Written by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
Applying for a PhD might feel daunting, yet with the correct support, it can evolve into a seamless and thrilling endeavor, enabling you to deepen your understanding of your objectives and passions. Here’s a guide rooted in my experiences of discovering, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Why embark on a PhD?
Prior to locating a PhD, it’s crucial to comprehend your motivation for pursuing one. A PhD demands dedication, and it’s vital to confirm it resonates with your aspirations and interests. A PhD equips you with the training to become an autonomous researcher, a competency I deem vital for my career goals.
Apart from the technical guidance, I was drawn to the creative freedom and innovative spirit found in academia. My enthusiasm for science diminishes when engaged in subjects that don’t captivate me, so I selected a PhD project that truly intrigued me. The ability to steer my project is a significant advantage and one of my preferred features of undertaking a PhD.
As straightforward as it may seem, I recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding pursuing a PhD before initiating your search to verify it’s what you genuinely desire. What do you believe a PhD will offer you?
The application procedure for a PhD
The application procedure typically consists of several steps:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submitting an initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Interviews
- Conditional or formal acceptance letters
- Funding decisions
Interviews frequently concentrate on your motivations, comprehension of the project, previous research experience, and your approach to overcoming obstacles. In preparing for interviews, I revisited my application, reviewed pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences to discuss them articulately and confidently.
Locating a PhD
Finding a project necessitates grasping what research ignites your enthusiasm, the environment in which you thrive, and the skills you aim to acquire. Some resources for discovering your PhD include:
- University websites, like those of Imperial – seek specific departmental pages that list available PhD positions
- Centralized PhD portals and job boards such as FindAPhD
- Webpages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and insights from instructors or supervisors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application journey may vary slightly from yours. I secured funding from my home country, so I had to locate a research group engaged in a project that piqued my interest. I scoured the Imperial website, found listings of researchers and research groups, examined the descriptions of their work, and delved into their outputs.
As a Master’s student at Imperial, I also consulted lecturers regarding research groups that could be a good fit for me. I discovered my current project supervisor through a list of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The essential part is to talk to as many people as possible and gather all the insights you can. I know a fellow PhD student who discovered their project through a chat with a stranger in a pub, who then connected them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.
Financing your PhD
If you’re not self-funding, many options are available <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/postgraduate-doctoral/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/postgraduate-doctoral/