Composed by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
Embarking on a PhD journey can feel daunting and protracted. Yet, with the right support, it can transform into a seamless and even exciting adventure, facilitating a deeper understanding of your aspirations and passions. Here is a basic outline for locating a PhD that fits you, informed by my own journey of discovering, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Reasons to pursue a PhD
Before you initiate your PhD search, clarify your motivations for pursuing one. A PhD represents a significant commitment, and it is vital to ensure it is in harmony with your aspirations and interests. This degree provides the training needed to become an autonomous researcher, which is vital for the career I intend to follow.
In addition to the technical training, I was drawn to the academic freedom and creativity it affords. My enthusiasm for science has its limits if I’m engaged in subjects I’m not passionate about and running experiments that don’t excite me; hence, I selected a PhD project that I was truly eager to investigate further. The ability to steer my project in the direction I choose is also a notable benefit for me and ranks among my favorite components of undertaking a PhD.
As straightforward as it may seem, I recommend crafting a pros and cons list regarding pursuing a PhD before you commence your search to ensure it’s what you genuinely desire to do – what do you believe a PhD will offer you?
The process of applying for a PhD
The application journey generally consists of several phases:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submitting the initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Interview(s)
- Receiving conditional or formal offers
- Decisions on funding
Interviews typically concentrate on your reasons for applying, your grasp of the project, your previous research experience, and your approach to overcoming challenges. To prepare for interviews, I revisited my application materials, explored pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences to convey them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
Finding a project starts with recognizing what type of research ignites your enthusiasm, the working environment in which you excel, and the skills you hope to acquire through the PhD. Some resources you might consider for discovering your PhD include:
- University websites, such as that of Imperial – seek out specific department pages where they list all available PhD positions
- Centralized PhD portals and job boards like FindAPhD
- Pages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and referrals from instructors or supervisors
- Websites of funding bodies and doctoral training centers
My application experience might vary from yours. For my PhD, I obtained funding from my native country, so I primarily needed to identify a research group engaged in a project of interest to me. To achieve this, I navigated the Imperial website, located lists of researchers and research groups, reviewed their research descriptions, and examined their research outputs.
Since I was already a Master’s student at Imperial during my PhD search, I also consulted with my lecturers to identify which research groups they believed would suit me well. I discovered my current project supervisor through a collection of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The essential point is to engage with EVERYONE and strive to gather as much input as possible. I know a fellow PhD student who uncovered their project by chatting with a stranger in a pub who introduced them to their current principal investigator (PI) and