国外访问学者博士后申请信(Cover letter)的撰写非常重要，也是访问学者申请中必备的申请材料。
那么我们应该如何撰写申请信，在写作的时候又有哪些注意事项呢？撰写国外访问学者博士后申请信关键要做到内容简洁明了，不要像教材写的那样绚丽或者是公式化。
Cover letter的重要性
Cover letter，中文的意思可以理解为“用书面表达的形式向对方进行自我简介”，它是博士后职位申请的重要文书材料。几乎所有的海外导师都要求申请者付上Cover letter，因为他们要从Cover letter中看出你想要做什么工作以及你是否可以胜任该职位。
Cover letter的核心内容
精确的学术背景介绍
导师招聘博士后是为了找人承担工作，没有多余的时间以及经费让申请者临时接受额外的培训。故而，优秀的申请信需要明确地展示你的学术背景和研究方向与职位要求匹配或相似，暗示到达实验室即可很快上手开展工作。
简练的表达
当博士后招聘广告登出后，导师一般会收到成百甚至上千的求职信，他/她可能仅花几秒钟的时间浏览你的简历，Cover letter，进而判断你是否符合他/她的要求。所以在文书撰写时一定要注意申请信不要过长，明确主旨即可。
Cover letter的格式
右上角或信末为求职者的地址
左上角为海外导师的名字和地址
正文
求职者签名
正文的写法
1第一段写来信目的
第一段的第一句告诉导师你的信息来源，如果是通过招聘广告得知，可以参考以下句型：
From XXXX website (或其它来源) I learned about your need for a postdoctoral follow to investigate XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX(职位的内容)in Department of Biology，in Nebraska MedicalCenter。
如果是他人告知，可以参考以下句型：
My professor, XXXXX, never misses an opportunity to tell me of your need for a postdoctoral follow to investigate XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX(职位的内容)in Department of Biology，in Nebraska MedicalCenter。
第二句为你的目的：
如：I am very interested in this project, and believe that my background on molecular biology techniques and experience in HPLC，XXXX are appropriate for the position.
2第二段介绍学位和研究背景
写研究背景时应尽量往提供职位导师的研究内容靠拢。
如I have studied …(论文的研究内容). I applied …(具体实验方法)，and found that … (实验结果，尽量往导师研究方向靠拢，但应该有发表的文章支持)。(如果有未发表或正在作的，可以加)Now I am investigating on a project on …。
3第三段告诉导师预期工作起始时间，并附上结尾
结尾语可参考以下几个句子：
I have enclosed a resume as well as a brief sample of my writing for your review. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss further how I could contribute to your organization.
The enclosed resume describes my qualifications for the position advertised. I would welcome the opportunity to personally discuss my qualifications with you at your convenience.
I would appreciate the privilege of an interview. I may be reached at the address given above, or by telephone at XXXXXXXX.
Cover Letter模板
如果是即将毕业的申请者，因为没有工作经历，可以把重点放在学业上。下面是一篇以学历为主的模版。
Mr. Archie XXXX
California Investments, Inc.
25 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Dear Mr. XXXXX,
From Nature Journal website I learned about your need for a postdoctoral follow to investigate XXXXXX(职位的内容)in Department of Biology，in Nebraska Medical Center. I am very interested in this project, and believe that my background on molecular biology techniques and experience in XXXX are appropriate for the position.
I recently graduated (or will graduate) from the University of Oregon with a Ph.D in Biophysics, from where I have studied …(论文的研究内容). I applied …(具体实验方法)，and found that …(实验结果).
I have enclosed a resume as well as a brief sample of my writing for your review. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss further how I could contribute to your organization.
Sincerely,
John Oakley
7 Apple Court
Eugene, OR 97401
503-555-0303
责任编辑：
