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EMBL Fellows' Career Service

Career guidance for early career researchers in the life sciences and related fields

Job applications

The key to successful applications is understanding the job advertisement and your audience, then tailoring your application materials to the specific role. You can find our detailed guidance on how to prepare easy-to-navigate and impactful job applications in our materials and relevant resources below.

Key questions:

  • Where can you find example application materials and get further advice on field/sector or country-specific application norms (e.g. via your network, informational interviews, online resources, other)?
  • What requirements and skills is the employer seeking? Who will be reviewing your application materials?
  • How can you best persuade the group leader, selection committee or hiring manager,  that you are the right candidate for the position?
  • What are the keywords from the job advertisement should you include in your application materials?

Postdoc positions

Group leaders seek motivated, independent postdocs with relevant technical skills, and prefer to recruit candidates directly rather than advertising positions. Be proactive in reaching out to them and make sure your application materials are concise and focus on your most relevant skills.

For the CV

  • Highlight relevant information: include the most relevant details – education, research experience, and technical skills – on the first page.
  • Describe the significance of your work: use bullet points not only to highlight your technical expertise but also to describe the impact of your work.
  • Show versatility: consider including examples from your lab work that show independence, team work and drive.

For the cover letter

  • Craft a compelling narrative: consider what points you want to bring across and develop a narrative that elaborate on these points along with your motivation to join their lab.

Do not forget that letters of recommendation from your PhD advisor, postdoc supervisor and/or collaborators are often required. Include their contact information at the end of your CV and inform them in advance when you are actively applying for positions.


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