Authored by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
The process of applying for a PhD can seem daunting and protracted. Nonetheless, with the right direction, it can evolve into a seamless and even exhilarating experience, aiding in a clearer understanding of your aspirations and passions. Here’s a basic guide for locating a PhD that fits you, drawn from my personal journey of discovering, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Reasons to pursue a PhD
Before you embark on your PhD quest, it’s important to grasp why you aspire to attain one. A PhD represents a significant commitment, and it’s vital that it corresponds with your objectives and interests. A PhD offers training to develop into an independent researcher, a skill essential for the career path I aim to follow.
Apart from technical training, I was drawn to the intellectual freedom and creativity that the academic world presents. My enthusiasm for science can only thrive if I engage with subjects that captivate me and perform experiments I am invested in, which is why I selected a PhD project that I was sincerely eager to investigate further. The ability to steer my project in my preferred direction is also a considerable advantage for me and stands out as one of my favorite elements of pursuing a PhD.
As straightforward as it may seem, I recommend creating a pros and cons list about undertaking a PhD prior to initiating your search, to verify that it’s genuinely what you wish to pursue – what do you expect a PhD to offer you?
The application procedure for a PhD
The application procedure usually encompasses several steps:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submitting the initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Interview(s)
- Conditional or formal offers
- Decisions regarding funding
Interviews often spotlight your reasons for applying, your grasp of the project, your past research experiences, and your approach to overcoming challenges. As I readied myself for interviews, I revisited my application, reviewed relevant literature, and reflected on my past experiences to ensure I could present them clearly and confidently during the discussions.
Locating a suitable PhD
Identifying a project first necessitates understanding what type of research excites you, the kind of work environment where you thrive, and the skills you aim to develop through the PhD. Some resources to aid in finding your PhD include:
- University websites, such as Imperial’s – seek out specific department pages where they enumerate all their available PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD portals and job boards like FindAPhD
- Webpages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and referrals from instructors or supervisors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application experience may vary slightly from yours. For my PhD, I received funding from my home country, so I merely needed to locate a research group engaged in a project that piqued my interest. To achieve this, I scoured the Imperial website, uncovered lists of researchers and research groups at Imperial, read summaries of their research, and delved into their research outputs.
Being a Master’s student at Imperial while searching for PhDs, I also consulted with my lecturers regarding which research groups they considered would be a suitable match for me. I discovered my current project supervisor through a list of research groups that my MSc course leader had provided.
The essential part is to engage with EVERYONE and aim to gather as much feedback as possible. I personally know a fellow PhD student who landed their project by chatting with a stranger in a pub who then connected them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.