to select and apply theories and methods from a wide array of fields.

I therefore devoted much of my time in developing an aptitude in techniques that are applicable to all fields of archaeology, such as physical anthropology, dental analysis, material studies, digital field recording and, primarily, Geo Information Systems (GIS) and distribution analysis. It is with GIS and distribution studies that I have written both my bachelor's and master's degree, and have furthermore applied these skills on multiple field work assignments. I currently have several articles in preparation that focus heavily on spatial analysis, and it is my hope that GIS-based distribution analysis will become a focal point during a PhD project.

Without having previous course experience in the field of Early Medieval Archaeology, I saw it as a challenge to both study this period in detail within a relatively short time frame and integrate it with my previous knowledge of distribution analysis and geoarchaeology. This culminated in my study on the distribution of coinage during the X era of X. In this study I was able to successfully ascertain the importance of maritime and riverine trade (particularly on the <Major River>) during the X era during the peak of the region's affluence, providing new insights to old theories. Subsequent declining proliferation of coinage was effectively linked to historic events. Furthermore, the analysis not only included paleogeographic data to determine hospitability of areas, but aimed to compensate for post-depositional processes that affect distribution using current soil and geological data. The thesis received acclaim from my supervisor, prof. dr. X, who invited me to continue my research in the form of an article (now in preparation).

My interests in GIS and digital recording techniques have also led to practical field work experience. I was invited to work in <Middle Eastern Country> on a project by dr. X of X University as a GIS and differential GPS expert. During the project in January 2015, I have independently tracked and measured the extent of a kilometres long Falaj (irrigation) system. Additionally, I had been tasked to organise a team of students in a project to digitally draw and measure the Iron Age settlement of Wadi X, which I then further developed in GIS with a distribution analysis using a survey for pottery fragments.

It is thus with great interest that I read that an opportunity has presented itself to pursue a PhD in bronze age research of X. This programme fulfils my great interest in the late Prehistory of X and allows me to continue to apply my skills in distribution analysis and GIS. I have had the pleasure to attend courses from dr. <Research Project Leader>, and have read on his work and that of his colleagues with great interest. The prospect of working on the emergence of the practice of Bronze Age deposition of intricately made prestige items is exciting, as the subject has continued to fascinate me throughout my studies. I have dedicated much of my spare time studying this particular subject and have often thought about ways to apply my skills to its study.

With my multidisciplinary background in archaeology, a substantial background in advanced GIS methodology and proven interest in prehistoric research, I hope that I can be given the chance to further pursue these interests in the form of a PhD study. Given my strong interest in research and my distinguished academic track record, I am confident that would be a valuable asset to your research group.


Thank you for considering my application.

Yours sincerely,

X"