Medical research is essential to the development of healthcare advancement, driving forward innovation in treatment, therapy, and medication.  It also requires years of training – including a university degree, doctoral training, and post-doctorate experience.

Despite the widespread need for and investment in medical research, many researchers leave science after receiving a PhD, citing a lack of work-life balance and flexible working as the primary reason.  This need for flexible working becomes increasingly pressing as people move through life, particularly for women with children.  As of 2022, 37% of women employed in the UK worked part-time, and according to a 2023 study, the number one factor for mothers considering a return workforce after a career break was the flexibility of their next role.

As the majority of medical research fellowships are full-time, it can be especially difficult for returners to find the flexible, part-time opportunities they need to balance other obligations with a return to research.

At the Daphne Jackson Trust, we’ve helped almost 500 fellows return to research in their field.  Our part-time fellowships allow returners to re-enter the workforce without sacrificing flexibility, while our unique combination of mentorship, retraining, and research provides the opportunity for our fellows to return to their careers with confidence.  In total, we’ve saved over 1250 years of research experience and talent from being lost.

“Every Daphne Jackson Trust Fellowship is offered on a part-time basis, so our Fellows can fit their research and retraining alongside family, elder care, yoga lessons, book writing – anything they have going on in their lives. As the CEO I am a huge supporter of part-time and flexible ways to work – and indeed they’ve been a huge part of my own personal career path.” – Dr Katie Perry, CEO, Daphne Jackson Trust

We are fortunate to have four funded fellowships available in medical research through our partners – MS Society UK, British Heart Foundation, and Alzheimer’s Society.  Available for three years part-time, these fellowships provide new opportunities for researchers to return after a break of two or more years taken for caring, family, or health reasons.

Could you be the next Daphne Jackson Fellow?  Take a look at our Current Opportunities.