[Cover Letter] Cover letter check for unsolicited PhD application II

[eppflo]

I'm sorry for some reason my last post didn't have any content after creation so I'll try it again:

Hi there,

My name is Martin and I want to send an e-mail to a Professor in the UK whose research I'm interested in. I would like to join his team as a PhD student.
He doesn't know me and it's the first time I'm contacting him. No open position is posted online but it seems to be quite common to inquire about the possibility to do research at someone's institute and find some kind of funding on your own.
The text below will just be included in the e-mail and I will attach my CV.

I would greatly appreciate if you could read my cover letter and give some advice about expressions etc.!

Kind regards
Martin



Dear Professor (surname),

My name is (name) and I recently obtained my master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of (location), Germany. During my studies I developed a strong fascination for problems in the field of structural dynamics. This is particularly true for research performed on vibrations in aircraft engines. Therefore, I am now looking for a PhD project in this area.

While reading your papers about the identification of nonlinear contact parameters in gas turbine flanges I gained the impression that your research focus is in excellent agreement with what I would want to do during a PhD. In the course of my studies I was enthusiastic about working on rotor dynamics, aircraft engines as well as on experimental modal analysis. In my master’s thesis I developed an approach that allows identifying the dynamics of high speed spindles during metal cutting operation and FRF predictions for different assemblies through substructure coupling. During a six month internship in the A350 power plant integration department at (company) in (location) I was able to gain a deep technical understanding of various engine-related problems that occurred during flight tests. My task was to analyse and categorize malfunctions of the new Trent XWB propulsion system; in this context I was also awarded as a ‘High performing intern’.

I am convinced that my strong analytical thinking is an excellent basis for the successful completion of a PhD; in the past it allowed me to obtain highest grades in lectures as well as in research projects. My high level of commitment during my studies, which I partially completed in France and Canada, also led to several awards and scholarships. Furthermore, I was able to demonstrate my capability to explain complex issues in a simple way in the course of various employments as a research assistant at my home university.

Since I see the participation in your highly interesting research as the perfect opportunity to further specialise in the field of vibrations in aircraft engines, I would like to know whether you are generally open to new PhD student applications. My CV is attached for your information. In case you are interested in my profile, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to further discuss my motivation and my qualifications as well as a possible research topic. Currently I am reviewing different scholarships that would allow funding my project.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

(name)

 

[teechar]

Dear Professor (surname),

My name is (name) and I recently obtained my master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of (location), Germany. During my studies, I developed a strong fascination for problems in the field of structural dynamics, [STRIKE]This is[/STRIKE] particularly [STRIKE]true[/STRIKE] for research performed on vibrations in aircraft engines. Therefore, I am now looking [STRIKE]for[/STRIKE] to do a PhD project in this area.

While reading your papers about the identification of nonlinear contact parameters in gas turbine flanges, I gained the impression that your research focus is in [STRIKE]excellent agreement[/STRIKE] line with what I'm interested in researching for my [STRIKE]would want to do during a[/STRIKE] PhD. In the course of my studies I was enthusiastic about working on rotor dynamics, aircraft engines as well as on experimental modal analysis. In my master’s thesis I developed an approach that allows identifying the dynamics of high speed spindles during metal cutting operations and FRF predictions for different assemblies through substructure coupling. Furthermore, I successfully completed [STRIKE]during[/STRIKE] a six-month internship in the A350 power plant integration department at (company) in (location), where my task was to analyse and categorize malfunctions of the new Trent XWB propulsion system. I was able to gain a deep technical understanding of various engine-related problems that occurred during flight tests, [STRIKE]My task was to analyse and categorize malfunctions of the new Trent XWB propulsion system; in this context[/STRIKE] and I was also awarded [STRIKE]as a[/STRIKE] the ‘High-performing intern’ title/prize.

I am convinced that my strong analytical thinking is an excellent basis for the successful completion of a PhD; in the past it [STRIKE]allowed[/STRIKE] helped me [STRIKE]to[/STRIKE] obtain the highest grades in [STRIKE]lectures[/STRIKE] my exams as well as in research projects. My high level of commitment during my studies which I partially completed in France and Canada, also led to several awards and scholarships. Furthermore, I was able to demonstrate my capability to explain complex issues in a simple way in the course of various [STRIKE]employments[/STRIKE] positions as a research assistant at my home university.

Since I see the participation in your highly interesting research as the perfect opportunity to further specialise in the field of vibrations in aircraft engines, I would like to know whether you are [STRIKE]generally open to[/STRIKE] interested in new PhD student applications. My CV is attached herewith. [STRIKE]for yourinformation.[/STRIKE] In case you are interested in my profile, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to further discuss my motivation and my qualifications as well as a possible research topic. Currently, I am reviewing different scholarships that would [STRIKE]allow[/STRIKE] provide funding for my project.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

(name)

 

[eppflo]

Teechar thank you very much for your help.

The only expression I still stumble over when reading the letter is "I gained the impression that your research focus is in line with what I'm interested in researching for my PhD".

The part "interested in researching for my PhD" sounds odd to me...

However, I'm not a native speaker so I can't tell if it has the same meaning as what I want to say, so could you just reconfirm that it expresses the same thing as: "Your research topics are in line with what I would to do during PhD project"?


Thanks a lot!
Martin

 

[teechar]

so could you just reconfirm that it expresses the same thing as: "Your research topics are in line with what I would want to do during PhD project"?

Yes, it conveys the same meaning.

 

[konungursvia]

I would make it closer to 2 pages, by stating exactly what research you would like to undertake; on what materials; with what simulations and models; with what aim; what applications; what targets. Also, show him that you have READ his publications, and are familiar with what he does, more than just finding his name on a university website with a short research area description for him.

 

[eppflo]

Hello everyone,
For a second application for a specific PhD topic I wrote a cover letter and I would greatly appreciate if anyone could have a look at it!


-------------------------
Dear Professor X,
Dear Dr. Y,

With my great interest in applied research in aerospace engineering, the PhD Thesis at (company) posted on the website of (website) directly appealed to me.

I have recently obtained a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the (university). During my Master’s I specialized in aerospace engineering with a special focus on control engineering and structural dynamics. Furthermore, I acquired knowledge in the field of aeroelasticity while being an exchange student at the (university). In the course of a study and research period at the (university) in (city), (country), I intensively dealt with mechatronic systems and machine vibrations.
It has long been clear to me that, following my studies, I want to do research in the field of applied control engineering and structural dynamics. In this regard, I am looking for a topic that is of high relevance for a widely recognized company in the aerospace sector, as it is the case with this PhD position in collaboration with (company). My fascination for both the products and the working environment of (same company) was strengthened during a six-month internship at (same company) in (city), where I was part of the (department). There, my task was to analyze and categorize malfunctions of the new (propulsion system). I was strongly involved in the day-to-day business of the design offices as well as the flight test department and my achievements in the project led
to an award as a “high-performing intern”.
I am convinced that my strong analytical thinking abilities are an excellent basis for the successful completion of this PhD; in the past they helped me obtain the highest grades in both exams and research projects. My high level of commitment also led to several awards and scholarships. Furthermore, I demonstrated my capability to explain complex issues in a simple way in the course of various positions as a research assistant at my home university. There, but also during several stays abroad, my open-mindedness and excellent communication skills allowed a fast integration in very diverse working groups.
I consider the advertised PhD position to be the perfect opportunity to make full use of my acquired knowledge and combine it with my great interest for innovations in the aerospace industry. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss my motivation and my qualifications. Thank you very much for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

(name)
-------------------------



Thanks a lot!

Best
Martin