Katie
PhD in Molecular Cell Biology
Imperial's great facilities and research collaborations are essential when you’re doing a lab-based PhD.
Katie from the UK has always been driven by a passion for learning and discovery. Keen to expand her knowledge, she looked for a university with strong research reputations and high-quality facilities, leading her to a PhD in Molecular Cell Biology at Imperial. Katie shares her experiences of applying for a PhD, how she’s contributing to new knowledge in the field and how Imperial has set her up for success in her chosen career path.
Before I came to Imperial, I was at the University of Sheffield studying for an integrated Master’s MBiolSci degree in Biochemistry and Genetics. The end of my degree was a bit unusual as my lab research project in my final Master’s year had to be cut short because of COVID-19. Since I suddenly had a lot of free time and wanted to help out where I could, I joined a COVID-19 testing team where I helped to process RT-PCR tests and worked here until I moved to London to start my PhD at Imperial.
Applying for a PhD
I knew I wanted to move to a different city from where I did my undergrad and where my family lives, so I applied to a few different PhD programmes in new cities away from home. There is such a range of PhD programmes with different funding sources – in Life Sciences at Imperial for example, there are PhDs funded by the Leverhulme Centre for the Holobiont, the NERC Centre for Doctoral Training and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
Since I was applying to do a lab-based PhD, the most important thing when choosing an institution was its research reputation. Imperial clearly has this reputation and is one of the best in the UK and the world. Imperial also has really great facilities and collaborations with other institutes when it comes to research which are essential when you’re doing a lab-based PhD.
At Imperial, I applied directly to a PhD project that was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). My biggest piece of advice for prospective PhD students is to start looking early and if you know you want to do a PhD with a specific research group, you should have a conversation with them as soon as possible so you have plenty of time to explore funding options together.
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Why do a PhD?
I knew I wanted to do a PhD because I loved learning and finding out new things.
When you’re in the lab doing experiments and you discover something new, for a short time, you are the only person that knows about that new discovery you just made – which I think is very cool! The very nature of a PhD is that you are contributing to new knowledge which I find so exciting. You have much more freedom to explore what you want to compared to a Master’s project.
I have been lucky enough to attend international conferences and have delivered talks and presented posters on my PhD research to experts in my field (including some Nobel Prize winners!). Being able to present all the work I’d done and to receive great feedback was a very inspirational and rewarding experience. It really made me feel like I was a part of the scientific community and that I was making meaningful contributions to new knowledge in the field.
In my opinion, the biggest challenge of a PhD is comparing your journey to others, which can make you feel like you haven’t done enough, or your work isn’t as good as others. One thing I’ve learned is that everyone’s PhD journey is different and it usually comes together in the end!
Outside of my research I like to get involved in teaching and science communication or public engagement. I also run an Instagram account (@phd_katie) which I use for science communication and sharing the realities of what doing a PhD is really like.
Take a tour of Katie's PhD departments
Join Katie and learn more about the labs and facilities she uses at our Hammersmith and South Kensington campuses.
Take a tour of Katie's PhD departments
Join Katie and learn more about the labs and facilities she uses at our Hammersmith and South Kensington campuses.
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The Imperial PhD community
I started my PhD in October 2020 in the middle of the pandemic, so my experience was a little different to most as it was tricky to meet people in person for the first few months. I carry out my research at two different Imperial campuses – Hammersmith and South Kensington – so it’s great that I get to experience various areas and communities at Imperial, but it does also mean I can spend a lot of my time travelling.
Take advantage of all the chances you get to know other PhD students. A PhD can be difficult and it's great to engage with others in the same position as you.
My advice for making friends as a PhD student would be to take advantage of all the chances you get to chat to and get to know other PhD students, such as at social events that your department puts on. A PhD can be difficult at times and it's great to be able to engage with others that are in the same position as you.
Doing a PhD at Imperial opens up a range of partnerships and collaborations with other research groups and industry partners. Imperial’s reputation attracts collaborators and this is beneficial for both your research and to advance your career.
The Graduate School at Imperial has some great courses that can help you develop your skills which will also be helpful outside of academia, so take advantage of those where you can.
The Imperial PhD community
I started my PhD in October 2020 in the middle of the pandemic, so my experience was a little different to most as it was tricky to meet people in person for the first few months. I carry out my research at two different Imperial campuses – Hammersmith and South Kensington – so it’s great that I get to experience various areas and communities at Imperial, but it does also mean I can spend a lot of my time travelling.
Take advantage of all the chances you get to know other PhD students. A PhD can be difficult and it's great to engage with others in the same position as you.
My advice for making friends as a PhD student would be to take advantage of all the chances you get to chat to and get to know other PhD students, such as at social events that your department puts on. A PhD can be difficult at times and it's great to be able to engage with others that are in the same position as you.
Doing a PhD at Imperial opens up a range of partnerships and collaborations with other research groups and industry partners. Imperial’s reputation attracts collaborators and this is beneficial for both your research and to advance your career.
The Graduate School at Imperial has some great courses that can help you develop your skills which will also be helpful outside of academia, so take advantage of those where you can.
Careers support from day one
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I’m doing a short postdoc project after my PhD and want to stay in academia for a while after I finish. My time at Imperial has put me in a good position to do this and follow my chosen career path.
I think it's personal preference and down to what you value from a career, but speaking to others that have been in the same position as you and have taken a different career path can be really helpful for finding out what you want to do next.
I’ve really enjoyed my time at Imperial and it has been a challenging yet supportive place to do a PhD, which I think is the best combination!
I’m doing a short postdoc project after my PhD and want to stay in academia for a while after I finish. My time at Imperial has put me in a good position to do this and follow my chosen career path.
I think it's personal preference and down to what you value from a career, but speaking to others that have been in the same position as you and have taken a different career path can be really helpful for finding out what you want to do next.
I’ve really enjoyed my time at Imperial and it has been a challenging yet supportive place to do a PhD, which I think is the best combination!
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