Written by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
Pursuing a PhD can feel daunting, but with the right support, it can be an effortless and thrilling experience, enabling you to refine your objectives and interests. Here’s a guide derived from my journey of discovering, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
What motivates you to get a PhD?
Before you begin looking for a PhD, it’s important to comprehend your reasons for wanting one. A PhD is a significant undertaking, and it’s vital to ensure it corresponds with your personal goals and interests. A PhD prepares you to become an autonomous researcher, a capability I deem essential for my professional ambitions.
In addition to the technical expertise I gained, I was drawn to the liberty and inventiveness that academia presents. My enthusiasm for science would diminish if I engaged in dull topics or experiments, which is why I opted for a PhD project that truly intrigued me. The ability to shape my project is an enormous benefit and one of my preferred elements of pursuing a PhD.
Although it may seem straightforward, I recommend creating a pros and cons list for obtaining a PhD before commencing your search to confirm it’s what you genuinely desire—what do you expect a PhD to offer you?
The PhD application procedure
The application procedure typically includes several steps:
- Search for a PhD
- Submit initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Attend interview(s)
- Receive conditional or formal offers
- Make funding decisions
Interviews tend to emphasize your motivations, comprehension of the project, prior research background, and your approach to overcoming challenges. To prepare for interviews, I revisited my application, read pertinent literature, and reflected on my experiences to discuss them lucidly and confidently.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project entails recognizing what research inspires you, the environment that suits you best, and the skills you’re eager to acquire. Resources for finding your PhD include:
- University websites, such as Imperial’s – examine department pages for available PhD positions
- Centralized PhD platforms and job boards like FindAPhD
- Webpages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and referrals from professors or supervisors
- Websites of funding bodies and doctoral training centers
My application experience may differ from yours. I secured funding from my home country, so I aimed to locate a research group with a project that piqued my interest. I scoured the Imperial website, identified researchers and groups at Imperial, perused their research summaries, and looked into their outputs.
As a Master’s student at Imperial, I also consulted lecturers about appropriate research groups. I discovered my current project supervisor from a list provided by my MSc course leader.
The essential factor is to communicate with everyone and collect as much feedback as possible. I know another PhD student who discovered their project by engaging in conversation with a stranger at a pub, who later introduced them to their current PI and PhD supervisor.
Financial support for your PhD
If you aren’t self-funding, investigate various funding resources for PhDs, which may include:
- Fully-funded PhD projects offered by supervisors
- Studentships from UK Research Council
- External funding from research councils, charitable organizations