nature of a cover letter

自然综述主编手把手教你写投稿信（内有灵魂画作）

导语：你有个综述论文的好点子吗？或者想给期刊写篇评论文章？下面这份简单的指南告诉你如何向编辑表达你的想法。

如何撰写投稿信（Cover Letter）？这是自然系列的编辑经常被问到的一个问题。在提交原创研究的时候，只有在作者想表达稿件之外的信息的情况下才需要撰写投稿信。（当然了，一些编辑喜欢老派的投稿信，你可以去 http:// go.nature.com/2x5OACi 查看原创研究投稿信的撰写建议）。但是， 如果你想推荐自己的综述论文或是评论文章，那么投稿信非常必要。 下面就是撰写投稿信的方法。

【 花几秒钟查一下相关编辑的名字。 换个角度想，你也不想每天收到以“尊敬的研究者”起头的电子邮件对不对？写对期刊和编辑的名字是个好习惯。如果你把投稿信里的A期刊名字写成了B期刊，很有可能说明这篇文章已经被B期刊拒过稿了，这可不大好看。

（不过放心，这不代表现在收到这封投稿信的A期刊会立刻拒绝你，但是这却暴露了你对细节的关注程度。请反复确认日期以及编辑的名字是否拼对了。）】

【简单介绍一下你自己】

你为什么要给我们写信？

【我想要提议撰写一篇综述文章，或是评论文章。】

【这是最关键的部分。尽量写得简洁，同时令人信服。给一些靠谱的理由，但是不要太啰嗦。】

· 要让编辑觉得“这点子真棒”！

· 这个主题很有意思，也和本期刊相称，且最近在本期刊还没有涉及。一定要看一看我们的期刊有没有发表过类似的文章。

· 最近的新进展开启了一个新的领域。

· 为某个现有的领域带来了全新的角度。

· 把两个或多个领域融合到了一起。

· 解释主要发现，避免细枝末节。

· 简洁，清晰，有头有尾，不要长篇大论。

· 有没有别的同类型的综述？别人的文章和你的有什么不同？

【时间点很重要。为什么你的稿件时间刚刚好？为什么不是2年前，或者2年后投稿？着重列出那些 能体现你的时间有效性 的近期研究。】

【你是否是该领域的专家？你是“关键意见领袖”，或是在该领域已经有了一些研究地位？别人会不会想听你的意见？你的沟通能力强不强？你将带来什么新的视角？如果你们是一个团队，那么你们如何取长补短？】

【为什么你投稿给我们，而不是其他期刊？花时间去看一看目标期刊的网站，看一看它的文章类型和内容。该期刊真的是你稿件的理想发表地吗？考虑一下你的受众：你想让谁来看你的综述？】

【你准备什么时候开始写？是否有什么限制条件和需求？】

· 如果你已经和编辑有过接触，那么一定要指出来。或许我们曾经在某时某地见过面，还聊过天。

· 如果最近有相关的会议说明有一些群体对这个话题感兴趣，那么一定要指出来。

· 最近这个领域的相关进展，比如科研项目，科研设施，科研合作等。

千万不要（拜托了！） ：

· 复制粘贴论文摘要作为投稿信。

· 把期刊名字拼错了。

· 攀高枝，比如“我和（著名的）某某教授讨论过这个话题，他/她觉得这个想法可以写成综述”。

· 高谈阔论，老调重弹，空洞无物

编辑圈里有这样的说法：“想要写出一篇好的综述，必须要在正确的时间由正确的作者来写正确的选题。”因此，投稿信要突出为什么你要在这个时候来投这篇文章。祝你好运！ ⓝ

非常感谢Linda Koch（《自然综述：遗传学》）和Annette Fenner (《自然综述：泌尿学》)分享了她们的宝贵建议。

原文发布在2018年7月20日的 http:// Nature.com 物理博客上 ，作者：Iulia Georgescu，《自然综述：物理学》主编

本文由施普林格·自然上海办公室负责翻译。中文内容仅供参考，一切内容以英文原版为准。欢迎个人转发，如需转载，请邮件[email protected]。未经授权的翻译是侵权行为，版权方将保留追究法律责任的权利。

©2018 Springer Nature Limited. All rights reserved.

思想常新者以自然为其可靠之依据——Nature自然科研ID：Nature-Research

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Cover letter

A well-written cover letter clearly explains why the submission will be of interest to the journal's readers.

It should also be used to highlight any potential issues such as related manuscripts currently under consideration in any other Springer Nature publication, as well as indicating whether you have had any prior discussions with a Springer Nature editor about the work described in the manuscript.

It is an opportunity to declare that the manuscript is not being considered for publication in any other journal and recommend or exclude reviewers (including the reasons why).

Finally, it can be used to address any issues encountered while submitting the manuscript. 

Cover letter checklist:

• Check the journal’s Instructions for Authors for any cover letter requirements on the journals homepage.
• Address the editor who will be assessing your manuscript by their name, if known.
• Include the date of submission and the journal you are submitting to.
• First paragraph: Include the title and article type (e.g. review, research, case study)  and briefly explain the background and question you sought out to answer and why.
• Second paragraph: Concisely explain what was done, the main findings and why they are significant.
• Third paragraph: Indicate why the readers of the journal would be interested in the work by showing how your study fulfils the aims and scope of the journal and point out the importance of it. 
• To conclude, state the corresponding author and any journal-specific requirements that need to be complied with (e. g. ethical standards).
• All cover letters should contain these sentences: "We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal. All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to [insert the name of the target journal]."

For more detailed information, please check How to submit a journal article: Cover letters . 

For a complete tutorial on article submissions, please check Submitting a journal manuscript and peer review .

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Nature Scientist Cover Letter Samples & Examples That Worked in 2024

Navigating the jungle of a nature scientist's career starts with a well-crafted cover letter . With the right combination of passion for the natural world and examples of your hands-on experience, your application can stand out from the rest.

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to dig into our collection of handy tips, inspiring examples, and user-friendly templates to pen a cover letter that'll make employers sit up and take notice. 

Keep reading and learn all about:

• Creating your nature scientist cover letter header and headline
• Personalizing your nature science cover letter for specific employers
• Writing a great introduction for your nature scientist cover letter
• Highlighting your key skills and accomplishments as a nature scientist
• Concluding your nature scientist cover letter correctly
• Accessing top resources for job-seeking nature scientists

1. Create an effective nature scientist cover letter header and headline

Creating a good-looking cover letter header and cover letter headline is the first key step in the cover letter writing process.

These elements help give your letter visual appeal and a better sense of organization .

Starting with your header, this should include:

• Your name and professional title
• Your professional contact information
• A formal address of the employer

Here is an example of a well-formatted nature scientist cover letter header

Jack Doe , Nature Scientist (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/jack-doe

To: Blue Nature & Ocean Research Center Nature Science Department 1234 Street Address Charleston, SC 29401

Following your header is your cover letter headline.

Think of this as similar to an article or blog title — it should be concise and attention-grabbing, all while accurately portraying the content found within your letter.

When writing a headline, you should always use a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word , and a powerful adjective or verb .

Here is an example of a great headline from a nature scientist’s cover letter

My Top 3 Successes as a Nature Scientist & How I Can Achieve Similar Feats at Your Research Center

Let your cover letter write itself — with AI!

2. personalize your nature science cover letter for specific employers.

Anytime you write a nature science cover letter, it is important to include personalized details that are highly specific to each employer you reach out to.

Personalizing a cover letter in this way requires you to research the employer thoroughly, searching for key information about the employer’s values, current projects or research they are conducting, and more.

Moreover, you should take the time while researching to discover who handles hiring at the employer’s business. Then, you can create a personalized greeting that addresses this person by name.

Here are 3 examples of personalized nature scientist cover letter greetings

• Dear Head Scientist Joe King,
• Dear Dr. Joe King,

Dear Dr. Joe King & the Nature Science Department,

3. Write a great introduction for your nature scientist cover letter

After you have the personalized notes ready at your side to reference in your letter, you can begin writing your cover letter introduction .

This introduction should include:

• A brief overview of your professional history and specializations
• A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
• A mutual acquaintance (when possible) — professional mutual acquaintances can help build rapport and trust with an employer right away

Here is an example of a well-written introduction for a nature scientist cover letter

I am a nature scientist with 9 years of specialized experience studying the migration patterns of whales. Given your research center’s current focus on marine life, I believe I am a valuable addition to your team and express my great enthusiasm for this opportunity. My mentor, Mr. John Green, is on your center’s board of directors and strongly recommended I apply.

Find out your resume score!

4. Highlighting your key skills and accomplishments as a nature scientist

With your introduction out of the way, you can now dive into a deeper exploration of your top skills and accomplishments as a nature scientist.

To showcase these qualifications properly, you should include details that are highly relevant, contextual, and — whenever possible — quantifiable.

Here are 6 nature science skills to describe in a cover letter

• Nature science specializations (botany, biology, etc.)
• Conducting experiments
• Writing research reports
• Presenting research and experimental findings
• Submitting research for peer-review
• Collaborating with other science professionals

Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a nature science cover letter

As a nature scientist at [Former Employer], one of my vital roles was to lead a research team in investigating an invasive species of plant found in the American South. My team and I were able to not only identify the source of this species but also an effective means for getting the plant’s invasion under control, reducing the growth of this plant in the region by 85%.

5. Conclude your nature scientist cover letter correctly

To finish off your nature scientist cover letter strong, you need a great conclusion that persuades the employer to contact you promptly.

This conclusion should contain:

• A reiteration of your enthusiasm for the position
• An explanation of how and when you can be best contacted
• Your plans to follow up, including when and how
• A formal sign-off

Here is an example of an effective conclusion from a nature scientist’s cover letter

I am eager to learn more about this opportunity and your department, and I hope to hear from you within the next week regarding this position. You may call me at any time between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays at (123) 456-7890 or email me at [email protected] on weekends. If I have not heard from you by next Wednesday morning, I plan to follow up via phone call at that time.

Many Respects,

[Applicant Name]

If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.

6. Top resources for job-seeking nature scientists

You've got the passion, the skills, and now, an enchanting nature scientist cover letter ready to charm employers. It's time to uncover where the best opportunities lie in the wild world of nature science. Let’s explore top resources brimming with potential job opportunities:

• ResearchGate and Academia.edu : These are crucial platforms where researchers share their work, making them ideal for spotting job ads in academia or research organizations.
• EnvironmentJobs : As its name suggests, this platform is a big network of environmental jobs including opportunities for nature scientists.
• Ecological Society of America: The ESA's job board features a wealth of opportunities in ecology and related fields.
• Conservation Job Board : This is a one-stop-shop for conservation-related jobs, including many that would be a great fit for nature scientists.
• USAJobs : For those based in the US, the federal government's official job site includes positions related to nature science.
• LinkedIn : Don’t overlook it — many companies and recruiters use LinkedIn to post nature science-related jobs.
• Indeed , Glassdoor , and ZipRecruiter : General job search sites often list opportunities in the science sector - and nature science is no exception. 

Remember to make the most of these sources and let your nature scientist cover letter shine!

Nature Scientist Cover Letter FAQ

Your nature scientist cover letter should contain your contact information, the date, and the recipient's details. Also, include a clear and engaging introductory paragraph, detailed body paragraphs that highlight your relevant experiences and skills, a strong concluding paragraph, and a formal sign-off. Don't forget to mention your passion for nature science. 

A well-structured Nature Scientist cover letter starts with a compelling introduction and is followed by body paragraphs detailing your experience, skills and achievements relevant to the job posting. This should then be concluded with a closing paragraph reiterating your interest in the role and gratitude for being considered. 

Your nature scientist cover letter should ideally be a maximum of one page long. Employers typically prefer concise, well-crafted letters that get to the point quickly while demonstrating your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.

Certainly. Tailoring your cover letter for each job application helps demonstrate your understanding of the role and how you fit perfectly with that specific position. It shows you took the time to understand the company's needs and that you're not simply sending out generic applications. 

Yes, even if you lack professional experience, you can still craft a compelling cover letter. Highlight relevant courses, internships, research projects, or transferable skills from other fields. A strong cover letter is about potential as much as it is about past achievements. 

Martin Poduška

Martin is a resume expert and career advice writer at Kickresume. In his five years at Kickresume, he has written hundreds of in-depth, painstakingly researched resume advice articles and, as chief editor, he has also edited and revised every single article on this website. Tens of thousands of job seekers read Martin’s resume advice every month. He holds a degree in English from the University of St Andrews and a degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Amsterdam .

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Cover letters

A good cover letter can help to “sell” your manuscript to the journal editor. As well as introducing your work to the editor you can also take this opportunity to explain why the manuscript will be of interest to a journal's readers, something which is always as the forefront editors’ mind. As such it is worth spending time writing a coherent and persuasive cover letter.

The following is an example of a poor cover letter:

Dear Editor-in-Chief, I am sending you our manuscript entitled “Large Scale Analysis of Cell Cycle Regulators in bladder cancer” by Researcher et al. We would like to have the manuscript considered for publication in Pathobiology. Please let me know of your decision at your earliest convenience. With my best regards, Sincerely yours, A Researcher, PhD

Instead, check to see whether the journal’s Instructions for Authors have any cover letter requirements (e.g. disclosures, statements, potential reviewers). Then, write a letter that explains why the editor would want to publish your manuscript. The following structure covers all the necessary points that need to be included.

• If known, address the editor who will be assessing your manuscript by their name. Include the date of submission and the journal you are submitting to.
• First paragraph: include the title of your manuscript and the type of manuscript it is (e.g. review, research, case study). Then briefly explain the background to your study, the question you sought out to answer and why.
• Second paragraph: you should concisely explain what was done, the main findings and why they are significant.
• Third paragraph: here you should indicate why the readers of the journal would be interested in the work. Take your cues from the journal’s aims and scope. For example if the journal requires that all work published has broad implications explain how your study fulfils this. It is also a good idea to include a sentence on the importance of the results to the field.
• To conclude state the corresponding author and any journal specific requirements that need to be complied with (e.g. ethical standards).

TIP: All cover letters should contain these sentences:

• We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal.
• All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to [insert the name of the target journal].

Submission checklist

Before submitting your manuscript, thoroughly check its quality one more time. Evaluate it critically—could anything be done better?

Be sure that:

• The manuscript follows the Instructions for Authors
• All files are in the correct file format and of the appropriate resolution or size
• The spelling and grammar are correct
• You have contact information for all authors
• You have written a persuasive cover letter

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How to Write a Good Cover Letter for a Research Position

Writing a cover letter can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be!

Some people believe cover letters are a science. Others seem to think they are more akin to black magic. Regardless of how you feel about cover letters, they are one of the most important parts of the job application process. Your resume or CV may get you an interview, but a good cover letter is what ensures that the hiring manager reads your resume in the first place.

Writing a cover letter for any job is important, but the art of writing a good cover letter for a research position can make or break your application. While writing a cover letter for a research position, you have to walk a fine line of proving your expertise and passion while limiting jargon and dense language.

In this post, we will explain cover letter writing basics, and then dive into how to write a research specific cover letter with examples of both good and bad practices.

What Is A Cover Letter and Why Do Cover Letters Matter?

A cover letter is your opportunity to tell a story and connect the dots of your resume. Resumes and curriculum vitae (CVs) are often cold and static—they don’t show any sort of character that will give companies a hint about if you will fit in with their culture. 

Your cover letter gives you the chance to demonstrate that you are an interesting, qualified, and intelligent person. Without proving that you are worth the time to interview, a company or research organization will set your application in the rejection pile without giving it a second look. 

So, what is a cover letter, exactly? It is an explanation (written out in paragraph form) of what you can bring to the company that goes beyond the information in your resume. Cover letters give a company a glimpse into the qualities that will make you the ideal candidate for their opening. 

Note that a cover letter is not the same as a letter of intent. A cover letter is written for a specific job opening. For example, if I got an email saying that the University of Colorado was looking for a tenure track faculty member to teach GEO 1001, and I chose to apply, I would write a cover letter. 

A letter of intent, however, is written regardless of the job opening. It is intended to express an interest in working at a particular company or with a particular group. The goal of a letter of intent is to demonstrate your interest in the company (or whatever type of group you are appealing to) and illustrate that you are willing to work with them in whatever capacity they feel is best. 

For example, if I loved the clothing company, Patagonia and wanted to work there, I could write a letter of intent. They may have an opening for a sales floor associate, but after reading my application and letter of intent, decide I would be better suited to a design position. Or, they may not have any positions open at all, but choose to keep my resume on hand for the next time they do. 

Most organizations want a cover letter, not a letter of intent, so it is important to make sure your cover letter caters to the specifics of the job posting. A cover letter should also demonstrate why you want to work at the company, but it should be primarily focused on why you can do the job better than any of the other applicants.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter: The Basics 

Writing a cover letter isn’t hard. Writing a good cover letter, a cover letter that will encourage a hiring manager to look at your application and schedule an interview, is more difficult (but certainly not impossible). Below, we will go over each of the important parts of a cover letter: the salutation, introduction, body, and conclusion, as well as some other best practices.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter Salutation

Don’t start with “Dear Sir/Ma’am” (or any iteration of a vague greeting, including “to whom it may concern”). Avoiding vague greetings is the oldest trick in the book, but it still holds a lot of weight. Starting a cover letter with the above phrase is pretty much stamping “I didn’t bother to research this company at all because I am sending out a million generic cover letters” across your application. It doesn’t look good. 

The best practice is to do your research and use your connections to find a name. “Dear Joe McGlinchy” means a lot more than “Dear Hiring Manager.” LinkedIn is a great tool for this—you can look up the company, then look through the employees until you find someone that seems like they hire for the relevant department. 

The most important thing about the salutation is to address a real human. By selecting someone in the company, you’ve demonstrated that you’ve done some research and are actually interested in this company specifically. Generic greetings aren’t eye-catching and don’t do well.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter Introduction

Once you’ve addressed your cover letter to a real human being, you need a powerful introduction to prove that this cover letter is worth the time it will take to read. This means that you need a hook. 

Your first sentence needs to be a strong starter, something to encourage the hiring manager not only to continue reading the cover letter, but to look at your application as well. If you have a contact in the company, you should mention them in the first sentence. Something along the lines of “my friend, Amanda Rice (UX/UI manager), suggested I apply for the natural language processing expert position after we worked together on a highly successful independent project.” 

The example above uses a few techniques. The name drop is good, but that only works if you actually have a connection in the company. Beyond that, this example has two strengths. First, it states the name of the position. This is important because hiring managers can be hiring for several different positions at a time, and by immediately clarifying which position you are applying for, you make their job a little bit easier.  Next, this sentence introduces concrete skills that apply to the job. That is a good way to start because it begins leading into the body, where you will go into depth about how exactly your experience and skills make you perfect for the job. 

Another technique for a strong lead-in to a cover letter is to begin with an applicable personal experience or anecdote. This attracts more attention than stereotypical intros (like the example above), but you have to be careful to get to the point quickly. Give yourself one or two sentences to tell the story and prove your point before you dive into your skills and the main body of the cover letter.

A more standard technique for introductions is simply expressing excitement. No matter how you choose to start, you want to demonstrate that you are eager about the position, and there is no easier way to do that than just saying it. This could take the form of “When I saw the description for X job on LinkedIn, I was thrilled: it is the perfect job for my Y skills and Z experience.” This option is simple and to-the-point, which can be refreshing for time-crunched hiring managers. 

Since we’ve provided a few good examples, we will offer a bad example, so you can compare and contrast. Don’t write anything along the line of: “My name is John Doe, and I am writing to express my interest in the open position at your company.” 

There are a few issues here. First, they can probably figure out your name. You don’t need that to be in the first sentence (or any of the sentences—the closing is an obvious enough spot). Next, “the open position” and “your company” are too generic. That sounds like the same cover letter you sent to every single employer in a hundred mile radius. Give the specifics! Finally, try to start with a little more spice. Add in some personality, something to keep the hiring manager reading. If you bore them to death in the first line, they aren’t going to look over your resume and application with the attention they deserve. 

How to Write a Good Cover Letter Body

So, you’ve addressed a real human being, and you’ve snagged their attention with a killer opening line. What next? Well, you have to hold on to that attention by writing an engaging and informative cover letter body. 

The body of a cover letter is the core of the important information you want to transmit. The introduction’s job was to snag the attention of the hiring manager. The body’s job is to sell them on your skills.  There are a few formatting things to be aware of before we start talking about what content belongs in the body of the cover letter. First, keep the company culture and standards in mind when picking a format. For example, if I want to work for a tech startup that is known for its wit and company culture, I can probably get away with using a bulleted list or another informal format. However, if I am applying to a respected research institution, using a standard five paragraph format is best. 

In addition, the cover letter should not be longer than a page. Hiring managers are busy people. They may have hundreds of resumes to read, so they don’t need a three page essay per person. A full page is plenty, and many hiring managers report finding three hundred words or less to be the idea length. Just to put that into context, the text from here to the “How to Write a Good Cover Letter Body” header below is about perfect, length-wise. 

Now, on to the more important part: the content. A cover letter should work in tandem with a resume. If you have a list of job experiences on your resume, don’t list them again in the cover letter. Use the valuable space in the cover letter to give examples about how you have applied your skills and experience. 

For example, if I have worked as a barista, I wouldn’t just say “I have worked as a barista at Generic Cafe.” The hiring manager could learn that from my resume. Instead, I could say “Working as a barista at Generic Cafe taught me to operate under pressure without feeling flustered. Once…” I would go on to recount a short story that illustrated my ability to work well under pressure. It is important that the stories and details you choose to include are directly related to the specific job. Don’t ramble or add anything that isn’t obviously connected. Use the job description as a tool—if it mentions a certain skill a few times, make sure to include it!

If you can match the voice and tone of your cover letter to the voice of the company, that usually earns you extra points. If, in their communications, they use wit, feel free to include it in your letter as well. If they are dry, to the point, and serious, cracking jokes is not the best technique.

A Few Don’ts of Writing a Cover Letter Body   

There are a few simple “don’ts” in cover letter writing. Do not: 

• Bad: I am smart, dedicated, determined, and funny.
• Better: When I was working at Tech Company, I designed and created an entirely new workflow that cut the product delivery time in half. 
• Bad: When I was seven, I really loved the monkeys at the zoo. This demonstrates my fun-loving nature. 
• Better: While working for This Company, I realized I was far more productive if I was light-hearted. I became known as the person to turn to in my unit when my coworkers needed a boost, and as my team adopted my ideology, we exceeded our sales goals by 200%. 
• Bad: I would love this job because it would propel me to the next stage of my career.
• Better: With my decade of industry experience communicating with engineers and clients, I am the right person to manage X team. 
• Bad: I know I’m not the most qualified candidate for this job, but…
• Better: I can apply my years of experience as an X to this position, using my skills in Y and Z to… 
• Bad: I am a thirty year old white woman from Denver…
• Better: I have extensive experience managing diverse international teams, as illustrated by the time I…  

The most important part of the cover letter is the body. Sell your skills by telling stories, but walk the razor’s edge between saying too much and not enough. When in doubt, lean towards not enough—it is better for the hiring manager to call you in for an interview to learn more than to bore them.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter Conclusion

 The last lines of a cover letter are extremely important. Until you can meet in-person for an interview, the conclusion of your cover letter will greatly affect the impression the hiring manager has of you. A good technique for concluding your cover letter is to summarize, in a sentence, what value you can bring to the company and why you are perfect for the position. Sum up the most important points from your cover letter in a short, concise manner. 

Write with confidence, but not arrogance. This can be a delicate balance. While some people have gotten away (and sometimes gotten a job) with remarks like, “I’ll be expecting the job offer soon,” most do not. Closing with a courteous statement that showcases your capability and skills is far more effective than arrogance. Try to avoid trite or generic statements in the closing sentence as well. This includes the template, “I am very excited to work for XYZ Company.” Give the hiring manager something to remember and close with what you can offer the company. 

The final step in any cover letter is to edit. Re-read your cover letter. Then, set it aside for a few hours (or days, time permitting) and read it again. Give it to a friend to read. Read it aloud. This may seem excessive, but there is nothing more off-putting than a spelling or grammar error in the first few lines of a cover letter. The hiring manager may power through and ignore it, but it will certainly taint their impression. 

Once the cover letter is as flawless and compelling as it can be, send it out! If you are super stuck on how to get started, working within a template may help. Microsoft Word has many free templates that are aesthetically appealing and can give you a hint to the length and content. A few good online options live here (free options are at the bottom—there is no reason to pay for a resume template).

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Research Position

Writing a cover letter for a research position is the same as writing any other cover letter. There are, however, a few considerations and additions that are worth pointing out. A job description may not directly ask for a cover letter, but it is good practice to send one unless they specifically say not to. This means that even if a cover letter isn’t mentioned, you should send one—it is best practice and gives you an opportunity to expand on your skills and research in a valuable way.

Format and Writing Style for a Research Position Cover Letter

Research and academics tend to appreciate formality more than start-ups or tech companies, so using the traditional five paragraph format is typically a good idea. The five paragraph format usually includes an introduction, three short examples of skills, and a concluding paragraph. This isn’t set in stone—if you’d rather write two paragraphs about the skills and experience you bring to the company, that is fine. 

Keep in mind that concise and to-the-point writing is extremely valuable in research. Anyone who has ever written a project proposal under 300 words knows that every term needs to add value. Proving that you are a skilled writer, starting in your cover letter, will earn you a lot of points. This means that cover letters in research and academia, though you may have more to say, should actually be shorter than others. Think of the hiring manager—they are plowing through a massive stack of verbose, technical, and complex cover letters and CVs. It is refreshing to find an easy to read, short cover letter. 

On the “easy to read” point, remember that the hiring manager may not be an expert in your field. Even if they are, you cannot assume that they have the exact same linguistic and educational background as you. For example, if you have dedicated the last five years of your life to studying a certain species of bacteria that lives on Red-Eyed Tree Frogs, all of those technical terms you have learned (and maybe even coined) have no place in your cover letter. Keep jargon to an absolute minimum. Consider using a tool like the Hemingway Editor to identify and eliminate jargon. While you want to reduce jargon, it is still important to prove that you’ve researched their research. Passion about the research topic is one of the most valuable attributes that a new hire can offer. 

Use your cover letter to prove that you have done your homework, know exactly what the institution or group is doing, and want to join them. If you have questions about the research or want to learn more, it isn’t a bad idea to get in touch with one of the researchers. You can often use LinkedIn or the group’s staff site to learn who is working on the project and reach out.

What Research Information Should be Included in a Cover Letter

A research position cover letter is not the place for your academic history, dissertation, or publications. While it may be tempting to go into detail about the amazing research you did for your thesis, that belongs in your CV. Details like this will make your cover letter too long. While these are valuable accomplishments, don’t include them unless there is something  that pertains to the group’s research, and your CV doesn’t cover it in depth. 

If you do choose to write about your research, write about concrete details and skills that aren’t in your CV. For example, if you have spent the last few years working on identifying the effects of a certain gene sequence in bird migration, include information about the lab techniques you used. Also, try to put emphasis on the aspects of your resume and CV that make you stand out from other candidates. It is likely that you will be competing with many similarly qualified candidates, so if you have a unique skill or experience, make sure it doesn’t get lost in the chaos—a cover letter is the perfect place to highlight these sorts of skills. 

Industry experience is a great differentiator. If you have relevant industry experience, make sure to include it in your cover letter because it will almost certainly set you apart. Another valuable differentiator is a deep and established research network. If you have been working on research teams for years and have deep connections with other scientists, don’t be afraid to include this information. This makes you a very valuable acquisition for the company because you come with an extensive network

Include Soft Skills in Your Cover Letter

Scientific skills aren’t the only consideration for hiring managers. Experience working with and leading teams is incredibly valuable in the research industry. Even if the job description doesn’t mention teamwork, add a story or description of a time you worked with (or, even better, lead) a successful team. Soft skills like management, customer service, writing, and clear communication are important in research positions. Highlight these abilities and experiences in your cover letter in addition to the hard skills and research-based information. 

If you are struggling to edit and polish your letter, give it to both someone within your field and someone who is completely unfamiliar with your research (or, at least, the technical side of it). Once both of those people say that the letter makes sense and is compelling, you should feel confident submitting it.

Cover letters are intended to give hiring managers information beyond what your resume and CV are able to display. Write with a natural but appropriately formal voice, do your research on the position, and cater to the job description. A good cover letter can go a long way to getting you an interview, and with these tips, your cover letters will certainly stand out of the pile.

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What Editors Want

How to submit a journal article manuscript, what do journal editors want.

Journal editors evaluate all manuscripts that are submitted to their journal, select those which they consider to be suitable for the journal to send for peer review, and consider peer reviewers’ advice to make a final decision about what gets published. Therefore, it is important to know how they make their decisions.

Journal editors are busy and usually have to make an initial decision on the suitability of a paper quickly. When first faced with a manuscript they usually look at the cover letter, abstract, conclusion and references. They use this to judge whether the submission is in scope for the journal and of sufficient impact. Editors always aim to evaluate the novelty and significance of a paper against the expectations of the readership and the impact of the journal.

Journal editors want to publish good quality research that is of interest to their readers

Your submission is more likely to be accepted if it:

• Is within the scope of the journal
• Is novel and describes research that advances the field (see the tip in the right column about “mega” or “sound research” journals)
• Adds to an active research field
• Is carefully prepared and formatted with all required sections present
• Uses clear and concise language
• Follows ethical standards
• Your manuscript should relay a scholarly message that clearly explains the importance of the study.

TIP : Some journals describe themselves as “mega” or “sound research” journals, which means they accept and publish all articles that their reviewers and Editors deem to be methodologically sound, without regard to novelty or the amount of activity in their fields. These journals can often offer fast review due to skipping the evaluating for novelty phase. 

TIP : once you have written your manuscript get a colleague to read it and provide feedback on how the manuscript flows. If necessary rewrite your manuscript so it reads well and grabs the attention of the editor.

Cover letters

A good cover letter can help to “sell” your manuscript to the journal editor. As well as introducing your work to the Editor you can also take this opportunity to explain why the manuscript will be of interest to a journal's readers, something which is always at the forefront of an Editor’s mind. As such it is worth spending time writing a coherent and persuasive cover letter.

The following is an example of a poor cover letter:

Dear Editor-in-Chief, I am sending you our manuscript entitled “Article Title,” by Researcher et al. We would like to have the manuscript considered for publication in the Journal. Please let me know of your decision at your earliest convenience. With my best regards, Sincerely yours, A Researcher, Ph.D.

Instead, check to see whether the journal’s Instructions for Authors have any cover letter requirements (e.g. disclosures, statements, potential reviewers). Then, write a letter that explains why the editor would want to publish your manuscript. The following structure covers all the necessary points that need to be included.

• If known, address the Editor who will be assessing your manuscript by name. Include the date of submission and the journal’s name. 
• First paragraph: include the title of your manuscript and the type of manuscript it is (e.g. review, research, case study). Then briefly explain the background to your study, the question you sought to answer and why.
• Second paragraph: you should concisely explain what was done, the main findings and why they are significant.
• Third paragraph: here you should indicate why the readers of the journal would be interested in the work. Take your cues from the journal’s aims and scope. For example, if the journal requires that all work published has broad implications explain how your study fulfils this. It is also a good idea to include a sentence on the importance of the results to the field.
• To conclude state the corresponding author and any journal specific requirements that need to be complied with (e.g. ethical standards).

TIP : Most journals list their Editorial Boards on their website. You can check the Editorial Board for the chief Editor, and sometimes find the name of the Editor responsible for the specific section into which your work falls. 

TIP : All cover letters should contain these sentences:

We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal.

All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to [insert the name of the target journal].

Submission checklist

Before submitting your manuscript, thoroughly check its quality one more time. Evaluate it critically—could anything be done better?

Be sure that:

• The manuscript follows the Instructions for Authors
• All files are in the correct file format and of the appropriate resolution or size
• The spelling and grammar are correct
• You have contact information for all authors
• You have written a persuasive cover letter

Peer review process

Peer review exists to ensure that journals publish good research which is of benefit to the entire scholarly community.

Sometimes authors find the peer review process intimidating because it can lead to the rejection of their manuscript. Keep in mind that revisions and improvement are part of the publication process and actually help raise the quality of your manuscript.

Peer review is a positive process

Peer review is an integral part of scholarly publishing that confirms the validity of the research reported. Peer reviewers are experts who volunteer their time to help improve the journal manuscripts they review—they offer authors free advice.

Through the peer-review process, manuscripts should become:

• More robust: Peer reviewers may point out gaps in your paper that require more explanation or additional experiments.
• Easier to read: If parts of your paper are difficult to understand, reviewers can tell you so that you can fix them. After all, if an expert cannot understand what you have done, it is unlikely that a reader in a different field will understand.
• More useful: Peer reviewers also consider the importance of your paper to others in your field and can make suggestions to improve or better highlight this to readers.
• Of course, in addition to offering authors advice, another important purpose of peer review is to make sure that the manuscripts published in the journal are of the correct quality for the journal’s aims.

Different types of peer review

There are different forms of peer review used by journals, although the basis is always the same, field experts providing comments on a paper to help improve it. The most common types are

• Closed—where the reviewers are aware of the authors’ identities but the authors do not know who reviewed their manuscript.
• Double blind—in this case neither authors nor reviewers know each other’s identities.
• Open—where the reviewers are aware of the authors’ identity and the reviewers’ identity is revealed to the authors. In some cases journals also publish the reviewers’ reports alongside the final published manuscript.

You can learn more about the peer review process, including how to serve as a peer reviewer, in our forthcoming peer review tutorial. 

Next: Common rejection reasons

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• Published: 27 April 2023

What’s in your cover letter?

Nature Cancer volume  4 ,  pages 437–438 ( 2023 ) Cite this article

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What are the dos and don’ts of cover letters and how can authors maximize their value?

Accompanying a submitted manuscript with a cover letter is not mandatory at this journal, meaning that a Nature Cancer editor would not reject a study because of a missing cover letter, but including one is customary and in some cases it is essential. Considered more generally, a cover letter is an additional tool at the author’s disposal to enhance communication with the editor and provide important information about the submission. From an editorial perspective, a well-written, informative cover letter can be a useful add-on when assessing a manuscript.

A cover letter is essential when important information must be conveyed directly to the editor in a confidential manner. For instance, if the authors have related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere, they are required by our policy to disclose this in the cover letter and provide these studies for the editor’s perusal (and, if deemed essential, also for the perusal of the referees). This does not apply to preprints of the submitted manuscript, but authors are welcome to state in the cover letter whether they have deposited a preprint ( a practice we encourage ).

Also essential to raise in the cover letter are cases of manuscripts co-submitted to our journal, explaining the arguments for their co-publication. Although at Nature Cancer each submission is evaluated on its own merits for its potential to be published as a standalone study, we always strive for editorial consistency in our decisions and consider ways in which to enhance a paper’s message and visibility. Co-publication of two individually strong, independently confirmatory or conceptually complementary studies can be a powerful argument for further editorial consideration.

If an author opts into double-anonymous peer review , the mechanism that allows reciprocal anonymity between authors and referees, the cover letter is where authors should include the full author names, order and affiliations, and the mandatory acknowledgements section, author contributions statement and competing interests declaration, for the submission record. This information can be moved to the manuscript after successful completion of the peer review, while the study is being prepared for publication.

Filed under essential, but sometimes overlooked by authors: cover letters are the place to raise editor-confidential issues of a more sensitive nature. Chief among these are situations of direct and active competition in the form of similar manuscripts by other groups that are in preparation or under consideration elsewhere. The cover letter is where authors should mention any such cases and relevant specifics, to enable the editor to successfully navigate the competitor landscape facing the manuscript and direct the peer-review process speedily.

The cover letter is also a place to summarize information that could be collected in other parts of the manuscript submission form, to simplify editorial handling of the study. For example, authors can state any prior interactions with Nature Cancer editors in the cover letter. In addition, at this journal we permit up to three referee exclusions, and the cover letter is a good place to note which researchers the authors would prefer were not contacted as referees. It is also a good place to list referee suggestions. Even though the editor is not bound by them (after all, referee selection is a critical part of an editor’s job and involves careful vetting for expertise and potential conflicts of interest, among other things), we always welcome suggestions for potential experts in different fields, as we continuously aim to expand our pool of reviewers.

Beyond these practical uses, a cover letter becomes particularly valuable when authors use it as a written substitute for an in-person interaction with the editor through which to give a high-level pitch of the study and share their enthusiasm about it. Editors are scientists, even if we have left the lab. Beyond identifying the papers we consider suitable for our journal on the basis of their scientific merits, their level of advance in light of the published literature, their depth of experimental and analytical development and broad interest and relevance to the cancer field, our job involves sharing in the excitement of scientific discovery and championing the papers we peer review and publish. Through the cover letter, authors can communicate directly to us why their study is exciting, why it is important for the field and why it should be published in our journal and no other. This should not be done by reiterating the information included in the abstract — the editor will read not only the abstract but also the full manuscript, in detail — or through platitudes and vague statements about research that is paradigm-shifting. All work published in Nature Cancer aims to further knowledge and cures for this family of diseases, be it through fundamental scientific discovery, preclinical investigations, or translational or clinical work. Stating in the cover letter that a manuscript contributes to the field in this broad manner amounts to a truism as far as this journal is concerned. Editorially, we are more interested in the ‘how’. How is this study furthering the understanding and treatment of cancer in an important, impactful way that will advance or alter the way the field thinks?

Thus, the cover letter is the author’s opportunity to share not only the salient points of their work — its main message and key findings — but also their candid perspective on the major points of advance and importance. It goes without saying that this information should be presented in detail in the manuscript itself and that ultimately the editor will determine which aspects might weigh for further consideration of the paper at this journal. However, a cover letter with the authors’ clear point of view — a snapshot that zooms into the essentials — can aid the maturation of the editorial perspective on the study. In the cancer field, papers can be interdisciplinary, with multiple threads that come together into one complex story. Do the authors consider the key advance to be foundational, translational or clinical, or is there a technical point of major interest? Is the study answering an important open question or going against long-held ideas? Is the take-home message a much-needed cancer drug, model or method, or a new layer of fundamental knowledge? Focusing on specifics, mentioning key literature and highlighting implications for the field, while flagging limitations and steering clear of hype, are important for getting across the authors’ view on the implications of their work. Although not mandatory, if not already present in the manuscript figures, a graphical abstract can be included in the cover letter to summarize the key findings in a visual manner.

In outlining this information, it is important to be succinct. The editor will assess the full manuscript in depth, so lengthy repetition in the cover letter is not helpful. Ideally the cover letter should be about a page long.

To summarize: do include a cover letter with your submission. Do not rehash the abstract. Focus on the key findings. Do not forget to include limitations and challenges. Convey the importance of your work — do not underplay it, but also avoid overhyping. Include information for the editor’s eyes only. Flag prior interactions with editors. Keep it short and to the point.

We hope these pointers are helpful and look forward to reading your submitted manuscripts and their accompanying cover letters!

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What’s in your cover letter?. Nat Cancer 4 , 437–438 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43018-023-00559-2

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Tips for Grads: How to write a good cover letter

By Foram Gathia, PhD student

Writing a compelling cover letter is essential for making a positive impression on potential employers. Here’s a guide to crafting a strong cover letter:

• Start with a Strong Introduction : Address the hiring manager by name if possible and mention the specific position you are applying for. Engage the reader with a captivating opening sentence that highlights your enthusiasm and sets the tone for the letter.
• Highlight Your Relevant Skills and Experience : Tailor your cover letter to the job description by emphasizing the skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate. Provide specific examples of past achievements that demonstrate your qualifications for the role.
• Showcase Your Personality and Passion : Use the cover letter as an opportunity to showcase your personality and passion for the industry or company. Share insights into what motivates you and why you are excited about the opportunity.
• Demonstrate Your Knowledge of the Company : Research the company and mention specific aspects that appeal to you or align with your values. This demonstrates your genuine interest and initiative.
• Close with a Strong Call to Action : End the cover letter with a confident closing statement expressing your eagerness to further discuss your qualifications in an interview. Thank the employer for considering your application and include your contact information.

Remember to keep the cover letter concise, focusing on quality over quantity, and proofread carefully for grammar and spelling errors. A well-crafted cover letter can significantly enhance your job application and increase your chances of landing an interview.

These tips are based on the Beyond Graduate School cover letter webinar as well as the Harvard Business Review article “ How to Write a Cover Letter ”.

Naturalist Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

Use these Naturalist cover letter examples and writing tips to help you write a powerful cover letter that will separate you from the competition.

Table Of Contents

• Naturalist Example 1
• Naturalist Example 2
• Naturalist Example 3
• Cover Letter Writing Tips

Naturalists are responsible for the study and conservation of the natural world. They collect data about plants, animals, and the environment, and use this information to make recommendations about conservation and land management.

When you’re applying for a naturalist position, you’ll need to highlight your experience and knowledge in your cover letter. Use these examples and tips to write a cover letter that will show hiring managers that you’re the perfect candidate for the job.

Naturalist Cover Letter Example 1

I am excited to be applying for the Naturalist position at the nature center. I have a degree in Environmental Science and more than five years of experience working as a park ranger and environmental educator. I am passionate about connecting people with nature, and I firmly believe that the nature center is the perfect place to do that.

I have a wealth of experience leading nature walks and teaching environmental education classes. I am also proficient in creating and implementing educational programs for all ages. I am confident that I can provide an engaging and informative experience for visitors of all ages.

In addition to my educational background and experience, I also have a strong background in customer service. I pride myself on my ability to connect with people and create a positive and welcoming experience for everyone who visits the nature center. I am excited to bring my skills and passion to the nature center and help connect people with the natural world.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon with more information about the Naturalist position. I am confident that I have the skills and experience to be a valuable member of the team at the nature center.

Naturalist Cover Letter Example 2

I am writing to apply for the Naturalist position that was recently advertised on your website. I am confident that I have the skills and qualifications that you are looking for, and I am eager to put my experience to work for your organization.

I have been working as a Naturalist for the past three years, and during that time I have developed a strong understanding of the natural world and the skills necessary to teach it to others. I am an experienced educator, and I have a proven track record of success in the classroom. I am confident in my ability to engage and educate students of all ages.

In addition to my teaching experience, I have also developed a strong background in research. I have conducted my own research projects, and I have also worked as a research assistant on several major projects. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the scientific method and the ability to analyze data effectively.

I am confident that I can be a valuable asset to your organization, and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further with you. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Naturalist Cover Letter Example 3

I am writing to express my interest in the Naturalist position with your organization. I believe that my experience and education make me an excellent candidate for this position.

I have been working as a naturalist for the past three years at the Green Valley Nature Center. My duties there include leading nature walks, giving presentations on local flora and fauna, and educating the public about environmental issues. I also work as a naturalist at the Audubon Society of New York, where I lead tours through their wildlife sanctuary.

My experience has given me the opportunity to develop my communication skills as well as my knowledge of the environment. I have learned how to interact with people of all ages and backgrounds, which is an important skill for a naturalist. I have also learned how to present information in a way that is both informative and entertaining. This is an essential skill when dealing with children or adults who are not interested in learning about nature.

I am confident that my experience and education will allow me to be an asset to your organization. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my qualifications in person. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Naturalist Cover Letter Writing Tips

1. show your passion for nature.

When writing a cover letter for a naturalist position, it’s important to show your passion for nature. One way to do this is by describing your experience in the field, whether it’s through work or personal experiences. You can also highlight your knowledge of plants and animals, as well as your ability to identify different species. If you have any awards or accolades related to your work in the natural world, be sure to mention them in your cover letter.

2. Tailor your letter to the specific job opening

When applying for a job as a naturalist, it’s important to tailor your letter to the specific job opening. This means reading the job description carefully and highlighting any of your skills and experience that match the requirements of the position. For example, if the job listing asks for someone with experience in plant identification, be sure to mention any plant identification courses you’ve taken or projects you’ve worked on in the past.

3. Demonstrate your communication skills

As a naturalist, you’ll be working with people from all walks of life, so it’s important to showcase your strong communication skills. This can be done by providing examples of past projects where you had to communicate with clients or stakeholders to achieve a common goal. You can also talk about your experience working with different types of people, such as children, adults, or the elderly. This will show hiring managers that you have the necessary skills to handle any type of customer.

4. Proofread your cover letter

Just like with any other position, it’s important to proofread your cover letter before submitting it. This will help you catch any errors in spelling or grammar, which could potentially disqualify you from getting an interview.

Enrollment Specialist Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

Police records clerk cover letter examples & writing tips, you may also be interested in..., benefits specialist cover letter examples, quantitative research analyst cover letter examples & writing tips, portfolio analyst cover letter examples, worship leader cover letter examples & writing tips.

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Cover letter

A well-written cover letter clearly explains why the submission will be of interest to the journal's readers.

It should also be used to highlight any potential issues such as related manuscripts currently under consideration in any other Springer Nature publication, as well as indicating whether you have had any prior discussions with a Springer Nature editor about the work described in the manuscript.

It is an opportunity to declare that the manuscript is not being considered for publication in any other journal and recommend or exclude reviewers (including the reasons why).

Finally, it can be used to address any issues encountered while submitting the manuscript. 

Cover letter checklist:

• Check the journal’s Instructions for Authors for any cover letter requirements on the journals homepage.
• Address the editor who will be assessing your manuscript by their name, if known.
• Include the date of submission and the journal you are submitting to.
• First paragraph: Include the title and article type (e.g. review, research, case study)  and briefly explain the background and question you sought out to answer and why.
• Second paragraph: Concisely explain what was done, the main findings and why they are significant.
• Third paragraph: Indicate why the readers of the journal would be interested in the work by showing how your study fulfils the aims and scope of the journal and point out the importance of it. 
• To conclude, state the corresponding author and any journal-specific requirements that need to be complied with (e. g. ethical standards).
• All cover letters should contain these sentences: "We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal. All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to [insert the name of the target journal]."

For more detailed information, please check How to submit a journal article: Cover letters . 

For a complete tutorial on article submissions, please check Submitting a journal manuscript and peer review .

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How to write a cover letter for a scientific journal

• by kayciebutler
• July 19, 2021

There is a lot of great stuff for you in this post on how to write a cover letter for a scientific journal, so if you are skipping around, make sure you don’t miss:

How to write a cover letter for a scientific journal Your FREE Word template for writing a cover letter A helpful infogrpahic to visualize the contents of your cover letter

or you can listen to this post in a video format:

Ready to go with the text version? Great – let’s get started!

Recap of previous post

Recapping from our previous post on what not to include in your cover letter ,  there was a list of items that that your cover letter SHOULD include:

• an indication that you are familiar with the content that the journal typically publishes
• a BRIEF, DIRECT description of where the field stands , as fits the journal (1 paragraph MAX)
• a gap in the field (1 sentence)
• how your research filled that gap (1 paragraph MAX, combined with research conclusions)
• a BRIEF description of your research findings OR relevant techniques used. This is solely to indicate your suitability for their journal and what you write depends on the type of content they are seeking (1 paragraph MAX, combined with paragraph on research design)
• an explanation of exactly why your content fits with the journal (1 paragraph, combined with readership below)
• an explanation of how/why your research will interest the readership of that journal  (1 FULL paragraph…yes really.)

Why you shouldn’t let your results speak for themselves when you write a cover letter for a scientific journal

Notice that my above list includes detailed descriptions of how long each section of the cover letter needs to be. Yes, if you follow my suggestions, your cover letter will be about three full paragraphs. No, you absolutely cannot “tweak” the suggestions above and make 2.9 of them about your research and add a stock line that mentions the journal name as a reason why it should be considered for publication.

You know the line:

“We feel that our manuscript will be a good fit for the readership of XXX journal.”

No no no – DON’T write that. Not only does it tell the editor nothing at all, it also makes it seem like you were too lazy to look up any specifics.

At this point, you need to sell your manuscript to the editor, not provide enough details to pass a peer-review, and anything more than a brief and concise summary of your results is way too much.

In fact, the point is to entice the editor to open the manuscript – giving a brief “teaser” is a more effective strategy.

The over-providing of facts without context is a common problem in science. We researchers operate on data points and concrete details, and it feels more “legit” to throw as many facts as possible at someone to help them see your point.

Unfortunately, to someone who has to sort through thousands of article submissions a year to judge which are worthy for inclusion, that often feels like you are handing them this:

Is your editor going to put together that puzzle to see the big picture of your research and how it fits into their journal? Oh, maybe. If they are having a slow day, they might. Or if they haven’t had too many great submissions lately, sure.

But what if they just had a couple FANTASTIC papers accepted? Are they going to be so inclined to assemble your puzzle? What if they are tired that day and don’t feel like putting together a puzzle? What if someone walks into their office and distracts them partway through your puzzle? Are they going to pick it up again?

I’m going to guess not.

Don’t let the fate of your manuscript rest on how recently your editor refreshed their coffee before reading your cover letter.

By limiting the space taken by your research to one paragraph, you can still give the editor enough facts to make an informed decision and, more importantly, will have the space to show the editor exactly how your manuscript fits into the puzzle that is their journal’s wants and desires.

So, don’t think of the last suggested paragraph of your cover letter as taking up valuable space you could be using to squeeze in more facts. This paragraph is actually where you are assembling the puzzle for your editor. Instead of giving them the jumble of pieces, your last paragraph is making sure you give them something that looks much more like this:

Isn’t that a much more appealing scenario for your editor?

Ok, so now we know that we want to allow the editor to see the overall picture, but how do we do that in a cover letter? What important things need to be included for this to happen?

Do your background research

First, you need to know the journal you are applying to and why your paper fits that journal. How do you learn this?

Let’s use Nature Methods as an example journal. First, you should always have some idea about the types of content that a journal publishes based on reading other papers from that journal. To make sure you are as specific as you can, though, when writing your cover letter, first google Nature Methods:

Right on the Google search screen, you can see a section titled “About the Journal”, which will give you the aims and scope of the published journal content. The Aims and Scope section of each journal is your golden ticket, because it tells you in no uncertain terms exactly how to focus your cover letter. From this, you can see exactly what to highlight in your paper based on what the journal is looking for and the points you should make sure stand out to your editor. Have a look:

The highlighted points here are the exact things you want to discuss about your paper.

Use your last paragraph, where you tie your research into the desired journal, to give examples of each of these points to indicate exactly how your research is what the journal is looking for.

Nature Methods is actively looking for new chemical techniques that can enhance biological study. Do you have one of those? If so, make sure you say exactly that in your cover letter.

Do you describe a method, give its validation, and use this method to answer an important biological question? Tell the editor that all of those things are in your paper, and indicate what biological question you answered (hint – if you DIDN’T do that, though, why are you trying for Nature Methods?).

Is your work immediately applicable? If so, highlight that and provide evidence. Would it be useful in industry as well as academia? Tell the editor that and tell them why you can appeal to both audiences.

Obviously it goes without saying that your article does have to fit the journal.

I’m definitely not encouraging you to make up information to make it seem like your article fits.

But even an article that fits a journal can be overlooked by an editor if they cannot immediately see how the puzzle fits together. Your cover letter should show the editor that what you are giving them is exactly what they want so that they don’t have to think about it and possibly overlook something important.

Don’t make them guess! Give them a better picture of your research’s place in their journal than a jumble of puzzle pieces, and you’ll have a more convincing application to their journal.

Put it all together to write your cover letter for a scientific journal

The easiest way to put this altogether is to use my FREE Word template. It has the appropriate headings, needed key lines, and space for each of the paragraphs I am  going to describe below.

You cna get this template delivered instantly to your inbox by going here:

Click here for your FREE Word template for writing a cover letter for a scientific journal!

Otherwise, I recommend splitting your cover letter into three key paragraphs:

• Title of your manuscript, type of manuscript (article, communication, etc.), and brief description of the problem in your field that your paper exists to solve.
• Start with a one sentence summary of the paper, including how it addresses the problem or gap mentioned above. Follow this with a brief description of the main findings of the paper and their implications.
• Indicate how this work fits with the aims and scope of the journal and why it would interest the readership of that journal.

If you prefer to see this visually, you can check out this infographic that shows the layout of the cover letter, including the key information for each paragraph (click to enlarge):

And that’s it – all you need to know to write your cover letter for a scientific journal.

Don’t forget to that you can always use the template for a bit more help .

Otherwise, happy writing and let us know how it went in the comments!

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