A PhD alone wouldn't necessarily make a good scientific advisor, but someone who came from a high-level position in a university might. Beyond a certain level,

A PhD alone wouldn't necessarily make a good scientific advisor, but someone who came from a high-level position in a university might. Beyond a certain level, scientists become managers rather than practitioners. The successful ones have insight into the process of raising funds, the politics of large-scale research facilities, and sometimes the process of major international collaboration. Discerning whether a given study is junk probably doesn't fall under the remit of Science Advisor. That's more of a tactical issue that would be delegated to a specialist policy wonk.