Authored by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
The process of applying for a PhD can be daunting and protracted. Nevertheless, with the right guidance, it can transform into a seamless and even exhilarating experience, assisting you in clarifying your objectives and passions. Below is a general outline for discovering a PhD that fits your needs, grounded in my own journey of locating, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Reasons to pursue a PhD
Prior to embarking on your PhD hunt, it’s essential to comprehend your motivations for wanting to pursue one. A PhD entails a significant commitment, and ensuring it corresponds with your aspirations and interests is vital. It offers the training necessary to become an autonomous researcher, which I regard as a vital ability for the career path I wish to take.
In addition to the technical training, I was drawn to the liberty and innovation that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science would only extend so far if I engaged in subjects that don’t interest me and carried out experiments I don’t find appealing, which is why I opted for a PhD project that I was truly eager to investigate further. The autonomy to direct my project as I choose is another major benefit for me and is one of my preferred elements of pursuing a PhD.
Thus, as straightforward as it may seem, I recommend crafting a pros and cons list regarding pursuing a PhD before initiating your search to ensure it’s something you genuinely wish to chase – what do you believe a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application journey
The application journey generally contains multiple phases:
- Search for a PhD
- Initial application submission
- Shortlisting
- Interview(s)
- Conditional or formal offers
- Funding decisions
Interviews frequently concentrate on your reasons for applying, your grasp of the project, your previous research experience, and how you tackle challenges. When I prepared for interviews, I went back over my application, reviewed relevant literature, and reflected on my experiences to articulate them clearly and assertively in interviews.
Searching for a PhD
Identifying a project first necessitates understanding what type of research captivates you, what working environment you excel in, and what skills you aim to acquire from the PhD. Some resources you can utilize in your PhD search include:
- University websites, like Imperial’s – look for specific departmental webpages that detail all their available PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD portals and job boards such as FindAPhD
- Research group and supervisor webpages
- Academic networks and recommendations from lecturers or supervisors
- Funding body and doctoral training center websites
My application experience may vary slightly from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, so I simply needed to locate a research group working on a project that piqued my interest. To achieve this, I navigated the Imperial website, found listings of researchers and research groups, reviewed descriptions of their work, and explored their research publications.
As I was already enrolled as a Master’s student at Imperial while seeking PhDs, I also consulted with my lecturers regarding which research groups they believed would align well with my interests. I discovered my current project supervisor through a list of research groups shared by my MSc course leader.
The essential strategy is to consult with EVERYONE and gather as much feedback as possible. I personally know a fellow PhD student who discovered their project by engaging in conversations with