Written by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
Embarking on a PhD application can be daunting and time-consuming. Nevertheless, with the right support, it can evolve into a seamless and even thrilling experience, allowing you to enhance your understanding of your aspirations and passions. Here’s a general outline for discovering a PhD that fits your needs, informed by my personal journey of locating, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Reasons to pursue a PhD
Prior to initiating your PhD search, it’s essential to comprehend why you wish to undertake one. A PhD represents a considerable commitment, and confirming it is in line with your ambitions and interests is crucial. A PhD equips you with the skills needed to become an independent researcher, which is necessary for the career I aim to pursue.
In addition to technical training, I was drawn to the academic freedom and innovation that research offers. My enthusiasm for science can only flourish in areas that captivate me; hence, I selected a PhD project that genuinely piqued my interest for further investigation. The ability to steer my project in my desired direction is another key benefit and one of my favorite elements of pursuing a PhD.
As straightforward as it may seem, I recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding a PhD before embarking on your search to confirm it’s a pursuit you genuinely desire – what do you believe a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application journey
The application journey generally consists of several phases:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submitting your initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Interview(s)
- Receiving conditional or formal offers
- Making funding decisions
Interviews typically concentrate on your reasons for applying, your comprehension of the project, previous research experience, and your methods for tackling challenges. While preparing for interviews, I reviewed my application, delved into relevant literature, and contemplated my experiences to articulate them effectively and confidently during the interviews.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project primarily requires discerning what kind of research excites you, the optimal working environment for you, and the skills you wish to acquire during your PhD. Some resources you can utilize to find your PhD include:
- University websites, such as that of Imperial – look for specific department pages where they list their available PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD portals and job boards like FindAPhD
- Research group and supervisor webpages
- Academic networks and advice from professors or supervisors
- Funding organizations and doctoral training center websites
My application process may vary somewhat from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, so I merely needed to identify a research group engaged in a project that interested me. To accomplish this, I scoured the Imperial website, found listings of researchers and research groups, read about their research, and examined their research outputs.
As I was already a Master’s student at Imperial while on my quest for PhDs, I also consulted with my lecturers regarding which research groups they believed would align well with my profile. I discovered my current project supervisor through a list of research groups that my MSc course leader shared with me.
The key is to communicate with EVERYONE and gather as much information as possible. I know a fellow PhD student who discovered their project by conversing with a stranger in a pub who connected them to their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.
Financing your PhD
If