Written by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
Embarking on a PhD application can appear daunting, but with appropriate direction, it can transform into a seamless and thrilling experience, clarifying your aspirations and passions. Here’s a guide drawn from my own journey of discovering, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Reasons to pursue a PhD
Before you embark on your search for a PhD, it’s important to comprehend the reasons behind your desire to pursue one. A PhD represents a major investment, so it’s vital to ensure it corresponds with your aspirations and passions. It equips you with the training necessary to become an autonomous researcher, a competency I consider vital for my career objectives.
In addition to technical training, I was drawn to the flexibility and inventiveness that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science diminishes if I engage with uninspiring subjects or conduct experiments that lack my interest, prompting me to select a PhD project that truly captivated me. The autonomy to steer my project is a significant advantage and one of the aspects I cherish most about undertaking a PhD.
As straightforward as it seems, I recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding pursuing a PhD prior to commencing your search to confirm it’s genuinely what you desire—what do you anticipate a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application journey
The application journey generally comprises several stages:
- Searching for a PhD
- Submitting your initial application
- Being shortlisted
- Attending interviews
- Receiving conditional or formal offers
- Decisions on funding
Interviews frequently emphasize your motivations for applying, your grasp of the project, your previous research background, and your approach to tackling challenges. When getting ready for interviews, I revisited my application, reviewed relevant literature, and contemplated my experiences to articulate them effectively and confidently.
Locating a PhD
Identifying a project necessitates understanding what kind of research ignites your enthusiasm, the work environment where you excel, and the abilities you wish to develop. Some resources for locating your PhD include:
- University websites, such as Imperial’s – review specific department pages for available PhD positions
- Centralized PhD platforms and job boards like FindAPhD
- Webpages of research groups and supervisors
- Academic networks and referrals from instructors or supervisors
- Websites of funding organizations and doctoral training centers
My application process might vary slightly from yours. I secured funding from my home country, so I needed to locate a research group engaged in a project of interest. I navigated through the Imperial website, investigated researchers and research groups at Imperial, read their research descriptions, and delved into their outputs.
During my search for PhDs as a Master’s student at Imperial, I also sought advice from my lecturers regarding suitable research groups. I identified my current project supervisor from a list provided by my MSc course leader.
The crucial element is to communicate with as many people as possible and gather diverse insights. I know a fellow PhD student who discovered their project by conversing with a stranger in a pub, who subsequently connected them with their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.
Financing your PhD
If you’re not funding yourself, there are numerous options for PhD funding to consider, including:
- Fully-funded Ph