Shaping the Future of Scientific Computing: Director of Computational Science Research and Partnerships Division

In an era defined by rapid technological evolution, computational science serves as the backbone of global innovation. From designing complex energy systems to securing national defense networks, the convergence of high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum information science (QIS) is reshaping what is possible. At the center of this technological revolution is the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science.

To continue leading this global charge, the DOE is seeking a visionary, highly collaborative leader to assume the role of Director of the Computational Science Research and Partnerships Division (CSRP). Located in Germantown, Maryland, this Senior Executive Service (SES) career appointment is designed for individuals capable of bridging advanced computational methodologies with real-world scientific applications. If you are an experienced technical executive with a proven track record in applied mathematics, computer science, and programmatic leadership, this position offers an unparalleled platform to influence national scientific policy and direct cutting-edge federal research investments.

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About the Agency: The DOE Office of Science

The Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the nation's largest federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences. It plays a critical role in sustaining American leadership in fields such as physics, chemistry, materials science, and advanced computing. Operating within the Office of Science, the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) is tasked with discovering, developing, and deploying the computational tools necessary to solve the world's most daunting scientific challenges.

The Computational Science Research and Partnerships Division (CSRP) serves as a critical engine within ASCR. Its mission focuses on executing long-term research programs in applied mathematics and computer science. By working closely with research communities, industry partners, and other scientific disciplines, the CSRP Division builds advanced software, designs robust mathematical algorithms, and creates state-of-the-art computational workflows. These tools enable researchers to maximize the capabilities of the nation's most sophisticated supercomputers, driving discoveries that support the economic prosperity and security of the United States.

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Core Leadership & Job Responsibilities

As the Director of the Computational Science Research and Partnerships Division, you will operate as a high-level executive leader, scientific strategist, and external liaison. You will be responsible for the scientific direction, administrative oversight, and financial stewardship of programs that define the next generation of scientific computing.

Your primary duties will include:

• Strategic Research Direction: Directing and overseeing an executive division responsible for pioneering long-term research programs. This includes establishing priorities for innovative algorithms, computational methods, and software structures that support current and emerging HPC, quantum computing, and AI architectures.
• Operational Excellence: Setting rigorous internal control standards to ensure the efficiency, productivity, and viability of all program policies, projects, and organizational initiatives.
• High-Level Scientific Advising: Working in close coordination with ASCR leadership to provide expert advice and technical consultations on applied mathematics, computational data science, and advanced computing initiatives directly to the Director of the Office of Science and senior DOE officials.
• Standard-Setting and Innovation: Directing the development of new work methodologies, robust peer-review systems, and customized operational guidelines. These frameworks ensure a standardized, equitable, and effective approach to computational research partnerships and simulation issues across the entire Department.
• National and International Collaborations: Spearheading large-scale collaborative efforts with public, academic, and private stakeholders. Your goal will be to actively expand U.S. high-performance computing capabilities and remove technical barriers hindering multidisciplinary simulations.
• Representing the Agency: Serving as a principal representative of DOE and ASCR leadership. You will lead negotiations, establish program logistics, and coordinate funding allocations in high-level meetings with representatives from domestic and foreign governments, leading research universities, private corporations, and professional scientific societies.

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Educational and Professional Requirements

Because of the highly technical nature of the CSRP Division's portfolio, applicants must meet specific educational benchmarks. This position accepts candidates qualified under two distinct federal occupational series: General Physical Science (GS-1301) and Computer Science (GS-1550).

General Physical Science Series (1301) Requirements

To qualify under the physical science track, you must possess:

1. A full four-year degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included at least 24 semester hours of coursework in physical science and/or related engineering science (such as mechanics, dynamics, electronics, or properties of materials).
2. OR a equivalent combination of professional experience and education that matches the course requirements outlined above.

Computer Science Series (1550) Requirements

To qualify under the computer science track, you must possess:

1. A bachelor's degree in computer science.
2. OR a bachelor's degree with at least 30 semester hours of coursework in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. Crucially, at least 15 of these 30 hours must have been completed in a combination of mathematics and statistics that included both differential and integral calculus.

Educational Pathway Comparison Table

Feature	Physical Science Series (1301)	Computer Science Series (1550)
Primary Fields	Physical Science, Engineering, Mathematics	Computer Science, Math, Statistics
Core Semester Hours	24 semester hours in physical/engineering sciences	30 semester hours in math, stats, and CS
Specific Coursework	Mechanics, dynamics, materials, or electronics	15 hours of math/stats, including differential and integral calculus
Experience Combo	Accepted (equivalent to a 1301 major)	Not explicitly substituted without the 30-hour math/CS block
Transcript Requirement	Unofficial transcripts required at application	Unofficial transcripts required at application

General Federal Eligibility Requirements

In addition to educational criteria, applicants must meet the following basic qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens or nationals of the United States.
• Probationary Period: Candidates new to the Senior Executive Service must complete a mandatory one-year probationary period.
• Suitability Vetting: Candidates must undergo background vetting and an FBI fingerprint check.
• Selective Service: Males born after December 31, 1959, must confirm their registration with the Selective Service or show proof of exemption.
• Financial Disclosure: The selectee will be required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.

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Navigating the Senior Executive Service (SES) Application Process

Securing a career appointment in the Senior Executive Service requires demonstrating both technical mastery and executive-level leadership capabilities. Candidates are evaluated against two core components: Technical Qualifications (TQs) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

CRITICAL RULE: For this announcement, your response to both the TQs and ECQs must be integrated entirely within a two-page resume. Separate narrative attachments will not be accepted or reviewed. Resumes exceeding two pages or using a font size smaller than 10-point may be disqualified.

Technical Qualifications (TQs)

Your resume must provide clear evidence of your ability to perform the following:

• TQ 1 (Strategic and Programmatic Leadership): Proven experience in strategic planning, budgeting, requirements gathering, and program management within applied mathematics, computer science, or data science. This includes managing programs focused on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, distributed computing, and collaborative computational science partnerships.
• TQ 2 (Scientific Expertise & Communication): Deep, authoritative knowledge of computational science, mathematics, and data tools. You must show you have designed software tools, mathematical algorithms, and methods that adapt to heterogeneous computer architectures. Additionally, you must demonstrate the ability to serve as a principal expert when interacting with senior government officials, professional bodies, and international scientific organizations.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)

If you are a first-time entrant to the SES, you must show evidence of the five mandatory ECQs inside your resume:

1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: Upholding the U.S. Constitution, operating with high ethical standards, and displaying a commitment to serving the public.
2. Driving Efficiency: Strategically managing budgets, streamlining operations, reducing wasteful spending, and introducing modern technological upgrades.
3. Merit and Competence: Ensuring work produced by your division is reliable, objective, and of exceptional scientific quality.
4. Leading People: Inspiring team members toward a shared vision, cultivating a collaborative and high-performance culture, and holding staff accountable during organizational changes.
5. Achieving Results: Demonstrating accountability, aligning division deliverables with agency-wide goals, and meeting critical program milestones.

Note: Current SES members, OPM-approved SESCDP graduates, and those with SES reinstatement eligibility are exempt from the ECQ requirement. However, proof of eligibility (such as an SF-50 or OPM QRB certification) must be attached to the application.

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Salary and Federal Benefits

This position is compensated under the Senior Executive Service pay scale, offering a highly competitive salary range of $199,172 to $228,000 per year.

In addition to the base salary, a career with the Department of Energy includes an exceptional benefits package designed to support your health, wellness, and financial future:

• Comprehensive Healthcare: Multiple options for health, dental, vision, and long-term care insurance.
• Retirement Security: Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plan and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching contributions.
• Flexible Work Options: Telework opportunities are available in accordance with Department of Energy policies.
• Leave Programs: Substantial annual and sick leave accrual, alongside standard federal holidays.
• Incentives: Geographic relocation incentives or hiring incentives may be authorized based on agency funding and policy approvals.

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Application Tips from HR Specialists

To ensure your application stands out in the competitive SES selection process, keep these expert tips in mind:

• Respect the Page Limit: The two-page limit is absolute. Do not use the USAJOBS Resume Builder, as it often expands formatting and can push your document past the two-page threshold. Draft a custom, high-impact resume in a word processor, set margins to at least 0.5 inches, and use a standard 10-point or 12-point font.
• Integrate Qualifications: Instead of listing your achievements chronologically, structure your experience to showcase how your work directly maps to the TQs and ECQs. Use active, result-oriented verbs and quantifiable achievements (e.g., "Managed a $15M programmatic budget to deploy AI workflow tools across three national laboratories").
• Submit Detailed Transcripts: Do not forget to upload legible transcripts. If your degree is from a foreign institution, you must include credentialing evaluations proving equivalency to U.S. educational standards.
• Prepare for the QRB: If selected, your application will be forwarded to the Office of Personnel Management’s Qualifications Review Board (QRB). Writing a clear, concise, and structured resume from the start will expedite this final certification process.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I submit separate narrative sheets for the TQs and ECQs?

No. The hiring agency will not accept or review separate narrative statements. All technical and executive qualifications must be woven directly into your two-page federal resume.

2. What happens if my resume is longer than two pages?

Resumes that exceed the two-page limit will not be reviewed beyond the second page, and may be disqualified entirely from consideration. Keep your document concise and highly focused.

3. Do I need to submit official transcripts when applying?

Unofficial transcripts or course reports listing the institution, course titles, credits earned, and final grades are acceptable during the initial application phase. However, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to submit official transcripts before starting.

4. Are veterans' preference points applied to SES positions?

No. Veterans' preference rules do not apply to appointments within the Senior Executive Service.

5. Is geographic mobility required for this role?

Organizational and geographical mobility is considered vital for the professional development of SES leaders. Candidates selected for SES positions may be subject to reassignment across organizational, functional, or geographical lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

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Serving as the Director of the Computational Science Research and Partnerships Division is more than an executive job; it is an opportunity to guide the intellectual and technological resources of the United States. By directing advanced research in mathematics, data structures, and machine learning, you will ensure the Department of Energy remains at the vanguard of international scientific discovery. If you possess the required technical expertise, a passion for public service, and the executive leadership needed to guide elite scientific teams, take the next step in your career and apply today.