Written by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
Embarking on a PhD journey can feel daunting and prolonged. Yet, with the right support, it can transform into a seamless and even exhilarating experience, enabling you to gain a clearer understanding of your aspirations and passions. Here’s a basic guide to help you find a PhD that fits you, derived from my own experiences in searching, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Why should you pursue a PhD?
Prior to beginning your search for a PhD, it’s essential to grasp the reasons behind your desire to pursue one. A PhD represents a long-term commitment, and it’s vital to ensure that it aligns with your personal goals and interests. It offers the training required to become an independent researcher, a crucial skill for the career I wish to embark upon.
In addition to the technical training, I was drawn to the autonomy and innovation that the academic world provides. My enthusiasm for science has its limits if I’m engaged in subjects that fail to interest me and performing experiments that don’t capture my attention, which is why I selected a PhD project that genuinely excited me. The ability to steer my project in any direction I choose is also a considerable benefit for me and stands out as one of my favorite features of undertaking a PhD.
Thus, as straightforward as it may appear, I recommend creating a pros and cons list for pursuing a PhD before beginning your search to confirm that it is genuinely what you want to do – what do you envision a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application process
The application process typically includes several phases:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submitting the initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Interviews
- Conditional or formal offers
- Decisions on funding
Interviews usually concentrate on your reasons for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experience, and your approach to overcoming challenges. When I prepared for my interviews, I revisited my application, read pertinent literature, and reflected on my experiences to discuss them articulately and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project begins with understanding which type of research inspires you, what environment you flourish in, and which skills you seek to acquire from the PhD. Some resources for locating your PhD include:
- University websites, including Imperial’s – search for specific department pages where they enumerate all available PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD portals and job boards like FindAPhD
- Web pages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks along with recommendations from professors or supervisors
- Websites of funding bodies and doctoral training centers
My application experience may vary slightly from yours. For my PhD, I obtained funding from my home country, so I merely needed to find a research group aligned with my interests. To achieve this, I explored the Imperial website, discovered lists of researchers and their groups, read the descriptions of their work, and examined their research outputs.
As I was already a Master’s student at Imperial while I searched for PhDs, I also consulted my lecturers about which research groups they believed would suit me well. I found my current project supervisor through a list of research groups shared by my MSc course leader.
The key is to communicate with EVERYONE and gather as much insight as possible. I know a fellow PhD student who