The Scottish Government has appointed a new chief science adviser after the post was empty for 18 months.

Professor Sheila Rowan MBE of the University of Glasgow will take up the position which will involve liaising with Scottish ministers over government policy.

The professor will fill the part-time job as a secondment alongside her existing position as director of the Institute for Gravitational Research. She will work for the Scottish Government three days a week.

Rowan said: "This is an exciting time to join the Scottish Government and I'm looking forward to working with ministers and officials to show the added value that science advice can bring to their work.

"I'm also keen to meet scientists across Scotland so that I can fully appreciate the potential impact of new developments in science, engineering and technology."

Her appointment was announced at the university by educations ecretary John Swinney.

He said: "I am delighted to welcome Professor Rowan to the Scottish Government and look forward to working with her as chief scientific adviser.

"The Scottish Government values science and the expert scientific advice provided by our network of specialist science advisers. As chief science adviser, Professor Rowan will help to ensure that science informs the Scottish Government's work, and advise on the impact that new developments in science may have."

The lack of a chief science advisor over the past 18 months has proved controversial over a number of policy areas such as the Scottish Government's ban on GM crops andits moratorium on fracking.

Nicola Sturgeon admitted the Scottish Government's position on GM crops was not informed by scientific advice.

She said in a letter: "The science and the decision on the suitability of a GM crop for a particular area are quite distinct.

"The decision that the Scottish Government took, therefore, was not one based on scientific considerations but, rather, one which took into account the potential wider economic ramifications that growing GM crops might have for Scotland."

Professor Rowan will hold the post for the next three years with a possibly extension after the period has been reached.