Authored by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
Embarking on a PhD application can be a daunting and protracted endeavor. Nevertheless, with adequate direction, it can transform into a seamless and even thrilling adventure, aiding you in gaining a clearer perspective on your aspirations and passions. Below is a rough outline for discovering a PhD that fits your needs, drawn from my own journey in seeking, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
What motivates the pursuit of a PhD?
Prior to initiating your PhD search, it’s vital to comprehend why you wish to undertake one. A PhD entails a significant commitment, and ensuring it resonates with your aspirations and interests is essential. It offers training to develop as an independent researcher, a vital skill for the career I intend to follow.
In addition to technical skill development, I was drawn to the autonomy and innovative potential that academia provides. My devotion to science has its limits if I engage in subjects that do not pique my interest and perform experiments that fail to inspire me, prompting me to select a PhD project that I was truly eager to delve into. The ability to steer my project in a direction of my choosing is also a significant advantage and one of the aspects of pursuing a PhD I appreciate the most.
As straightforward as it sounds, I recommend creating a pros and cons list for undertaking a PhD before embarking on your search to affirm it’s genuinely what you aspire to pursue – what benefits do you believe a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application journey
The application journey generally consists of several phases:
- Searching for a PhD
- Initial application submission
- Shortlisting
- Interview(s)
- Conditional or formal offers
- Funding decisions
Interviews often delve into your reasons for applying, your grasp of the project, your previous research experience, and your approach to overcoming challenges. During my interview preparation, I revisited my application, perused pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences to articulate them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
Finding a suitable project begins with identifying what type of research inspires you, what work environment suits you best, and what skills you wish to acquire from the PhD. Here are some resources for discovering your PhD:
- University websites, like Imperial’s – check specific departmental webpages for their available PhD openings
- Centralized PhD portals and job boards like FindAPhD
- Research group and supervisor webpages
- Academic networks and referrals from lecturers or supervisors
- Funding organizations and doctoral training center websites
My application process may differ somewhat from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, so I merely needed to identify a research group working on a project that intrigued me. I accomplished this by navigating the Imperial website, locating lists of researchers and research groups, reading about their research, and reviewing their research outputs.
As I was already a Master’s student at Imperial during my PhD search, I also consulted my lecturers regarding which research groups they considered a good match for me. I discovered my current project supervisor through a list of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The critical factor is to communicate with EVERYONE and gather as much feedback as possible. I know a fellow PhD student who discovered their project through a conversation with a stranger in a bar, who then linked them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.
Securing funding for your PhD
If