Motivation letter Ph.D.

Hello to everyone, I want to apply for a Ph.D. program in Phyisics but, since english is not my first language (I come from Italy), I would appreciate very much some help in the review process of my motivation letter. I will send a Curriculum Vitae with the motivation letter and my major concern is that I don't know if I've put too many information about my academic records in the letter. By the way here is the letter, thank you very much for the help.

Dear Prof. X1,

I am writing to apply for the Ph.D. position in single-molecule motors at Y1 group at Z1 university.

In 2008 I received my Bachelor of Science in Physics and in 2011 I received the Master of Science in Matter Physics with top grades. My B.s.C. thesis work consisted in an experimental study of the electronic structure of a sample of semiconducting self-assembled quantum dots conducted with photoluminescence spectroscopy. This experience gave me the possibility of taking measurements on a very interesting and fashionable nanostructured system and it was also the first time that I got in contact with nanotechnology and since that experience my interest in the field of nanostructures physics started to grow. Furthermore the data analysis conducted in the months after the measurements, under the supervision of Prof. X2, and the subsequent data discussions helped me to improve my critical research skills.

During the Master education I followed brilliantly a curriculum aimed at giving me a strong background about the modern research topics in nanosciences and about the physical phenomena on which they lie thanks to courses like "surfaces and nanostructures physics", "solid state physics" and "condensed matter", all passed with top grades. My interest toward the experimental physics continued thanks to the course of matter physics laboratory. In the two-months training I had the opportunity of working in the Y2 laboratory, in collaboration with another student, under the supervision of a PhD student and Prof. X3, to study the surface structure and surface states of yy. This experience improved my team-working and active communicative skills and moreover I had the first contact with an Ultra-High Vacuum chamber and with some common techniques of the surface physics. The methods used and the phenomena investigated by surface physics attracted my interest very much, so I decided to conduct my M.s.C. experimental thesis in the Y2 laboratory.

My M.s.C. thesis consists in a study of the structural and electronic properties of xx molecules (a class of organometallic molecules) evaporated onto the nanostructured surface yy. The major achievement of the work is the explanation of the interaction process between iron/cobalt-phthalocyanines and the substrate. This result has been published in a paper, on the Journal of Physical Chemistry C, in which I contributed with experimental work, data analysis and graphs production, and actively participating in the discussions and meetings; in addition another paper, with data taken from my thesis, is in the review process while I am writing. Moreover my group presented a poster, at a scientific conference, which I prepared in collaboration with a PhD student. With these experiences I learned about the work behind scientific publishing and scientific research, which I hope will be my future job, and I got accustomed to work with deadlines.

During my thesis work I conducted my measurements in two important synchrotron facilities, the Y3 in Z2 and the Y4 in Z3. In the three beam-times dedicated to our experiments I developed a great sense of adaptability and fast-learning skills, as I had to work with different experimental chambers and machine control software, learning the usage as soon as possible. In addition I developed my team-working skills, as I had to collaborate both with my group and with external scientists, and I gave prove of hard working, as synchrotron measurements require a constant work, both experimental and analytical. Furthermore the analysis of the huge amount of data collected required me to organize data and ideas, keeping a personal log-book, and to master many analysis techniques.

My studies led me to become interested in the field of nanostructures and in particular in the molecule-based nanosystems, so I would be very excited to work on a project that involves engineering matter at the nanoscale to build molecule motors. The field of NEMS appears as a very promising one and your latest articles attracted my interests so much. For these reasons I want to continue my study at Y1 group. Moreover I personally know two alumni of Z1 university, one P.h.D. and one M.s.C. student, who provided helpful advice and they are enthusiastic of their academic and personal life in Z1. Given my academic achievements and strong interests in your research field, I am certain that, if given the opportunity, I will enjoy working on your project.

Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to receive your reply.

Yours sincerely,

A B