Science and Engineering Fast Stream 2027

Job summary

On the Science and Engineering Fast Stream (SEFS), you will use your science and engineering skills to support government policy development and decision-making. The scheme is not designed to place you in roles based solely on your scientific or engineering experience; instead, you will be placed in roles where your skills strengthen and inform policy.

Society faces many challenges that science and engineering can help solve. The Civil Service needs talented, adaptable science and engineering leaders to deliver complex work that makes a difference to people across the UK. The government’s focus on science and innovation to drive the UK’s growth, prosperity and security highlights the vital role of scientists and engineers in decision-making. Their expertise helps ensure policy is informed by the best available evidence and that scientific advice is communicated clearly.

You might be a science or engineering graduate, an experienced postgraduate researcher, a professional from industry, or an existing civil servant with a technical background. Join the Science and Engineering Fast Stream and you’ll become part of a modern, vibrant community of professionals with a shared goal: improving outcomes for the public.

The specific towns and cities depend on the department you are posted to and its office locations. The Fast Stream evolves continually, so postings can vary from year to year.

As an indication, in 2026 new fast streamers were posted to government offices in the following regions: Greater London, North West, South West, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.

On occasion, some individuals may need to move location. We aim to align postings with your preferences whenever possible; however, final decisions must support our wider business needs. Please note that Fast Streamers cannot choose their department or their specific role.

Job description

Over three years, you will complete a range of stretching but rewarding postings across the Civil Service. These could include supporting the MOD Chief Scientific Adviser, working on earth observation policy in DEFRA, or advising on materials in the Department of Business, Innovation, Science and Trade These postings are designed to broaden your experience and build your leadership capability, including in areas outside your previous technical specialism. The scheme also offers a unique interchange placement, which may include opportunities in local government, charities or the private sector.

Across your postings, you will help build and apply evidence so government can respond to major challenges such as climate change or sustainable housing. You might analyse complex datasets, model public health risks, or develop evidence to inform clean energy decisions. You may also help shape legislation and regulation, or work with industry on compliance with statutory requirements (for example, food safety standards or transport emissions).

You will draw on your scientific background to develop and communicate robust evidence, working with experts across government, academia and industry.

You will be passionate about science and engineering and, throughout the programme, you will advocate for the use of evidence in the Civil Service and help promote the Government Science and Engineering Profession.

As a future leader, you will be expected to lead work from an early stage, including (but not exclusively) technical work. This might involve managing research projects, or working with policy teams to develop solutions for ministers and senior officials. By acting as an intelligent customer, you could oversee technical delivery for programmes such as a major transport project or research into artificial intelligence. You will work strategically with academics, industry experts and delivery partners inside and outside government.

You may also contribute to horizon scanning to identify emerging trends and technologies, such as autonomous vehicles or genomics, and apply systems thinking to help address complex cross-government challenges. Your combination of technical expertise and leadership potential, and your ability to work in both technical and non-technical environments, will make you deployable across the Civil Service at the end of the programme. When you finish after three years, you may choose to specialise in a policy area and take on technical leadership roles, or apply your skills in policy or operational delivery, bringing fresh perspectives to teams. Alternatively, you may focus on leadership and management roles, while remaining affiliated to the profession and continuing to champion science and engineering across government.

Whatever path you take, the Science and Engineering Fast Stream will develop you into a confident and inspiring future leader, supporting our ambition to put science and engineering at the heart of government decision-making.

We aim to put all successful candidates through Security Clearance (SC). However, if you are ineligible for SC, please do not be deterred from applying; we have plenty of exciting roles available that only require standard Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks. You can find more information about vetting clearance levels here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vett…

Person specification

You must be eligible to work in the UK
You need to have or be on track to receive a 2:1 or higher undergraduate degree in any subject, including degree apprenticeships before you start the programme.
You must also hold a postgraduate degree in a science or engineering discipline, or be a chartered engineer or scientist registered with a professional institution licensed by the Engineering Council or the Science Council. For integrated master’s degrees, 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

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,554, Fast Stream and Emerging Talent contributes £9,141 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).Benefits include the Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, child care assistance and more.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Application Process

There are several phases in the Fast Stream application process. Some of these assessments are multimedia in that they present information in video, audio, graphical or visual formats, as well as text. We hope you find it an engaging process and one that gives you a real insight into the role of a fast streamer.

At the initial application stage you will be asked to complete some background information which will include some diversity questions - which are for monitoring purposes only and will have no bearing on selection outcomes - along with the opportunity to identify your preferences in terms of the different Fast Stream schemes. You can choose up to three.

When you apply please register with a personal email address, and not a work or university email address.

Assessment Phases

There are 2 online tests:

Work-based scenarios - This test measures interpersonal skills, utilising video based scenarios and you are required to assess the effectiveness of various responses.

Case Study assessment - In this test you are required to take work based scenarios on an imaginary role, learning and responding to a series of challenges and situations and adapting to the changes you are presented with.

Additional information - depending on the schemes you have chosen, there may be additional information to be completed, or an intermediate sift process. More information on the schemes that require additional information can be found https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-how-to-apply/fs…

Fast Stream Assessment Centre - if you pass the above stages you'll be invited to attend a half day assessment centre. This will be conducted virtually online. The Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC) reflects some of the key elements of a Fast Stream role and will consist of a written exercise, oral briefing exercise and a personal development conversation. Information will be presented via an app that you will be able to access remotely.

Final Selection Board - most schemes will then require a Final Selection Board . We'll ask you to attend this final assessment if you reach the required standard at FSAC. More information on the Final Selection Boards can be found https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-how-to-apply/fs…

The Civil Service Fast Stream is committed to supporting you through the application process by offering a range of reasonable adjustments. For further information about reasonable adjustments through the Fast Stream application process, please visit our dedicated page - https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-how-to-apply/fs…

If you need to contact us, please submit a request for help https://fsetatso.freshdesk.com/support/home

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : faststream.applicationsupport@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
• Email : faststream.applicationsupport@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk.
For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.