US postdoc application with one-page research statement (no cover letter!) [psychology/linguistics] For a one-year postdoc position (extendable up to three years) in psychology/linguistics in the US, I'm asked to submit a cv, two published works, and a one-page research statement (so, no cover letter).
I am wondering if I should understand this research statement as a short "cover letter"-type of writing, including past experiences, future plans, and why these plans fit in this department, or should I only describe my plan for the research project that I would like to carry on during that time?  Should I be really precise as to what and how I want to conduct research during that year?

Thank you!
The best answer to this comes from the institution itself and it is really impossible to know exactly what they expect. But your CV should cover your past work and general position. 

In the absence of any other information, I would think it best to focus on what you want to accomplish in the first year and an idea about how you will attack the issues. So, yes, pretty precise, but not pedantic. As always, write for the expected readers. If you know who you will be working with, it is probably them.