Sample cover letter for Internship position at Vertex Pharmaceuticals

I am writing with regards to your research internship in chemical development. I believe that I am a perfect fit for this position, as I have strong interests in both chemistry and neuroscience. While searching for summer research opportunities, I focused on positions that provide experience in drug research and synthesis, while also approaching this chemistry form a neurological perspective. Given that upon graduating from Brown University I plan on entering an MD/PhD program with a goal of conducting neurologic drug research in the future, I feel that this summer research opportunity is a fantastic chance to follow my dreams.

As a chemical biology major at Brown University, I have completed many relevant courses, including general Neuroscience, Neurobiology, two semesters of Organic Chemistry, two semesters of Inorganic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Mammalian Physiology, and others. The majority of these courses also have rigorous attached lab sections that teach advanced techniques. For example, in organic lab I was well trained in advanced NMR techniques, including reading COSY, HMBC and HSQC. I also have experience in a laboratory studying the biological morphology of bats. Under the direction of Sharon Swartz and Nicolai Konow in the Swartz bat lab, I focused on analyzing flight data, and worked on securing a university research grant, in addition to participating in weekly academic discussions of research papers and educational supplements. Additionally, I helped organize an individual project focusing on the electrophysiology observed in swimming bats, although this experiment was ultimately not performed.

I am extremely driven, intelligent, hard-working, and I would relish the opportunity to demonstrate my abilities in the lab. I hope you will consider me for this Internship program because I truly feel that I am an excellent fit and because I would fully relish the opportunity to jumpstart what I am confident will become a long and fruitful career in pharmaceutical research.