My PhD Journey: Finding my PhD

When I first started university back in 2018, I didn’t imagine that four years later I would be pursuing a PhD at Sheffield Hallam University. My undergraduate degree was an Integrated Masters in Biomedical Science at Cardiff University. I really enjoyed the course and became more and more interested by cancer research. It was during my penultimate year of study when I realised that I definitely wanted to do a PhD. Here’s how I found my perfect project and what I wished I‘d known at the start of the process.

Use search filters

When I first began looking at PhDs I found it very overwhelming and confusing. I quickly got excited when I saw a project which sounded perfect but then I was disappointed when I realised it was self-funded. By utilising the search filters built into FindAPhD I was able to find fully funded projects. It was helpful to refine the results by different metrics. I have a strong interest in cell biology and cancer, so I frequently used these terms when searching for a PhD.

After finding some interesting opportunities, I would research the lab and do some further reading on the project. Clicking ‘Show Latest PhD’s First’ also ensured I didn’t miss any new listings.

Emailing prospective supervisors

If a project interested me, I would email the supervisor. This led to having a Zoom call with one prospective supervisor and an informative email chat with another. I also asked different researchers at my university if they knew of any PhD projects I could apply to or if they had any funding for a student themselves. This was often met by “unfortunately we don’t have any PhD positions at the moment” but a few times it led to being sent a PhD project which I could apply to.

Applying

PhD applications can take a while as you must ensure each one is specific to the project you’re applying for. Keep a spreadsheet of each PhD you apply to, when the deadline is, when you applied and when you should hear back by. Download a copy of the project details so if you do get asked for interview you can use this accordingly and refresh your memory on the project details.

If you’re unsure of anything it’s best to email the recommended contacts. Always double check to confirm your application is correct rather than assuming what the requirements mean.

Interviews

We all dread interviews but the fact you’ve been asked to one implies that you look good on paper! I had two online and one in person interview. Prior, I completed any associated tasks, practiced some common interview questions and prepared a few examples which I could refer to when asked. Regardless of whether your interview is in-person or online, make sure you’re on time and no matter the outcome be proud of yourself as interviews can be very stressful.

Persistence

Being rejected after interviewing for a position was hard. Don’t take this personally. The most important thing is to keep on applying to more projects. Being persistent is the key to obtaining a PhD position. Try to ask for feedback on your application if possible and then utilise this to improve for your next application. For example, if the feedback says your interview technique was weak, you could ask your personal tutor, friends or family to help you with a mock interview.

The Offer

I received my PhD offer the same day as I completed the interview. I’d gone out for a walk in the evening and left my phone at home as I wanted to enjoy the scenery and chat to my Mum about the day. When I returned home I had 2 missed calls. It was my now supervisor who offered me my PhD! I accepted and had a nice evening celebrating the fact that I would be starting my doctorate in a few months’ time.

The Visit

After accepting my offer, I wanted to see the lab so I emailed my supervisor and asked if I could visit. I had never been to Sheffield before. I went up, met with the lab group and had a nice time exploring the city. I am glad I did this as meeting some of the people and getting familiar with the facilities made the first few weeks easier.

Start

At the end of September 2022 I packed up my belongings and moved to Sheffield. I started my PhD a week later in October and I’m currently six months into my course.

It was a long journey finding and securing a PhD. I’m glad I wasn’t offered the other PhD’s I interviewed for as they weren’t right for me. If you’re just starting your hunt for the perfect PhD don’t give up or get disheartened. Keep at it and good luck with your search!