How to email a professor about a postdoc Oct 16, 2025 · Learn how to craft an effective submission email to your professor, including tips on structure, tone, and key elements to include for successful communication. LastName") so that proper respect as well as confidence in one's "above-the-students" position is maintained? Dec 20, 2023 · Strategies for cold emailing a professor. Here are some tips on how to email a professor for an inquiry: Use a professional email address: When sending an email to a professor, ensure that you use a professional email address. Here are some suggestions that I learnt from my experience while searching for post doc positions: Applying for advertised positions is a very good idea Apr 23, 2022 · Email- You will write to your future mentor to inquire about the availability of a potential postdoc position in their research group. The first essential step of applying for a PhD position, a postdoc or even for a short summer project is to write an email to the Professor with whom you are interested to work with. VII. So no, emailing a professor you have never met/talked to is not weird. There are some postdoctoral programs at universities that provide independent funding for your research, where you just apply to the program. While I do see many advertised positions on various platforms, it seems for the kind of research I am interested in, I will just have to cold email PIs in different universities without any prior Mar 11, 2021 · How to write a Postdoc Job Application or Email Postdoc job application: Applications for postdoctoral positions usually consist of a CV, cover letter, and a list of references, which are sent directly to the Principal Investigator via email. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. This page will Sep 8, 2023 · In this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide for how to write an email to a professor, plus a set of email templates you can use. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently held a useful workshop entitled “ Re-envisioning Postdoctoral Training in Neuroscience ”. An application can begin informally, with a phone call, letter, or perhaps by email. Question is, how to become a postdoc? What’s the postdoc application process like? A postdoc application process usually looks like this: Search for openings Research on the principal investigator (PI) Send in tailored email, cover letter, CV, and Hi everyone, I am about to wrap up my PhD journey soon and have been looking for postdocs. . A postdoc is no longer a student but at the same time he or she is (in general) not at the level of senior research engineers/scientists and professors. Follow-up email and reminder emails to professors can seem intimidating to write; you need an answer to a question or request, but you don’t want to seem pushy or demanding. Tips for Writing an Email to Faculty about Research For many students, the best way to get involved in research is to email faculty/principle investigators directly to ask about research opportunities. These email communications are structured to remind both applicants and Programs what their respective responsibilities are throughout the How to write an email for postdoc| Instructions by Prof. [Your first name] How to Follow Up With a Professor After a Meeting If you have already met with the professor, writing a follow-up email is a little bit easier. X, I wanted to follow up on my email last week. In this article, let’s discuss how to Write an Email to your professor with some essential dos and don’ts. I intend to pursue a postdoc after my doctorate degree. Mar 20, 2023 · As well as PhD enquires, cold e-mailing might also help with opportunities post PhD (cold e-mailing for postdoc roles can work under the right circumstances) or if you wish to discuss your Feb 14, 2022 · Emailing tips for Grad Students, PhDs and Postdocs for Research Positions in Academia February 14, 2022 6 minute read Writing emails to professors/PIs for seeking an MS research, PhD or a postdoc position can be a daunting task. I would send something like: "Dear Dr. I usually include a brief description (1 paragraph) of who you are, your research interest, why you are interested in working with them, and when you will By cold-emailing, I meant looking up the email of the hiring manager/professor for the postdoc and sending them a follow-up email. wanted to let you know that I have applied for a postdoctoral position at [university] and mentioned you as a potential mentor. My field of work is in computational biophysics. How should i reply? I will be thankful for your response. In that case, there are some general guidelines to follow. It's been a week since I emailed some of them, so I assume this is normal. Cold emailing, or sending an email to someone you don’t Are you applying to places that are currently looking for post docs? Do you have any connections to the places your applying that can send an email on your behalf? Are your emails personalized to each lab and stating what about their research excites you? Are you frustrated about not receiving a reply from Professor while applying for a research position (Ph. It should be concise and straightforward, and communicate your excitement to work with the intended institution or department. This will help you to get a successful research position. Plus templates and a how-to setup guide. Now that we are in the midst of a pandemic and many conventional networking opportunities such as conferences and retreats are either canceled or virtual, cold emailing about postdoc jobs may play a central role. Apr 13, 2023 · In this video you will get all the answers of:How to contact professor?How to email a professor?How should I write to professor?How to ask a professor for a I got my postdoc position by looking at labs that were doing research I was interested in and cold emailing the PI for any open positions (in addition to other avenues). Tips, samples, and strategies to email professors for postdoc opportunities effectively. use the work you did in Step 0 to provide some good evidence that you’ve at least looked Jan 28, 2025 · Understanding how to email professors helped me to navigate the ins and outs of graduate school. , Postdoc, MS)? This video will help you to write Mar 12, 2025 · Learn how to effectively ask a professor to be your supervisor with our comprehensive guide and email sample. Dear Professor [last name], hope this email finds you well. In some cases, there might be special research groups which work as a team and hire recent PhD graduates. Through this post, I want to share the tiny details on writing solicited or unsolicited emails to Professors/PIs based on my experiences. A well-written crisp email introducing yourself, your research, conveying why their research and workplace excites you, and then closing with a thanking remark serves as a good starting point. My name is [full name], I am a 5th year PhD candidate at the University of Oregon working under [advisor’s full name]. 👉This video is for all seeking a Postdoc Position and a potential Supervisor to supervise their Research Work. Therefore, could anyone help me or give me a clue on how to approach and convince a university professor to state my interest in a postdoc May 6, 2025 · How to Email a Professor for PhD and MS Supervision* Email plays an essential role when it comes to approaching a professor for scholarships, funding and research supervision. Here's a general outline to help you draft 📩 Cold Email Hacks: Land a PhD/Postdoc Position in 2025-2026! 🎓 Proven Strategies: ️ Subject Line Magic: “Research Collaboration: [Your Expertise] & [Their Field]” ️ First Paragraph Mar 16, 2024 · A cold email for a research position is a formal way to show genuine interest in a professor’s research and ask for an opportunity to work with them. However, I rece Jan 7, 2024 · Learn how to write a compelling email to ask for a postdoc position. Feb 17, 2025 · Learn how to effectively write an email to your professor for project submission. In order to I have attached a letter giving more details about the research aspect of the Fellowship from the professor in charge of the program. 👉How to Write e-mail to the Professor for Pos Hello, I am in the final year of my PhD (Genomics/Molecular Bio) and have started to do a bit of research about potential post-doc positions. Enhance your chances of securing guidance for your academic journey. Jun 6, 2025 · What is a postdoc reference letter? A postdoc reference letter is a document that researchers or college professors write to recommend candidates seeking admissions into a postdoctoral training program. Later in my career, every post-doc I ever hired was the result of personal contacts. Tell them why you would be good. D. S. More Resources Dr. , postdoctoral research, or job opportunities requires careful planning and effective communication. Nov 6, 2020 · I wrote last year about how to find a postdoc job and included “cold emailing” principal investigators as one approach. You really just need to bump the previous email back up to the top of his inbox. I have sent emails to a few (about 10) professors in different Computer Science research labs (related to my research interests) to see if they have any postdoc position available. It is a good communication exercise, and you are judged for it. Next is when and how to Writing an effective email to inquire about a job, PhD, or postdoctoral position with managers/professors requires a professional and concise approach. Imagine you were going to finish your PhD program and wanted to contact a professor to express interest for a possible PostDoctoral contract within his group, and wanted to know more information about it Sep 12, 2019 · Write an Email to Professor: Complete Dos and Don’ts Discussion There is some necessary thing, which you should consider maximizing your chance of positive response. Something like "My student (or friend) is interested in working with you and will be reaching out" can be really helpful for getting a response. Apr 7, 2025 · Learn how to write an email to professor for postdoc positions. Feb 15, 2016 · I have applied to a advertised post for a Postdoctoral position in U. Avoid using email addresses that are inappropriate or casual. I'm still very interested in volunteering with your lab and looking forward to hearing more about Apr 21, 2021 · For instance, if your current advisor or a professor you know has worked with them in the past, or if you have a friend in their lab, ask them to send a heads up email. I included my papers attached with my CV so they didn’t have to do work to find them. But for most postdoctoral positions, you apply to work with a particular professor. Charles Lieber| Harvard University| Manjesh In conclusion, an effective email sample for a postdoc position is one that reflects your enthusiasm, research abilities, and potential. Learn how to craft a standout postdoc application email in 7 steps with tips to impress faculty, highlight your research, and boost your chances. My research interests are mainly [ - ]. You may ask your advisor to also send emails on your behalf a couple days after you send yours. This guide provides tips on proper etiquette, structure, and content to ensure your message is clear and professional. Use a simple but direct email title, such as “MSCS student interested in research, xx years experience”. Asking postdoc advisors for a job via email can be daunting, but these tricks will ensure you get a response instead the silent treatment. A. I would love to meet with you to discuss the possibility of being involved in your research. Also, make sure you read their recent papers and give specific examples of what you like In this blog article, I will be sharing fascinating information on How To Write Email To Ask For Postdoc Position. Thoroughly research what the professor does and provide some good evidence to them that you’ve done your homework and have a basic idea of the type of research they do in their lab. Being a very research active faculty, my job is not M-F, 9-5, it's pretty much every day to some degree. And for the love of god do enough research to have a fucking clue what the PI’s gender Jul 16, 2024 · As a professor who gets daily cold emails about postdoc positions. Learn how to craft a compelling and professional email to a professor for research opportunities with our detailed guide and examples. It's been a month and a half since I have sent the application documents via e-mail to the professor. If I am actively looking for a postdoc (or a potential one), I will see it pop up and open it. If a professor is looking for a research student, she/he will be less likely to “miss” your email. Nov 5, 2021 · So, we all benefit. After writing a perfect email, it is possible that you will not get a reply from the professor’s side. I got a reply from PI asking for a Zoom call. When considering graduate school, it’s a good idea to reach out to professors in your department of interest or those whose work aligns with your research goals. I have cold-emailed around 6-7 PIs but have got zero responses. Successful applications Learn how to write a polite follow-up email to a professor. How else was I supposed to get a postdoc? I will say that a lot of people send the same completely useless email to multiple professors. An email is an opportunity to highlight your shared interest in their research topic and to highlight attributes that will make you a good undergraduate researcher to work with. Read our article – “ 6 golden tips for finding successful postdoctoral opportunities ”. Content of your To write a personal letter for Postdoc application first see your area of specialization , research publication then contact the Professor by writing letter showing your keen interest for working May 19, 2023 · Approaching professors or companies for Ph. I had an initial talk with my supervisor, but there are several things that I learnt during the process of applying for post doc positions. How to diplomatically tell a professor offering a postdoctoral job that you are also considering other offers? Apr 23, 2024 · I have applied for a postdoc position in the US. You can share some updates regarding your research project, application status, external funding opportunities, and other information relevant to topics that you discussed with them. Includes timing tips, message structure, and customizable templates for common student scenarios. How should he or she address them ("FirstName" or "Dr. When I started looking for postdoc positions, I had no idea where to start from and what to do. Your email address should include your full name or a variation of it. I have also tried to get in touch with members from each of these labs, and I've fortunately had good luck Feb 11, 2024 · Yes, by postdoc I mean, further research work after PhD under the supervision of a senior researcher, probably an Associate Professor or a Professor. By following this step-by-step guide and using the Dec 2, 2019 · Writing an email to request an available position for a professor is an effective way to get a postdoc position. Don't overthink it. Most professors receive HUNDREDS of legitimate emails every day from the students they teach and advise, journal/conference submission request, other professors, or their side consulting business. A successful cold email can open the door to valuable first-hand research experience, mentorship, a funded position, and visa sponsorship. Cold emailing works, but you might not get replies from everyone. Jul 20, 2025 · An email is not just a correspondence. How should I from my reminding e-mail, without offending the professor? We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The APPIC Postdoctoral Committee has developed the following email communication templates to facilitate communication between Programs and applicants and to support understanding of and adherence to the APPIC Selection Standards and Common Hold Date (CHD). It's already implied you're waiting when you send a follow up email so you don't need that/it's a bit pushy. So, let's dive in. it doesn't matter. Including what to say, how to personalize, and how to follow-up. You need to cumatimize them for every position. Daniel Gonzales has written a blog on how to email a prospective postdoc mentor (with examples) here. If I am not, I will ignore it and maybe look at it later. I haven't received any reply yet. Jan 8, 2025 · For a PhD, The natural path in academia would be to first become a postdoc, before eventually making your way up to become a tenured professor. Mar 12, 2023 · A cold email for a research position is a formal way to show genuine interest in a professor’s research and ask for an opportunity to work with them. Here, you need to show that this isn’t just-another-research-email. Reading this very interesting question ("How long before PhD graduation should I start applying for post-doc positions?") about " when ", suddenly I started to reason on the " how " issue. I got a 100% response rate for the faculty my advisor emailed and about a 50% response rate from faculty I did not request my advisor to email. Follow key steps and tips to increase your chances of a positive response. Tips, examples and professional templates you can apply to give yourself an impressive professor email signature in under 5 minutes.