Written by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
Embarking on a PhD can feel daunting and protracted. Yet, with the right support, it can transform into an effortless and exhilarating journey, enhancing your clarity regarding your aspirations and passions. Here’s a broad overview of how to discover a PhD that fits your needs, drawn from my own journey of identifying, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Motivations for Pursuing a PhD
Prior to searching for a PhD, it’s essential to grasp why you’re interested in pursuing one. A PhD is a substantial commitment, and confirming that it corresponds with your aims and interests is crucial. A PhD equips you to become an independent researcher, a skill essential for the career I intend to follow.
In addition to technical training, I was drawn to the academic research freedom and innovation it affords. My enthusiasm for science has limitations if I’m involved in topics that fail to engage me and experiments that lack my interest, which is why I opted for a PhD project that I was genuinely eager to investigate further. The autonomy to steer my project according to my vision is an important benefit for me 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 pursuing a PhD before commencing your search to ensure it’s truly something you wish to chase – what do you anticipate a PhD will provide you?
The PhD Application Journey
The application process generally comprises several phases:
- Identifying a PhD
- Submitting an initial application
- Shortlisting
- Interview(s)
- Receiving conditional or formal offers
- Funding decisions
Interviews often emphasize your motivations for applying, your understanding of the project, your previous research experience, and your approach to challenges. In my interview preparations, I revisited my application, reviewed pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences to articulate them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
Discovering a project requires first recognizing what type of research excites you, what kind of working environment you prosper in, and what skills you wish to develop through the PhD. Here are some resources to assist you in finding your ideal PhD:
- University websites, such as Imperial’s – seek out specific department pages listing their available PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD platforms and job boards like FindAPhD
- Webpages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and referrals from lecturers or supervisors
- Websites of funding bodies and doctoral training centers
My application path may vary somewhat from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, so I simply had to find a research group engaged in a project that sparked my interest. To accomplish this, I navigated the Imperial website, discovered lists of researchers and research groups at Imperial, perused their research descriptions, and examined their research outputs.
Since I was already a Master’s student at Imperial while seeking PhDs, I also consulted my lecturers about which research groups they believed would align well with my background. I identified my current project supervisor from a compilation of research groups shared by my MSc course leader.
The secret is to communicate with EVERYONE and gather as much feedback as you can. I personally know a fellow PhD student who uncovered their project by engaging with a stranger in a pub who introduced them to their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.