Written by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
Embarking on the journey to secure a PhD may feel daunting, yet with the right support, it can transform into an exhilarating and seamless experience, helping to refine your ambitions and areas of interest. Below is a basic guide to locating a PhD that matches your aspirations, derived from my own journey of identifying, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
What motivates you to pursue a PhD?
Prior to beginning your search for a PhD, it’s important to comprehend the reasons behind your desire to pursue one. A PhD is a significant commitment, and ensuring that it corresponds with your objectives and interests is paramount. A PhD equips you to become a self-sufficient researcher, a capability I consider vital for my professional goals.
In addition to technical expertise, I was drawn to the academic liberty and innovation that research entails. My enthusiasm for science would diminish if I were engaged in unengaging subjects or experiments, thus I opted for a PhD project that truly captured my interest. The autonomy to steer my project is one of the main benefits and a highlight of my PhD experience.
As trivial as it may seem, I recommend crafting a list of the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a PhD before embarking on your search to confirm it’s genuinely what you aspire to do – what do you anticipate a PhD will offer you?
Understanding the PhD application procedure
The application procedure typically comprises several steps:
- Search for a PhD
- Submit initial application
- Shortlisting of candidates
- Interview(s)
- Conditional or formal offers
- Decisions on funding
Interviews typically emphasize your reasons for applying, comprehension of the project, previous research experience, and approaches to overcoming challenges. In preparation for interviews, I reviewed my application, perused pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences to articulate them effectively and assuredly.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project necessitates recognizing what research inspires you, the type of work environment where you excel, and the skills you wish to acquire. Here are some resources to help you find your PhD:
- University websites, including Imperial’s – examine specific departmental pages that showcase open PhD opportunities
- Central PhD portals and job boards such as FindAPhD
- Webpages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and suggestions from faculty members or supervisors
- Websites of funding bodies and doctoral training centers
My application process might not align with yours. For my PhD, I obtained funding from my home country, necessitating that I locate a research group involved in a project that piqued my interest. I navigated the Imperial website, discovered lists of researchers and research groups there, read about their research, and examined their research outputs.
While I was a Master’s student at Imperial and searching for PhDs, I also sought advice from my lecturers on which research groups might align with my goals. My current project supervisor was found through a list of research groups that my MSc course leader provided.
The essential strategy is to engage with EVERYONE and collect as much feedback as possible. I know a peer in the PhD program who discovered their project merely by conversing with a stranger at a pub, who then connected them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.
Financing your PhD
If you are not self-financed, investigate various <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/postgraduate-doctoral/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="https://