Written by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
The process of applying for a PhD can appear daunting and prolonged. Nevertheless, with the right direction, it can transform into a seamless and even exhilarating adventure, allowing you to refine your goals and interests. Here is a general roadmap to uncovering a PhD that aligns with your aspirations, informed by my own journey of identifying, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
What motivates the pursuit of a PhD?
Prior to embarking on your PhD search, it is vital to clarify your reasons for wanting one. A PhD represents a significant commitment, and it is important to ensure it resonates with your personal goals and interests. It offers the training necessary to evolve into an independent researcher, a competence that is essential for the career path I aspire to follow.
In addition to the technical training, the academic sphere appeals to me due to the research liberty and creativity it fosters. My enthusiasm for science can only flourish when I engage with topics that genuinely pique my interest and conduct experiments that I care about, which led me to select a PhD project I was truly eager to delve into. The autonomy to steer my project in the direction I desire stands out as a significant benefit and is among my favorite features of pursuing a PhD.
As straightforward as it may seem, I recommend drafting a pros and cons list regarding the pursuit of a PhD before commencing your search to ascertain that it is genuinely what you wish to undertake – what benefits do you believe a PhD will bring to you?
The journey of applying for a PhD
The application journey generally consists of several phases:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submitting the initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Conducting interviews
- Receiving conditional or formal offers
- Making funding choices
During interviews, the conversation often centers on your motivations for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experience, and your approach to overcoming obstacles. While preparing for interviews, I revisited my application, reviewed pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences so that I could articulate them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD opportunity
To find a suitable project, you first need to identify the type of research that excites you, the environment in which you flourish, and the skills you aim to acquire from the PhD. Some resources you might utilize in your PhD search include:
- University websites, like that of Imperial – explore specific departmental pages where they list available PhD positions
- Centralized PhD databases and job boards such as FindAPhD
- Websites of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and recommendations from professors or advisors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application experience may vary from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home nation, so my primary task was locating a research group engaged in a project that captured my interest. To achieve this, I navigated the Imperial website, discovered lists of researchers and research groups, examined their research descriptions, and reviewed their research output.
Since I was already a Master’s student at Imperial during my PhD search, I also consulted with my professors about which research groups they believed would suit me best. I identified my current project supervisor from a compilation of research groups shared by my MSc course leader.
The essential strategy is to engage with EVERYONE and seek as much input as possible. I personally know a fellow PhD candidate who discovered their project through a conversation with an unfamiliar individual in a pub who made a connection.