Written by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
The journey of applying for a PhD can feel daunting and protracted. Nevertheless, with the right support, it can transform into a seamless and even exhilarating adventure, helping you clarify your aspirations and interests. Here is a basic guide to discovering a PhD that fits you, drawn from my personal encounters in identifying, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Reasons for pursuing a PhD?
Prior to embarking on your PhD search, grasp the reasons behind your desire to pursue one. A PhD demands a commitment, making it essential to ensure it aligns with your aspirations and interests. It equips you with the skills to become an independent researcher, a competence I seek for my future career.
Beyond just technical training, I was lured by the research autonomy and innovation that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science dwindles if I’m engaged in topics I find uninteresting or conducting experiments I lack passion for, prompting me to select a PhD project that I genuinely wanted to delve deeper into. The ability to steer my project in the direction I desire is also a significant advantage for me and stands out as one of my favorite elements of pursuing a PhD.
As straightforward as it seems, I recommend creating a list of pros and cons regarding pursuing a PhD before commencing your search to confirm that it’s an endeavor you genuinely wish to undertake – what do you envision a PhD will bring to your life?
The PhD application journey
The application voyage usually consists of multiple phases:
- Searching for a PhD
- Initial application submission
- Shortlisting
- Interview(s)
- Conditional or official offers
- Funding decisions
Interviews often hone in on your motivations for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experiences, and your problem-solving methodologies. While prepping for interviews, I revisited my application, perused pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences to articulate them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
To locate a project, you first must discern what type of research ignites your enthusiasm, the working environment where you flourish, and the skills you aim to acquire from the PhD. Here are several resources you can utilize for discovering your PhD:
- University websites, including that of Imperial – seek out specific department pages where they present their available PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD platforms and job boards like FindAPhD
- Research group and supervisor webpages
- Academic networks and suggestions from professors or supervisors
- Funding agency and doctoral training center websites
My application journey may vary slightly from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home nation, so my primary task was to locate a research group involved in a project that piqued my interest. To achieve this, I navigated the Imperial website, identified lists of researchers and research teams at Imperial, examined their research descriptions, and investigated their research outputs.
Having already been a Master’s student at Imperial while looking for PhDs, I also consulted my lecturers regarding which research groups they believed would suit me well. I discovered my present project supervisor from a compilation of research groups my MSc course leader had provided.
The essential aspect is to engage EVERYONE and seek as much feedback as possible. I personally know a fellow PhD candidate who stumbled upon their project by conversing with a stranger in a pub who