Dr Bill Deakin

Daphne Jackson Research Fellow

Originally trained as a molecular microbiologist, I was awarded my Ph.D. from Durham University in 1994. I continued there with my first post-doctoral position, where I became interested in sustainable agriculture and particularly plant-growth-promoting bacteria. In 1997 I moved to the University of Geneva to take up a research fellowship to study the legume-rhizobia symbiotic interaction, in which the bacterial rhizobia form a close association with leguminous plants (eg beans and peas). Rhizobia are capable of reducing atmospheric nitrogen to compounds that plants can utilise and in return the plants provide rhizobia with a root organelle to both house and feed them. I became a junior research group leader in 2003 at Geneva and led the group for 6 years. In 2010 I decided to take a step back from active research and began a paternity break to spend more time with my young family. We returned to the UK in 2013 and after establishing our children in their new home & schools, in 2016 I started to look for ways to return to research. Numerous applications to “regular” academic positions were unsuccessful, primarily because it was felt I’d spent too long out of research. I was told of the Daphne Jackson Trust which provides Fellowship opportunities for Scientists, Engineers or Mathematicians who had taken career breaks of at least 2 years. I saw an advertisement from the University of York who were collaborating with the Daphne Jackson Trust to co-fund two Fellowship positions.

Pre-application support

The fact that the University of York were willing to subsidise a Daphne Jackson Fellowship was an initial demonstration of support. The application process was complicated, as first of all, I had to apply to the Daphne Jackson Trust to ensure I met their criteria as a career break researcher. I did and was appointed a Trust mentor who was a tremendous help whilst writing the application and continues to guide me through my fellowship. The University of York then had to accommodate me. A discussion with the Research Development Manager at York quickly led to contact with a research scientist in the Biology Department who also worked with plant-growth-promoting bacteria. Working with Dr. Ville Friman, we designed a project linked to sustainable agriculture, to develop mixtures of different plant-growth promoting bacteria with the intention to reduce the necessity for (environmentally damaging) chemical fertiliser use. Ville’s lab was able offered financial support to cover consumables costs and identified sources from which I could apply for my own funding. There was an interview for the position at York, with a member of the Daphne Jackson Trust present. My application was successful and in 2019 I began working in Ville’s laboratory.

Post-application support

Initially the fact that a Daphne Jackson Fellow works at 50%, meant my re-introduction to work was easier for my family. Ville’s group were very welcoming and helped my re-adaptation to laboratory work. In fact, the large communal research laboratories at York mean that you can ask anybody for advice. With Ville’s guidance, I have already successfully applied for two consumables grants to support the project and make me financially independent. The Daphne Jackson Trust strongly encourage their fellows to undertake extensive re-training and personal development to facilitate their return to active research. The Trust provide three excellent courses for their Fellows, to develop confidence, provide an update on how to publish research work and career progression. The University of York also provide an in-house professionalism training programme covering every aspect a research scientist will need. Furthermore, within the Department of Biology, the Technology Facility provide both technical courses on new, innovative technologies and are on hand to provide instant support/answers to any scientific methodology. I have been able to return to research, develop my own project, source funding for it and be re-trained to hopefully allow me to continue back into mainstream academia. I cannot thank enough both the Daphne Jackson Trust and the University of York for giving me this opportunity.