Written by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
Embarking on a PhD application can feel daunting and protracted. Nevertheless, with the right advice, it can transform into an effortless and even thrilling adventure, aiding you in clarifying your aspirations and passions. Here’s a basic guide for discovering a PhD that fits your needs, drawn from my own experiences of locating, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Why pursue a PhD?
Before you commence your PhD hunt, consider why you wish to undertake one. A PhD entails a significant commitment, and confirming that it resonates with your ambitions and interests is essential. It equips you with the skills to become an autonomous researcher, which is vital for the career path I aspire to follow.
In addition to specialized training, I was drawn to the intellectual independence and inventiveness that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science has limitations if I’m engaged in subjects I find uninteresting and performing experiments that do not inspire me, so I opted for a PhD project that genuinely captured my interest. The ability to steer my project in my desired direction is also a major benefit for me and ranks among my favorite components of pursuing a PhD.
As straightforward as it may appear, I recommend creating a pros and cons list for undertaking a PhD prior to initiating your search to confirm it’s something you genuinely wish to pursue – what do you believe a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application process
The application journey generally consists of multiple phases:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submissions for initial applications
- Shortlisting candidates
- Conducting interviews
- Receiving conditional or formal offers
- Determining funding options
Interviews usually center on your motivations for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experience, and your problem-solving strategies. In preparing for interviews, I revisited my application, reviewed pertinent literature, and thought about my experiences to articulate them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Finding a PhD
Discovering a project begins with understanding what type of research ignites your enthusiasm, what environment fosters your productivity, and what skills you wish to acquire during your PhD. Here are some resources for locating your PhD:
- University websites, like Imperial’s – search for specific departmental pages where they showcase all open PhD positions
- Centralized PhD platforms and job boards such as FindAPhD
- Webpages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks along with referrals from faculty or mentors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application process may differ slightly from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, so I merely needed to identify a research group focused on a project that intrigued me. To achieve this, I explored the Imperial website, examined lists of researchers and their research groups, read about their work, and looked into their research outputs.
As I was already a Master’s student at Imperial while seeking PhD opportunities, I also consulted my professors regarding which research groups they believed would be suitable for me. I discovered my current project supervisor from a compilation of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The vital aspect is to converse with EVERYONE and garner as much advice as you can. I know a fellow PhD student who found their project by engaging with a stranger in a pub, who then connected them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.