Why pursue a PhD?

The reasons for undertaking a PhD are varied. Some are strong and sustainable, while others may prove insufficient in the long run.

Valid reasons:

• Passion or curiosity for a topic: a lasting curiosity and a desire to contribute to knowledge.
• To pursue an academic career
• To develop advanced skills (critical analysis, project management, scientific communication, innovation).
• To make a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge or to society.
• The PhD title is mandatory to achieve a specific professional goal.

Insufficient reasons:

• For prestige : a PhD requires much more than social recognition.
• Social or family pressure: a fragile motivation if personal interest is not present.

Key questions to ask yourself before undertaking a PhD:

• Am I ready to commit several years to a demanding and sometimes uncertain endeavour?
• Do I have a clear idea of the field or topic that truly excites me?
• Have I identified potential laboratories or supervisors ?
• How does this PhD fit into my long-term professional goals?
• Do I have the required skills?

Skills required for a PhD

Conducting a PhD requires more than scientific expertise. You will also need to demonstrate:

• Intellectual curiosity and critical thinking
• Autonomy and organizational skills
• Resilience and the ability to manage uncertainty
• Writing and communication skills
• Capacity to network and collaborate
• …and many more

Reflecting on whether to embark on a PhD journey also means giving yourself the tools to explore your options and prepare the ground.

Here are some avenues to move forward:

• Talk with doctoral candidates to gain a realistic view of their daily life and challenges.
• Research universities and laboratories webpages to find teams active in your areas of interest.
• Identify key people in research groups that interest you, and reach out to inquire about potential PhD position opportunities or to arrange an initial informal exchange.
• Check admission requirements (Master’s degree, available supervisor, defined project).
• Identify possible funding sources (scholarships, open positions, external funding).
• Assess your career prospects after the doctorate (academic and non-academic).
• Begin preparing an academic application file (degrees and transcripts, academic CV, sample of written work, personal and research statement, references).