The Department for Transport (DfT) is looking to hire a new chief scientific adviser (CSA), filling the position currently held by Professor Sarah Sharples.
The department is seeking a ‘distinguished scientist or engineer’ who can convene respected expert groups and who can provide ‘constructive challenge’ at the most senior levels of government.
The CSA acts as a ‘senior and influential leader at the heart of the [DfT]’ and is responsible for ensuring that all the department’s policies have science, engineering, technology, and innovation embedded in them.
Alongside a salary of £120,000, the Department for Transport contributes £34,764 towards the CSA being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Several key priorities highlighted in the job posting include ‘owning’ the implementation and ongoing development of the DfT Science, Innovation and Technology (SIT) Plan, which is expected to be published later this year.
The successful candidate will also be responsible for ‘building capability’ across the DfT by supporting training and personal development and acting as a bridge between government, academia and industry.
They will also work under the Government CSA, Professor Dame Angela McLean, representing the DfT in cross-departmental meetings.
Professor Sharples, who has held the position since 2021, is leaving the role to take on a new position as vice-president and dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester.
The DfT role is a three-year fixed-term appointment with the possibility of extension and is available on a full-time and part-time (4 days) basis.
The deadline to apply for this role is 5 September 2025. More information on the role specifications and how to apply can be found here.
The Department for Transport and Professor Sarah Sharples have been approached for comment.
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