Location: London based but with flexible working arrangements

Three year Fixed Term appointment with the possibility of extension. A secondment for a minimum of two years will also be considered.

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is responsible for ensuring that the economy grows strongly in all parts of the country and that the UK has secure and clean energy supplies as part of the drive towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The UK Government has put research and innovation at the heart of its Industrial Strategy, setting an ambition for the UK to become the most innovative country in the world and increase its total R&D expenditure to 2.4% of GDP by 2027. Given this backdrop, it is a very exciting time to be working within the Department, and within the Government more widely. 

BEIS is seeking an exceptional Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) to lead on the use of scientific and engineering evidence to help shape the Department’s economic and climate strategy and inform the Department’s resources and plans for investment in science. They will provide advice to senior officials and Ministers. 

Knowledge of the latest science and engineering developments is very important to BEIS for creating the best conditions for companies and consumers to flourish in a green, open, productive economy. The CSA will therefore need to provide independent and objective scientific advice to the Department and Ministerial team on a range of policy solutions: from investment in innovative companies, to reducing energy bills for households, to promoting competitive markets and consumer interests and reducing carbon emissions. The CSA will ensure that science and evidence continue to drive and underpin the Department’s work. The CSA will advise on emerging research and innovation and support horizon scanning, bringing together insights from across disciplines to advise BEIS on strategic opportunities and risks. 

BEIS’s new CSA will be a highly credible scientist or engineer. You will need to be able to synthesise information so that it is useful for policy makers and have strong communication skills in order to have credibility with challenging audiences who do not necessarily have a scientific background, the outside scientific and engineering community and a wide network of scientific colleagues. You will work collaboratively with the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, the cross-Government community of CSAs, heads of Research Councils and other high profile national and international bodies to share best practice, further develop partnerships and ensure access to a wide knowledge base. 

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency adviser to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on this appointment.  For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference OADAGD Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours).

Applications should be received by 14th April 2020.  

BEIS is an equal opportunity employer.  We value diversity and want our workforce to reflect the communities that we serve.  We are also committed to the employment and career development of disabled people.

The Civil Service Commission provides assurance that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.