Written by Shayma, PhD in Genomic Medicine
The process of applying for a PhD can be daunting and protracted. Nevertheless, with the right guidance, it can transform into a seamless and even exhilarating journey, allowing you to gain a clearer insight into your aspirations and passions. Here’s a general outline for locating a PhD that fits your needs, drawn from my own experiences of discovering, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Reasons to pursue a PhD
Before diving into your PhD search, it’s essential to clarify why you wish to obtain one. A PhD represents a significant commitment, so ensuring it aligns with your aims and interests is vital. This qualification equips you with the training to operate as an independent researcher, a skill I deem crucial for the career path I intend to follow.
In addition to technical skills, I was drawn to the autonomy and innovative potential that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science can only be realized if I engage with topics I am passionate about and conduct experiments that resonate with me; hence, I opted for a PhD project that truly excited me. The ability to steer my project in the direction of my choosing is also a major advantage for me and ranks among my favorite elements of undertaking a PhD.
As straightforward as it may seem, I recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding the pursuit of a PhD before commencing your search to confirm it’s something you genuinely wish to undertake – what do you believe a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application journey
The application journey generally comprises several phases:
- Locating a PhD
- Submitting your initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Interview(s)
- Receiving conditional or formal offers
- Making funding decisions
Interviews often center on your reasons for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experience, and your approach to tackling challenges. While preparing for interviews, I revisited my application, reviewed pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences to discuss them confidently and clearly during the interviews.
Locating a PhD
To find a suitable project, you first need to determine what type of research inspires you, which working environment you excel in, and what skills you aim to acquire during your PhD. Here are some resources you can utilize to discover your PhD:
- University websites, such as those of Imperial – check specific departmental pages for their available PhD positions
- Central PhD platforms and job boards like FindAPhD
- Webpages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and suggestions from lecturers or supervisors
- Websites of funding bodies and doctoral training centers
My application process may vary from yours. For my PhD, I obtained funding from my home country, so I primarily needed to connect with a research group engaged in an area I was keen on. I accomplished this by browsing through the Imperial website, locating lists of researchers and research teams at Imperial, reading about their research descriptions, and examining their research outputs.
As I was already a Master’s student at Imperial while searching for PhDs, I also consulted my lecturers regarding which research groups they believed would suit me well. I discovered my current project supervisor from a compilation of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The secret is to engage with EVERYONE and gather as much feedback as you can. I personally know a fellow PhD candidate who found their project by conversing with a stranger in a pub, who subsequently connected them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.