How to Cold Email a Professor for Research Opportunities
What is a cold email?
A cold email is a brief message sent to someone you have not yet met. You might send a cold email to introduce yourself, set up an informational interview, or ask about opportunities.
Basic Guidelines
- Use your own words - AI tools can be a helpful starting point when drafting a cold email to a professor such as helping you draft a structure for your message. However, any email you send should ultimately reflect your own voice, interests, and experiences. Do not copy and paste a generated message without proofreading and rewriting the contents in your own words.
- Keep it short - You might feel the need to include as much information as you can in your initial email to capture the professor's attention. Paradoxically, a long email can be harder for the professor to quickly identify the purpose of your message and may cause them to put it aside for later. Keep the email succinct, purposeful, and clear to make it easy for the professor to digest and write back. The email should explain who you are and what you are asking for.
Cold Email Instructions
Before you start writing your email, make sure to attach an updated resume and your transcript. You will be referencing your resume in the email and the transcript lets professors know what psychology courses you have taken.
Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself with your name, year in school, and major(s)/minor(s). State your purpose for the email.
My name is Sophie and I am a second-year student at UC Davis majoring in Psychology with a biological emphasis. I am reaching out to see if your Learning Lab has any open positions for an undergraduate research assistant.
Paragraph 2: Elaborate on what is listed in your resume and how your past experiences will make you a successful Research Assistant. Share your skills and how those skills will benefit you as a Research Assistant. Make sure you share specific examples of how you have used your skills as these statements will be more compelling with evidence.
In my current role as a secretary for the Psychology Club, I have strengthened my communication and organization skills. For example, I keep detailed records of our meetings, which require accuracy and attention to detail. I also manage the logistics of our professional development workshops, demonstrating reliability and the ability to stay organized. These experiences show that I can communicate clearly, follow procedures, and contribute effectively as a Research Assistant.
Paragraph 3: Touch on why you are pursuing this specific lab. Showcase your knowledge of the lab by mentioning a recent publication or a current study. Tie your experiences back into the purpose of the lab and how this relates to your personal interests. You can also share more about what you hope to gain from this experience.
I’m particularly interested in joining your lab because of your recent study on adolescent learning strategies. It closely aligns with my experience as a primary school tutor and my interest in how students develop academic skills. My tutoring experience showed me how differently students understand and process information, and I’m eager to learn how research can deepen that understanding. I hope to contribute to your ongoing projects while gaining hands-on experience in study design and data collection.
Paragraph 4: Close it out by restating your purpose, listing out any email attachments, and expressing gratitude.
I would love to be a part of the research team. I have attached my resume and transcript for more detailed information. Please feel free to reach out for any further questions or concerns. Thank you for your time and consideration.