The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is offering up to £149,000 for its next chief scientific adviser.
The chief scientist is responsible for ensuring science and evidence are embedded across DESNZ’s strategy, operations and culture and will support the delivery of the government’s clean energy superpower mission, according to the job advert.
The successful candidate will provide independent and impartial scientific and engineering advice to ministers and senior officials, reporting directly to DESNZ’s permanent secretary. They will sit on both the department’s board and its executive committee.
They will succeed Paul Monks, who is leaving to become chair of the board at the British Geological Survey later this year. Monks transferred to the department on its inception in 2023, having been chief scientific adviser at its predecessor, the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, since 2020.
The chief scientist will also represent DESNZ publicly on matters of scientific evidence and contribute to major cross-government science and technology policy, working with the government chief scientific adviser network.
And they will act as head of the science and engineering profession in the department and work to build its wider capability.
The successful candidate will be “a figure of national and international standing in science or engineering, with a track record of distinction through peer-reviewed publication or equivalent professional achievement”, the job ad says.
The role also requires outstanding communication skills, the ability to operate with authority and credibility at the highest levels and a strong personal commitment to evidence-based policymaking.
They should have experience of providing trusted advice to senior decision-makers – ideally in complex, high-profile or politically sensitive environments.
“Strategic vision, sound judgement and an appetite for innovation will also be essential,” the advert adds.
Writing in the introduction to the candidate pack, government chief scientific adviser Angela McLean said the post is “an exciting and interesting role which cuts across the whole of the department’s work at a time when the importance of scientific evidence and advice is at the forefront”.
“You will be nationally and internationally recognised in your field of science or engineering and will need to be an exemplary science communicator,” she said.
“You will also be collaborative, to enable you to work across the many sectors in the department’s remit as well as making links with other government departments and academia.”
Perm sec Jeremy Pocklington said the chief scientist role is “vital” to delivering his vision for DESNZ to become an “inclusive, professional and high performing mission-led department.
“I am committed to leading an organisation in which fairness and equality of opportunity are central to our approach in business and working relationships and where the organisational culture reflects and supports these values,” he added.
“I would therefore particularly welcome applications that are representative of the broad range of views and backgrounds we have in our society.”
Applications for the chief scientific adviser role close on 29 May.