Motivation letter for a PhD in molecular botany

Hello everyone,

I´d like to apply for a PhD scholarship. The application has to be in english but english is not my foreign language and I´m afraid it has some mistakes. I really don´t have a glue how this works and this is only my first draft. I would really appreciate if anyone could give me some advice because I really want to get this position.

Thanks in advance,

Maike

Dear Dr. X,
it is with great pleasure that I submit my application for a PhD scholarship. I recently graduated from the University of Hamburg with a Master of Science in Applied and Molecular Botany and as a PhD student in your research group I would like to advance my expertise in this field.

Ever since I was a child I wanted to know why things happen, especially concerning the surrounding nature. To nurse my inquisitiveness I took advanced courses in biology in school and consequently applied for the bachelor program in Molecular Biology at the University of Osnabrück. In the course of the undergraduate studies I was introduced to basic matters of molecular biology, molecular research techniques and analytical working strategies. With my growing knowledge, the desire to become a scientist grew even stronger. I became particularly fascinated with molecular botany and attended advanced courses in Plant Physiology and Molecular Development of Plants. During my bachelor thesis “Analysis of the active site motif of glutharedoxins in Arabidopsis thaliana”, I worked under the direction of Professor Sabine Zachgo from the Max-Planck-Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne where I was able to extent my experience in fundamental molecular research techniques including PCR, in situ hybridization, target mutagenesis and gateway cloning. This work encouraged me to participate in the masters program “Applied and Molecular Botany” at the University of Hamburg where I was eager to deepen my theoretical and practical knowledge in this field.

In the course of the research for my master thesis “Functional studies on cytokinin signalling (PpCRE) and cytokinin biosynthesis (PpIPT) genes in the moss Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) B.S.G” at the University of Hamburg, I designed a new approach for stress-related phenotype screening on the basis of putative cytokinin mutants, performed cDNA-library screenings, and conducted subcellular localization analyses. These approaches gave me the opportunity to extent my practical experience and develop a structured and well-organized working method. Partial results of this work were presented on two different international conferences.

My career goal is to head for an employment as academic scientist. I enjoy to impart knowledge and my experience as a teaching assistant encourages me to believe that I am a good teacher.
Furthermore, I am very determined to work in an international environment, which has various obvious benefits like language skill enhancement and international exchange of knowledge.

I am a well trained scientist and I believe that my outstanding motivation and keen perception will make a positive contribution to your research concerning the elucidation of the genetic program and molecular principles of coccoliths. Thank you for considering my application. I am very happy to discuss my application with you and look forward to hear from you in the near future.

Yours sincerely,