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Advice needed on cover letter for phd

  • 12-06-2010 10:10pm
    #1
    digiology
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 180 ✭✭


    Hi all,


    I'm thinking of applying for a phd in Germany in a large research institute, the position is as a result of a new research group in a sub-field of cognitive psychology.

    The page says that they are looking for people with a masters in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science or related fields.
    I have a masters in none of these but I am somewhat knowledgeable about the field and very interested in it.

    My problem is that I do not have any specific research questions that I could propose, I certainly have lots of unanswered questions these may well be a result of ignorance (I have a few more books to read!), I have little that I could say with confidence that needs to be researched.

    I'm wondering what are their typical expectations of a phd applicant? They ask for "a cover letter (max. 2 pages) that also specifies your future research interests" which is hardly a phd proposal I suppose!

    Do they normally filter people based on their skills/experience/results and then work with the candidates to come up with a proposal or do they expect a crystal clear issue to be proposed at the outset? I don't need my hand held but I would need a little guidance and time.
    The other question I would have is, is it common for phd students to work on multiple projects over the course of the phd? I would be open to suggestions by supervisors over the period and perhaps maybe thats what they're looking for.

    The latest starting date isn't until January so I'd definitely have a proposal by then, it would be a good idea to apply soon though just in case (the positions are open until they are filled but its been two months now).

    So I basically am well capable of this and very interested but I feel that I'll come across as too indecisive if I apply now! That said, the field itself its reasonably narrow, and any application is implicitly expressing an interest in a small range of topics.


    Any thoughts?


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