Written by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
Embarking on a PhD journey can feel daunting, yet with the right direction, it transforms into a manageable and exhilarating experience that helps define your goals and passions. Here’s a comprehensive guide to selecting a PhD that fits your needs, based on my experiences at Imperial.
Reasons to pursue a PhD
Prior to beginning your PhD search, it’s important to recognize your motivations for pursuing one. Engaging in a PhD requires a considerable commitment, and ensuring it aligns with your aspirations and interests is vital. A PhD equips you to be an independent researcher, a competency I deem crucial for my career trajectory.
Beyond technical education, I was drawn to the innovation and autonomy that academia offers. My enthusiasm for science diminishes when I engage with uninspiring topics, so I opted for a PhD project that truly fascinated me. The opportunity to steer my own project is a significant benefit and one of my favorite elements of pursuing a PhD.
Although it may seem straightforward, I advise creating a pros and cons list regarding pursuing a PhD before launching your search to ascertain that it’s genuinely what you desire. What do you anticipate a PhD will provide for you?
The PhD application journey
The application process typically encompasses several steps:
- Finding a PhD
- Submitting an initial application
- Creating a shortlist
- Attending interview(s)
- Receiving conditional or formal offers
- Decisions on funding
Interviews generally center on your motivations, understanding of the project, previous research experience, and approach to challenges. In preparation for interviews, I revisited my application, perused relevant literature, and contemplated my experiences to articulate them clearly and confidently.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project necessitates discerning what research invigorates you, the environment where you excel, and the skills you aim to develop. Resources for discovering your PhD include:
- University webpages, like those of Imperial – review department sections for available PhD positions
- Centralized PhD platforms and job boards such as FindAPhD
- Pages for research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and advice from lecturers or supervisors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application experience may vary slightly from yours. I received backing from my home country, so I needed to identify a research group with a compelling project. I navigated the Imperial website, discovered researchers and groups at Imperial, reviewed their research summaries, and explored their outputs.
As a Master’s student at Imperial while seeking PhDs, I also sought guidance from my lecturers regarding appropriate research groups. I found my current project supervisor through a list my MSc course leader provided.
The essential approach is to engage with everyone and collect as much feedback as you can. I know a fellow PhD student who secured their project simply by conversing with a stranger in a pub who introduced them to their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.
Securing funding for your PhD
If you’re not self-financing, there are numerous funding alternatives for PhDs to consider, including: