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The UK's new minister responsible for research will have a very challenging brief, say science advocates.David Willetts MP was confirmed as minister of state for universities and science late on Wednesday and will have a seat at Cabinet.
Like all government portfolios, science will have to operate in the shadow of efforts to reduce the public deficit.
The Tories promised the research sector a multi-year, "stable investment climate" in their election campaign.
However they made no commitment to maintain Labour's supposed "ring fence" of science funding.
Nonetheless, Dr Hilary Leevers, acting director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), said she was encouraged by Mr Willetts' appointment.
"I know we've got a tough time coming but I think we've got some good people in place, to explain and make the case to invest well in science and engineering, and research and development; and those people all recognise the importance of innovation to drive forward growth," she told BBC News.
In naming David Willetts in the role, the new Conservative-Lib Dem government has passed over the man who did science spokesman duties for the Tories prior to the election - Adam Afriyie.
Mr Willetts has a reputation for intellect and picked up the nickname "two brains" among the Westminster press corps.
In opposition, he was a shadow minister for universities and skills and so is well acquainted with the research brief. And although not a scientist by training, he has impressed many who are with his grasp of the issues.
The Tory-Lib Dem coalition intends to proceed - certainly in the short term - with the present arrangement of departments with responsibility for science.
Mr Willetts will report to Lib Dem Secretary of State Vince Cable, who takes charge of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) created under the previous administration.
Labour spending on science more than doubled during its three terms, rising to just under £4bn in the current spending round.
A key beneficiary of this expenditure was the research infrastructure. UK universities now have some of the most modern labs in the world.
When the election results were announced last week, some commentators claimed the outcome could make life more difficult for science in the years ahead.
The Times newspaper carried out an analysis which showed that some 71 MPs with scientific backgrounds had been returned to the House of Commons compared with the 86 (out of 650) that had been in the chamber previously.
New Scientist magazine also published the statement "science is the loser".
Much of this consternation seemed to surround the unseating of the Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris, who was recognised across the political spectrum as being an outstanding advocate for science.
The new government says it wants to reduce the public deficit £6bn in the coming financial year. The details are expected to be announced in a budget statement that will be made inside two months.
Longer term, the new government is expected to have a Comprehensive Spending Review in the autumn when it should become clearer how funding will evolve beyond 2011.
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.ukThis article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.