Written by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
Pursuing a PhD can be a daunting and protracted endeavor. Nevertheless, with the right guidance, it can transform into a seamless and even thrilling journey that deepens your understanding of your aspirations and passions. Here’s a general roadmap for locating a PhD that fits your needs, based on my experiences in securing, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
What motivates the pursuit of a PhD?
Before embarking on your search for a PhD, it’s important to clarify your motivations for undertaking one. A PhD entails a significant commitment, and it’s vital that it matches your ambitions and interests. This degree equips you with the skills to become an independent researcher, which is essential for the career path I aspire to follow.
In addition to technical expertise, I was drawn to the intellectual freedom and innovation that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science is limited if I’m engaged in subjects that don’t captivate me or performing experiments that lack my interest, so I chose a PhD project that I genuinely wanted to delve into further. The autonomy to steer my project in my desired direction is also a major advantage for me and ranks among my favorite elements of pursuing a PhD.
Although it may seem straightforward, I recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding pursuing a PhD before beginning your search to confirm it’s truly what you wish to undertake – what benefits do you envision a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application procedure
The application procedure usually comprises several phases:
- Search for a PhD opportunity
- Submit an initial application
- Shortlisting of candidates
- Interviews
- Conditional or formal offers
- Funding determinations
Interviews typically emphasize your reasons for applying, your comprehension of the project, your past research experiences, and your approach to overcoming challenges. In my interview preparations, I revisited my application, reviewed pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences to convey them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project first necessitates an awareness of what research excites you, the type of work environment in which you excel, and the skills you hope to acquire through your PhD. Here are some resources you can utilize to discover your PhD:
- University websites like Imperial’s – look for particular department pages where they list available PhD positions
- Consolidated PhD portals and job boards like FindAPhD
- Websites of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and referrals from lecturers or supervisors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application experience may be somewhat different from yours. For my PhD, I acquired funding from my home country, so I merely needed to identify a research group engaged in a project that interested me. To accomplish this, I explored the Imperial website, located lists of researchers and research teams at Imperial, examined their research descriptions, and reviewed their research outputs.
Since I was already a Master’s student at Imperial during my search for PhDs, I also consulted my lecturers about which research groups they believed would be suitable for me. I found my current project supervisor through a list of research teams provided by my MSc course leader.
The essential strategy is to engage with EVERYONE and gather as much feedback as possible. I personally know a fellow PhD candidate who discovered their project through a conversation with a stranger in a pub, who ultimately connected them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.