Sophie
PhD Medicine
Get involved, network and take every chance to grow – Imperial will set you up for success.
After completing an integrated Master’s in Biochemistry and Genetics and gaining industry experience at University of Oxford start-up Wild Bioscience, Sophie (UK) knew a PhD from a prestigious university would be her gateway to a successful career. Now at Imperial College London, she’s part of world-class research with opportunities to make a real-world impact. Find out Sophie’s advice for applying for a PhD, getting involved in Imperial’s vibrant postgraduate community and making the most of living in one of the world’s most exciting student cities.
Why and how I applied for a PhD
Finding a supervisor that aligns with your values and goals is super important for a PhD as they can massively impact your experience.
Since starting my undergraduate degree, I knew I wanted to do a PhD to set me up for the rest of my career and I aspired to complete one at a prestigious university like Imperial. During my undergrad, I became fascinated with gene regulation and how the areas of our genome that don’t code for genes are still important. As part of my Master’s project, I had worked on researching leukaemia, so going on to do a PhD for another blood cancer felt like the right next step. I started looking for projects in this research area and it took me a few years of applying for PhDs before I was successful, and I was happy to find that the project supervisor was a good fit with me.
After finding the project that aligned with the skills I wanted to gain and in the area I found most interesting, I spoke directly with the supervisor to find out more about the project.
They gave me a tour of the facilities and labs, and I had the opportunity to meet some of the other lab members who I’d be working with. Finding a supervisor that aligns with your values and goals is super important for a PhD as they can massively impact your experience – from their support and guidance day-to-day, to the skills they’ll help you develop.
My current research looks at the chromatin landscape of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that tends to affect the older population.
Why and how I applied for a PhD
Finding a supervisor that aligns with your values and goals is super important for a PhD as they can massively impact your experience.
Since starting my undergraduate degree, I knew I wanted to do a PhD to set me up for the rest of my career and I aspired to complete one at a prestigious university like Imperial. During my undergrad, I became fascinated with gene regulation and how the areas of our genome that don’t code for genes are still important. As part of my Master’s project, I had worked on researching leukaemia, so going on to do a PhD for another blood cancer felt like the right next step. I started looking for projects in this research area and it took me a few years of applying for PhDs before I was successful, and I was happy to find that the project supervisor was a good fit with me.
After finding the project that aligned with the skills I wanted to gain and in the area I found most interesting, I spoke directly with the supervisor to find out more about the project.
They gave me a tour of the facilities and labs, and I had the opportunity to meet some of the other lab members who I’d be working with. Finding a supervisor that aligns with your values and goals is super important for a PhD as they can massively impact your experience – from their support and guidance day-to-day, to the skills they’ll help you develop.
My current research looks at the chromatin landscape of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that tends to affect the older population.
Sophie shares her top tips to help you get settled into university life at Imperial
Student life at Imperial
There are a lot of societies and clubs that you can join as a postgraduate student at Imperial. During my first year, I joined a couple of sports teams including ice skating, which was a great way to meet other students while picking up a new hobby! There are plenty of societies and clubs that are happy for you to join no matter what time of year you start at Imperial – I started my PhD halfway through the normal academic year and was still able to get involved!
When work in the lab picked up in my second year and I was busy during the day, I started playing netball in the evenings instead with a local team through GO Mammoth, which hosts recreational sports leagues across London and the UK. I’ve also joined multiple run clubs which has been a great way to meet new people and explore different areas of London.
There are a lot of societies and clubs that you can join as a postgraduate student at Imperial, and they're happy for you to join no matter what time of year you start.
Beyond sports, I also became a PhD student rep for my department and for the Faculty of Medicine. I took up this position towards the end of my first year, alongside another PhD student in my lab, and have continued in the role since. It’s great being actively involved in important board meetings for the department. So far, I’ve helped arrange a PhD away day and student and research assistant lunches, which have been great for networking.
As part of my PhD, I’ve also had the chance to travel to and attend national conferences to present my work and research through presentations and posters. In my final year, I plan to present at a couple of international conferences, which I know will be a great opportunity to share my research further abroad, network with international peers and maybe even find some potential new colleagues!
Living in London
Moving to London has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Initially I was anxious about moving further away from home but soon realised there was no need to be. Over the last couple years, I have become a tourist in my own city. I’ve made a conscious effort to make a list of all the cool events and places that pop up on social media and then actually go and do those activities with old and new friends.
A good way I’ve found to explore new areas is by downloading Citymapper (a maps and transport planner app), choosing the ‘quiet cycle’ option to get from A to B and then exploring the less busy and pretty areas of the city on foot – bit of a weird hack, I know!
Moving to London has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.
As a postgraduate student moving to London knowing no one else, I decided to move in with other girls of a similar age and of similar interests. I found my housemates through a Facebook group and we buddied up to find a flat privately through an estate agent.
Living in London
Moving to London has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Initially I was anxious about moving further away from home but soon realised there was no need to be. Over the last couple years, I have become a tourist in my own city. I’ve made a conscious effort to make a list of all the cool events and places that pop up on social media and then actually go and do those activities with old and new friends.
A good way I’ve found to explore new areas is by downloading Citymapper (a maps and transport planner app), choosing the ‘quiet cycle’ option to get from A to B and then exploring the less busy and pretty areas of the city on foot – bit of a weird hack, I know!
Moving to London has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.
As a postgraduate student moving to London knowing no one else, I decided to move in with other girls of a similar age and of similar interests. I found my housemates through a Facebook group and we buddied up to find a flat privately through an estate agent.
Postgraduate accommodation in London
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Career plans after Imperial
Having completed a year and half in industry pre-PhD, my current plan is to go back to a start-up company and continue to develop my skills there. The taster I had in industry has made me crave the involvement you get in all aspects of the company when you’re part of a small team.
Having said that, I’ve also loved the science communication element of building a community on my Instagram and TikTok – I’ve recently started to think about if I could develop this further to make a career out of this side of science instead.
Whatever the career path you choose, I believe it’s good to think about it early on so you have time to develop the skills you may need when applying for your dream job.
Career plans after Imperial
Having completed a year and half in industry pre-PhD, my current plan is to go back to a start-up company and continue to develop my skills there. The taster I had in industry has made me crave the involvement you get in all aspects of the company when you’re part of a small team.
Having said that, I’ve also loved the science communication element of building a community on my Instagram and TikTok – I’ve recently started to think about if I could develop this further to make a career out of this side of science instead.
Whatever the career path you choose, I believe it’s good to think about it early on so you have time to develop the skills you may need when applying for your dream job.
Get involved with as much as you can – take all the opportunities available to you at Imperial!
Imperial has allowed me to gain the skills and network to set me up for a successful career post-PhD. It has so many opportunities to take part in patient-involvement events, extra-curricular activities and to get advice. My top tip for being an Imperial student would be to get involved with as much as you can, whether that’s becoming a PhD rep, joining a society or attending conferences and networking – take all the opportunities available to you at Imperial!
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