Help needed with science job application

[snoozymum]

Hi

I've seen a research job that I want to apply for and need some help with my application. I haven't worked for 5 years but before this, I was a research fellow working on my own projects with a technician/students. Also I haven't applied or a job in about 15 years (but have done numerous grant applications in this time) so not sure if I'm approaching this in the right way.

I'm trying to get everything into my covering letter without waffling too much. I've mentioned my career break, followed by a brief description of my previous 2 projects as a way of mentioning the techniques I used that are relevant to the vacancy. Now I'm stuck on my final paragraph. I want to say that I really like the sound of this job, and that I am the best scientist ever, but in a more professional way. Also, the vacancy is for a lower grade than I was previously which I actually prefer. Should I say anything about this? Can anybody help?

Firstly has you application form/CV/letter highlights that you meet the essentails asked for in the job description
When you mention your carrer break - have you put any non child related things you have been doing -eg volutnary work, keeping up with your field
I wouldn't worry about it being lower grade - given the carreer break I think that explains it with out spelling it out
just something concrete about what excites you about the job and high lighting the key skills will do
Do you have contacts in the department/field that you can have a chat to

Thanks for the advice. I hav highlightd all my relevant exeprience in the covering letter as well as it being outlined in my CV. I haven't really done anything relevant to the job so nothing much to add there. We've moved to a new city and I don't have any contacts.

Do you hink it would be rude to ask them to contact me before contacting referees. Dh thinks I should write to my referees now. I've already contacted 2 of them earlier this year to let them know I'd be applying for jobs. Do I really need a 3rd. Is this standard?

and obviously I will spell check before sending it off...

I can only say that when recruiting researchers, I advised applicants to state clearly in two or three sentences why they are attractive as a researcher, then why they want to work for that particular research group and group leader, mentioning relevant projects-briefly. State any awards or prizes or responsibilities high up in letter -eg 'i am a former research fellow commended at conference for work on turbulent flow modelling in circulatory systems. I have 15 years of research experience including 5 as project leader. I have been interested in applying my current knowledge to specific problems, and I am particularly interested in your recent work in solving inefficiency in artificial organ construction, especially paper one and paper two. I have additional skills in computational modelling including programming that I can bring to my work.

I appreciate that it is important for you to assess my capability in more depth and wonder if I could meet you and your team to discuss your research.'

I always advised direct contact where possible with group leaders and if possible, ask directly to meet. If that its agreed, then ask group leader if you can briefly meet colleagues as well.

Don't waffle about non science stuff..ime they don't care at all, unless poss project planning.

Use your last paragraph to ask directly to meet. Ime once they have read 'i am an ace researcher and I like and know about you' you are generally past that stage and into cv detail.

yes standard for academic in my experience to ask for three -I still after a very long time ask my Phd supervisor for the odd one - do give your referees a heads up - an email would be suffiicent - but unless they say they are going to take them up before interview they normally do it after job offer