Written by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
Embarking on a PhD application can feel daunting and protracted. Yet, with the right guidance, it can transform into a smooth and even exhilarating journey, aiding you in clarifying your aspirations and passions. Here’s a general guideline for identifying a PhD that fits you, inspired by my own experience of locating, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
What motivates the pursuit of a PhD?
Prior to beginning your search for a PhD, it’s vital to comprehend your reasons for wanting one. A PhD represents a serious commitment, and ensuring it aligns with your personal goals and interests is crucial. Pursuing a PhD equips you with the training necessary to become an autonomous researcher, a skill I find vital for my future career trajectory.
In addition to technical training, I was drawn to the liberty and inventive spirit that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science would only take me so far if I worked on subjects that don’t pique my interest and carried out experiments I wasn’t passionate about, which is why I opted for a PhD project that truly captivated me. The ability to steer my project is also a considerable benefit for me and stands out as one of my preferred elements of a PhD journey.
As straightforward as it may appear, I’d suggest creating a list of advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a PhD before you kick off your search to confirm it’s something you genuinely wish to chase – what do you anticipate a PhD will bring you?
Navigating the PhD application journey
The application journey generally encompasses several phases:
- Search for a PhD
- Initial application submission
- Shortlisting
- Interview(s)
- Conditional or formal offers
- Funding decisions
Interviews typically concentrate on your reasons for applying, your comprehension of the project, previous research experience, and your problem-solving approaches. During my preparation for interviews, I revisited my application, studied relevant literature, and contemplated my experiences to articulate them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project begins with understanding the type of research that excites you, the work environment that fosters your success, and the skills you aspire to acquire from the PhD. Some resources you can utilize to find your PhD include:
- University webpages, such as those of Imperial – look for specific departmental pages where all their available PhD positions are listed
- Centralized PhD platforms and job boards like FindAPhD
- Webpages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and advice from professors or mentors
- Websites of funding bodies and doctoral training centers
My application experience may vary slightly from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, so my primary task was to identify a research group focusing on a project that intrigued me. To achieve this, I navigated through the Imperial site, accessed lists of researchers and research groups at Imperial, reviewed their research descriptions, and examined their research outputs.
As I was already a Master’s student at Imperial during my PhD search, I consulted with my professors about suitable research groups for me. I discovered my current project supervisor from a list of research groups forwarded by my MSc course leader.
The crux is to converse with EVERYONE and endeavor to gather as much feedback as possible. I personally know a fellow PhD candidate who found their project by engaging in conversation with a complete stranger.