Authored by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
The process of applying for a PhD can feel daunting and protracted. Nonetheless, with the right support, it can transform into a seamless and even thrilling adventure, aiding you in clarifying your aspirations and passions. Here’s a general guideline for locating a PhD that fits your needs, drawn from my own journey of identifying, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
What motivates you to pursue a PhD?
Prior to embarking on your PhD search, it is vital to comprehend the reasons behind your desire to pursue one. Committing to a PhD is significant, and aligning it with your ambitions and interests is essential. A PhD equips you with the training to become an autonomous researcher, a capability I deem crucial for the professional path I intend to follow.
In addition to technical skills, I was drawn to the creative liberty and innovation that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science can only flourish when I’m engaged with topics I am passionate about and carrying out experiments I truly care about, which is why I selected a PhD project that genuinely intrigued me. The ability to steer my project in my desired direction is also a considerable advantage for me and one of my favorite features of pursuing a PhD.
As straightforward as it may appear, I would recommend compiling a pros and cons list regarding pursuing a PhD before commencing your search to confirm it’s genuinely what you wish to undertake – what benefits do you anticipate a PhD will bring to you?
The PhD application procedure
The procedure for application generally comprises multiple stages:
- Search for a PhD
- Submit initial application
- Shortlisting
- Interview(s)
- Conditional or formal offers
- Funding outcomes
Interviews typically center on your motivations for applying, comprehension of the project, prior research experience, and your approach to overcoming challenges. During my interview preparations, I revisited my application, reviewed pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences to discuss them clearly and confidently during the interviews.
Locating a PhD
Discovering a project first necessitates understanding what type of research excites you, what working environment suits you best, and what skills you wish to acquire from the PhD. Some resources to assist you in finding your PhD include:
- University websites, like Imperial’s – seek out specific departmental pages that list their available PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD platforms and job boards such as FindAPhD
- Webpages for research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and suggestions from professors or supervisors
- Websites for funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application experience may vary somewhat from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, so I mainly needed to locate a research group engaged in a project that caught my interest. To achieve this, I browsed the Imperial website, located lists of researchers and research groups at Imperial, read the descriptions of their research, and examined their research outputs.
Since I was already a Master’s student at Imperial during my PhD search, I also consulted my lecturers about which research groups they believed would align well with my profile. I discovered my current project supervisor from a compilation of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The essential strategy is to engage with EVERYONE and attempt to gather as much feedback as possible. I personally know another PhD student who found their project through conversations.