Strong Academic Cover Letter: Key Steps

An academic cover letter is a crucial component of your job application in the education field.

It provides an opportunity to introduce yourself, showcase your qualifications, and explain why you're a perfect fit for the position you're looking for.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential elements of an effective cover letter that grabs the attention of hiring committees and helps you land your dream job.

What is academic cover letter?

While your CV offers a detailed list of accomplishments, the cover letter is where you bring your personality, drive, and alignment with the institution’s goals to the forefront.

Here are examples of academic CV for comparison:

Use template Download PDF

Use template Download PDF

Use template Download PDF

Rather than just fulfilling a formality, it’s an opportunity to craft a narrative that explains why you’re the best candidate for the role.

A carefully composed letter can immediately highlight your qualifications and set you apart from others in the pool:

• Customizing your document with keywords for each specific position demonstrates a genuine interest and commitment.
• A clear, well-structured paper communicates attention to detail and professionalism

Create your professional Cover letter in 10 minutes for FREE

Build My Cover Letter

Types of academic cover letters

The format you choose depends on the specific position you’re applying for and the institution’s expectations.

While the core purpose remains the same—introducing yourself, showcasing your qualifications, and demonstrating your passion for the role—different academic settings may require distinct styles of writing. Here’s a breakdown of some common ones:

How to write an academic cover letter?

1. Header

Begin with your name and contact details, followed by the institution’s information.

Dr. Emma Callahan
emma.callahan@berkeley.edu
(510) 221-0987
Department of History, UC Berkeley
3229 Dwinelle Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720

2. Greeting

Direct your salutation to the committee chair or hiring professor when known.

Dear Professor Jonathan Ruiz,

Example

If the specific recipient is unclear:

Dear Search Committee,

Example

3. Introduction

State the position you're pursuing, where you found the listing, and a snapshot of your background.

I am applying for the Assistant Professor opening in the Department of History at UC Berkeley. As a historian specializing in postcolonial narratives, I admire your department’s dedication to interdisciplinary inquiry.

Example

4. Research Overview

Summarize your scholarly interests, major projects, and ongoing work.

My doctoral studies at the University of Michigan explored gender and power dynamics in colonial North Africa. The dissertation, Voices of Resistance: Women’s Agency Under French Rule, resulted in articles in Gender & History and The Journal of North African Studies. I am currently preparing a book-length manuscript that builds on this investigation.

Example

5. Instructional Experience

Describe your teaching responsibilities, classroom methods, and educational values.

At Michigan, I designed and taught undergraduate courses such as Colonial Encounters and Modern Middle Eastern History. My lessons emphasize engagement with archival sources and digital mapping tools. I foster inclusive discussions and structure assignments to encourage independent analysis and collaborative learning.

Example

6. Institutional Alignment

Emphasize how your academic perspective complements the department’s priorities and broader mission.

The department’s commitment to global scholarship and its initiatives in gender research align well with my academic goals. I am especially interested in the Global Histories program and look forward to contributing to its development through collaborative projects and cross-departmental events.

Example

7. Closing Statement

Express appreciation and note the included materials.

Thank you for reviewing my application. Enclosed are my CV, teaching philosophy, and letters of reference. I welcome the opportunity to speak further about how I can support your department’s mission and teaching goals.

Example

8. Signature

Finish with a courteous sign-off and your full name.

Sincerely,
Dr. Emma Callahan

Example

Academic cover letter examples

Assistant Professor Academic Cover Letter Sample

Dr. Emma Callahan
emma.callahan@berkeley.edu
(510) 221-0987
March 5, 2025

Professor Jonathan Ruiz
Search Committee Chair
Department of History
University of California, Berkeley
3229 Dwinelle Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720

Dear Professor Ruiz,

I am writing to apply for the Assistant Professor position in the Department of History at the University of California, Berkeley. With a PhD in History from the University of Michigan and a research portfolio focused on postcolonial North Africa, I bring a strong commitment to both scholarship and undergraduate education.

My dissertation, Voices of Resistance: Women’s Agency Under French Rule, explores gendered resistance movements in Algeria and Tunisia during the early 20th century. This work has resulted in two peer-reviewed publications in Gender & History and The Journal of North African Studies. I am currently developing this research into a book manuscript. It situates North African women’s resistance within broader transnational debates on colonialism and feminism.

In addition to research, I have five years of teaching experience. This includes full responsibility for courses such as Modern Middle Eastern History, Colonial Encounters, and Global Gender Politics. I strive to create inclusive classrooms that encourage critical analysis and diverse perspectives. My teaching methods incorporate digital humanities tools—such as archival mapping and collaborative annotation platforms—to engage students with primary sources in dynamic ways.

I am particularly drawn to Berkeley’s emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and the department’s Global Histories initiative. I am excited about the possibility of contributing to the university’s intellectual community and mentoring students through collaborative research and public history projects.

Enclosed, please find my curriculum vitae, teaching statement, and three letters of recommendation. I would be honored to discuss how my experience and academic vision could support the department’s goals and ongoing initiatives.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Dr. Emma Callahan

Academic Cover Letter Template for a Postdoctoral Fellowship

Use template Download PDF

English Literature PhD Sample Academic Cover Letter

Dr. Nathaniel Porter
n.porter@columbia.edu
(212) 555-8173
April 22, 2025

Dr. Elaine Monroe
Chair, Search Committee
Department of English
Middlebury College
106 Mead Memorial Chapel
Middlebury, VT 05753

Dear Dr. Monroe,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the tenure-track Assistant Professor position in English Literature at Middlebury College. As a recent PhD graduate from Columbia University with a focus on 19th-century British literature and extensive experience teaching across genres and time periods, I am enthusiastic about joining an institution renowned for its commitment to rigorous undergraduate education and the humanities.

My dissertation, Specters of the Self: Identity, Memory, and the Gothic Imagination in Victorian Fiction, examines how authors like Emily Brontë, Charles Dickens, and Wilkie Collins used gothic elements to reflect anxieties around memory, domesticity, and empire. This project has resulted in a forthcoming article in Victorian Studies and forms the foundation of my current book manuscript. My broader research interests include gender theory, narrative studies, and transatlantic literary exchanges.

Over the past four years, I have designed and led writing-intensive courses at Columbia. It includes The British Novel from Austen to Woolf and Gothic Fictions and Cultural Hauntings. My approach to teaching is student-centered and discussion-driven, emphasizing critical reading, thoughtful argumentation, and inclusive pedagogy. I frequently incorporate contemporary parallels and multimodal materials to make classic texts accessible and relevant.

I am particularly drawn to Middlebury’s interdisciplinary environment and emphasis on global and comparative perspectives. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the English department’s curriculum. I would also like to engage with programs in Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies or Comparative Literature.

Please find enclosed my curriculum vitae, teaching portfolio, and three letters of recommendation. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my research and instructional experience could enrich your department’s mission and academic community.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Warm regards,
Dr. Nathaniel Porter

Research-Intensive Academic Cover Letter Template

Use template Download PDF

Academic Cover Letter Format Example for Adjunct Instructor

Dr. Lillian Cheng
lillian.cheng@unlv.edu
(702) 555-3614
May 5, 2025

Hiring Committee
Department of English
College of Southern Nevada
6375 W Charleston Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89146

Dear Hiring Committee,

I am writing to express my interest in the Adjunct English Instructor position at the College of Southern Nevada. I have a PhD in English from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and over five years of classroom experience. I am eager to support your department’s commitment to providing high-quality, accessible education to a diverse student population.

During my time as a part-time lecturer at UNLV, I taught a range of first-year writing courses and literature surveys. I have designed syllabi that incorporate inclusive texts, scaffolded assignments, and workshops that encourage peer feedback and reflection. My classes emphasize critical thinking, strong communication skills, and academic confidence—skills I believe are especially essential in a community college setting.

I am particularly drawn to CSN’s mission of fostering student success through innovative teaching and community engagement. Having worked with many first-generation and multilingual students, I adapt my instruction to meet learners where they are, offering both structure and flexibility to support their goals.

Enclosed are my CV, sample syllabus, and recent student evaluations. I would appreciate the opportunity to bring my dedication to teaching and inclusive pedagogy to your department.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to CSN’s academic community.

Sincerely,
Dr. Lillian Cheng

Conclusion

Writing an academic cover letter doesn't have to be overwhelming. By following the guide outlined in this article, you can create a document that highlights your qualifications, experience, and passion for the field.

Remember to tailor your letter to each case, showcasing your enthusiasm for the role and your unique abilities. With a well-crafted application, you're one step closer to securing your next academic opportunity.

Create your professional Cover letter in 10 minutes for FREE

Build My Cover Letter