Job Summary
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) helps the UK grow through science. It speeds up innovation, investment and productivity, whilst ensuring new and existing technologies are safe to use. It also builds a modern digital government to improve services for citizens.
To support us on this journey we are expanding its College of Experts. This is a prestigious network of independent specialists who provide impartial, strategic scientific and technical advice to shape national policy and programmes.
This Is a Unique Opportunity To:
* Help shape government policy, ensuring it is grounded in evidence, aligned with sector needs, and is future-facing.
* Collaborate across academia, industry and government, gaining insight into how policy is made and delivered.
* Engage with a diverse and inclusive Government department, working on a wide range of topics central to the UK’s science and technology priorities.
Members of the College of experts will be invited to contribute up to 5 days across the year to support the department’s research and evidence needs typically through Teams meetings, requests to review work or participate in roundtables. While the role is unpaid, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. In return, you’ll gain access to a respected cross-sector network including the DSIT Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA), visibility in government decision-making, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to public service. We can also provide letters acknowledging your contribution.
Job Description
The College of Experts is led by the DSIT Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Chris Johnson, and will include recognised experts from academia and industry. Experts will be invited to contribute up to five days per year on a flexible, unpaid basis, with reasonable travel and subsistence expenses reimbursed. We welcome applications from individuals who are leaders in their field, and who are motivated to apply their expertise for the public good. Tenure will align with the CSA’s term, typically up to ~18 months, with the possibility of extension following review. DSIT is committed to building a cohort that reflects the diversity of people, perspectives and sectors across the UK, and we strongly encourage applications from experts from a wide range of backgrounds.
You May Be Asked To Work On:
* Specialist insight: Provide deep technical expertise to teams to help ensure projects/business cases are aligned to sectoral needs.
* Holistic perspectives: Provide a broad integrated view of the research and innovation landscape and how new initiatives fit into this.
* Expert validation: Scrutinise assumptions, problem definition, financial models and proposed outcomes to help shape projects.
* Risk assessment: Identify potential challenges early and advise on mitigation.
* Training and workshops: Upskill teams on new areas of science and technology.
Please note, this is not an exhaustive list, and each opportunity will depend on the needs of the department.
We are recruiting experts for across our policy portfolio: AI Opportunities for a positive impact on economy and society, AI Security, Cyber Security & Digital Identity, Digital and Data, Digital Infrastructure, Future Telecommunications, Engineering Biology, Economic Security, IP Commercialisation, Life Sciences, Quantum Technologies, Regulatory Innovation, Research & Innovation, Security & Online Harms, Semiconductors and Space.
We are interested in candidates from STEM, social and behavioural sciences and humanities. Particular areas of interest include: Behaviour Change, Futures Thinking, Human Factors, Economic techniques (such as advanced econometrics, economic growth modelling, macroeconomics, and fiscal modelling), Science Communication & Public Engagement, Sociotechnical approaches to science and technology, and Systems Thinking.
Engagements as a member of the College of Experts are designed to be flexible and primarily remote, making it easier for experts across the UK to contribute regardless of location. Typical requests may include Teams meetings with policy teams, engaging in roundtables or reviewing papers. In-person attendance will be rare and only requested when necessary for departmental needs. If travel is required, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. When in-person engagements do occur, they will typically take place at one of DSIT’s regional offices located in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Darlington, London, or Salford. We strongly encourage applications from experts based across the UK’s nations and regions to ensure a broad and representative cohort.
The College of Experts is led by the DSIT Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Chris Johnson, and will include recognised experts from academia and industry. Experts will be invited to contribute up to five days per year on a flexible, unpaid basis, with reasonable travel and subsistence expenses reimbursed. We welcome applications from individuals who are leaders in their field, and who are motivated to apply their expertise for the public good. Tenure will align with the CSA’s term, typically up to ~18 months, with the possibility of extension following review. DSIT is committed to building a cohort that reflects the diversity of people, perspectives and sectors across the UK, and we strongly encourage applications from experts from a wide range of backgrounds.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
The ideal candidate will be a mid-late career professional who is an expert in their field and interested in contributing to policy and public sector work. They will have the following key skills and experiences:
* Recognised nationally or internationally as a specialist in a field relevant to DSIT policy areas, bringing expertise from science, technology, engineering, social sciences, or related disciplines, gained through academia, research organisations, industry, or equivalent professional experience.
* A proven ability to communicate complex scientific and technical advice clearly and persuasively in writing and orally.
* Awareness of the political landscape and experience of working responsively in an advisory capacity.
Desirable Criteria:
* Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with government officials or similar stakeholders.
Please note, applicants must have the ability to work effectively in English in their area of expertise.
Selection process details
To apply for this job please complete this application form no later than Friday 16th January at 23:55. The form will ask for:
* Basic questions on your experience.
* Your CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities, achievements and any methodological expertise you may hold. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained.
* A statement of suitability that demonstrates how you meet essential and desirable selection criteria listed above. This should include specific examples and evidence drawn from your area(s) of expertise (This should be no more than 500 words).
Selection Process:
Applicants will be assessed primarily on their CV and statement of suitability. We may choose to hold some informal interviews as part of the selection process.
Your application will be reviewed by a panel of Policy and Analyst Leads within DSIT. They will assess your suitability and experience by evaluating the evidence you provide against the essential criteria for the role. Applicants who best demonstrate a strong match with the department’s needs will be selected. If candidates achieve similar scores, the desirable criteria may be used as a guideline for further assessment.
Contact Points:
Please email any questions to: csa@dsit.gov.uk
Information Session:
We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will take place on: Monday 15th December at 16:00.
The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions. Please note, this session will not focus on the recruitment process.
Please register your interest by emailing csa@dsit.gov.uk and you will be sent an invitation to the information session.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
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Job Contact:
Chief Scientific Advisor Private Office: csa@dsit.gov.uk
Recruitment team - dsitresourcing.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk