Authored by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
Embarking on the journey to apply for a PhD can feel daunting and time-consuming. Nevertheless, with the right direction, it can transform into a seamless and even thrilling adventure, assisting you in clarifying your aspirations and interests. Below is a general guide for discovering a PhD that aligns with you, drawing from my own experiences in locating, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Reasons to pursue a PhD
Before you initiate your search for a PhD, it’s essential to comprehend why you wish to undertake one. Pursuing a PhD is a significant commitment, and ensuring it corresponds with your aspirations and passions is vital. A PhD equips you with the skills to become an independent researcher, an ability that is crucial for the career path I intend to follow.
Besides the technical expertise, I was drawn to the research autonomy and inventiveness that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science would only extend so far if I engaged in subjects I am not passionate about and conducted experiments that do not interest me, thus I selected a PhD project that genuinely captivated me. The liberty to steer my project in the direction I envision is also a considerable advantage for me and ranks among my favorite elements of pursuing a PhD.
Hence, as straightforward as it appears, I recommend crafting a list of advantages and disadvantages regarding a PhD before you embark on your search to confirm it is entirely what you wish to pursue – what do you envision a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application procedure
The application procedure generally encompasses a series of steps:
- Seek out a PhD
- Submit initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Interview(s)
- Conditional or formal offers
- Decisions on funding
Interviews typically concentrate on your reasons for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experiences, and your method of tackling obstacles. While I was preparing for interviews, I revisited my application, perused pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences so that I could articulate them clearly and confidently during the interviews.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project necessitates understanding what type of research intrigues you, which working atmosphere allows you to flourish, and what capabilities you aspire to acquire through the PhD. Some resources you can utilize to find your PhD include:
- University websites, such as those of Imperial – seek out specific department pages that list all available PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD platforms and job boards like FindAPhD
- Research group and supervisor web pages
- Academic networks and endorsements from professors or supervisors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application experience may vary slightly from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, so my main task was to locate a research group that aligned with my interests. To achieve this, I explored the Imperial website, identified lists of researchers and research groups affiliated with Imperial, reviewed their research descriptions, and examined their research outputs.
Since I was already enrolled as a Master’s student at Imperial while seeking PhDs, I conversed with my lecturers about which research groups they believed would be a suitable match for me. I discovered my current project supervisor through a compilation of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The crucial aspect is to engage with EVERYONE and gather as much feedback as possible. I personally know a fellow PhD candidate who discovered their project by conversing with a stranger in a pub, which eventually connected them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.