After a 12-year career break from chemistry, Dr Parisa Ebrahimpour is returning to research as the Daphne Jackson Trust’s first Research Technical Professional (RTP) Fellow.
Her journey back to research demonstrates the value of creating flexible opportunities for experienced technical professionals to refresh their skills, rebuild their confidence and reconnect with the research environment.
From chemistry to a 12-year career break
After completing her undergraduate degrees in chemistry, Parisa went on to complete her postgraduate studies at the University of Bristol, where she undertook a PhD in organometallic and coordination chemistry under the supervision of Professor Duncan Wass.
Following her PhD, she completed two short post-doctoral positions before her son was born. Family responsibilities, combined with frequent relocations for her husband’s work, ultimately led to a 12-year break from chemistry.
Although she loved being a full-time mum, research remained an important part of her life.
Chemistry and research had always been a big part of my life, and were something to which I committed a lot of time before my career break.”
She continued to miss being part of a research environment, and the uncertainty around whether she would ever be able to return began to affect her confidence and self-belief. A number of unsuccessful applications for chemistry research positions during her career break only reinforced those doubts.
A different route back into research
Her introduction to the Daphne Jackson Trust came through a former Fellow. For Parisa, the Trust offered something particularly valuable: the opportunity to focus on retraining and rebuilding her expertise while retaining the flexibility needed to balance family responsibilities.
It really is a unique scheme, providing me with the opportunity to focus on my own retraining rather than delivering work-related objectives, while still having the time to attend to my family responsibilities.”
From her first contact with the Trust, she says she received reassurance, encouragement and clear answers to her questions.
That support helped her take the step towards returning to the research environment, and importantly, to recognise that a career break did not mean the end of her research career.
Supporting technical professionals
As the Trust’s first Research Technical Professional Fellow, Parisa is also helping to demonstrate the importance of creating dedicated routes back into research for technical professionals.
During her PhD, she trained as a synthetic organometallic chemist, making and characterising transition metal complexes and studying their reactivity. She also developed expertise in single crystal X-ray crystallography, a powerful technique used to determine the detailed molecular structure of solid samples.
She used X-ray crystallography to support her own research group as well as international collaborators, and this specialist technical expertise will form an important part of her RTP Fellowship.
A detailed structural description of molecules and materials is fundamental to understanding their properties, and ultimately designing the next generation of pharmaceuticals, and energy materials such as superconductors and photovoltaics.”
Her return highlights the wider value of retaining and rebuilding technical expertise within the research system. Specialist technical professionals play a vital role in enabling research, supporting researchers and advancing the use of sophisticated techniques and equipment. Yet, like researchers in other roles, they can face significant challenges when trying to return after an extended career break.
The RTP Fellowship provides a flexible route for experienced research technical professionals to update their skills and knowledge, rebuild confidence and return to the research environment.
A supportive welcome back
For Parisa, her return has been made possible by the support of people around her.
She describes her experience of returning to the University of Bristol’s chemistry community as “remarkably smooth”, highlighting the encouragement she has received from Head of School Professor Craig Butts and her supervisor, Professor Simon Hall.
She also recognises the crucial role played by her family.
While I didn’t face any external barriers, I can imagine that without the support of these people and my family, it would have been a very different experience.”
Her experience demonstrates that creating an opportunity to return is only part of the solution. A supportive research environment, flexible working and encouragement from colleagues and family can all make a significant difference.
After such a long career break, taking the first step back into research can feel daunting. Parisa’s advice to other research technical professionals considering a return is simple:
“Don’t talk yourself out of starting the conversation
I would really recommend speaking to the Trust early to discuss the RTP scheme and any questions or doubts you may have – don’t talk yourself out of starting the conversation, and exploring a second chance to follow your passion.”
Now, as the Daphne Jackson Trust’s first RTP Fellow, she is beginning that second chapter of her career.
“I could not have asked for a smoother experience of applying for and starting the RTP. I’m hugely grateful to Dr Helen Marsh in particular for her patience and support, and I’m proud to now call myself a Daphne Jackson Trust RTP Fellow.”
Parisa’s story marks an important milestone for the Trust. Also demonstrating what can happen when experienced technical professionals are given the time, flexibility and support they need to return.
The Daphne Jackson Trust’s Research Technical Professional Fellowships offer experienced research technical professionals a supported route back into research after a career break of two years or more.
Could an RTP Fellowship help you return to research?
