Keeping James Bond out of trouble with ever more inventive gadgets was always a full-time job for Q.

Now that MI5 is attempting to recruit a real-life equivalent, however, it appears the job can be done part-time.

An advert placed by the UK security service asks for a chief scientific adviser to “lead and co-ordinate” its scientific work and be au fait with the latest developments in technology.

The successful applicant, according to the service’s website, will be expected to use their knowledge of gadgetry to thwart international terrorist activity.

Candidates for the “unique and challenging” role need to have “world-class scientific expertise and credibility”, “excellent strategic skills” and “outstanding influencing and communication skills”. They must also have a successful track record of “managing critical projects and processes in a complex environment”.

The chosen scientific genius, however, will be expected to dedicate two, perhaps three, days to the role.

Candidates must be British citizens and have lived in the country for 9 out of the last 10 years.

Professor John Beddington, the Government’s chief scientific adviser, said the new recruit will have to keep up with the latest developments in science and technology to ensure British intelligence stays ahead.

“It will involve a sort of future gazing to see where technology will be taking us in a year or so,” he said.

“There is a really important role in providing scientific and technological advice on addressing problems agents in the field will face.

“The chief science adviser has a role to frustrate terrorism to prevent espionage hurting the UK, protect our critical national infrastructure and to frustrate the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

“There’s an enormous amount of scientific content in this role.”

The new recruit’s fictional counter-part, Q, was known for popping up in exotic locations to showcase ever more inventive and improbable gadgets which tended to save Bond’s life at the last minute.

Some of the contraptions included the Lotus sports car that could travel underwater, a wrist dart gun and a mobile phone with a Taser-like weapon facility.

Applications for the MI5 science job close on April 24, and could take up to six months to process.

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