Authored by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
Embarking on a PhD application can be a daunting and protracted procedure. Nevertheless, with the right guidance, it can transform into a seamless and even thrilling experience, aiding you in gaining clarity on your objectives and passions. Here’s a general outline for locating a PhD that fits you, informed by my own experiences in identifying, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Why chase a PhD?
Before initiating your search for a PhD, it’s vital to comprehend your motivations for pursuing one. A PhD represents a considerable commitment, and ensuring it corresponds with your aims and interests is paramount. A PhD equips you with the training to become an independent researcher, which I find to be an indispensable skill for the career I aspire to have.
In addition to technical training, I was drawn to the autonomy and inventive possibilities that academia presents. My enthusiasm for science can only flourish if I’m involved in topics that pique my interest and conducting experiments I am passionate about, leading me to select a PhD project that I was sincerely excited to delve into further. The ability to steer my project in the direction I choose is also a considerable benefit for me and ranks among my favorite features of undertaking a PhD.
As straightforward as it may seem, I recommend creating a list of pros and cons regarding pursuing a PhD before beginning your search to confirm it’s genuinely something you wish to do – what do you believe a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application journey
The application journey generally consists of various stages:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submitting the initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Interviews
- Conditional or formal offers
- Decisions on funding
Interviews frequently concentrate on your motivations for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experience, and your approach to overcoming challenges. When I prepared for interviews, I revisited my application, reviewed pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences so I could articulate them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project starts with recognizing what type of research captivates you, which working environment suits you best, and what abilities you hope to acquire from the PhD. Some resources to assist you in finding your PhD include:
- University websites, such as Imperial’s – search for specific departmental pages where they post all available PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD portals and job boards like FindAPhD
- Webpages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and recommendations from professors or supervisors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application process may differ slightly from yours. For my PhD, I obtained funding from my home country, enabling me to focus on finding a research group involved in a project that fascinated me. I achieved this by navigating the Imperial website, locating lists of researchers and research groups, reading about their research, and investigating their research outputs.
Since I was already a Master’s student at Imperial while searching for PhDs, I additionally consulted my professors regarding which research groups they believed would be a suitable match for me. I discovered my current project supervisor from a compilation of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The essential strategy is to converse with EVERYONE and gather as much feedback as possible. I personally know a fellow PhD student who discovered their project through