Become a Senior Leader in Defense Science: Supervisory Physical Scientist Opportunity

Are you a visionary scientist with the leadership skills to guide groundbreaking research in nuclear forensics, geophysics, or space surveillance? The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is currently seeking a high-level Supervisory Interdisciplinary Physical Scientist to join the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) at Patrick AFB, Florida. This is a rare, high-stakes position within the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) that offers the chance to influence national security at the highest strategic level.

Job Responsibilities

As a GG-14 supervisor, your primary role will be to serve as the senior technical authority for R&D partnerships. Your key duties include:

Program Leadership: Planning and directing complex scientific divisions, ensuring compliance with strict legal and regulatory intelligence standards.
Strategic Engagement: Establishing high-level collaborative relationships with the DoD, DOE, DOJ, and international academic/scientific partners.
Technical Oversight: Providing management for advanced concepts ranging from radiochemistry to artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.
Senior Mentorship: Exercising comprehensive supervisory management responsibilities over a team of elite scientists and technicians.

Requirements

To qualify for this role, you must demonstrate a mastery of advanced analytical principles. Because this is a "positive education" role, you must possess the relevant degrees for the physical science series (e.g., Geophysics, Physics, Chemistry, or Space Science).

Comparison of Qualification Areas

Area of Focus	Requirement Level
Professional Experience	Mastery level in physical science
Leadership	Senior management/supervisory experience
Security	SCI eligibility required
Education	Relevant B.S./M.S./Ph.D required

Salary and Benefits

The position offers a competitive salary range of $148,275 to $197,200 per year, commensurate with qualifications. Federal employment comes with an industry-leading benefits package, including:

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
Defined-benefit retirement pension (FERS).
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with employer matching.
Generous annual leave and sick leave accrual.

Application Tips

Resume Limit: Keep your resume to exactly two pages. The system is designed to reject submissions that exceed this limit.
SF-50 Accuracy: If you are a federal employee, submit your most recent SF-50 to confirm your grade and time-in-grade eligibility.
Detail Your Hours: Clearly state the number of hours worked per week for every position listed on your resume.
Transcript Submission: Do not omit your transcripts; they are mandatory to prove your academic foundation in the physical sciences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What if my degree is from a foreign university? A: You must provide evidence that the degree is equivalent to a conventional U.S. education program through an official evaluation service.

Q: Is relocation assistance offered? A: Yes, relocation incentives may be available for the successful candidate.

Q: Can I work remotely? A: While the position allows for telework, the role requires a consistent presence at Patrick AFB due to the highly sensitive and classified nature of the work.

This position is ideal for the candidate who thrives in complex, fast-paced intelligence environments and wishes to apply their scientific expertise to the betterment of national security. With the potential for high-impact work and a generous benefits structure, this role represents the pinnacle of federal scientific leadership. Ensure your application is submitted by the closing date of September 17, 2026.

Why This Supervisory Interdisciplinary -Physical Scientist/Geophysicist/Chemist/Astronomy Space Sci/Physicist Job Matters

Lead cutting-edge scientific innovation at the Air Force Technical Applications Center—where your expertise in physics, chemistry, or geophysics directly shapes national security intelligence.

Supervisory Interdisciplinary -Physical Scientist/Geophysicist/Chemist/Astronomy Space Sci/Physicist Job Overview

The Department of the Air Force is seeking an accomplished senior professional for an Interdisciplinary Physical Scientist position (GG-14) based in Patrick AFB, Florida. This leadership role serves as the premier expert for identifying and expanding research and development partnerships across the U.S. Government and international partners. You will guide high-level mission areas, provide technical oversight for state-of-the-art developments, and manage complex scientific projects within the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS).

Requirements for Supervisory Interdisciplinary -Physical Scientist/Geophysicist/Chemist/Astronomy Space Sci/Physicist

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with SCI access.
Must pass initial and periodic drug testing (Testing Designated Position).
Must meet OPM qualification standards for the specific 1301, 1310, 1313, 1320, or 1330 series.
Must submit a professional resume (maximum 2 pages) including hours worked per week and dates of employment.
Must provide official academic transcripts.
Must meet Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements for Engineering and Technical Management (Practitioner level).

Preferred Qualifications for Supervisory Interdisciplinary -Physical Scientist/Geophysicist/Chemist/Astronomy Space Sci/Physicist

Proven history of managing large-scale scientific research and development programs.
Demonstrated ability to interface with senior civilian and military leaders (SES/O-6 levels).
Expertise in national technical nuclear forensics, seismo-acoustics, or space-based surveillance.
Success in developing and transitioning new scientific methods from concept to operational deployment.
Experience in complex program budgeting, contracting, and personnel management.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive Federal Salary ($148,275 - $197,200)
✓Comprehensive Federal Health and Life Insurance programs
✓Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching
✓Paid vacation and sick leave
✓Opportunities for professional development and training
✓Potential for relocation assistance

💡 How to Apply Supervisory Interdisciplinary -Physical Scientist/Geophysicist/Chemist/Astronomy Space Sci/Physicist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Supervisory Interdisciplinary -Physical Scientist/Geophysicist/Chemist/Astronomy Space Sci/Physicist Job

Register for a USAJOBS account.
Review the specific OPM qualification standards for your scientific series.
Prepare a resume not exceeding two pages, detailing your specific professional experience and hours worked.
Gather your official transcripts.
Complete the online application questionnaire via the USAJOBS portal.
Submit your complete package (Resume, Transcripts, SF-50 if applicable) before the deadline.

💡 General Tips

Keep your resume strictly to two pages or less; longer resumes will be automatically rejected.
Ensure your resume explicitly lists hours worked per week to calculate service credit.
Double-check that your transcripts are attached and legible.
Current federal employees must include their most recent SF-50 to demonstrate grade and tenure.
Use the 'Searchable' feature in USAJOBS to increase your visibility to recruiters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DCIPS position?

DCIPS stands for the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System. It is a specialized personnel system for Department of Defense intelligence components, allowing for more flexible employment and compensation structures compared to standard General Schedule (GS) roles.

Are official transcripts required at the time of application?

Yes, as this position has a positive education requirement, you must provide your transcripts with your application to be considered.

What level of clearance is required?

This position is designated as Special-Sensitive and requires eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

Job from Department Of The Air Force Headquarters

The Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) is the sole DoD organization responsible for operating and maintaining the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection System. Their mission involves global surveillance, intelligence gathering, and technical analysis to ensure national leaders have the information needed to address nuclear threats and emerging global hazards.