How to Contact Professors for Supervision or Funded Positions

Jul 19, 2024

How to Contact Professors for Supervision or Funded Positions

Introduction

  • Presenter: Victor
  • Location: Cologne, Germany
  • Topic: Contacting professors for supervision or funded positions in academic settings

Importance of Contacting Professors

  • Necessary for some universities to get supervision assurance or for funded projects

Victor's Success Rate

  • Contacted several professors during his academic journey
  • 90% response rate from professors
  • Non-responses due to factors like sabbaticals or changing universities

Email Template for Contacting Professors

Title of Email

  • Keep it simple:
    • Prospective Master's/PhD Candidate: Request for Supervision
    • Application for Funded/Research Scholarship
  • Indicate the exact purpose clearly for immediate context

Body of the Email

Salutation

  • Use correct titles and names:
    • Dear Professor [Last Name] / Dear Dr. [Last Name]
  • Ensure correct spelling of names, especially non-English names

First Paragraph: Self-Introduction

  • Include:
    • Your name
    • Country
    • Qualification (Bachelor's, Master's)
    • Intended position (department, university)

Second Paragraph: Research Interest

  • Summarize research interests and proposal:
    • Proposed topic
    • Research question
    • Methodology
  • Mention attached documents (CV, detailed research proposal)

Third Paragraph: Alignment with Professor’s Interests

  • State how professor’s work aligns with your research:
    • Mention papers, conferences, interviews, books by the professor
    • Explain how these inspired your work and align with your research

Fourth Paragraph: Request and Intent

  • Express your intent explicitly:
    • Request for supervision
    • State the importance of the professor’s fit for your research

Fifth Paragraph: Confirmation of Availability

  • Ask professor to confirm availability
  • Mention importance of supervisor's availability for certain university requirements

Additional Tips

  • Some universities need a supervisor's consent before admission
  • Example: University of Warwick
  • Importance of confirming supervisor's intended availability

Summary

  • Steps for the contact letter:
    1. Introduction
    2. Research interest
    3. Argument of aligned interests
    4. Request for supervision
    5. Confirmation of availability
  • Include attached CV and research proposal if required

Conclusion

  • Check other video resources for application tips and guidance
  • End note: "Until next time, bye bye"