Summary
The Chief Scientist/Scientific Advisor to the Air Force (AF) Surgeon General develops healthcare policy and supports medical Research, Development, and Acquisition (RDA). This scientific/professional (ST), non-managerial role, guides the AF Medical Service's strategic vision for RDA and coordinates research with Department of War (DoW), Defense Health Agency (DHA), DoW, DHA, military departments, government agencies, and other partners to align modernization with capability requirements.
Duties
The Chief Scientist and Scientific Advisor to the Air Force Surgeon General (AF/SG) serves as the primary scientific, technical, and acquisition strategy authority for the Air Force Medical Service (AFMS). Operating at the nexus of military operational medicine, advanced biomedical technology, interagency health governance, and defense acquisition, the incumbent is charged with informing, integrating, and implementing a comprehensive Defense Health Program (DHP)-funded Research, Development, and Acquisition (RDA) strategy and oversight process.
The fundamental mandate of this role is to translate evolving operational aerospace and joint warfighter health challenges into actionable, scientifically sound, and fiscally disciplined research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) programs. These programs must seamlessly transition knowledge and materiel capabilities into operational Air Force and joint military medical units.
The position requires a rare combination of executive-level scientific acumen, deep familiarity with the Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition ecosystem, and authoritative leadership across complex military and interagency corporate structures. The Chief Scientist ensures that every dollar allocated across multiple appropriation streams delivers validated, technologically mature, and doctrinally integrated solutions that maximize airman and guardian survivability, performance, and lethality.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. citizenship is required
- Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
- Disclosure of Political Appointments
- Mobility is a condition of employment and appointment for SES and ST members will be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligations Agreement
- Selected candidate must file a Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978
- Position has been designated Special-Sensitive and the selectee must have or be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance
- Drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use IAW Exec. Order 12564, dated 14 Sep 86. Position requires that the incumbent sign a Drug Testing letter and pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment.
- Position requires travel under conditions specified in the DoD Joint Travel Regulations. Incumbent is expected to travel on short notice to attend high-level meetings.
- Position may require incumbent to be available for other than normal duty hours to include weekends to support exercises and crisis planning.
- An initial SES and ST career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a 1-year probationary period.
- Attendance to the Air Force's Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC) is generally required within 12 months of appointment, subject to course availability.
- Position may be subject to the post-government employment restrictions of Sections 207(a) and (f) of Title 18, United States Code.
- Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants.
Qualifications
Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has training, education and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
In accordance with new OPM requirements to streamline hiring, applicants are no longer required to submit lengthy narrative essays, including those for Technical Qualifications (TQs) or Senior Professional Qualifications (SPQs), when applying. Instead, the initial application will be resume-only, capped at two pages. This change streamlines the application process and more closely aligns with private industry practices. Applicants identified for potential selection will have their qualifications assessed by undergoing a structured interview conducted by a panel.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Technical and Senior Professional Qualifications related to this position within your resume (not to exceed 2 pages). Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of your qualifications, you may not receive further consideration for the position.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that satisfy the technical qualifications.
TQ1. Demonstrated technical leadership and senior-level scientific expertise in formulating, integrating, and implementing comprehensive medical research, development, and acquisition (RDA) strategies and oversight processes across complex Air Force, joint, and interagency organizations.
TQ2. Demonstrated superior technical leadership in health, medical or biomedical sciences, demonstrated by a proven record of leading advanced research initiatives and bridging scientific innovation with operational applications and the transition of research knowledge, clinical applications, technologies, or materiel solutions into operationally relevant capabilities.
Education
Positions in the GS-0601 series require a bachelor's or higher degree in an academic field related to medical, health, or allied sciences from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. This foundational education ensures candidates possess the scientific knowledge necessary for research, analysis, and healthcare program management.
A doctorate degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) from an accredited university program in an academic field related to the health sciences or allied sciences with emphasis in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics; curricula which included anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, genetics, healthcare operations and/or management, and completion of a research thesis is highly desired.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0600/general-medical-and-healthcare-series-0601/
Program Management Level III certification within 24 months of assignment
Additional information
Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is applicable to Air Force Senior Level (SL) positions.
Relocation Authorized: Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be offered.
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.
Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applications will be evaluated against the qualifications requirements. Candidates will be evaluated for this position by a screening panel composed of senior executives and/or general officers selected for organizational and/or functional backgrounds relevant to this position. The panel will reach consensus on the applications demonstrating a high degree of the technical competencies to select for interviews. Post interview, the panel will make a recommendation of those Best Qualified candidates to refer to the selecting official, in priority order. Final selection is contingent on approval by the Under Secretary of the Air Force.
REMINDER: Before uploading your required PDF documents (Resume), please ensure they DO NOT EXCEED the noted 2 page limits.
Required Documents
To receive full consideration, each applicant must submit the MANDATORY documents in the format as designated. Packages that do not include all of the required documents or meet format requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.
**************ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED IN PDF FORMAT*******************
The Qualifications Documents must be formatted using Times New Roman, size 10 font, with 1-inch margins. Do not use borders, provide photos, or list a Social Security Number on any of the Qualifications Documents. DO NOT COMBINE DOCUMENTS.
A. (Mandatory) Resume in the preferred format (Limit 2 Pages Total). Upload in PDF format. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
B. (Optional) Most recent Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50, noting your current position, grade level and salary level (applies only to current or former civilian government employee).
C. (Optional) Most recent completed Performance Appraisal (current and/or former federal employees).
D. (Mandatory) College transcript(s) (copy is acceptable) which demonstrates the acceptable combinations of education and experience as noted by OPM.
E. (Optional) Military Retired - a copy of your DD214 and/or Retirement orders; Active Duty - Are you an active duty service member with a statement of service showing that you expect to be honorably discharged or released from the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after submitting your application? PLEASE NOTE: you will be ineligible for consideration if your statement of service is not submitted with your application or it shows an expected discharge or release date greater than 120 days from the date of the submission of the certification.Documents are required.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Please follow the below instructions to submit applications. Any applications received that do not include all of the required documents or do not meet format requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/12/2026.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
PREFERRED RESUME FORMAT: (Limit 2 pages/Times New Roman 10-font) (Do Not Use the USAJOBS Resume Builder) - Please submit a typewritten resume (upload as a PDF), including the following information:
Job Information: Announcement number (MRL26-19222) and title of the position to which you are applying.
Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip code), day and evening phone numbers (with area code) and complete e-mail address where you would like to receive correspondence regarding your application. **PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER**
Active-Duty/Retired Military: State highest rank held, date of promotion and date eligible to retire or date of retirement, (e.g., Colonel/June 2006/December 2014). NOTE: IAW 5 U.S.C. 3326, a 180-day waiver will be required for retired or retiring members of the armed forces during the period of 180 days immediately after retirement. Please note: you will be ineligible for consideration if your statement of service is not submitted with your application or it shows an expected discharge or release date greater than 120 days from the date of the submission of the certification.
Education: Educational information, including the name, city and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degree received. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
Work Experience: Give the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying: (Do not send job descriptions).
- Starting and ending dates (month and year)
- Job title (for government position, include civilian series and grade or military rank)
- Employer's name and address
- Supervisor's name and phone number, please indicate if we may contact your current supervisor
- Salary (current)
* Applicants should focus on recency of experience - Recruitment Panels, Executive Resources Boards, and Hiring Officials may consider experience over 10 years outdated.
References: Provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three individuals who can comment on your qualifications for this position. Please do not list supervisors already listed above.
This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify this office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.
Next steps
Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration.
If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.