MI5 looks to recruit 'real life Q'

James Bond often uses guns and gadgets created by Q to hunt down his enemies

Q, the fictional gadget maestro from the James Bond films, could soon become a reality.

The MI6 character often popped up in exotic locations to demonstrate a range of new-fangled weapons and gadgets to the suave spy.

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.

Now, MI5 is recruiting a chief scientific adviser to "lead and co-ordinate" its scientific work.

The post is being advertised on the intelligence agency's website, with the successful applicant expected to use their expertise to thwart terror operations around the world.

The post will take up two or three days a week.

I think it's unlikely the candidate will be required to create a new weapons system for the latest Aston Martin Professor John Beddington

According to the MI5 website, candidates for the "unique and challenging" role need to have "world-class scientific expertise and credibility".

They are also expected to have "excellent strategic skills", "outstanding influencing and communication skills" as well as a successful track record of "managing critical projects and processes in a complex environment".

Professor John Beddington, the Government's chief scientific adviser, said the new recruit will have to keep up with the latest technological developments to ensure British intelligence stays one step ahead of the country's enemies.

"I think it's unlikely the candidate will be required to create a new weapons system for the latest Aston Martin," he said.

"Nevertheless there is a really important role in providing scientific and technological advice that agents working in the field will address."