Written by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
The process of applying for a PhD can feel daunting and protracted. Yet, with the right advice, it can turn into a seamless and even thrilling journey, aiding you in clarifying your aspirations and passions. Here’s a general outline for locating a PhD that fits you, drawing from my own experiences in discovering, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
Why embark on a PhD?
Before diving into your PhD quest, it’s essential to comprehend your motivation for pursuing one. A PhD entails a significant commitment, and confirming that it resonates with your aspirations and interests is vital. A PhD offers training to develop into an autonomous researcher, which, in my view, is an essential skill for the career path I wish to take.
In addition to technical training, I was drawn to the research autonomy and innovation that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science can wane if I’m engaged with topics that don’t captivate me and performing experiments that don’t inspire me. Thus, I selected a PhD project that I was genuinely eager to delve into. The opportunity to steer my project in the direction I wish is also a considerable advantage for me and one of the highlights of pursuing a PhD.
As straightforward as it sounds, I recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding a PhD before initiating your search to ensure it’s genuinely what you want to pursue – what do you anticipate a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application procedure
The application procedure generally comprises several steps:
- Search for a PhD
- Submit initial application
- Shortlisting stage
- Interview(s)
- Conditional or formal offers
- Funding decisions
Interviews typically hone in on your motivations for applying, your comprehension of the project, your past research experience, and your approach to challenges. When I was getting ready for interviews, I revisited my application, reviewed relevant literature, and contemplated my experiences to discuss them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a PhD
Finding a project initially requires you to discern what type of research excites you, what work environment you excel in, and what skills you aim to acquire from the PhD. Some resources you can utilize for discovering your PhD include:
- University websites, like Imperial’s – look for specific departmental pages that list all their available PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD portals and job boards such as FindAPhD
- Research group and supervisor webpages
- Academic networks and recommendations from instructors or supervisors
- Funding organizations and doctoral training center websites
My application journey might differ slightly from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home country, so I simply needed to identify a research group with a project that piqued my interest. To achieve this, I navigated the Imperial website, located lists of researchers and research groups at Imperial, reviewed their research descriptions, and examined their research outputs.
Since I was already a Master’s student at Imperial while searching for PhDs, I also consulted my instructors about which research groups they believed would align well with me. I identified my current project supervisor from a compilation of research groups that my MSc course leader had provided.
The secret is to engage with EVERYONE and attempt to gather as much feedback as possible. I personally know a fellow PhD student