Authored by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
Embarking on the journey to apply for a PhD can feel daunting and protracted. Nonetheless, with adequate support, the experience can transform into a seamless and potentially exhilarating adventure, enabling you to gain a clearer perspective on your passions and objectives. Here’s a general guide to locating a PhD program that aligns with your aspirations, derived from my own journey of identifying, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Reasons to pursue a PhD
Prior to beginning your PhD search, it’s essential to comprehend your motivations for seeking one. Pursuing a PhD is a significant commitment, so ensuring it aligns with your aspirations and interests is vital. A PhD equips you with the training to become an autonomous researcher, which I consider essential for the career I aspire to have.
In addition to honing technical skills, I was drawn to the academic freedom and innovation that this field provides. My enthusiasm for science can only stretch so far when I engage in subjects I am indifferent to and conduct experiments I find uninteresting, hence I opted for a PhD project that I was truly passionate about exploring in depth. The ability to steer my project in the direction I choose is also a notable advantage for me and stands out as one of my favorite elements of undertaking a PhD.
So, as straightforward as it may seem, I recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding pursuing a PhD before initiating your search, to confirm it’s something you genuinely desire to do – what do you believe a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application journey
Typically, the application trajectory consists of various stages:
- Search for a PhD program
- Submit initial application
- Shortlist candidates
- Conduct interviews
- Receive conditional or formal offers
- Determine funding options
Interviews generally concentrate on your reasons for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research background, and your problem-solving approach. While I was preparing for my interviews, I revisited my application materials, consulted relevant academic literature, and contemplated my experiences to articulate them clearly and confidently during the discussions.
Identifying a PhD
<pLocating a project initially necessitates understanding what type of research fascinates you, in which working environments you excel, and what skills you wish to acquire through the PhD. Some resources that may assist you in finding your PhD include:
- University websites, including Imperial’s – look for dedicated department pages that list all their available PhD positions
- Centralized PhD platforms and job boards like FindAPhD
- Pages dedicated to research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and referrals from professors or mentors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application experience might vary somewhat from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, so my main task was to locate a research group engaged in a project I found intriguing. To achieve this, I navigated the Imperial website, reviewed lists of researchers and research groups at Imperial, read up on their research descriptions, and scrutinized their research outputs.
As I was already enrolled as a Master’s student at Imperial while searching for PhDs, I also consulted with my lecturers regarding which research groups they believed would align well with my interests. I discovered my current project supervisor from a compilation of research groups that my MSc course coordinator had provided to me.
The crux is to engage with EVERYONE and seek as much guidance as you can. I personally know a fellow PhD candidate who discovered their