The Scottish Government is offering £110,000 for its next chief scientific adviser.
The top scientist will work as the “strategic and cross-cutting lead for science advice” within the Scottish Government. They will lead a network of chief scientific advisers in Scotland, including CSAs for environment, natural resources and agriculture; health; and marine science.
They will also work closely with the other devolved administrations’ chief scientists and “act as an advocate for science in Scotland” within the UK’s chief scientific adviser network.
The role can be based in Edinburgh or Glasgow, according to the job advert, which notes that the Scottish Government “operates a flexible, hybrid approach to working”. They are likely to spend some time in the office each week to accommodate meetings, including with senior colleagues and ministers, with regular travel within Scotland and further afield also likely.
As well as providing scientific advice in their specialist field, the chief scientific adviser will also maintain links with external scientists and researchers to enable the Scottish Government to benefit from a wide range of expertise and research. As such, the successful candidate will be “expected to have extensive experience of working in a cross-disciplinary way, with networks outside your own area of expertise”, according to the job advert.
They will work with other specialist and professional advisers within the Scottish Government to contribute to resilience planning and emergency response, providing scientific advice to the Scottish Government Resilience Room and the UK government’s Science Advisory Group for Emergencies as needed.
And they will chair the Scottish Government’s Science Leadership Network and sit on the Scottish Science Advisory Council, which facilitates access to wider science expertise and provides independent advice to government.
The successful candidate must be “an outstanding scientist widely respected at a national or international level and an authoritative voice on scientific issues” who can provide “fearless challenge”, the job ad says.
They must be able to work collaboratively and have “highly-developed interpersonal and influencing skills and the ability to build on and develop influential networks across academia, government, industry, and other stakeholders, nationally and internationally”.
And they must be able to explain “complex and challenging issues” to a wide range of audiences.
The chief scientist will report to the Scottish Government’s director general economy and work alongside its director of economic development. They will be supported by a small Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser, which includes a deputy CSA.
Alongside the £110,000 salary for the role, the Scottish Government will contribute £31,867 towards the chief scientific adviser’s pension each year.
The successful candidate will succeed Julie Fitzpatrick, who has held the part-time role since 2021. Fitzpatrick is also chief executive of The Moredun Group, a research institute in Midlothian with expertise in livestock health and infectious diseases, and scientific director of Moredun Research Group.
Applications for the role close on 11 March.