Chief Scientific Adviser
| Posting date: | 30 June 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £125,000 to £145,000 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Standard Cabinet Office rules on pay will apply to civil servants appointed on level transfer or promotion. Their salary will increase to the minimum of the SCS PB2 range or by a promotion award of up to 10% more than their current basic salary excluding |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 28 July 2025 |
| Location: | London |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 414276/1 |
Summary
The Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) to the Home Office plays a crucial role in ensuring that science, technology, research and evidence-based insights underpin policymaking and operational decisions. As the department’s most senior scientific leader, the CSA provides expert advice to Ministers and senior officials, shaping research and innovation strategies that align with public safety, immigration and borders, and national security priorities. The role involves ensuring the quality and relevance of the department’s science and research; overseeing scientific advisory committees; and driving cross-government collaboration.
The CSA is also responsible for engaging with academia, industry, and international partners to draw on expertise and insights nationally and internationally from relevant fields such as crime science, social and behavioural sciences, biometrics, cybersecurity, and forensic science and technology. The CSA also plays a critical role in emergency preparedness and in representing the department in senior scientific meetings and informing decisions and operations with evidence and data in emergencies as at other times.
Key responsibilities include:
- Scientific Advisory Leadership – Provide expert scientific advice to the Home Secretary, Ministers, senior officials, and, when required, the Prime Minister, ensuring that science, technology, and evidence-based insights inform policy and operational decisions.
- Leadership of Science and Engineering in Government – Oversee the Government Science and Engineering profession within the department, working with science colleagues to oversee, shape, and advise on science and innovation projects.
- Cross-Government Scientific Collaboration – Work closely with the cross-Government Chief Scientific Advisers (CSAs) network, and with CSAs from other government departments, the Social and Behavioural Sciences for Emergencies Steering and funding groups, to share best practice, improve knowledge exchange, shape new projects and address interdepartmental science challenges.
- Long-Term Research & Development Strategy – Shape the Home Office’s research and development agenda, working closely with the departmental science leadership, assuring horizon scanning.
- International Scientific Engagement & Security Partnerships – Represent the UK’s science policy at an international level, fostering partnerships with the US Department of Homeland Security, G20, G7, UN bodies, and other global security science institutions.
- Emergency Preparedness & Response – Offer scientific guidance during national security incidents and emergencies, including participation in the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and biosecurity advisory bodies, amongst others.
- Public Engagement & Scientific Transparency – Act as a public-facing scientific leader, ensuring effective communication of scientific evidence to policymakers, the media, and the public.
- Scientific Advisory Committees & Research Integrity – Oversee the operation of the Home Office’s Scientific Advisory Committees, ensuring that all science-led policy decisions adhere to high standards of integrity and evidence quality.
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