Authored by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
Embarking on a PhD application can feel daunting and protracted. Nevertheless, with the right support, it can evolve into a seamless and even exhilarating experience, facilitating a deeper understanding of your aspirations and preferences. Here’s a general framework for locating a PhD that fits you, drawing from my own journey of discovering, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
What motivates you to pursue a PhD?
Prior to initiating your PhD search, it’s essential to clarify your reasons for wanting to pursue this path. A PhD involves a significant commitment, and ensuring that it resonates with your aspirations and interests is vital. A PhD equips you with the skills to become an independent researcher, which is necessary for the career I wish to follow.
In addition to technical expertise, I was drawn to the creative freedom and innovation that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science is limited if I am engaged in topics that do not spark my interest and conducting experiments that do not motivate me. Therefore, I selected a PhD project that truly captivated me. The liberty to direct my project according to my vision is also a considerable benefit and arguably my favorite aspect of pursuing a PhD.
Thus, as straightforward as it may seem, I recommend compiling a pros and cons list regarding pursuing a PhD before commencing your search to ensure it’s genuinely what you desire – what benefits do you believe a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application procedure
The application procedure generally consists of several phases:
- Identifying a PhD
- Submitting an initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Conducting interviews
- Receiving conditional or official offers
- Making funding decisions
Interviews typically concentrate on your motivations for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experience, and your approach to overcoming challenges. When preparing for interviews, I revisited my application, perused relevant literature, and reflected on my own experiences to discuss them articulately and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project first necessitates understanding what type of research ignites your passion, the environment in which you flourish, and the skills you wish to acquire from the PhD. Some resources you can utilize for finding your PhD include:
- University websites, like that of Imperial – seek specific department webpages listing their available PhD positions
- Centralized PhD databases and job boards such as FindAPhD
- Webpages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and recommendations from instructors or supervisors
- Websites of funding bodies and doctoral training centers
My application experience may vary slightly from yours. For my PhD, I obtained funding from my home country, which meant I needed to identify a research group engaged in a project that interested me. To accomplish this, I navigated the Imperial website, found directories of researchers and research groups at Imperial, read about their research, and reviewed their outputs.
As I was already enrolled as a Master’s student at Imperial during my PhD search, I consulted my lecturers regarding potential research groups that would suit me. I discovered my current project supervisor through a list of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The crucial aspect is to communicate with EVERYONE and seek as much feedback as possible. I know a PhD student who located their project by chatting with a stranger in a pub, who subsequently connected them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.