Authored by Shayma, PhD Genomic Medicine
The journey of applying for a PhD can be daunting and protracted. Nevertheless, with the right support, it can transform into a smooth and even exciting journey, enhancing your understanding of your ambitions and passions. Here’s a general outline for discovering a PhD that matches your aspirations, informed by my own experiences in finding, selecting, and applying for a PhD at Imperial.
What motivates you to pursue a PhD?
Before embarking on your PhD search, it’s essential to grasp the reasons behind your desire to undertake one. A PhD represents a significant commitment, and ensuring that it resonates with your objectives and passions is vital. A PhD equips you with the skills to become an independent researcher, which I consider a vital competency for the career I wish to follow.
In addition to technical training, I was drawn to the autonomy and inventiveness that academia provides. My enthusiasm for science can only flourish if I engage with topics that genuinely interest me and conduct experiments I am passionate about, so I opted for a PhD project that piqued my curiosity immensely. The ability to steer my project in the direction I desire is another considerable benefit for me and ranks among my favorite elements of pursuing a PhD.
Thus, as straightforward as it might seem, I recommend creating a pros and cons list regarding pursuing a PhD before commencing your search to confirm it’s something you genuinely wish to do – what do you perceive a PhD will offer you?
The PhD application journey
The application process generally encompasses several phases:
- Discovering a PhD
- Submitting the initial application
- Shortlisting candidates
- Interviews
- Conditional or formal offers
- Funding decisions
Interviews usually emphasize your reasons for applying, your comprehension of the project, your previous research experience, and how you tackle challenges. When I was gearing up for interviews, I revisited my application, perused pertinent literature, and contemplated my experiences to articulate them clearly and confidently during interviews.
Locating a suitable PhD
Finding a project first entails understanding what type of research inspires you, what environment fosters your productivity, and what skills you hope to acquire from the PhD. Some resources you might consider for identifying your PhD include:
- University websites, like Imperial’s – check specific departmental pages listing all available PhD opportunities
- Centralized PhD directories and job platforms such as FindAPhD
- Research group and supervisor pages
- Academic networks and suggestions from educators or mentors
- Funding organization and doctoral training center websites
My application process could differ from yours. For my PhD, I secured funding from my home nation, so my primary task was to find a research group engaged in a project that interested me. To accomplish this, I navigated the Imperial website, consulted lists of researchers and research groups at Imperial, read descriptions of their work, and examined their research outputs.
Having been a Master’s student at Imperial while seeking PhDs, I also engaged my professors in discussions about research groups that might align well with my interests. I found my current project supervisor through a list of research groups provided by my MSc course leader.
The essence is to engage with EVERYONE and gather as much feedback as possible. I personally know another PhD student who discovered their project by conversing with a stranger in a bar who introduced them to their current principal investigator (PI) and PhD supervisor.