Tarnjit Khera has recently returned to work part-time after 11 months’ maternity leave. A research associate in ophthalmology in the School of Clinical Sciences at the University of Bristol, Tarnjit is investigating the role of macrophages (a type of white blood cell) during inflammation in the eye with Andrew Dick, Professor of Ophthalmology, and their role in atherosclerotic plaque progression during cardiovascular disease with Sarah George, professor of cardiovascular signalling. She leads her own research project, is involved in writing research bids, and also contributes to supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students on their research projects  in the laboratories.

“The school was very supportive of my decision to work four days a week,” she reflects.  “It’s  important for me to spend quality time with my daughter while still being able to continue my professional interests.”

Science isn’t easy to slot into a part-time work pattern, however, as experiments don’t just stop at 5 pm on Day Four of the working week. “I do have to be very organised, and fit my work in around family and colleagues. Lots of us are in similar positions, working part-time with young families, so we help each other as much as possible.”

Tarnjit studied biochemistry for her undergraduate degree, followed by a PhD at Cardiff, before transferring to Bristol for her post-doctoral position.  Keeping in touch during her maternity leave was important, especially regarding her commitments to her PhD students. She was able to arrange meetings in the school during this time, with the support of her family. Tarnjit recognises significant pressure on women to take shorter maternity leave periods because of the pace of development in science.  She reflects: “I had originally planned to take seven months off, but then ended up taking eleven, as I wanted as much time with my daughter as possible.”

She is philosophical about the choices that she has made and wants to achieve a good balance between home and professional life. “I have chosen to spend quality time with my family, particularly while my daughter is young. I’m not putting my career on hold but family is very important to me at this moment.”

Tarnjit doesn’t yet have a fellowship – a position which guarantees a scientist stability to develop a programme of research.  “As you can see from my experience, it is possible to maintain your career and family without a fellowship, although I hope to get one in the future,” she said.

“I’ve also benefited from seeing and talking to other women in the school; people like Sarah George, who have achieved much in their careers while managing families.”

“In the long term, I’d like my own research group,” she said. “I definitely want to do my own research projects and head up a small team, but at the moment I’m grateful for a flexible management which has worked to create a positive working culture, so I can continue my research and be a good mum.”

Further details

Tarnjit's research profile

Follow Tarnjit on Twitter @SciTKK

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