Location
Bristol

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£48,168 per annum

About the Role
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Science, analysis and data are central to Defra’s work, with the Science, Data & Analysis Group (SDA) providing specialist expertise to deliver high quality, impactful analysis and insight to underpin policy and decision-making.

These Senior Scientific Adviser roles sit within the SDA’s Central Science Division (CSD), working on priorities set by the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA). The CSD provides three key functions: enabling a strong science system across Defra, supporting priority policy areas through research and innovation, and strategically identifying and addressing emerging scientific issues.

These roles offer an excellent opportunity to place science at the heart of Defra policies and champion science and scientists across the Defra Group. We are recruiting two Senior Scientific Advisers with experience in science and a passion for applying knowledge to real-world problems. A reserve list may also be created for future science roles within Defra.

Role 1: Research and Development Fellowship Programme Co-ordinator
This role leads the delivery and strategic development of the Defra R&D Fellowship Programme, which brings early- to mid-career scientists from academia and industry into Defra to work on priority R&D projects in a policy-focused environment. The post holder will develop pathways for movement of people, ideas, and innovation across sectors, ensuring alignment with Defra priorities and government science ambitions.

Role 2: External Advice Co-ordinator
This role strengthens how Defra accesses, commissions, and uses independent expert advice. Working within the External Advice Team, you will lead the secretariat for Defra’s Science Advisory Council and its subgroups, support the CSA in accessing expert evidence, and help shape Defra’s approach to external expertise. This role involves working across policy, science, senior leaders, Ministers’ offices, external experts, academia, and government partners.

Experience
Experience working in science with an interest in applying scientific knowledge to real-world problems. For Role 1, experience with fellowships, secondments, or talent development schemes is desirable. For Role 2, experience supporting boards, committees or governance groups is advantageous. Knowledge of government R&D reporting, research commissioning, evidence assurance, public appointments, recruitment, and external networking is beneficial.

About you
You will demonstrate scientific and programme leadership, including understanding how evidence, R&D, innovation, and external expertise support policy and organisational resilience. You will have strong partnership development skills, able to build productive relationships across organisational boundaries such as academia, research organisations, ALBs, government departments, and industry. You must be able to prioritise and align work with organisational goals, communicate and influence senior leaders and stakeholders effectively, and deliver high-quality outputs under competing deadlines.

Qualifications
Postgraduate degree or equivalent experience in a science, engineering, or related discipline.