Authored by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
Applying for a PhD can feel daunting and protracted. Nevertheless, with the right support, it can transform into a smooth and even exhilarating journey, aiding you in clarifying your objectives and passions. Below is a general guide to help you locate a PhD that fits your needs, drawn from my own experiences in seeking, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Reasons to pursue a PhD?
Before you embark on your PhD search, it’s essential to grasp why you wish to obtain one. A PhD represents a significant commitment, and ensuring that it harmonizes with your goals and passions is vital. It offers training to become an independent researcher, a skill I deem essential for the career path I intend to follow.
In addition to technical education, I was drawn to the autonomy and innovation that academia presents. My enthusiasm for science can only extend so far if I’m engaged in topics that don’t interest me and experiments that don’t inspire me, so I opted for a PhD project that I was truly eager to delve into further. The ability to steer my project in the direction I choose is also a considerable advantage and one of my favorite features of pursuing a PhD.
Thus, as straightforward as it may appear, I would recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding a PhD before commencing your search to confirm if it is indeed something you desire – what do you believe a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application journey
The application journey generally consists of multiple steps:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submitting the initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Interview(s)
- Receiving conditional or formal offers
- Decisions on funding
Interviews often concentrate on your reasons for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experience, and your approach to overcoming obstacles. When I was getting ready for interviews, I revisited my application, reviewed pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences so I could present them clearly and confidently during the interviews.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project begins with recognizing what type of research excites you, which work environment suits you best, and what skills you aim to acquire from the PhD. Some resources you might utilize to find your PhD include:
- University sites, like Imperial’s – search for specific department pages listing their open PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD platforms and job boards such as FindAPhD
- Research group and supervisor websites
- Academic networks and advice from professors or supervisors
- Websites of funding bodies and doctoral training centers
My application experience may vary from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, thus I only needed to find a research group involved in a project that sparked my interest. To achieve this, I scoured the Imperial website, found listings of researchers and research groups, read descriptions of their work, and explored their research outputs.
As I was already a Master’s student at Imperial while on the hunt for PhDs, I also consulted my lecturers about which research groups they believed would align with my interests. I discovered my current project supervisor from a compilation of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The critical aspect is to communicate with EVERYONE and gather as much feedback as you can. I personally know a fellow PhD student who discovered their project by conversing with a stranger in a pub who connected them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.