MI5 advertises for real-life Q to help defend Britain

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MI5, responsible for threats against national British security, is advertising for an adviser to support its technology and scientific aims.

The ‘Chief Scientific Adviser’ will be responsible for coordinating technology and scientific support for the service.

The advert says that the successful applicant should have qualities including ‘world-class expertise and credibility in relevant scientific and technology disciplines’.

He or she will have some big responsibilities placed upon their shoulders. ‘The Security Service’ as it is also known, protects the country against threats such as terrorism, espionage and weapons of mass destruction.

MI5 also has to identify new or re-emerging types of threat, in addition to protecting sensitive government information.

The government’s top chief scientific officer Professor John Beddington was reported to have told the BBC that it was an important role to provide scientific and technology advice on the problems field agents would have to face.

He said: “The job will include advising on protecting the ‘critical national infrastructure’ – such as sources of energy and the national grid - and the proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.”

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