Authored by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
Pursuing a PhD can be a daunting and time-consuming endeavor. Nevertheless, with the right support, it can transform into a seamless and even exhilarating experience, enabling you to clarify your goals and interests. Below is a general guideline for locating a PhD that fits your needs, drawn from my own experiences of discovering, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Why pursue a PhD?
Before embarking on your PhD search, take a moment to consider your motivations for pursuing it. Committing to a PhD is significant, and ensuring it corresponds with your aspirations and passions is vital. A PhD equips you with the training needed to become an independent researcher, which is crucial for the career path I aim to follow.
In addition to technical training, I was drawn to the autonomy and creative possibilities that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science would only take me so far if I engaged with subjects that didn’t intrigue me, so I selected a PhD project that genuinely piqued my curiosity. The capability to direct my project according to my interests is a notable benefit for me and ranks among my favorite elements of undertaking a PhD.
As straightforward as it appears, I recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding the pursuit of a PhD before starting your search to confirm it’s a path you wish to take – what do you anticipate a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application journey
The application journey generally consists of several phases:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submitting the initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Interviews
- Conditional or formal offers
- Decisions on funding
Interviews usually center around your motivations for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experience, and your approach to overcoming challenges. In preparing for interviews, I revisited my application, reviewed pertinent literature, and reflected on my background to convey my thoughts clearly and confidently.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project necessitates understanding what kind of research excites you, the work environment in which you flourish, and the skills you intend to acquire through the PhD. Some resources you can utilize to discover your PhD include:
- University websites, like Imperial’s – check specific department pages where they list their available PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD portals and job boards such as FindAPhD
- Webpages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and advice from professors or supervisors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application process may vary slightly from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, so I had to find a research group focused on a project that piqued my interest. To accomplish this, I navigated the Imperial website, discovered lists of researchers and research groups there, explored their research descriptions, and examined their outputs.
Since I was already a Master’s student at Imperial during my PhD search, I also consulted my professors about which research groups they believed would fit me well. I identified my current project supervisor from a list of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The key is to communicate with EVERYONE and gather as much feedback as you can. I know a fellow PhD student who found their project by conversing 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 financing it yourself,