Hello guys,
I'm applying for a PhD position in Computational Neuroscience, and since it's very important for me I need your help in order to make this SOP look amazing :) Thank you in advance for your help! Here it goes:
To the attention of
EPFL Doctoral Program Committee
EPFL, Lausanne - Switzerland
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to the Doctoral School committee applying for the PhD position within the Blue Brain Project team.
Research interests. I have been very passionate about science ever since I was a boy, and my father gave me an Encyclopedia of Universe. Since then, I feel a particular joy in seeking to find or understand the basis for things that happen, that are, that might be, or that were.
I chose to study Computer Science because I was fascinated by what could lie beyond the computer interface, and how is possible that mechanical algorithms manage all those feats at once. But the fact that I specialized in this field did not restrain me from forming a personal, deep understanding of physics, psychology and genetics. In particular, I am interested in how the brain work, because it means studying the glasses that see the world in and around ourselves.
My biggest dream is to increase the stock of human knowledge with my researches, and contribute to shed some more on the functioning of the human mind. Understanding the brain requires insights from different subjects, and that is one of the things that I like the most, being myself eager to dive into a multidisciplinary field. On the other side, my training in artificial intelligence provided me the tools for developing critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as a computational view of the mind. Therefore, I am extremely attracted by the Blue Brain project, directed by Prof. Henry Markram.
Academic background. Within my bachelor studies in Computer Science I developed an ability to quickly learn new tools and technologies. This skill has proved very useful both both at work (where I have successfully dealt with different ways of software development) both in academia (when I found myself developing various projects). My interest in human-machine interaction led me to undertake a bachelor thesis for a Web museum, building a bridge between digital works of art and human emotions.
It was during my master's degree that I eventually explored the themes of artificial intelligence and remained fascinated by them. I then realized that I want to pursue an academic career in order to give my contribution in the computational study of the mind. My master thesis was about emotion synthesis in artificial agents, and it was developed with a high degree of autonomy, since none at the University of Turin was an expert in the field.
My work in the field of affective computing earned me an invitation to the first international conference "Standards in Emotion Modelling", where I presented a paper based on my thesis. This experience has been very important for me and has helped to strengthen my commitment to pursue a career in research. I also have a particular interest in education and in the diffusion of knowledge, interest that I pursue volunteering as a translator for the online school "Khan Academy" and "Ted: Ideas worth spreading".
Career goals. I am sincerely convinced that my skills and motivation can be extremely useful for the improvement of the life of others through research. I would like to take as much profit as possible from my further education in order to have the best possible impact in my future research activities. The study of the brain can make a huge difference in our modern life, and a realistic simulation of the brain has the potential to help many researchers to test their own hypothesis.
During my academic career I realized how important is to be surrounded by students and supervisors with high motivation and outstanding skills in order to realize successful and satisfying works. I chose the EPFL for its great reputation of world-class research and because it has the tools and resources to realize ambitious projects. Its multicultural environment is really a plus, since it reminds me of my past Erasmus experience and all the energy and motivation that it has given me.
The quality of its research, its international recognition and visibility as well as the quality of its alumni makes EPFL my first choice to pursue my academic career.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
etc...
I'm applying for a PhD position in Computational Neuroscience, and since it's very important for me I need your help in order to make this SOP look amazing :) Thank you in advance for your help! Here it goes:
To the attention of
EPFL Doctoral Program Committee
EPFL, Lausanne - Switzerland
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to the Doctoral School committee applying for the PhD position within the Blue Brain Project team.
Research interests. I have been very passionate about science ever since I was a boy, and my father gave me an Encyclopedia of Universe. Since then, I feel a particular joy in seeking to find or understand the basis for things that happen, that are, that might be, or that were.
I chose to study Computer Science because I was fascinated by what could lie beyond the computer interface, and how is possible that mechanical algorithms manage all those feats at once. But the fact that I specialized in this field did not restrain me from forming a personal, deep understanding of physics, psychology and genetics. In particular, I am interested in how the brain work, because it means studying the glasses that see the world in and around ourselves.
My biggest dream is to increase the stock of human knowledge with my researches, and contribute to shed some more on the functioning of the human mind. Understanding the brain requires insights from different subjects, and that is one of the things that I like the most, being myself eager to dive into a multidisciplinary field. On the other side, my training in artificial intelligence provided me the tools for developing critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as a computational view of the mind. Therefore, I am extremely attracted by the Blue Brain project, directed by Prof. Henry Markram.
Academic background. Within my bachelor studies in Computer Science I developed an ability to quickly learn new tools and technologies. This skill has proved very useful both both at work (where I have successfully dealt with different ways of software development) both in academia (when I found myself developing various projects). My interest in human-machine interaction led me to undertake a bachelor thesis for a Web museum, building a bridge between digital works of art and human emotions.
It was during my master's degree that I eventually explored the themes of artificial intelligence and remained fascinated by them. I then realized that I want to pursue an academic career in order to give my contribution in the computational study of the mind. My master thesis was about emotion synthesis in artificial agents, and it was developed with a high degree of autonomy, since none at the University of Turin was an expert in the field.
My work in the field of affective computing earned me an invitation to the first international conference "Standards in Emotion Modelling", where I presented a paper based on my thesis. This experience has been very important for me and has helped to strengthen my commitment to pursue a career in research. I also have a particular interest in education and in the diffusion of knowledge, interest that I pursue volunteering as a translator for the online school "Khan Academy" and "Ted: Ideas worth spreading".
Career goals. I am sincerely convinced that my skills and motivation can be extremely useful for the improvement of the life of others through research. I would like to take as much profit as possible from my further education in order to have the best possible impact in my future research activities. The study of the brain can make a huge difference in our modern life, and a realistic simulation of the brain has the potential to help many researchers to test their own hypothesis.
During my academic career I realized how important is to be surrounded by students and supervisors with high motivation and outstanding skills in order to realize successful and satisfying works. I chose the EPFL for its great reputation of world-class research and because it has the tools and resources to realize ambitious projects. Its multicultural environment is really a plus, since it reminds me of my past Erasmus experience and all the energy and motivation that it has given me.
The quality of its research, its international recognition and visibility as well as the quality of its alumni makes EPFL my first choice to pursue my academic career.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
etc...
