Become a Lead Physicist at the Defense Health Agency
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently seeking a highly skilled Physicist to contribute to the medical mission at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This specialized role is designed for experts who thrive in laboratory environments and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of radiation safety and operational efficiency within a military healthcare setting.
Job Responsibilities
As a Physicist, your work will be foundational to the center’s safety and technical operations. Key duties include:
- Developing and enforcing radiation safety policies.
- Providing technical guidance on physical, mechanical, and electrical safety.
- Overseeing quality control for radiation detection equipment.
- Troubleshooting and repairing imagery acquisition systems.
- Conducting in-depth analysis to investigate and resolve operational malfunctions.
Requirements
To be considered for this position, candidates must meet specific criteria:
- Educational Background: A Bachelor’s degree in physics or a related discipline, including at least 24 semester hours of physics coursework (covering fundamental physics plus two specialized areas like mechanics, heat, or modern physics).
- Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one year of professional experience equivalent to the GS-12 level involving ionizing radiation and laboratory-based problem solving.
- Emergency Essential Status: This role requires a commitment to remain in the position during times of crisis and fulfill mandatory health requirements, including vaccinations.
Salary and Comparison
This role offers a competitive salary structure based on the federal General Schedule (GS) scale.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Position Level | GS-13 |
| Salary Range | $108,001 - $140,403 |
| Location | Fort Sam Houston, TX |
| Security Level | Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk |
Benefits
Employees of the DHA enjoy the full spectrum of federal benefits, including:
- Comprehensive health and insurance coverage.
- Generous retirement planning options.
- Potential recruitment or relocation incentives for the right candidate.
- Professional development in a mission-critical environment.
Application Tips
- Respect the Limits: Your resume must be two pages or less. Submissions exceeding this limit will be rejected.
- Clarity Counts: Avoid technical jargon. Clearly state your duties, employment dates, and hours worked per week for every position listed.
- Document Everything: If qualifying via education, your transcripts are non-negotiable. Ensure they are uploaded clearly.
If you are a physics expert looking to apply your skills in a high-impact, mission-essential role, this opportunity at Brooke Army Medical Center is an ideal next step. Prepare your documentation carefully and apply by August 7, 2026, to join one of the world's most significant healthcare networks.
Why This Physicist Job Matters
Join the Defense Health Agency at Brooke Army Medical Center and play a critical role in cutting-edge medical physics, radiation safety, and operational excellence.
Physicist Job Overview
The Defense Health Agency is seeking a dedicated Physicist to join the team at the prestigious Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This position serves as a key technical advisor, ensuring the integrity of radiation safety protocols and the optimal performance of medical imagery delivery systems within an integrated healthcare environment serving service members and their families.
Requirements for Physicist
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Bachelor's degree or higher in physics (or a related field with at least 24 semester hours in physics).
- Coursework must include general physics plus two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, or sound.
- One year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level or equivalent involving ionizing and/or optical radiation, research, and laboratory problem-solving.
- Ability to obtain and maintain required immunizations, including anthrax vaccine, as this is an Emergency Essential position.
- Must be able to report for duty during contingency operations, emergencies, or inclement weather.
Preferred Qualifications for Physicist
- Master's degree or Doctorate in Physics, Medical Physics, Biophysics, Radiological Physics, or Medical Health Physics.
- Proven experience in complex radiation safety policy development.
- Strong analytical skills regarding physical, mechanical, and electrical automation safety.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive Federal Salary with locality pay.
- ✓Access to Federal health and retirement benefit programs.
- ✓Potential for recruitment or relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates.
- ✓Opportunity for salary negotiation for new Federal employees.
- ✓Leave credit for non-federal work experience.
💡 How to Apply Physicist Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Physicist Job
- Register for a USAJOBS account.
- Prepare a resume strictly limited to two pages.
- Gather supporting documentation, including transcripts and performance appraisals.
- Complete the online questionnaire via the USAJOBS portal.
- Submit all required documents before the closing date of August 7, 2026.
- Monitor application status through the USAJOBS dashboard.
💡 General Tips
- Keep your resume to a maximum of two pages to ensure it is not disqualified.
- Ensure your resume explicitly details your specialized experience with hours worked per week and specific project descriptions.
- Use plain language and avoid internal jargon or acronyms.
- Verify that your transcript is included if you are qualifying based on education.
- Submit well in advance of the deadline to account for potential system virus scans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this position eligible for remote work?
No, this position is not eligible for telework or remote work due to its designation as mission-essential and on-site requirements at Brooke Army Medical Center.
What does 'Emergency Essential' mean for this role?
It means the position is critical to the DoD’s mobilization and wartime mission. The incumbent must report for duty during emergencies, natural disasters, or times of tension, and may be required to receive specific immunizations.
Job from Military Treatment Facilities Under Dha
The Defense Health Agency is an integrated healthcare system responsible for delivering medical services across the Department of Defense. Supporting over 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families, the DHA is a global leader in medical readiness. Working here means being part of a strategic partnership that ensures quality healthcare delivery anytime, anywhere.