Written by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
Embarking on a PhD journey may feel daunting, but with the right support, it can turn into a fruitful and enlightening experience, aiding you in honing your objectives and passions. Here’s a guide drawn from my own experiences in discovering, choosing, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Why consider a PhD?
Before initiating your PhD search, it’s vital to grasp your motivations for pursuing one. A PhD represents a considerable commitment, and it should resonate with your aspirations and interests. It provides the training needed to become an autonomous researcher, a competency I deem crucial for my professional goals.
In addition to technical training, I was drawn to the research liberty and innovation that academia presents. My enthusiasm for science would diminish if I engaged in uninteresting topics or experiments, so I selected a PhD project that truly piqued my curiosity. The ability to guide my project is a significant benefit and one of my preferred features of pursuing a PhD.
As straightforward as it sounds, I suggest crafting a pros and cons list before commencing your search to make sure a PhD is indeed what you desire. What are your expectations from a PhD?
The PhD application procedure
The application procedure typically consists of several steps:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submitting initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Interview(s)
- Conditional or formal offers
- Funding decisions
Interviews often emphasize your motivations, comprehension of the project, previous research experience, and your approach to challenges. When preparing for interviews, I revisited my application, reviewed pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences to articulate them distinctly and confidently.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project necessitates understanding which research ignites your interest, the environment in which you excel, and the skills you wish to acquire. Some resources for discovering your PhD include:
- University websites such as Imperial’s – examine departmental pages for open PhD positions
- Centralized PhD portals and job boards like FindAPhD
- Research group and supervisor web pages
- Academic networks and insights from lecturers or supervisors
- Funding agency and doctoral training center websites
My application experience may vary from yours. I secured funding from my home country, thus I had to identify a research group engaging in a project of interest. I navigated through the Imperial website, accessed directories of researchers and research groups at Imperial, reviewed their research summaries, and examined their outputs.
As a Master’s student at Imperial, I also sought advice from my lecturers regarding appropriate research groups. I discovered my current project supervisor from a list provided by my MSc course leader.
The essential approach is to connect with EVERYONE and gather as much insight as you can. I know a fellow PhD candidate who found their project by conversing with a stranger in a pub, who introduced them to their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.
Financing your PhD
If you’re not financing your studies independently, there are numerous PhD funding opportunities to investigate, including:
- Fully-funded PhD projects advertised by supervisors
- UK Research Council studentships
- External funding from