Applications for this job are now closed
Duration: 3 years
Starting salary: £28,840 (£45k to £55k after successful completion of the scheme and promotion)
Get on the Fast Stream and you’ll be encouraged, enabled and empowered to become a Civil Service leader, tackling the issues that matter to you and UK life. Whatever you want to achieve, whatever your degree subject or background, there’s something here for you.
What could I be involved in as a Science & Engineering Fast Streamer?
Whatever your scientific or engineering background you’ll apply your skills and knowledge to the development and application of policies, translating scientific evidence into clear recommendations for senior-level decision makers.
Society faces many challenges where science can provide solutions. As a Science and Engineering Fast Streamer you could be working on issues as diverse as climate change, sustainable housing, health science, defence and security, clean energy technology, AI or transport innovation.
You’ll experience a wide range of postings across the Civil Service. Roles could include Assistant Private Secretary to the MOD Chief Scientific Adviser, Earth Observations Policy Support in DEFRA or Materials Advisor for The Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. On some of your postings, you can expect to work outside of your existing scientific or engineering knowledge.
As well as working with policy teams to develop solutions for ministers and senior civil servants, you’ll collaborate with academics, industry experts and other external partners. You may also have an external posting working in a local government, charity or private sector role. Whatever you work on, you’ll be helping to solve some of the most complex problems faced by government and supporting our ambition to put science and engineering at the heart of government policy making.
Growing your knowledge, skills and experience
On this scheme, you’ll build a portfolio of skills, knowledge and experience equipping you for leadership success in the Science & Engineering profession.
In addition to the core Fast Stream leadership training, you’ll have specialist learning linked to the Government Science & Engineering Profession’s emerging career framework. This includes a mixture of face-to-face courses, e-learning packages and bespoke training opportunities aimed at addressing your specific learning needs and broadening your understanding of science and engineering in the Civil Service.
Our excellent links with external industry partners and academia will add to your development opportunities. We also offer a programme of support for gaining membership of, or chartership through, external professional institutions.
To apply, you’ll need
- Eligibility to work in the UK.
- A 2:1 or higher undergraduate degree in any subject, including degree apprenticeships.
- A postgraduate degree in any science or engineering discipline, or to be a chartered engineer or scientist registered by one of the professional institutions licensed by the Engineering Council or the Science Council. For Integrated Masters you need, or expect to have, a 2:1 or higher.
- We expect you to have secured your postgraduate degree before you start the programme.
We support applicants with health conditions, learning difficulties and disabilities, with their applications and through their Civil Service careers. We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you have a disability and meet the minimum qualifying criteria for your chosen scheme, you may choose to skip part of the first stage of the assessment process.
More benefits of being on the Fast Stream
Join us and you’ll be a valued member of the wider Civil Service community, where people genuinely matter and where you can confidently bring your true self to work each day. As well as the reward that comes from work with a strong social purpose, you’ll enjoy a variety of benefits. These include membership of the Civil Service Pension scheme, season ticket loan, flexible working arrangements, childcare assistance and more.
