Cold emailing
Scroll down for tips on cold emailing, examples of successful cold emails, and an email template
The blog above gives advice on how to approach companies more than research internships, but their advice can be implemented in all cold emails.
Who to reach out to
When contacting PhD students, check what point they are at in their PhD:
Easiest to find out through their LinkedIn page if they have one
Do not contact PhD students who will be in their 3rd year during the period where you want to be an intern, they will probably be in the write-up stage so will not need/want an intern
You don’t necessarily have to choose a PhD student doing a project that directly links to your previous experience. However, if you don’t have previous relevant experience, make it clear you have an interest in the subject by doing background reading – and be enthusiastic!
How to reach out
Make an overall template and from this tailor each email to the recipient, this can be done in several ways:
Find out more about their career via LinkedIn, can make comments on your interest in how they progressed from one role to another for example
If possible, find connections between your experiences/careers. Did both of you study at the same university? Did you partake in the same competition? Do you have colleagues in common (maybe you were taught by a professor they worked with or you met a mutual colleague at a networking event)?
Read papers from the lab (unlikely PhD students will have their own papers so look more generally at papers authored by other members of the lab and the PI)
Always attach your CV to the email
At the end of the email, make it clear you’d like to be put in contact with anyone else in the department/lab who has expressed interest in having an intern (this allows you to cast a wider net with fewer emails)
Examples - Research
Use these as a jumping off point for ideas, potential employers will not be receptive to an obviously copy-pasted email template.
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First year student
Neuroscience at UCL
Had originally cold emailed in 2023 about work experience
Seeking: Research experience in a laboratory setting
Offered: 6-8 week, unfunded research internship with hands-on work
Why this email works
Cites previous example of them taking initiative by reaching out via cold email
Gives all information necessary to consider (time frame, past experience, what they were looking for)
Cites relevant work experience which included extracurricular activities which shows commitment to the field
Dear […],
I hope you are well.
My name is […], I emailed you in mid 2023 about work experience shadowing and you very kindly offered me a place which I was unable to accept at the time. Since then, I came across your work again and that of your PhD student […], whom you mentioned before, and I find it incredibly fascinating!
Since then, I completed […relevant recent experience…]
I plan to […current plan for future career - what happens after your degree? doesn’t need to be specific just a general idea…]
I would love the opportunity to work with you through an internship or shadow someone in your lab to further gain experience. I understand internships are usually offered to second year students, but I believe I could be a valuable asset as I am an enthusiastic student who is ready to learn from the best! I would greatly appreciate an opportunity to get some more (potentially hands-on) lab experience.
I am available […rough dates that would work, avoid being too specific and give an ideal time frame probably around 6 weeks…]
If you know of anyone else at […place of work…] who would like to have / wouldn’t mind having a first year student shadow them or be an intern, I would also be very grateful if you could provide me with their name!
I have attached my CV below:
[…attached CV…]
Thank you and I hope to hear back from you soon.
Kind regards,
[…]
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Last year of high school
Interest in a career in research
Seeking: A week of hands-off research experience in a lab setting
Offered: A week of (mostly) hands-off research experience in a lab setting
Why this email works
Establishes common ground through their fundraising experience
States what they are looking for (since you are applying from a degree course, be more specific and could be improved by including rough dates and time period)
Uses personal statement (can do the same with a uni project) to segue into how they came across their work, evidence of reading the literature out of interest
Dear […],
My name is […] and I am in […year, stage of education, degree course…].
I came across your research in […research area…] at […university/department/company…] while exploring ideas for my personal statement.
I have been very fortunate to speak to several people who work at […], who informed me that some of the research is funded by […charity…].
[…spoke about fundraising experience for this charity…]. Discovering that the money I raised was potentially contributing to funding […whatever research they are doing…], was really amazing.
I plan to […current plan for future career - what happens after your degree? doesn’t need to be specific just a general idea…].
I would love the opportunity to spend a week with you to gain experience in a lab that is neuroscience focused. I am a quick and enthusiastic learner who would love this opportunity!
If you know of anyone else at […place of work…] who would like to have / wouldn’t mind having a high school student shadow them for a week, I would also be very grateful if you could provide me with their name!
I have attached my CV below:[…attached CV…]
Thank you and hope to hear back from you soon.
Kind regards,[…]
Template - Beyond Research
could be applicable to research
Dear […],
My name is […], and I am a […Year of Study…] student at […University…] studying […]. I am writing to express my strong interest in an internship opportunity at […place of work…].
I've been following […place of work…]'s work in […Industry/Specific Area…] for some time, and I was particularly impressed with […mention a specific project, initiative, or achievement of the company…]. Your recent work on […briefly describe a relevant project…] aligns closely with my interests in […mention your relevant skills or area of study…].
I've gained experience through […mention 1-2 key experiences and their relevant skills or areas of study…]. In a recent project, I […briefly describe a relevant accomplishment and how it relates to the internship…], which I believe demonstrates my ability to […connect your skill to the company's needs…].
I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss how my skills and enthusiasm can contribute to […place of work…] as an intern, as I believe I can be a valuable asset.
If you know of anyone else at […place of work…] who would like to have a student shadow them or be an intern, I would also greatly appreciate if you could make an introduction.
I have attached my CV below:
[…attached CV…]
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best wishes,
[…]