研究室訪問、インターン、大学院留学、ポスドク留学などをする際には、行き先の教授に英語でメールを送る機会があると思います。私も、インターンや留学の際には、志望する研究室にメールを送る機会がありましたが、どんな件名にすれば良いのか、どんな英語表現を使えば良いのかいろいろと悩みました。そこで今回は、英語で教授にコンタクトを取る際に、使えそうな表現や文例をご紹介します。英語で文章を書くのが苦手、という人はぜひ参考にしてください。
件名（Subject）
件名は、自分が何を求めてメールをしているのか（研究室訪問・ポスドク先・サマーリサーチの機会）を明確にすると、読み手に伝わりやすくなります。
- Summer research in your group
- Prospective student for PhD program in bioengineering
- Interested Graduate Student
- Potential postdoc applicant
- Postdoc application for your group
- Request for lab visit
- Lab visit in July
- Inquiry about XX Laboratory (Your Name, University of YY)
- Undergraduate research opportunities in your group
- Possible research opportunities for a Master’s student
本文
まず、ポスドクポジションへの応募を例に、文章を一つ紹介します。
Dear Prof. Robert Grubbs,
My name is Minoru Tanaka, and I’m a graduate student in chemistry working with Prof. Saito at Osaka University, Japan. I’m contacting you because I’m interested in joining your group as a postdoctoral researcher after I complete my PhD study in March 2020. I have a postdoctoral fellowship from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), which covers about 56,000/year for two years.
My main interest is synthetic polymers with unique electrical and optical properties, and I have spent most of my time in graduate school developing polythiophene-based π-conjugated polymers for increased conductivity. I designed and synthesized novel monomers to control the degree of polymerization, which led to significant improvement in conductivity. I was especially thrilled that very little change in molecular structure (length of alkyl chain from two to four) significantly altered the rate of polymerization, as well as the morphology of the polymer product. Part of my work has been published in JACS (DOI: 00000) and ACS Central Science (DOI: 00000), and I’m also preparing a manuscript for submission.
I’m interested in working with you because I would like to study catalysts for olefin metathesis. In particular, I would like to develop chiral ruthenium catalysts for high enantioselectivity. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to control the physical properties of synthetic polymers in my PhD project, and found the reality that current techniques to synthesize polymers with controlled geometry is limited. I envision that the development of asymmetric olefin metathesis catalysts should enable the synthesis of novel polymer architectures.
I attached my CV for your reference to my academic background and list of publications. Please let me know if I should provide any additional information.
Sincerely,
Minoru Tanaka
Graduate Student in Saito Group, Osaka University
（※内容自体に関しては、思いついたことを適当に書いたので、自分の研究についてより深みのある内容にすると良いと思います。）
敬称について
教授の場合は”Professor”, “Prof.”, “Dr.”、教授以外の博士号取得者には”Dr.”、それ以外だと”Ms.”や”Mr.”を付けます。個人差や地域差はありますが、敬称や呼び方に特に拘らない人も多く、面識のない教授が相手でも同じコミュニティ内などであれば”Dear Bob”と下の名前で（しかもニックネームで）宛名を書く場合も普通にあります。私も、自分の指導教官はもちろん、授業や共同研究などで知り合った教授には”Hi Bob”というように下の名前でメールを書きます。ただし、初めてコンタクトを取る際には、”Prof. Grubbs”という風に書くのが無難だと思います。ちなみに、相手が教授以外で、博士号取得者かどうか分からない研究者の場合は、とりあえず”Dr.”を付けておくと良いと思います。
冒頭について
まず自分の名前を書きます。自分の身分については、学生の身分なら、undergraduate/graduate/Master’s/PhD studentなどがあります。学部生の場合は、単にundergraduateと書くよりは、”I am a freshman/sophomore/junior/senior”と書くと、より具体的な年次が示せます。学生以外の研究職の場合は、research assistant（研究補助員）/research associate（学士号や修士号を持った研究員）/research scientist（博士号や修士号を持った研究員）at XX Research Instituteなどがあります。一度大学を出て企業で働いている場合は、以下のように現職と最高学位を示すと良いかもしれません。
“I am currently working for XX Therapeutics, after receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering at YY University (supervisor: Prof. ZZ).”
メールの目的について
メールの目的を示す文章は以下のように書き始めます。
- I’m writing to ask/inquire…
- I’m contacting you because…
- I’m sending this email because…
具体的な内容は、以下のような例があります。
- about research opportunities next Spring, ideally about three month starting around March or April.
- about a research opportunity for a visiting scholar
- about a visit to your group to present and discuss my research project
- about your group because I am applying to your school for my PhD
- about a potential postdoc position in your group
- if you are taking any graduate student next year
- I would like to visit your lab sometime in June because I’m interested in joining your group for PhD
- I’m interested to work in your group for my postdoctoral research
さらに、奨学金などの自己資金がある場合は、メール内で明示しておくと興味を持ってもらいやすいです。
- I’m awarded with Tobitate young ambassador program that covers up to $1300/month of living expense during my stay.
- My PhD study/postdoctoral research will be funded by XX foundation (~$22,000/year, for three years).
- My company provides the entire living expense and my salary, as well as $10,000 of research funding.
- My visit will be fully supported by the program in my university.
- I will be sponsored by the XX fellowship program, which covers all the cost of living and traveling.
申請中の場合や、奨学金の機会を探している場合は、以下のように表現できます。
- I’m currently applying for a fellowship in Japan, and the results will be announced by the end of March.
- I’d appreciate it if you could let me know about any fellowship opportunities in your university.
自分のバックグラウンドや興味について
自分のバックグラウンドや興味については、100~200 word程度で書くのが目安ですが、ポスドクの応募ならより詳しく、学部生の研究室訪問などならもっと短くても良いかもしれません。
- My background is bioinorganic chemistry, and I have worked on several research projects including XX and YY.
- I’m interested in XX, and I’ve been working on the project of YY in ZZ group since my sophomore year.
- My main interest is XX, especially YY. I have studied ZZ during my PhD.
なぜその分野に興味があるのか、自分の研究のどこが面白いのかについて述べたり、他にどのような経験があるのかを補足したりする表現には以下のような書き方があります。
- One of the reason I enjoy working on XX is I find YY is pretty thrilling.
- The most interesting finding in my study is…
- I was impressed/amazed/thrilled to learn…
- I also have some background in XX.
- I also have experience in XX.
また、発表論文について述べる場合は、以下のような表現があります。学部生の場合は、筆頭著者論文だけでなくても良いアピールになるので、著者の貢献度についても明記して示すと分かり易いはずです。（first-authored/co-authored paper）
- I have published several papers about my work: Nat. Commun. 2016, Science Advances 2018.（リンク付きで）
- My work has been published in XX.
- My first-authored paper has been submitted, and now under the review process.
- A manuscript for my work is in preparation, and soon will be submitted to a major chemistry journal.
- I’m currently preparing a manuscript for the work.
相手の研究室を志望する理由
相手の研究室の何に興味を持っているのか、どのような研究がやりたいのかは、以下のような表現で伝えられます。
- One of the reasons I’m interested in working with you is…
- I’d like to join your group because…
- Your group is my top choice to pursue my PhD since…
- I’d like to work on/study/investigate/develop/learn…
志望先の研究室の技術や研究環境、分野について自分の意見を述べるのも良いかもしれません。
- I believe XX lab is the leading group in this field.
- The technique of XX in your paper (Science Advances 2015) enables…
- Access to XX is also attractive to me.
- I believe one of the most important aspect in XX is that…
また、指導教官や知り合いの教授など、強いコネクションがある場合は、本文中で一言触れるのも良いかもしれません。志望先の研究室出身者と直接働いたことがある、という場合は、その人に自分についての評価を聞いてもらうよう伝えることもできます。
- My advisor (Prof. XX) also recommended your group.
- I also talked with your former student (XX) about her PhD project, and became very interested in your group.
- I have worked very closely with XX, so he’s better qualified than most to give an honest assessment of me.
締めくくり
研究室への応募の際などには、自分の経歴や論文リストを1-2ページにまとめたCVを添付しておくと相手にとって分かり易いです。添付をした場合は、本文中に以下のように示します。
- I have attached my CV for your review.
- Please find the attached CV for the detail of my academic background.
- Please review the attached resume for my background and list of publications.
メールの再送
教授は忙しく、なかなか返信をくれない場合が結構あります。1〜2週間経っても返信が無い場合には、メールを再送してみると良いかもしれません。
- I’m resending this email just in case you missed my previous email on February 2.
- I just would like to follow up the email I sent X days ago regarding the research opportunities in your group.
- I’m just wondering if you had a chance to take a look at my postdoc application I sent on January 20.
メールを再送する場合には、前回のメールを添付するのに加えて、回答しやすい簡潔な質問に変えるなどすると、返信を貰いやすくなります。
Dear Prof. XX
Just wondering if you had a chance to take a look at my email I sent 10 days ago. Could you briefly let me know if you are taking any student this year?
Sincerely,
XX
例文
最後に、上記で紹介した表現を使って例文をいくつか書いてみました。
件名：Appointment for lab visit
Dear Prof. XX,
I am XX, a junior student in bioengineering at Kyoto University. I would like to ask about the possibility to visit your group for a day this summer. I am planning to apply for grad schools in the US next year, and interested in joining your group as a graduate student. This summer I am visiting several universities to meet with professors I’m interested to work with, and I am wondering if you could meet with me to discuss on-going projects in your group. I am also hoping to attend your group meeting and/or meet with lab members, if possible.
I have two years of research experience in chemical biology with Prof. XX. I worked on the project of XX, and learned the experimental skills such as cloning, protein expression, mass spectrometry, and confocal microscopy. In graduate school, I’d like to work on biomaterials-related research. I was intrigued by your papers about XX, and I’m excited to discuss more if we have a chance to meet. For details of my academic record, please review the attached CV.
Regarding the schedule to visit your group, I am quite flexible from late July to the end of August. Please let me know if you would be able to meet with me.
Sincerely,
件名：Interested in your group for short-term research
Dear Prof. XX,
I am XX, a second-year Master’s student in XX lab at Hokkaido University. I would like to ask about possible research opportunities in your lab for three to four months early next year as a visiting student.
I have been working on XX. In particular, I enjoy XX. The reason I’d like to work in your group is I’m interested in XX. I was impressed by your research about XX, and would like to learn more about XX.
I’m currently applying for a fellowship program in my university to sponsor my visit, so I’ll follow up with the result shortly. It would be also helpful if you could let me know about any fellowship opportunities in your university that I’m eligible to apply.
I have attached my CV for your review. Please let me know if you are willing to host me. I’d be happy to provide any additional information.
Sincerely,
件名：Prospective graduate student
Dear Prof. XX,
I am XX, a second-year Master’s student in XX lab at Kobe University. I’m contacting you because I am planning to apply for PhD programs in chemistry this fall, and interested in joining your group. If possible, could you let me know if you are taking any students this year?
My background is XX, and I have been developing XX. I synthesized and characterized XX (manuscript being prepared). I have learned organic synthesis and various analytical techniques including XX, XX, and XX. During PhD, I would like to study XX. I’ve been following your research and I’m especially interested in your XX.
Please find the attached CV for your reference. Let me know if you are accepting any students this year. I would also be grateful if you could give me any tips for the application to your school.
Sincerely,
4. おわりに
研究室には、事務補佐（administrative assistant）がいる場合が多いので、研究室訪問やポスドクへの応募の際には、ccに入れて送るとやりとりがスムーズになります。一回目のメールで返信を貰えなくても、しばらく経ってからメールを再送すると返事がもらえるケースも結構あります。
文法の間違いはGrammarlyのようなツールを使うと簡単にできます。メールを書く際には、相手に気を使いすぎて、無駄に丁寧な表現を入れすぎてしまわないようにするのもポイントです。”Thank you”を何度も繰り返して文章が冗長になってしまうよりも、シンプルで読みやすいメールにする方が、忙しい相手にとって親切です。また、海外には謙遜の文化があまりないので、「英語には自信がありませんが…」「まだまだ研究経験が浅いですが…」といった表現はネガティブに受け取られてしまいかねません。逆に、強調表現（strongly, extremely, really, absolutely, veryなど）を多用しすぎると、言葉に重みがなくなるので注意が必要です。シンプルに必要な情報のみを盛り込んで、伝えたいことをクリアに表現することを心掛けると良いと思います。
