Authored by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
The process of applying for a PhD can be daunting and time-consuming. Yet, with adequate support, it can transform into a smooth and even exhilarating journey, aiding you in clarifying your aspirations and passions. Below is a general guide for identifying a PhD that fits your needs, drawn from my own experiences of discovering, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
What motivates one to pursue a PhD?
Before embarking on your PhD hunt, it’s essential to grasp why you aspire to obtain one. A PhD entails a significant commitment, and it’s vital to ensure that it resonates with your ambitions and passions. It equips you with the skills necessary to become an independent researcher, a competency I consider vital for my desired career path.
In addition to the technical training, I was drawn to the autonomy and inventiveness that academia presents. My enthusiasm for science can only flourish if I engage with topics that genuinely interest me and conduct experiments I care about, which is why I selected a PhD project that I was truly eager to delve into. The ability to steer my project in the direction I choose is also a major benefit for me and ranks among my most cherished elements of pursuing a PhD.
Thus, as straightforward as it may appear, I recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding pursuing a PhD before you commence your search to verify that it’s indeed something you aspire to do – what benefits do you envision a PhD will bring to you?
The journey of PhD applications
The application procedure generally encompasses several phases:
- Identifying potential PhDs
- Submitting your initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Participating in interviews
- Receiving conditional or official offers
- Decisions regarding funding
Interviews frequently concentrate on your motivations for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research background, and your strategies for tackling challenges. While I was preparing for my interviews, I revisited my application, reviewed relevant literature, and contemplated my experiences so I could articulate them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project requires you to discern what type of research ignites your enthusiasm, what kind of working environment you flourish in, and what competencies you wish to acquire through the PhD. Here are some tools to assist you in your PhD search:
- University websites, such as those of Imperial – seek out specific departmental pages that list all available PhD positions
- Centralized PhD databases and job boards like FindAPhD
- Research group and supervisor webpages
- Academic networks and suggestions from faculty or supervisors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application experience may vary from yours. For my PhD, I acquired funding from my home country, thus I only needed to find a research group that aligned with my interests. To achieve this, I navigated through the Imperial website, located lists of researchers and research groups, reviewed their research descriptions, and examined their research outputs.
As I was already 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. My current project supervisor came from a list of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The key is to engage with EVERYONE and gather as much feedback as possible. I know a fellow PhD student who discovered their project by conversing with a stranger in a pub who subsequently connected them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.