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David King, head of chemistry at Cambridge University, will be the British
government’s new Chief Scientific Adviser. “It’s an extremely interesting
challenge, I wish him well,” says Robert May, who stepped down from the job last
month. David Phillips, King’s opposite number at Imperial College in London,
says he’s well placed for the job. “Managing a bunch of prima donnas in
Cambridge must qualify him at least in politics,” he muses. King’s department
says he will not give up his research. But to do both jobs adequately, says
Phillips, “is a tall order”.