Apply your scientific or engineering leadership to the UK’s most complex policy and delivery challenges.

The Government Office for Science is offering up to five secondments for experienced scientists and engineers who are ready to step into senior leadership roles in government.

Job Role

If successful will work in a government department on policy or programme delivery, bringing your leadership experience, judgement and analytical skills to decisions that affect public services and national priorities.

One of the secondments on offer is the Head of Innovation and Partnerships Role in the Office of the Police Chief Scientific Adviser. This is a high impact role where you will work across policing, government, industry and academia to lead the development of a coherent innovation programme which aligns with national policing priorities.

This role offers the opportunity to maximise the impact of the Police STAR Fund, drive collaboration opportunities with partners across Government and International Networks, building the industry policing S&T network and finally helping policing to access, adopt and embed innovative cutting-edge science and technology capabilities.

These roles are not defined by technical specialism, and candidates will be matched to roles at the end of the process. They require the ability to work across disciplines, bring together evidence, lead people, manage ambiguity and contribute to complex decision-making. You may lead strategic planning, manage senior stakeholder relationships, support innovation or help translate evidence into practical decisions and delivery.

Eligibility

• You have the support of your employer to apply for a secondment.
• Hold a relevant STEM postgraduate qualification or equivalent qualification at level 7 or above, and evidence of a professional qualification that demonstrates a depth of scientific or engineering knowledge and its practical application in your career. Holding a PhD within a STEM discipline would be adequate to fulfil both requirements.
• You have several years of senior leadership experience that demonstrates the ability to work effectively as a peer alongside senior civil servants.

This is a rare opportunity to broaden your leadership beyond your current technical domain, gain first-hand experience of how government operates at senior level, and build lasting relationships across the Civil Service, academia, industry and the wider public sector.

Participants will remain employed by their current organisation, with salary reimbursed up to £100,000 per annum by the Government Office for Science. Secondments are expected to last up to 15 months and end on or before 31 March 2028.

The deadline for applications is 23:55 9th September 2026

Find out more here.