A chemist will be the UK Government's new chief scientific adviser.

The Prime Minister has announced that Professor David King, currently Master of Downing College, Cambridge, and head of the university's chemistry department will succeed Sir Robert May.

The position is supposed to ensure that the top of government, and any policy it produces, benefits from the best scientific advice available.

Sir Robert's tenure coincided with the political furore over genetically modified crops. He was frequently asked to explain the scientific rationale for proceeding with a technology that has proved deeply unpopular with the public.

Professor David King, 61, was born in South Africa. He has worked at the University of Witwatersrand, Imperial College London, the University of East Anglia, and Liverpool University. He became head of chemistry at Cambridge in 1993.

Professor King is a surface chemist, interested in how substances come together and react. His research has tried to identify novel catalysts that will speed up chemical reactions.

"The Chief Scientific Adviser plays a vital role providing high quality scientific advice within government," Prime Minister Tony Blair said.

"Professor King's eminent career makes him admirably suited to his new role. He is a first rate scientist who is highly regarded internationally. I look forward to working with him closely."

Sir Robert May's term of appointment ended on 30 September. He will become President of the Royal Society later in the year.