Written by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
Applying for a PhD can feel daunting and time-consuming. Nonetheless, with the right support, it can transform into a streamlined and even exhilarating journey, allowing you to gain clarity on your objectives and passions. Here’s a broad outline for locating a PhD that fits you, drawn from my own experiences in identifying, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Why aim for a PhD?
Prior to embarking on your PhD journey, it’s essential to clarify your motivations for pursuing one. A PhD represents a significant commitment, and confirming its alignment with your ambitions and interests is vital. A PhD equips you with the training to become an autonomous researcher, which I deem essential for the career path I aspire to follow.
Beyond technical expertise, I was drawn to the academic liberty and innovation that research entails. My enthusiasm for science can only thrive when I engage with subjects that intrigue me and conduct experiments I am passionate about, prompting me to select a PhD project that I was eager to delve deeper into. The autonomy to guide my project in the direction I desire is also a considerable advantage for me, making it one of my favorite elements of pursuing a PhD.
Therefore, as straightforward as it may sound, I recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding the pursuit of a PhD before initiating your search to confirm it’s something you genuinely aspire to do – what benefits do you believe a PhD will bring you?
The PhD application journey
The application journey generally consists of several phases:
- Look for a PhD
- Submit initial application
- Shortlist candidates
- Interview(s)
- Conditional or definitive offers
- Decisions on funding
Interviews often emphasize your reasons for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experience, and your approach to overcoming challenges. During my interview preparation, I revisited my application, perused relevant literature, and contemplated my past experiences to articulate them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
Finding an appropriate project necessitates understanding what type of research inspires you, which working atmosphere suits you best, and what competencies you wish to acquire from your PhD. Some resources you can utilize to find your PhD include:
- University websites, like Imperial’s – look for dedicated department pages listing all available PhD positions
- Central PhD hubs and job boards such as FindAPhD
- Pages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic connections and referrals from instructors or mentors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application experience may differ from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, so I primarily needed to identify a research group working on a project that piqued my interest. To achieve this, I navigated the Imperial website, discovered lists of researchers and research groups, examined descriptions of their work, and investigated their research contributions.
As I was already a Master’s student at Imperial while searching for PhDs, I also consulted with my lecturers regarding which research groups they believed would be a suitable match for me. I discovered my current project supervisor through a list of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The key is to engage with EVERYONE and gather as many insights as possible. I personally know a fellow PhD student who found their project by conversing with a stranger in a bar who connected them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.