This is an unpaid, voluntary position that supports the work of the Bee Health Advisory Forum and the delivery of the Healthy Bees Plan 2030 (HBP 2030) in England and Wales HBP2030_English_language_version.pdf
Healthy honey bees are essential to agriculture, food production and wider ecosystem health. Managed honey bees support crop yield and quality, contribute to the rural economy, and provide social and wellbeing benefits for thousands of beekeepers.
There is now an opportunity for a motivated and experienced scientist to join the Bee Health Advisory Forum (BHAF) as a Science Advisor. The BHAF brings together Government officials, beekeeping organisations, sector representatives and researchers to work in partnership on honey bee health. The BHAF also supports delivery of the HBP 2030’s implementation plan HBP2030_Implementation_2025_2027_eng.pdf
The forum meets quarterly with an additional annual science meeting. Meetings will primarily take place on Microsoft Teams, with a single in‑person meeting held annually.
The HBP 2030 focuses on achieving four key outcomes, one of which is ‘sound science and evidence should underpin the actions taken to support bee health’. This outcome aligns with the following BHAF Science Statement priority areas.
Scientific Priorities
• Emerging and Changing Risks – understanding evolving pests, diseases, pathways of spread, and environmental impacts.
• Surveillance, Diagnostics and Biology – improving detection tools and understanding pest and disease biology.
• Sustainable Pest and Disease Management – supporting evidence on management approaches, epidemiology, treatment performance and husbandry practices.
BHAF also works to improve education, support behaviour change that improves bee health, share knowledge, and build research capacity.
Role of the Science Advisor
• Regular attendance at BHAF meetings (mostly virtual).
• Maintain awareness of relevant scientific developments in line with the BHAF Science Statement.
• Provide independent scientific challenge and insight.
• Support science actions within the HBP 2030 Implementation Plan.
• Develop the agenda and lead the annual BHAF science meeting.
• Encourage publication of research findings in beekeeping journals.
• Support science-themed communications, including World Bee Day.
Information Required
• Name
• Email address
• Qualifications
• Name and address of organisation
• Confirmation of availability for five meetings per year
• One page (maximum of 350 words) which; (i) summarises your scientific expertise and how this aligns with the BHAF research priorities; (ii) describes your experience in communicating science to a wide range of stakeholders.
Applications will be reviewed against three defined criteria: the applicant’s scientific expertise in relevant areas, their ability to communicate scientific information clearly to a broad range of stakeholders, and their commitment and availability to undertake the voluntary role. Each criterion is considered using a 1–5 assessment scale, with a maximum overall assessment of 15. All applicants will be informed of the outcome in writing.
Please send applications to .